Comprehension Reading Techniques Guide
Comprehension Reading Techniques Guide
2023-1
comprehensive reading
REVIEW STAGE
CONTENT
COMPREHENSIVE READING
Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
1
Análisis y síntesis de textos
MODEL TEXT I
STEP 2: Read the text carefully. Take into account the key words and then use the space on the left.
to prepare your summaries. You can assist yourself with the following questions:
• Regarding the general topic, what idea does this paragraph develop? What function does it serve in relation to the rest of the text?
text?
First of all, there are the 'appropriate technologies', those that are
adapted in their generation process to local ecological conditions. They have
arising from a long process of trial and error, and its functionality is undeniable. These
they have behind a long local evolution. Such is the case with the knowledge they have
native groups of the medicinal qualities of different plants. A stranger to
the region does not know them, unless local groups pass on the knowledge.
Secondly, there are the 'inadequate technologies', that is, those that are
imported from another region and applied under different ecological conditions. Generally
they do not adapt to local conditions and lead to the failure of human activities.
For example, livestock technologies from temperate zones are not suitable for the
Amazon tropical regions, because they do not adapt to the ecological conditions.
of low soil fertility, very high rainfall, and adaptation of the
animals to the climate.
Talent 71
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
1
As you may have noticed from the text analysis, it follows a structure of introduction (first paragraph),
development (second and third paragraph) and conclusion (fourth paragraph). Based on this, answer the following questions:
Ahora, a partir de las ideas principales de los párrafos, elabora la idea principal de todo el texto y el tema.
Title
72 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
1
RECOMMENDATIONS TO AVOID THE MOST COMMON ERRORS WHEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS OF
CENTRAL IDEA, TITLE or THEME
Analyze the following distractors and determine why they are not topics for the previous text.
ERROR: It is incorrect because it only points out one very specific piece of information or idea from the text, that is,
A secondary idea.
ERROR: It is incorrect because it is a PARTIALLY CORRECT idea like the case of a main idea.
"combined" with a secondary idea or with a general idea
ERROR: It is incorrect because it is A VERY GENERAL IDEA, that is, it encompasses all the text, but it
surpasses when mentioning contents that it does not develop.
ERROR: It is incorrect because it indicates an idea opposed to that of the text or one that is not found.
PRESENT
APPLICATIONS
TEXT I
When talking about the predecessors of comics, we could refer to the ancient Egyptians, who represented many
of their myths in drawings and hieroglyphs that they created on papyrus leaves. They also made murals, composed
by image and text, in the form of a strip. Medieval altarpieces could also be considered, which explained
to the people stories, events, crimes, etc., through images, and the primitive cave paintings that consisted of
in representations about rocks.
Perhaps the closest antecedents to comic strips are the aucas and aleluyas; these publications began
in France around 1820 and were characterized by narrating small stories and adventures through illustrations,
although these illustrations were not part of the vignette, but were added as a form of explanation
it would mention at the foot of the engravings.
The comic strip or comic gradually developed its characteristic style; in its early days, the panels were all of the
same size and the small texts were placed at the bottom of them. These vignettes evolved rapidly,
not only in terms of its size, but also regarding the texts, as the speech bubbles soon appeared.
A matter of little time, the comic became an independent mode of expression.
On the other hand, in current comics, the use of onomatopoeias with large letters or the use of certain
symbols that are already universally accepted, like a light bulb that lights up to explain that the character
he has had an idea. All of this makes the comic have a communicative reach that is hard to achieve by any other.
means of expression.
One of the most famous and successful comic strips is Tintin, by the Belgian author Georges Rémi, alias Hergé.
The first issue, in total there are 24, dates back to January 1929. Such was its success that it is considered one of the
the most influential comics of the 20th century. Tintin is a young reporter with intuition worthy of the best detective, and
who stands out for his red hair and characteristic pompadour. He is always accompanied by his dog Milú, a white fox-terrier.
very intelligent. Both live complicated detective stories and solve enigmatic mysteries.
Adapted from CACHALDORA, Christina (2017). 'The History of Comics.' In La Región. <[Link]
comic-history/[Link]
Talent 73
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
1
The first two paragraphs develop
The first volumes of the comic.
The background of the comic.
C. the publications prior to the comic.
The origin of the current comic.
TEXT II
An important step on the path to the summit was the domestication of fire. Some human species
they could have made occasional use of fire very soon, 800,000 years ago. About 300,000 years ago, Homo
erectus, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens used fire on a daily basis. Now, humans had a source
reliable light and heat, a deadly weapon against the lions that roamed in search of prey. Not long after,
humans may have deliberately started to set fire to their surroundings. A carefully
controlled could turn impassable and unproductive thicknesses into pristine prairies with abundant game.
In addition, once the fire was extinguished, the Stone Age entrepreneurs could walk among the remains.
smoking and collecting animals, nuts, and burnt tubers.
Pero lo mejor que hizo el fuego fue [Link] que los humanos no podían digerir en su forma natural (como
wheat, rice, and potatoes) became essential elements of our diet thanks to cooking. Fire
not only changed the chemistry of food; it also changed its biology. Cooking killed germs and parasites.
that infested food. It was also easier for humans to chew and digest ancient dishes fa-
voracious for fruits, nuts, and insects and carrion if they were cooked. While chimpanzees invest five
daily hours spent chewing raw foods, a single hour is enough for people who eat cooked foods.
The advent of cooking allowed humans to eat more types of food, which dedicated less
time to eat, and they managed with smaller teeth and a shorter intestine. Some experts
they believe there is a direct relationship between the advent of cooking, the shortening of the intestinal tract and the
growth of the human brain. Since both a long intestine and a large brain are extraordinary.
energy consumers, it is difficult to have both things. By shortening the intestine and reducing its energy consumption, the
Cooking accidentally opened the way for the huge brains of Neanderthals and sapiens.
Fire opened the first significant gap between man and other animals. The power of almost all
animals depend on their body: the strength of their muscles, the size of their teeth, the wingspan of their wings.
Although they can tame winds and currents, they are unable to control these natural forces, and are always
limited by their physical design. Eagles, for example, identify columns of thermal currents that rise.
from the ground, they spread their gigantic wings and allow the warm air to lift them upwards. But eagles do not
they can control the positioning of the columns, and their maximum load capacity is strictly proportional
its wingspan.
When humans domesticated fire, they gained control of an obedient and potentially destructive force.
mitada. Unlike eagles, humans could choose when and where to light a flame, and they were capable
to harness fire for a large number of tasks. And even more importantly, the power of fire was not
74 Talent
2023-1
Reading Comprehension REVIEW
1
limited by the shape, structure, or strength of the human body. A single person with a whole flint or with
a torch could burn an entire forest in a matter of hours. The domestication of fire was a sign of what
would have to come.
