COMPRENSIÓN DE TEXTOS EXAMEN ACCESO DIRECTO Y PROMOCIÓN INTERNA SUBOFICIALES. TEST 1

Enero es el mes perfecto para arrancar con buen pie, establecer una rutina constante y construir la base necesaria para superar la oposición de verano sin agobios. Seguimos con ejercicios y simulacros que os sirvan de ayuda para continuar preparando el examen de inglés para el acceso a la Escala de Suboficiales.

1.         Formato del ejercicio y ventajas del formato express

Hoy os traigo un simulacro de examen de comprensión de textos, popularmente conocido como Reading. Está compuesto de 15 preguntas en lugar de 30 pero seguro que os es útil. Al tratarse de una versión reducida, es la herramienta de diagnóstico ideal para este inicio de año, permitiéndote medir tu comprensión y velocidad de lectura sin saturarte.

Este simulacro de Reading puede valer tanto para el examen de acceso directo como para el de promoción interna con o sin titulación. Aquí os lo dejo. Recuerda realizarlo de forma estricta y, al terminar, podéis encontrar las soluciones con la explicación de las opciones a continuación de las preguntas.

2.         Estrategia para rentabilizar este simulacro de 15 preguntas

Al enfrentarte a textos cortos e independientes en este test, te sugiero aplicar la siguiente metodología:

• Enfoque selectivo (Scanning): Dedica un vistazo rápido al texto para captar la temática general y salta enseguida a la pregunta para saber qué dato exacto rastrear.
• Cuidado con los distractores: Muchas opciones incorrectas introducen información que es real en el mundo exterior, pero que no se menciona en el párrafo. Si no está escrito, es falsa.
• Aprovecha el formato corto: Al ser solo 15 textos, intenta resolverlos manteniendo una concentración absoluta, sin pausas, para entrenar la resistencia mental de cara al examen definitivo.

¡Mucho ánimo en este inicio de preparación!

1) Police in Chile have arrested a man for stealing part of a glacier. They found 5 tons of ice on the back of his lorry which they think came from Jorge Montt Glacier in Patagonia. The man was taking the ice to Santiago to make ice cubes for expensive drinks. The glacier is protected by law but is getting smaller due to global warming. If the ice had reached its destination, it would have been worth four thousand pounds. Which of the following is true?

A The man wanted to make ice cubes.
B. The glacier was expanding.
C. The ice was sold for four thousand pounds.
D. The man enjoys expensive drinks.

2) A beach in Scotland has been closed down because experts have detected dangerous levels of radioactive materials under the sand. It’s thought it’s caused by the hundreds of old war planes which are buried there. The Ministry of Defense has been told it has until the end of February to come up with a plan to make it safe. What is said about the beach?

A. Old war planes were found there
B. The public cannot visit it.
C. It has now been made safe.
D. A plan to make it safe has been finalized.

3) Scientists working at airports in the US have discovered several potentially lethal viruses in illegally imported bushmeat. Bushmeat is the name given to wild animals killed for food,and usually refers to African animals. Scientists estimate that three-quarters of the newest infectious diseases in humans come from animals. Which of the following is true?

A. 50% of diseases come from animals.
B. Bushmeat can be taken to the US.
C. The scientists were working in Africa.
D. The viruses could be deadly to humans.

4) One of the U.K.’s two giant pandas is getting better after having colic which saw him removed from display as he tried to get better. ‘Sunshine’ is brighter and more active. Zoo bosses say he’s started eating loads of bamboo. He started feeling poorly a month after he and female panda Sweetie moved into their new home at Edinburgh Zoo. Colic’s a common complaint in humans but its cause is unknown. ‘Sunshine’ will remain away from the public while he recovers. What is said about the panda?

A. He is refusing to eat.
B. He is out of sight of the public.
C. He will leave Edinburgh Zoo.
D. His condition has deteriorated.

5) A viola player managed to keep his cool when a mobile phone rang during his performance. Instead of losing his temper, Lucas Kmit from Slovakia played the same tune back on his viola. His reaction pleased the audience and after he finished, he carried on with his solo. The video of the performance has now become a huge hit on the internet all over the world. What is said about the viola player?

A. He was angry when the mobile phone rang.
B. It was his mobile phone that rang.
C. He imitated the mobile phone tune on his instrument.
D. His performance was ridiculed on the internet.

6) The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has reopened after two major avalanches and five landslides were cleared. A cold wave further tightened its grip in Jammu and Kashmir with most places in the state recording sub-zero temperatures. The chilly weather has frozen many rivers and lakes, as well as drinking water taps. An avalanche warning has also been issued in some snowbound hilly areas. According to the report...

A. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains out of use.
B. The temperature has dropped below freezing in some places.
C. Drinking water is unavailable in some areas.
D. There is no further threat of avalanches.

7) Exploring shipwrecks and buried treasure isn’t just for Tintin. In the real world, oceans hold about 3 million sunken wrecks. Treasure hunters have been diving and sending robots into the ocean to explore them for years. While wrecks might be a pirates’ paradise, some think they should be better protected. This is out of respect for the dead and to help preserve history. What is said about shipwrecks?

