TEC THE English College - Gijón

Pruebas de Aptitud para el Acceso a la Universidad (2)

INGLÉS

Robert joined a small crowd to see what was happening; the centre of attraction was an old man with a performing monkey. The monkey's tricks were very simple, so after throwing a few pennies in the dirty hat which the man had placed on the pavement, Robert began to move off, along with other members of the crowd. At this point the man suddenly let out a loud cry. Everyone turned to see what had happened. The man was bending over his monkey, which now lay quite still on the pavement. He picked up the lifeless body and began to weep. A young man stepped forward from the crowd and dropped some money into the hat. Robert and several other people did likewise, until the hat was brimming with coins. A few months later, Robert came across the old man again; the man had a monkey, bought no doubt with the money which the crowd had given him. Robert was pleased to see that the old man was still able to earn a living. After a short performance, as the people were moving away, the old man let out, once again, a loud cry. Once again the monkey lay still on the pavement. The man picked up the "dead" monkey and clutching it in his arms began to weep. The same young man stepped forward and threw some money into the hat. Again the crowd followed suit -except for Robert. Smiling to himself, he went on his way, amazed at the man's audicity.

QUESTIONS

1. Why did the crowd soon begin to move off? (1 punto)

2. Does the young man know the old man? Explain (1 punto)

3. Why does Robert smile to himself? (1 punto)

4. Complete the following sentences. Your answers must be related to the ideas contained in the passage (2 puntos):

a) The old man let out a loud cry in order to ............

b) Robert thought that ................ with the money which the crowd had given him.

5. Find synonyms in the text for the following expressions (1 punto):

a) without moving b) holding very tight c) did the same

6. Tell a story with an animal as protagonist. (80-90) (4 puntos)