Adapted from HARARI, Yuval (2013). “An Animal of No Importance”. In Sapiens. From Animals to Gods. Lima: Penguin Random House, pp. 24-27.
TEXT III
Wingsuit flying is a modality within BASE jumping in which the athlete jumps from an airplane or a mountain.
launch to descend at a speed close to 200 km/h with the help of a specialized suit that, thanks to
its shape helps to plan as if it were a bird.
Qualified as a very extreme sport, wingsuit flying requires a lot of preparation to be able to perform it.
on your own, if you don't want to end up crashing against the ground, a tree, or a mountain. As it is not a...
cheap door, the first thing to do is save money to get a special team and experience
quite extensive in skydiving.
Next, we will discuss the requirements that must be met until they finally become
some experts of this sport.
First of all, they must take the so-called AFF/RAPS courses. These are fast learning courses of origin
American in which the necessary knowledge is applied in fewer jumps. The AFF consists of a series of
Classes with the basic concepts and movements that will be trained on land, to later start with a series.
with jumps of approximately eight, in which two monitors will jump with you to hold you.
during free fall in which you learn how you should position yourself. The second course is the RAPS, which differs from
only earlier in that, when you jump from the plane, the monitors will open the parachute for you directly. The price
the courses cost around 1400 euros, depending on where you take them.
Secondly, they must accumulate 180 jumps or more. For wingsuit flying, they need to have extensive experience.
experience in jumps. This sport is at least 10 times more dangerous than skydiving and having a lot behind you
jumps are very important. We estimate that the total price of these jumps, until having the necessary experience, can
reach around 5000 euros.
Talent 75
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
1
Thirdly, they must purchase their own parachute and other accessories. When the time comes, they will be alone and, if
the parachute does not work properly, your life will not count. The price of a good parachute is around
2300 euros. Regarding the accessories we have to consider: glasses, gloves, helmet, altimeter or audio altimeter.
safety harness, parachute backpack and reserve, GPS and camera. All these accessories will cost around 1400 euros.
Fourth, they need a special suit (wingsuit) or wing suit. This suit is composed of three membranes:
two that attach the arms to the torso of the body and a third that connects the legs. The design of the suit helps to glide.
and make the required movements. We can find several brands of suits such as Squirrel, Tony Suits, S-Fly,
Birdman or Phoenix-Fly. The price is around 900 euros, depending on the model and brand.
Finally, they have to take and pass the Wingsuit Course to fully engage in this sport. There, the details are explained about
basic concepts, precautions, movements, etc. The first or the first jumps in wingsuit flying are made
with a monitor, in the following, they will begin their solo adventure. This course may cost around 1400 euros.
There are all the considerations to take into account in order to practice this extreme sport. Let's get to work.
and let the fun begin.
Adapted from EXTREME SPORTS ONLINE (2017). "Base Jumping, requirements for wingsuit flying." In Online Extreme Sports.w.
[Link]/salto-base-requisitos-para-wingsuit-flying/>
TEXT IV
The name of Semiramis, queen of Assyria, belongs to the glorious days of Nineveh and Babylon. Scholars do not
they agree on the period of his reign. Some even express doubts regarding his existence-
they claim that its history was a legend. If it is, it is so intertwined with historical episodes that its figure
deserves to be rescued.
The official legend says that she was born with the body of a fish; she was the daughter of a goddess who abandoned her in a
rocky desert, in a place where doves nested. And it happened that the little birds took pity on the creature.
and they fed them by stealing milk from the shepherds and giving it to them from their beaks; later, they brought them scraps of cheese.
The shepherds noticed these flaws and confirmed that the doves were the thieves; they followed them to the place where
They were nesting and discovered a very beautiful girl. They took her to the Intendant of the palace of Nino, king of the people.
Assyrian, who decided to call her Semiramis, which in the Syrian language means 'dove'. Semiramis, now a woman, contracted
marriage with a governor from Nino.
The king was at war against the Bactrians, a people who offered him an unusual and prolonged resistance, taking up positions.
in the city's fortress. When her husband marched with Ninus's troops, Semiramis accompanied him to help.
the warriors, dressed as a soldier, climbed the walls and opened the gates to the troops and thus Nino was able to defeat
his enemies. The king became enamored with the beauty and bravery of Semiramis. He took her from his governor and married her.
She, making her a queen. A few years later, Nino died. Semiramis wanted to have a new capital and ordered it to be built.
Babylon, a city surrounded by 66 kilometers of walls; it also built dikes to contain the waters.
from the Euphrates and avoid flooding. In war, Semiramis conquered Egypt and Ethiopia. She tried to seize the
India, but could not defeat the enemy king because he used elephants in his defense.
Upon returning to her kingdom, Semiramis learned that her son Ninias was conspiring to strip her of the throne. She did not order
that they would stop him, nor that they would punish him: he preferred to abdicate in his favor.
76 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
1
The Greeks say that Semiramis, transformed into a dove, flew away. Her people worship her as a goddess.
in the shape of a dove.
Adapted text from <[Link]
TEXT V
Black will always be black in the fashion world. It is the color that New Yorkers abuse in their wardrobe.
It is the one that never fails at any glamorous event. But it is also a color that not too long ago was only
associated with mourning. To go into mourning was to dress in black to convey a feeling of pain and sadness for the
loss of someone; it was the symbol of that sorrow that women were supposed to feel. Men were exempt, a
A simple black band on his hat was a sufficient display of sorrow.
The exhibition Deathbecomesher: a century of mourning attire (Death in the form of a woman: a century of clothing)
of mourning) in New York explores the relationship between mourning and fashion during the 19th century and early 20th century. Through
of more than 30 dresses, accessories, and some funeral portraits, analyze how the rigid dictates of mourning that had to
to follow a woman they encountered the fashions and styles of each era.
The magazine Harper's Bazaar explained it this way in an issue from the year 1879: 'Black is now more than ever the favorite color.'
of fashion. There was a moment –and our mothers will remember it– when just wearing a black dress
when someone was not in mourning, it was a reason for censure, and enough to consider anyone who did so a woman
"dangerously eccentric".
Adapted from Diario ELPAIS <[Link]
Talent 77
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
2
Affirmations and Paraphrases
AFFIRMATIONS
MODEL TEXT
Spiderman is one of the superheroes that gathers the most fans around the world. Without a doubt, one of the
Marvel favorites and the one that remained in the top 3 of the most recognized characters by readers for decades.
and not readers. Largely, its success is due to the great number of adaptations of it that we have seen everywhere.
the screens. The animated series from the 90s, its movies starting from the year 2000, the video games from the last decade and
others. However, there are some versions of Spidey that are not as well known as others.