A. They are well protected.
B. They have become rare in recent times.
C. They could assist in recording history.
D. Pirates used robots to explore them.

8) The shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is out and includes golfer Rory McIlroy, boxer Amir Khan and tennis star Andy Murray. It’s a big deal and one of the highest awards an athlete can win. 10 of the UK’s top sport stars have been nominated and the winner will be selected by the public on 22 December. The biggest surprise is that no women have been nominated for the award- it’s all men, and some people have criticized the organizers. It’s the first time since the voting system changed in 2006 that no women are shortlisted. But the organizers say that the shortlist is voted for by a panel of newspaper and magazine journalists, and how they vote can’t be controlled. Which of the following is true?

A. The Sports Personality of the Year has been chosen.
B. Some people want to change the voting system.
C. There is contention regarding the nominees.
D. The winner will be selected after Christmas.

9) Helen and her sister like each other very much but they are very different. Helen’s sister is five years older and she works in a bank. Helen is still at school. Helen’s sister likes her job and she earns a lot of money so she can go out and enjoy herself. She is very kind and often invites Helen to go out with her. What is said about Helen?

A. She works in a bank
B. She doesn’t get on with her sister
C. She has a younger sister
D. She is a student

10) French President Nicolas Sarkozy 15-year-old son has been in trouble for hurting a police officer with tomatoes. The female officer was on duty at the Elysee Palace, guarding the president when she was hit on the cheek. Louis Sarkozy is President Sarkozy’s son from his first marriage. He lives in America but often comes to France to stay with his father. The president apologized to the officer. What is said about President Sarkozy’s son?

A. He was hit by tomatoes.
B. The police officer arrested him.
C. He apologized to the police officer.
D. He was throwing tomatoes.

11) Clowns from El Salvador are campaigning for the right to free travel so that they can entertain people on buses and trains. Clowns, singers, dancers and other entertainers staged a protest outside the Salvadorean Congress in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador to ask for free travel on public transport. The union- the Cultural and Entertainment Workers Union, want the clowns to be able to travel for free so that they can entertain passengers and collect donations. What is said about the clowns?

A. They are not permitted to travel free.
B. They don’t have the support of the Union.
C. They hope to receive money for their efforts.
D. They are forbidden to entertain on public transport.

12) Results released by Empire Cinemas say that film fans ate more than two and a half billion pieces of popcorn. Of the millions of boxes of popcorn sold at Empire Cinemas, 80% were sweet and only 20% salty. This year looks set to be an even bigger year for filmgoers, with big releases from all of the major film studios. What is said about cinemagoers in 2011?

A. They preferred salty to sweet popcorn.
B. They made use of double-decker buses.
C. They preferred sweet to salty popcorn.
D. They ate more popcorn than ever in 2011.

13) The famous Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire will be staying in the U.K, even though they can’t expand. The film studio submitted plans to build more studios next to their current set, but the plans have been refused. The studios have been making films for more than 70 years, including the James Bond films and Mamma Mia. What is said about Pinewood Studios?

A. They are building a new studio.
B. They are expanding internationally.
C. They have made well-known films.
D. They are almost 70 years old.

14) A powerful earthquake has destroyed lots of homes and killed 15 people in the Philippines. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines during the morning. Rescuers dug through rubble with their bare hands and shovels after the powerful earthquake triggered landslides, collapsed homes and killed dozens of people. Earthquake survivors begged rescuers to keep searching for dozens of people buried in landslides, but officials didn’t believe there was much hope of finding them alive. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Officials expect to find more survivors.
B. Rescuers didn’t have many tools.
C. The earthquake was not serious.
D. People returned quickly to their homes.

15) Police in Australia had a tough time trying to catch a runaway goat. The speedy animal ran in and out of traffic on the roads causing chaos while police officers tried to catch it with nets. No-one knows where it came from but it is the same one that several people have seen in the city recently. Eventually the goat was captured and taken to a local lost dogs’ home. What is said about the goat?

A. It escaped from a dogs’ home.
B. It was seen previously in the city.
C. It was impossible to catch.
D. It caused an accident.

Aquí os dejo las soluciones con la explicación de las opciones de cada pregunta y porqué son verdaderas o falsas:

1) Glacier

Correct Answer: A) The man wanted to make ice cubes.

A) Correct: The text explicitly states, "The man was taking the ice to Santiago to make ice cubes for expensive drinks."

B) Incorrect: The text states the glacier "is getting smaller," not expanding.

C) Incorrect: The text says "If the ice had reached its destination, it would have been worth four thousand pounds" (conditional statement; it was not actually sold).

D) Incorrect: He was making ice cubes for drinks for others, not because he personally enjoys expensive drinks.

2) Beach in Scotland

Correct Answer: B) The public cannot visit it.

A) Incorrect: The passage states planes are "buried there," not that they were recently found or dug up.

B) Correct: The text states the beach "has been closed down," which means the public cannot visit it.

C) Incorrect: The Ministry of Defense has until the end of February to make a plan; it is not yet safe.

