EducaMadrid

EXÁMENES UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III

UNIVERSIDADES PÚBLICAS DE LA COMUNIDAD DE MADRID             PRUEBA DE ACCESO A ESTUDIOS UNIVERSITARIOS (LOGSE)          Curso 2004-2005

INSTRUCCIONES GENERALES Y VALORACIÓN

1.       Lea todo el texto cuidadosamente.

2.        Lea atentamente todas las preguntas de la prueba.

3.        Proceda a responder en lengua inglesa a las preguntas en el papel de examen.

TIEMPO: 1 hora 30 minutos.CALIFICACIÓN: La puntuaci6n máxima de la prueba es de 10 puntos.

Amphibian Decline Serves As Global Warning

Nearly one in three species of frogs and toads in the world is under threat of extinction, according to the most comprehensive global study of amphibians ever conducted. The report shows that 122 amphibian species have disappeared since 1980. The discovery, reported in the journal Science, is seen by researchers as an early warning of imminent environmental disaster.Amphibians act like "natural barometers" since their highly permeable skin makes them very sensitive. to the effects of climate change and pollution. Any drastic change in the ^"natural world is likely to affect them first. Over the past three years, scientists analysed the distribution and conservation status of all 5,743 known amphibian species. Of these, 1,856 -32 per cent- were threatened with extinction. In comparison, only 12 per cent of bird species and 23 per cent of all mammal species are considered to be endangered. The president of Conservation International, who co-led the research, said: ^"Amphibians are one of nature's best indicators of overall environmental health. Their catastrophic decline serves as a warning that we are in a period of significant environmental degradation."Amphibians were the first terrestrial vertebrates to colonise the land successfully about 350 million years ago. They have developed a remarkable diversity by adapting to many different aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Amphibians are present today in every continent except Antarctica, and can be found in almost all habitat types from dry, inhospitable deserts to lush tropical rainforests and temperate climates such as Britain's.

1. Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Copy the evidence from the text. No marks are given for only TRUE or FALSE.

a.     Researchers consider that the disappearance of amphibians is a sign of ecological catastrophe in the near future.

b.     The number of endangered birds is greater than that of amphibians.

(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)

2. In your own words and based on the ideas in the text, answer the following questions.

a.     Why does any climate change affect amphibians before birds or mammals?

b.     Where do amphibians live and why do they live there?    (Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)

3. Find the words in the text that mean.

a.   complete (paragraph 1)

b.  because (paragraph 2)

c.   extreme (paragraph 2)

d.  exceptional (paragraph 3)    (puntuación máxima 1 punto)

4. Complete the following sentences. Use the appropriate form of the word in brackets when given.

a.   If human interference_________ (continue) to alter the composition of the atmosphere,average temperatures___________ (rise) more than 3°C in the next 100 years.

b.  Greenpeace____________ (create) to fight environmental disaster. This organization isespecially interested in___________ (protect) our environment.

c.   Air pollution_______ (cause) more than one hundred thousand deaths last year. Someexperts believe that it is the______________ (important) health problem in the industrial  world

d.  We should avoid_____________ (pollute) our planet in order protect it for our children.(Puntuación máxima 2 puntos)

5. Write about 100 to 150 words on one of the following topics.

a.   Do you think our planet is experiencing a climate change? Why?

b.  What could we do to reduce pollution in large cities?(Puntuación máxima 3 puntos)

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