The first time we were able to see Spider-Man in a medium other than print was in 1974. The children's show
in which Spidey made his television debut was The Electric Company. This educational show in sketch format,
I used humor to encourage the learning of children ages 5 to 10. Averaging the third season, the
Puppeteer Dany Seagren took on the role of Spiderman, becoming the first actor to portray him.
physically. The section in which Spidey had to solve some situations not as complex as those of
the comic was titled Spiderman Super Stories. The character's rights were ceded by Marvel to promote the
imaginación y el hábito de lectura en los niños.
The big screen discovered its love for Spiderman in 1977. Anticipating the premiere of its first television series.
siva, The Amazing Spiderman arrived in theaters with a very particular movie. Along with the series The Incredible Hulk,
both shows were the first TV programs with Marvel characters, which represented a great leap for
the company. However, Stan Lee himself was disappointed by the sad adaptation of his friendly neighbor
arachnid to the big screen.
Nicholas Hammond was the actor responsible for portraying Peter Parker, in a version that has very few similarities.
he shared similarities with the comic book character. On the other hand, David White portrayed a very good JJ Jameson who, although
it is not up to JK. Simmons, it is very well adapted. Peter and Jameson were the only two characters
from the comic that made it to the movie. Unfortunately, the movie does not feature any character from the comic that
face Spiderman.
Beyond its little fidelity to the story of Spiderman, the movie was a success and became one of the titles
with more tickets sold during that year. Although the effects may seem obsolete today, the fans of the character
They were shocked to see the spider climbing walls for the first time.
A representation of Spiderman that did not take place on any screen was his marriage to Mary.
Jane. The Weddinges is a comic from 1987 in which Peter Parker, after some failed attempts, marries her.
love of his life. To commemorate it, Marvel organized a royal wedding that took place in front of 45,000 fans.
at Shea Stadium.
Adapted from BABEL INFINITO (2021). “Spiderman: Versions for cinema and TV that you may have never seen.” In Babel Infinito.w.
babelinfi[Link]/spiderman-versions-for-movie-and-tv-that-you-may-have-never-seen/
Read the following statements about the text, and respond T (true) or F (false) as appropriate. Don't forget
to compare. You can underline the parts of the text where you find the information you need to respond.
AFFIRMATIONS T or F
78 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
2
PARAPHRASE
MODEL TEXT
The initial plan of the German strategy was to defeat France in the west quickly, while a small
part of the German army and all Austro-Hungarian forces were holding back the Russian invasion expected from the east.
If you read this sentence carefully, you will realize that it reports on the initial plan of the German strategy.
(theme). The theme is delineated with the help of a logical connector that expresses simultaneity (while). The
The development of the theme is determined based on two circumstantial aspects of place (in the west and in the east), moreover
in a short time.
CORRECT PARAPHRASING
At first, the German army's strategy aimed to subdue France as quickly as possible from the west; in
both the Austro-Hungarian forces from the east were joining a portion of the Germans to contain an impending
Russian attack.
Here we observe that the meaning of the original sentence is not altered, it is simply expressed in a different way by adding
a phrase that summarizes the idea and presents it for further development. Note that it is not simply about
replace the words with possible synonyms; there are many ways to creatively express the same meaning.
Identify, first of all, what or who it is mainly about in the sentence; and then, what is
expose on the subject in question. For this, you must distinguish the subject from the predicate and recognize their
complements (direct object, indirect object, circumstantial, subject modifiers).
Punctuation marks
Pay special attention to punctuation marks, as they indicate where an idea begins.
and where it concludes, how two ideas are logically linked, when one idea adds information to
the already presented (comma or semicolon), when it is an explanation of the previous one (colon), etc.
Vocabulary
When you encounter words whose meaning you do not know, underline or highlight them, and then
look them up in the dictionary. While many of those meanings can be inferred from context,
You should try to increase your vocabulary in order to be better prepared for any text.
PARAPHRASE EXERCISES
Sentence 1
La reflexión sobre las correspondencias entre la literatura y las artes visuales goza de una larga tradición, que se
dates back to classical antiquity.
Antonio Monegal
The similarities between literature and painting have been a highly debated topic since Antiquity.
Traditionally, the work of the visual arts has received a significant influence from literature.
Since Antiquity, classical authors have often reflected on the coincidences between literature and the
art.
The analysis of the relationship between literature and visual arts has a long tradition that began in the
Classical antiquity.
Talent 79
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
2
Phrase 2
Sometimes, we can spend years not living at all, and suddenly, our whole life is concentrated in a single moment.
Oscar Wilde
Life can flow monotonously until, suddenly, a brief experience encompasses it all.
In an instant, suddenly, we can recap our entire life.
C. Is it possible to have a life without emotions and, unexpectedly, experience a joyful event.
To live does not mean to survive; to live is that eternal second in which we are fully.
Phrase 3
Stupidity is an extraordinary disease: it is not the patient who suffers from it, but rather others.
Voltaire
The idiot is a sick person who does not suffer from his ailment, but does infect others with it.
The suffering of the idiot extends to the people around him.
C. The amazing thing about idiocy is that those who truly suffer from it are others and not the idiot.
The most contagious disease is idiocy, as those who suffer from it are unaware of its symptoms.
Phrase 4
You should make it a habit, when you read books, to pay more attention to the meaning than to the words; focus more on
the fruit that is in the leaf litter.
Anonymous scribe of the 13th century
A. Pay more attention, when reading books, to the meaning and not to the expression, and make this way of reading a
habit.
The words themselves are not important when one reads; what matters is what they mean.
C. The reader should not be deceived by the triviality of the words; it is their message that should be heeded.
D. Understanding words separated from one another is a bad habit; one must focus on their content.
Phrase 5
Since I am imperfect and need the tolerance and kindness of others, I must also tolerate the flaws.
to the world until I can find the secret that will allow me to remedy them.
Mahatma Gandhi
As I am a perfectible being, it is necessary for people to help me improve, just as I must help them.
to correct their flaws.
B. While I seek the solution to the vices of the world, I must endure them as I too have flaws and
I require to be treated with kindness and patience.
Since all people have flaws, even I, I must then find a remedy so that po-
we become more virtuous.
We must accept and respect the flaws of all people because we ourselves are also imperfect.
effects.
TEXT I
Slenderman is an anthropomorphic being between two and four meters tall. Its limbs are very lengthy and its
the face is a pale mask without features, without eyes, without ears, without a mouth. On the back it hides six tentacles with
those who attack their victims. It is invisible at will, therefore, it has very rarely been able to be photographed or recorded.
in video. It moves in the shadows and stalks children and teenagers without anyone agreeing on whether it is a
protective presence or a threat.