D) Incorrect: They have until the end of February to "come up with a plan," meaning it is not finalized yet.

3) Potentially lethal viruses

Correct Answer: D) The viruses could be deadly to humans.

A) Incorrect: The text estimates "three-quarters" (75%), not 50%.

B) Incorrect: The text specifically notes the meat was "illegally imported."

C) Incorrect: The text says scientists were "working at airports in the US," not in Africa.

D) Correct: The viruses are described as "potentially lethal" (deadly) in humans.

4) Panda

Correct Answer: B) He is out of sight of the public.

A) Incorrect: The passage says he "started eating loads of bamboo."

B) Correct: The text explicitly states he "was removed from display" and "will remain away from the public."

C) Incorrect: He is recovering at Edinburgh Zoo; there is no mention of him leaving.

D) Incorrect: His condition is improving ("getting better," "brighter and more active").

5) Viola player

Correct Answer: C) He imitated the mobile phone tune on his instrument.

A) Incorrect: He kept his cool "instead of losing his temper."

B) Incorrect: The ringing phone belonged to someone in the audience, not the performer.

C) Correct: The text states he "played the same tune back on his viola" (imitated it).

D) Incorrect: The video became a "huge hit," and his reaction "pleased the audience."

6) Highway

Correct Answer: B) The temperature has dropped below freezing in some places.

A) Incorrect: The highway "has reopened" after being cleared.

B) Correct: The passage states places were "recording sub-zero temperatures" (below freezing).

C) Incorrect: Taps froze due to chilly weather, but complete unavailability of drinking water is not stated.

D) Incorrect: An "avalanche warning has also been issued," meaning a threat still exists.

7) Shipwrecks

Correct Answer: C) They could assist in recording history.

A) Incorrect: The passage states "some think they should be better protected," implying they currently are not.

B) Incorrect: The ocean holds about 3 million sunken wrecks; rarity is not mentioned.

C) Correct: Protecting wrecks helps "preserve history" (assisting in recording history).

D) Incorrect: Modern treasure hunters use robots, not historical pirates.

8) BBC Award

Correct Answer: C) There is contention regarding the nominees.

A) Incorrect: The winner will be chosen on 22 December; it hasn't happened yet.

B) Incorrect: The text states people criticized the lack of female nominees, not that they want to rewrite the voting system itself.

C) Correct: "Some people have criticized the organizers" because no women were nominated, showing contention/controversy.

D) Incorrect: The selection date is 22 December, which is before Christmas.

9) Helen

Correct Answer: D) She is a student

A) Incorrect: Helen's sister works in a bank.

B) Incorrect: They "like each other very much."

C) Incorrect: Her sister is five years older, meaning Helen is the younger sister.

D) Correct: The passage explicitly states, "Helen is still at school" (a student).

10) President's son

Correct Answer: D) He was throwing tomatoes.

A) Incorrect: He was the one hurting a police officer with tomatoes.

B) Incorrect: The text does not state he was arrested.

C) Incorrect: The president (his father) apologized, not the son.

D) Correct: He hurt an officer with tomatoes, meaning he was throwing them.

11) Clowns

Correct Answer: C) They hope to receive money for their efforts.

A) Incorrect: They are asking for free travel, but their current legal permission status to travel free isn't stated as a total ban.

B) Incorrect: They are backed by the "Cultural and Entertainment Workers Union."

C) Correct: The text states they want to entertain passengers and "collect donations" (receive money).

D) Incorrect: They are currently campaigning for free transport; whether entertaining on public transport is strictly illegal is not stated.

12) Popcorn

Correct Answer: C) They preferred sweet to salty popcorn.

A) Incorrect: 80% bought sweet popcorn and only 20% salty.

B) Incorrect: Double-decker buses are not mentioned in the text.

C) Correct: 80% was sweet vs. 20% salty, showing a clear preference for sweet.

D) Incorrect: The text mentions total numbers, but doesn't state it was "more than ever in history."

13) Pinewood Studios

Correct Answer: C) They have made well-known films.

A) Incorrect: Their expansion plans were "refused."

B) Incorrect: The studios will be "staying in the U.K."

C) Correct: They have made famous films, "including the James Bond films and Mamma Mia."

D) Incorrect: They have been making films for "more than 70 years" (not almost/less than 70).

14) Earthquake

Correct Answer: B) Rescuers didn’t have many tools.

A) Incorrect: Officials "didn't believe there was much hope of finding them alive."

B) Correct: Rescuers dug with "their bare hands and shovels," indicating a lack of proper heavy machinery/tools.

C) Incorrect: It was a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that destroyed homes and killed dozens of people.

D) Incorrect: Many homes collapsed, and people were begging rescuers to search for buried victims.

15) Runaway goat

Correct Answer: B) It was seen previously in the city.

A) Incorrect: It was taken to a lost dogs' home after being captured, not before escaping.

B) Correct: The text notes it is the "same one that several people have seen in the city recently."

C) Incorrect: It was difficult to catch, but "eventually the goat was captured."

D) Incorrect: It caused chaos in traffic, but the text does not mention an actual accident taking place.