Whether you believe it or not, there are many teenagers who firmly believe in the existence of this character who, in reality,
it was created in 2009 by a user, Victor Knudsen, from the Something Awful forum to participate in an image thread
retouched with Photoshop. The ball grew until it turned the character into a meme and from there into material for
creepypasta, a type of collaborative horror story.
At this point in the 21st century, it can be said that Slenderman is the first character created on the Internet that has remained.
installed in popular folklore and opened the door to other digital myths. The myth, already twisted in itself, took
a grim turn on May 31, 2014. Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, two 12-year-old girls residing in Waukesha
80 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
2
(Wisconsin), they get to know each other and become close when the school year starts. Annisa and Morgen have overflowing imaginations.
and they share common literary interests: they are fans of creepypastas and horror literature.
The friends decide to murder another girl taking advantage of the commotion of Morgen's birthday, as the three are going to
sleeping in the same house to have a pajama party. They go to a park that has a nearby wooded area.
under the excuse that they are going to play hide and seek, they take her to the deepest area and there they stab her 19 times with
a kitchen knife. The authors leave her in an agonizing state and escape. The victim crawls until a
nearby road where she is picked up by a cyclist and taken to a hospital where her life is saved.
While all this is happening, Morgen and Annisa are stopped by a police officer who finds their presence suspicious.
two little girls walking alone on the shoulder of Interstate 94. Annisa tells the police officer that they just...
of murdering Payton Leutner and heading to the Nicolet National Forest where the mansion is located
Slenderman to meet him.
Morgen and Annisa tried to kill Payton Leutner to honor Slenderman and become his servants, in a
a kind of agents of the myth who, according to their followers, are in charge of doing the dirty work. Both confess
the facts to the police without holding anything back, telling everything with childlike innocence, hoping to be exempted from responding
stability, as if the matter were just a prank that has gotten out of hand.
RAMOS, Ángel (2018). "The terrifying (real) story of Slenderman that everyone talks about, but few dare to see." In El País.
sulta: 18 de octubre de 2018. <[Link]
It can be stated, at this point in the present century, that the first character born on the web is Slenderman.
[Link], at this moment of the 21st century, can be considered the first character created on the internet.
that has been established in popular beliefs.
Talent 81
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
2
6. What can be said about Slenderman?
A. It's a character that was born on the web.
B. Their intentions in pursuing children and adolescents are not known.
C. It has tentacles on its back.
The adults cannot see it.
TEXT II
The position of pope is elective, through a conclave, and he is the highest authority of the Catholic Church.
despite the fact that Jesus Christ has been portrayed in thousands of biblical scenes with a plentiful beard, currently,
his greatest representation on Earth does not have a similar appearance. Why has no other pope allowed himself to grow the
beard in more than 300 years?
Beards hold a significant place in the Hebrew Bible. For example, cutting another man's beard is considered...
he was committing an offense (Samuel 10: 4), shaving or depilating indicated that one was in mourning (Jeremiah 41: 5; 48:37), and
some cuts may have imitated strictly prohibited pagan customs (Leviticus 14: 9).
However, Pope Innocent XII, who reigned from 1691 to 1700, will be remembered in the history of the Catholic Church.
for being the last to have a beard. The 23 popes before him, from Clement VII (1523) onwards were
bearded individuals and even those with a goatee style beard.
During the Middle Ages (476-1453), this hallmark of identity was considered immoral, due to the length of this
hair was the representation of the sins committed and gave a very bad image to the parishioners who bore it. Thus,
Shaving symbolically involved the 'elimination' of sins and vices.
For this reason, in 1119 the Council of Toulouse threatened excommunication to all those clerics who left
that his hair and beard would grow like a layperson's.
The threat did not materialize and had no effect. However, as of today, it is not prohibited, but the majority of the
priests, bishops, and other men of this clerical community are supporters of shaving daily for being a
a very deep-rooted practice and, of course, there has been no trace of the one considered in the papal figure.
a long time ago as a symbol of sin.
Adapted from MOHAR, Spain (2018). "Why do popes not let their beards grow?" In Muy Interesante. Consulted on October 28.
2018. <[Link]
(...) this identifying mark was considered immoral, due to the length
"This hair was the representation of the sins committed."
It was believed that the size of the beard was related to the sins of a person, which is why it began to
prohibit the use of a long beard.
In the Middle Ages, those people who grew their beards very long were considered immoral by the
priests.
C. It was believed that the length of the beard was in proportion to the sins committed, to wear it
it was considered immoral.
The number of sins committed by a person can be determined by the length of their beard.
A.1b, 2c, 3a
{"B.1a":"B.1a","2c":"2c","3b":"3b"}
C. 1b, 2a, 3c
D.1a, 2b, 3c
82 Talent
2023-1
Reading Comprehension REVIEW
2
TEXT III
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index —DJSI, for its acronym in English— is an index that has been produced since 1999 by the company.
RobecoSAM Index, which can be understood as a variant of the New York stock index Dow Jones,
It addresses the aspects of responsibility in companies.
Based on the analysis of more than 600 variables, which address environmental, social, and governance factors,
It is the first global index to identify and classify the leading sustainable companies.
In this way, RobecoSAM selects the 320 most socially responsible companies from among the 2,535 companies.
the largest in the world, which, on a global scale, showcase a more committed performance of their activities.
with social, environmental, and economic criteria. Also, on their website, we can find a ranking of the
most responsible countries.
Adapted from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (2018). "What is the Dow Jones Sustainability Index?" In National Geographic Spain. Accessed:
October 16, [Link]/nature/current/what-is-dow-jones-sustainability-index_13223
10. Select the most appropriate paraphrase of the following fragment: “RobecoSAM chooses the 320 companies socially-
more responsible minds, among the 2535 largest companies in the world, that, in a global context, do
gala of a performance of their activity most committed to social, environmental, and economic criteria.
Out of the 2535 companies considered the largest in the world, RobecoSAM chooses the 320 most responsible.
with the environment, which it measures with the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, a variant of the stock index
New York Dow Jones.
B. According to the company RobecoSAM, only 320 of the largest companies in the world are located
committed, in the performance of their tasks, to social, environmental, and economic improvement.
C. Taking into account your commitment at a social, environmental, and economic level in the development of your activities,
RobecoSAM selects the 320 most responsible companies from over 2000 of the largest companies in the world.
socially on a global level.
[Link] is the company responsible for selecting and measuring the sustainability of companies globally;
for this, their work focuses on evaluating the commitment of these companies to social areas,
economic and environmental.
TEXT IV
It is becoming increasingly common to see young children using mobile phones, tablets, and
computers. The starting age for the use of these devices and the Internet is becoming younger and trending
downward. However, simultaneously, mobile connectivity in the childhood environment brings problems due to the dis-
knowledge and the inappropriate use of technologies; every day there are cases of cyberbullying or other situations
conflicts in the Internet environment. According to the Protégeles study (Center for Internet Safety for Minors)
In Spain, 5.4% of Spanish children aged 11 to 14 have been victims of some type of bullying via mobile phone.
(and 8.4% among those aged 13 and 14), while 9% of children in these age groups have received images of content
sexual, and 11% have received messages or calls from strangers.
In light of this situation and with the aim of educating both children and adults, Protégeles has developed, in line with...
collaboration with the main telecommunications operators in Spain, a new anti-bullying application called
Protect yourself. Through it, minors will be able to make an anonymous report about illegal or harmful content.
that they have found on the Internet, as well as asking for help in situations of online harassment (cyberbullying),
sexual harassment (grooming), identity theft on social media, and other conflict situations. In addition to
Hello, you will be able to take a test to determine the level of basic knowledge you should have about security.
and responsible use of the Internet and ICT. The latter is proposed because it is so important to be able to react to
becoming a victim of a conflict situation as being aware of one's own responsibility if one himself
he is the cause of the problem.
The application is completely free and is available on Google Play and Apple Store. It is worth noting that it does not request
personal data, and does not access information, contacts, or images that the minor has saved on their smartphone,
and it does not include advertising either. By installing and using it, it puts minors directly in contact with lawyers,
psychologists and security experts from the Internet Security Center Protégeles. In addition, in this initiative, they have
collaborated with the main mobile phone operators, Telefónica, Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo, who have unified
objectives and efforts to make the same application available to all its users, regardless of
portal that the user accesses or the company with which the user has contracted their access to the Network.
Adapted from BALAGUER, Patricia (2014) "'Protect Yourself,' an application for children and young people to use the Internet safely."
November 11, 2017. <[Link]
Talento 83
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
2
11. What questions can be answered from reading the article?
A. What are some of the companies that have participated in the Protégete project?
B. What are the main actions that a child can take from Protégete?
C. How is the Protégete initiative funded?
D. What do cyberbullying and grooming consist of?
13. What is the appropriate paraphrase for the following fragment: '...it is so important to be able to react to
to become a victim of a conflicting situation as being aware of one's own responsibility if one oneself
Is it the cause of the problem?
It is just as vital to respond to a situation where one is a victim as it is to recognize one’s own responses.
skills in the origin of the problem.
It is just as important to stop an act of aggression against oneself as it is to know what one is doing.
inadequately and what puts it at risk.
C. Similarly to how one reacts to an aggression, one must recognize when one's own actions
they are creating security problems.
Just as one repels an aggressor, one must also be aware of how one's own actions generate
problematic situations.
84 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
3
Inferences
GUIDED EXERCISES
TEXT I
Sabrina Spellman is a teenage witch who lives in the city of Greendale with her aunts and her cousin Ambrose.
When she was one year old, she was taken by her aunts to live with them, and, currently, she has no memory of her mother.
She hasn't seen her father since the age of six. She is dating Harvey Kinkle, who doesn't know that she is
a witch.
Read the following statements and mark V if they are correct inferences from the text or F if they are not.
If Harvey found out that Sabrina is a witch, he would probably no longer date her.
Ambrose is the son of some of the aunts with whom Sabrina lives.
Sabrina lives with at least three other people in her house.
Sabrina does not remember having met her mother.
TIPS:
1. It is important to keep in mind that a counterfactual reasoning is never considered as a
valid inference.
Example: José de San Martín was the military leader who proclaimed the independence of Peru and led the first...
the war campaigns against the Spanish, but it was Simón Bolívar the military leader who planned the triumph
definitive and the one that succeeded in expelling them from the country.
Valid inference:
In the independence of Peru, two military leaders participated.
The greatest danger in inferring is straying from the information in the text: it is not asked to guess or create possibilities,
it only asks to recognize what is correct according to the text and what is not.
Valid inference:
Among all the famous singers in the world, there is none as famous as Lady Gaga.
TEXT II
Gender quotas, more commonly known as sex participation quotas or women’s participation quotas,
they are a form of positive action aimed at ensuring the effective integration of women in elective positions
of decision of the political parties and the State. It is a compulsory measure that forces the incorporation
women on candidacy lists or in election result lists, and transitional, since it implies a validity-
It is subject to overcoming the obstacles that hinder an adequate representation of women in these spaces.
of power and political representation. The central idea of quota systems is to select women for positions
in government institutions and ensure that they are not marginalized from political life or have a presence
merely decorative.
In a country with gender equality, 45% of candidates for political positions are women, and in the last
elections, several of them have been chosen for important positions.
Although a few years ago women had little participation in politics, currently, the parties
They are made up of a high number of women and they are always considered.
Talent 85
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
3
3. Due to the predominant machismo in the population, in the last municipal elections, only 5% of candidates...
The data showed that there were women, of which only one, in the entire country, was elected mayor.
The most important political parties of a particular nation are composed of the same number.
of men than of women; however, the majority of voters identify more with male figures.
TEXT III
As heavy metal has already shown, there is no more addictive hobby for humans than categorization.
In the case of manga and anime, there are many genres into which these products are often divided.
subdivide and subdivide further. The following are some of the basic genres.
Shōnen: Literally means 'few years'. It is a genre aimed at the younger male audience, generally
under 15 years old. The vast majority of these products feature a young boy as the protagonist immersed
in a world of action, adventure, and combat. Examples of this genre are Dragon Ball, Naruto, Slam Dunk, Attack
on Titan.
Seinen: Seinen is a genre aimed at a male audience between the ages of 15 and 24. This product has-
is to be much more violent and shows an argument, often complex to understand, with nuances of terror
psychological and gore. Some examples are Elfen Lied, Berserk, Ghost in the Shell, Akira.
Shōjo: The shōjo is the female counterpart of shōnen. The animes/mangas of this genre are centered around
For female characters between the ages of 10 and 18. Contrary to what one might think, the stories are not foreign to the
action and adventure, although the emphasis is usually placed on romance and interpersonal relationships. Some
manga are Sailor Moon, Sakura Card Captor, NANA.
Josei: Josei is to shōjo what seinen is to shōnen, a more adult version. As such, interpersonal relationships...
sonales (the main focus of shöjo) usually have more realistic and complex nuances, unlike the
idealized links of shōjo. Representative cases are Loveless, Paradise Kiss, and Honey and Clover.
Kodomomuke: The kodomomuke means 'directed at children' and as such, its style tends to be simple with stories.
that leave moral lessons. Although many of the kodomomukes are often original stories, they are not lacking in
adaptations of Western classics like Fantasia. Representatives of this genre include Doraemon, Hello Kitty.
Chibi Maruko-chan and Heidi, Girl of the Alps
Adapted from TARINGA (2018). "How to identify the 5 basic genres of anime and manga." In TARINGA. Consulted: October 28, 2018.
<[Link]
The following is the plot of a manga. According to the characteristics presented in the text, what
Which gender would it belong to?
1. Hiyori, a fifteen-year-old girl, goes to class for the first time after the course has started. She is a girl
very shy and easily frightened, standing at 1.40 m. She will try to set aside her shyness and make friends with her classmates.
of class. But she may also know something new to her: love, thanks to her classmate Hirose, who is measuring
1.90 m. They will find themselves in fantastic and fun situations.
For Children [Link]öjo C. Seinen Mr. Josei
86 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
3
DEFINITION IN CONTEXT
GUIDED EXERCISE
A little over six centuries ago, in 1453, a few days before the fall of Constantinople at the hands of the jihad army.
In the Ottoman Empire, a strange controversy was unfolding in the imperial city. Constantinople then had a Senate.
very strong, heir of Greco-Roman civilization, in which heated theological debates developed
philosophical, those that isolated the elite of the city from the realities of the then global politics. The system
a politician of the Eastern Rome became consumed in a complex rhetoric, which historians would later call
Byzantine debate.
Few days before the city fell into the hands of the Islamic armies surrounding its walls, a furious
the debate divided lawmakers and their respective intellectuals. Was it about how to defend the state and
to protect his people?
The sultan and his men had to know the agenda of their enemies, and to that end, they sent spies, who, upon returning
from the mission, they delivered results indicating that the political system of the Byzantines was divided
in such an important matter that replaced all other issues, including the ongoing jihad. The sultan
he was bewildered: his enemies were arguing about the sex of angels.
As tradition recounts, the Ottomans prepared to scale the old walls of Constantinople, while...
In the court of the last Byzantine emperors, there was passionate discussion. The celestial spirits were calling
much more attention than the armed forces that besieged the city. And, when they were still talking about the issue
So transcendent, Sultan Mohammed II appeared accompanied by all his troops in the main hall of the palace.
from Constantine, while the city was being looted. Thus an era came to an end.
What can be inferred from the expression 'such a transcendent question' as it appears in the text?
A. Important discussion for the city
B. Matter of little importance
C. Matter worthy of discussion
[Link] related to the spiritual world
APPLICATIONS
TEXTO I
To establish the true contribution between art and religion, one must acknowledge a dialectical relationship.
The interplay between both. Both art and religion have fed off each other, which has allowed the former ...
it is endowed with a metapictorial nature and transcends the purely visual. However, religion does not have to
to be rude, since, through the symbolization of its highest precepts, it was able to reach a number of believers
greater than if he had solely spread his message through printed word. The connection between both
the spheres have remained alive to this day, as religious iconography is widely used by the
most people see it more as a spiritual value than as an artistic object, so we can affirm that it is
the religion that gave artists the initial push for their products to have the reception they do today.
1. When the author states that 'religion does not have to be rude,' what he wants to convey is that
the religion
It should not influence the different forms of artistic expression.
[Link] needed art to promote its spiritual precepts.
C. has also benefited from being linked to art.
It is subordinate to the pictorial forms of art.
Talent 87
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
3
TEXT II
The precursor of the current engagement ring was a simple iron band. The ancient Roman tradition consisted of
in delivering a ring, a symbol of the cycle of life and eternity that constituted a public promise that the
marriage contract between a man and a woman would be respected. In the time of Pliny (23 – 79 A.D.), the ring
it was made of iron. Gold was introduced some time later in the 2nd century AD. Christians adopted this
customarily, in this way, the ring became an integral part of the wedding ceremony.
The symbolism of the ring, which signifies eternity, was not reinforced before the 15th century by the emblem of faith.
marital fidelity... the diamond. However, throughout the centuries, legends have been passed down about the mythical
properties of this stone. Hundreds of years before Christ, in India, where they were first discovered,
Diamonds were more valued even for their magic than for their immense beauty, and it was believed that they protected from the
snakes, of fire, of poison, of diseases, of thieves, and of all the combined forces of evil.
Each culture has valued the diamond for its unique properties. In India, it was believed that the color of the stone
reflected the lineage of the one who wore it and the most precious were the pure white diamonds. Rome valued them for
its hardness and considered them capable of breaking iron. The Chinese greatly valued them as tools.
recorders, while superstitious Italians relied on them as protectors against poison.
Especially capable of resisting fire and steel, diamond (whose name comes from the Greek 'adamas' which means
‘invincible’) brings together the inflexible and invincible strength. What better emblem for an association that is meant to last
all my life?
From the soft luster of Renaissance diamonds to the dazzling pyrotechnics of elegant sophistication
the 20th century's cation, the diamond ring, as an enchanted ring, constitutes the definitive seal of promises
made in marriage.
2. What is not a reason for the appreciation that has been and is given to diamonds?
A.S. hardness B. Its form C. Her beauty D. His magic
TEXT III
Love is considered a set of unconditional and selfless behaviors and attitudes that
They manifest among beings capable of developing emotional intelligence or emotionality. Love is not only
circumscribed to the human genre, since all those beings that can develop emotional connections with others, by
Example, dolphins, dogs, horses, etc., can love.
The term is usually associated with romantic love, a passionate relationship between two people with a significant...
a great influence on their interpersonal and sexual relationships. However, the term is also applied to
other different relationships, such as platonic love or family love, and also, in a broader sense,
it speaks of love towards God, nature, humanity as a whole (which is often associated with empathy) and
others. In most cases, it means a great affection for something that brings pleasure or happiness to the one who does it.
the action of loving.
88 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
3
6. According to the above text, it is possible to determine that
Love is a feeling that is primarily characterized by its rationality.
It is possible for a human to feel love for an animal and vice versa.
C. the concept of love should not be associated with romantic love.
Romantic love is always associated with sexuality.
7. According to the text, which of the following options could we consider a manifestation of love?
A group of dolphins swim near a person lost at sea.
A young man, despite not believing in marriage, talks to the parents of a girl with the aim of getting married.
with her.
A couple buys a dog for their son on his birthday.
A woman receives an inheritance and donates it for the creation of a charitable organization.
TEXT IV
The origins of yoga date back to the oldest archaeological evidence found, which dates approximately to
3000 B.C., and it is about stone seals with figures of yogic positions belonging to the civilizations
from the valleys of the Indus and Saraswati. According to a Hindu legend, its appearance on Earth occurred when a fish (matsya)
He witnessed how the god Shiva was teaching his Shakti Parvati (his wife) the yoga exercises. The fish imitated Parvati.
And while practicing the exercises, he transformed into a man.
From its origins, the influence of yoga has been constant and profound throughout Asia. Thus, there was Buddhist, Hindu, and Chinese yoga.
Tibetan, etc.; and through the discoveries made by yogis throughout history, they have systematically...
based on the different traditional yoga systems (ashtanga yoga, hatha yoga, kundalini yoga, mantra yoga, etc.).
The yoga practiced in the West has its origins in the so-called ashtanga yoga, created by the Hindu master Sriman.
Krishnamachaya. El hijo y los discípulos de Krishnamachaya introdujeron el movimiento en Occidente en los años 60.
Two yoga masters have been particularly influential in the history of the West: B. K. S. Iyengar and Krishna
Pattabhi Jois continues to teach at his school in Mysore, in Southern India, where it is practiced.
an adaptation of ashtanga yoga. For his part, Iyengar perfected a yoga that focuses on muscular exercise.
and in flexibility, hatha yoga, whose goal is total relaxation. Currently, while it started from hatha, to its
this practice is called iyengar yoga, as this master generated so many innovations, through the use of objects in the
practice, which allowed the student to enter the poses and the teacher not to get exhausted quickly, which has been achieved
to identify directly with it. Through certain types of postures, this yoga seeks to redirect prana (energy)
through its natural channels within the subtle body, so that it circulates freely and in balance. This yoga
it serves the body as an instrument of well-being and perfection.
In recent decades, various masters have refined new methods of yoga, not all of which are legitimized by the
traditional schools, and even some focused only on physical aspects, very far from their origins, like
por ejemplo el power yoga.
Talent 89
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
3
11. According to the text, what can we infer about B. K. S. Iyengar?
He adapted yoga to a variant called ashtanga.
The type of yoga that he teaches and practices focuses on muscular exercise.
C. Channeling energy is one of the objectives of yoga that it teaches and practices.
The yoga that this teacher practices is not legitimized by traditional schools.
TEXT V
The tradition of Dia de Muertos in Mexico is one of the celebrations that best showcase the cultural syncretism of the country. A
a ritual that is half pre-Hispanic and half Catholic that invites the dead to sit at the table of the living once a year.
The ancient Mexicas and other Nahua peoples believed that when their bodies died, the souls had to cross through
a long journey through the underworld to reach Mictlán, the world of the dead, which the Mayans call Xibal.
But the deceased did not embark on this venture alone; the soul of their dog guided them through the afterlife to be able to
cross the river of death. That is why dogs in these ancestral cultures were considered a companion
In life and in death, a being in the eyes of the gods on the same level as humans for sacrifices.
The dog was associated with happiness and fertility,” says paleozoologist Raúl Valadez from the Institute of Research.
Anthropological investigations of UNAM. One of the leading experts in the study of xoloitzcuintlis in culture
Mesoamerican. It is an ancient race that appeared in Mesoamerica 2000 years ago and one of the first that
began to coexist with humans in the region. 'The oldest burial in which we have found a
The xoloitzcuintli is 1300 years old, in the city of Tula, Hidalgo," says Valadez.
"Hairless and wrinkled," that is what the word xolotl means in Nahuatl, says the expert. This breed suffers a mu-
genetic mutation that has curiously made it resistant to the passage of time. "The lack of hair is related to
with the lack of teeth,” Valadez explains. The xolos do not have premolars, which is why it is common to see many with the
tongue out of the mouth.
“Este perro era considerado por los mexicas y los mayas un animal sagrado”, dice Mercedes de la Garza, investigadora
from the Center for Mayan Studies, who explains that dogs were sacrificed and buried with their owners so that
they will accompany them to the other world. In the 16th century, Brother Bernardino de Sahagún already described in his encyclopedia History
General of the things of New Spain regarding this particular race and its relationship with humans: 'They were raised in this'
there were some hairless dogs, hairless (sic.) And if they had any hair, it was very little. They raised other little dogs,
which they called xoloitzcuintli, which had no hair at all. And at night they covered them with blankets to sleep.
On certain specific dates, they were ritual food and also an element of healing due to the heat they emit.
"skin," adds Eva Ayala, director of the El Carmen Museum. The institution hosts an exhibition until April 2020.
about the past and present of this race, a living heritage of Mexico.
It was believed that, in this mystical and ancestral relationship, the xolos, created by the god of darkness and death, Xólotl,
they were able to see the souls of the deceased. From the 18th century until well into the 20th century, the race was at
on the brink of extinction. In the years of the Spanish colony, all pagan practices and beliefs were punished.
and condemned to silence, among them the view that existed about dogs.
Thanks to the indigenous peoples, the xoloitzcuintli survived in the west of Mexico and it was during the time of the Na-
Cultural nationalism occurs when the necessary push is given to recover the race. Characters like Diego Rivera, Frida
Kahlo, Juan O'Gorman, or Dolores Olmedo had xoloitzcuintli dogs as pets, besides using them.
as inspiration for his work. Currently, the Dolores Olmedo Museum preserves 13 specimens of xolos that descend
from the first couple that Diego Rivera gave to the patron, Nahual and Citlalli.
As a result of research, conservation, and breeding, in 1970 the breed ceased to be endangered and currently
It's common to see Xolos on the street like any other dog. There is even a football team that bears their name.
The Xolos of Tijuana and Pixar were responsible for introducing the breed through the character Dante in the movie Coco.
Adapted from BARRAGÁN, Almudena (2019). 'Xolos, the companions in the world of the dead.' In Verne El País. <[Link]
com/verne/2019/10/31/mexico/1572553002_607445.html
90 Talent
2023-1
Reading Comprehension REVIEW
3
13. What cannot be inferred about the xolos?
A genetic mutation has caused the loss of some of its teeth and its fur.
[Link] and Citlalli are shown as the representatives of that race in the Dolores Olmedo Museum.
At some point in its history, the race found itself in danger of extinction.
They have been represented in different ways in popular culture.
14. Which is not a concept associated with the xolos in the text?
[Link] B. Guide C. Courage D. Happiness
Talent 91
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
4
Analogous situation and Continuation of the text
ANALOGOUS SITUATION:
GUIDED EXERCISE I
Someone...
• Create a situation that is analogous to the one presented in the cartoon. Remember that you should take into account
all the important elements of the baseline situation.
GUIDED EXERCISE II
A team of biologists in the United States claims that our attempts to exterminate urban rats may
are provoking the creation of a new species: superrats. According to researchers, led by Professor
Jonathan Richardson, after each 'cleaning', these rodents return, but more adapted, and they repopulate.
The study is based on urban rats from Churchill Square in New York City. According to the BBC, the rats-
pests were eliminated with pest control a couple of years ago. However, they reappeared and in a way
much more overpopulated.
It was noon and the rats were counted by the dozens, running in all directions. I had never seen so many.
rats in such a small area," Richardson describes in an article for The Conversation.
The biologist claims that it is common to find these types of phenomena, as rats "recover quickly.
after a pest control campaign ends.” This effect is known as the boomerang effect.
Nevertheless, he and his team noticed that the new rats were essentially different from those that preceded them.
Scientists explain that urban rats that manage to survive extermination attempts exhibit certain
traits that would enable them to resist or avoid exposure to traps, poisons, and other sources of mortality.
more, produce more offspring and pass on these useful characteristics.
How does this affect humans? The above is a sign that a new population could be forming.
"super rats"; therefore, the infestation of these rodents could be even greater.
Adapted from LA REPÚBLICA (2019). "Attempts to eliminate rats could create a mutation of 'super rats' in the future." In La Re-
public. <[Link] -
superrat-rebellion/
92 Talent
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
3
TEXT II
The precursor of the current engagement ring was a simple iron band. The ancient Roman tradition consisted of
in delivering a ring, a symbol of the cycle of life and eternity that constituted a public promise that the
marriage contract between a man and a woman would be respected. In the time of Pliny (23 – 79 A.D.), the ring
it was made of iron. Gold was introduced some time later in the 2nd century AD. Christians adopted this
customarily, in this way, the ring became an integral part of the wedding ceremony.
The symbolism of the ring, which signifies eternity, was not reinforced before the 15th century by the emblem of faith.
marital fidelity... the diamond. However, throughout the centuries, legends have been passed down about the mythical
properties of this stone. Hundreds of years before Christ, in India, where they were first discovered,
Diamonds were more valued even for their magic than for their immense beauty, and it was believed that they protected from the
snakes, of fire, of poison, of diseases, of thieves, and of all the combined forces of evil.
Each culture has valued the diamond for its unique properties. In India, it was believed that the color of the stone
reflected the lineage of the one who wore it and the most precious were the pure white diamonds. Rome valued them for
its hardness and considered them capable of breaking iron. The Chinese greatly valued them as tools.
recorders, while superstitious Italians relied on them as protectors against poison.
Especially capable of resisting fire and steel, diamond (whose name comes from the Greek 'adamas' which means
‘invincible’) brings together the inflexible and invincible strength. What better emblem for an association that is meant to last
all my life?
From the soft luster of Renaissance diamonds to the dazzling pyrotechnics of elegant sophistication
the 20th century's cation, the diamond ring, as an enchanted ring, constitutes the definitive seal of promises
made in marriage.
2. What is not a reason for the appreciation that has been and is given to diamonds?
A.S. hardness B. Its form C. Her beauty D. His magic
TEXT III
Love is considered a set of unconditional and selfless behaviors and attitudes that
They manifest among beings capable of developing emotional intelligence or emotionality. Love is not only
circumscribed to the human genre, since all those beings that can develop emotional connections with others, by
Example, dolphins, dogs, horses, etc., can love.
The term is usually associated with romantic love, a passionate relationship between two people with a significant...
a great influence on their interpersonal and sexual relationships. However, the term is also applied to
other different relationships, such as platonic love or family love, and also, in a broader sense,
it speaks of love towards God, nature, humanity as a whole (which is often associated with empathy) and
others. In most cases, it means a great affection for something that brings pleasure or happiness to the one who does it.
the action of loving.
88 Talent
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
4
GUIDED EXERCISE II
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How could the previous story end? Detail below each alternative if it works or not and why.
A. This action of the accused revealed the judge's trickery and the true killer. Embarrassed, both
94 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
4
They asked for forgiveness from the innocent and he was set free.
With grumbling and a very poorly disguised anger, they had to release the accused, and they never bothered him again.
C. In Latin America, it is not unusual for cases like this to lack a fair resolution and, rather, what usually
What happens is that the innocent end up in jail.
This was the action of a man who knew he had few opportunities to escape the gallows. We can
Suppose that his cunning helped him this time, but the next time, will he manage to evade the malice that surrounds him?
WORKING ON MOTIVATION: Did you like this text? What texts do you like more? Little by little you will start recognizing
What topics interest you the most? Now, if you don't like the texts presented to you, what strategies do you have for
Motivate yourself? Did you know that motivation can also be regulated by oneself? Perhaps you can use your imagination.
while you read, find a useful value in the information of the text or perhaps just for the sheer pleasure of learning
a little piece of new information every day. You decide.
TEXT I
Why couldn't we take our mothers' surname first? Why, if we have children, will they not use it?
What do we have ahead of us? And what will we answer them if, when they are older, they ask us why there is a law that says
Is it that men's surnames always come first? Or if we are asked about the reasons for a rule that obliges them?
to carry first the surname of a father who, perhaps in his case, was always absent?
According to a recent ruling by the Constitutional Court of Colombia, there is no way to answer these
questions without considering discrimination. Last week, the court of the neighboring country decided that the rule
actual - which also establishes that the father's surname comes first - will have to be modified by Congress
before July 2022.
Although the full ruling is not yet available, the Constitutional Court has released a statement with
a synthesis of the foundations of the decision. Among them is the fact that giving them priority to
men would constitute an unequal deal based on 'stereotypes and prejudices of the diminished role that they should'
playing women in the family." Tradition has prevented us in the past from seeing the discrimination that this hides.
norm, and it is time to "eliminate the barriers and social practices that hinder the realization or recognition of
women.” These arguments relate to the opinions of the Ministry of Justice and the Ombudsman.
from Colombia. The latter said, for example, that the current norm "is a reflection of a culture that has recognized
historically, the male population has been seen as superior and the ideal pattern of humanity, with dominance over all
areas of it, to the detriment of women.
The weight of these arguments is felt even more when we contrast them with the actions of the previous one.
Peruvian Congress: in March, the Justice Commission rejected a bill that would have granted parents
and mothers the possibility to decide the order of their children's surnames. How much we could have gained if
Our lawmakers would have seen the implications of the current regulation.
At that time, I wrote a column with another component of the problem, which is there even for those who do not.
They want to see discrimination. The provision currently in force is built on the idea of a 'traditional' family.
an idea that reality forces us to question. After all, two-parent families are no longer the majority in
Latin America (in 2010, it had dropped to 40%, according to data from Cepal). In Peru, to give another piece of information, the
69% of mothers have a partner (although they are not necessarily with the fathers of their children), 16% are separated.
4% are single.
If, having reached this point, the topic of the order of surnames seems irrelevant to you, I ask you to do one last exercise.
connected with real life.
Adapted from MENESES, Daniela (2019). "A Matter of Last Names." In El Comercio.-
Last name update by Daniela Meneses Sala news/
Talent 95
2023-1
REVIEW Reading Comprehension
4
Some animals of different species can relate or even associate. Often, these relationships in-
specific species show an extraordinary degree of refinement.
Comensalism is a type of association through which one species benefits from another without the latter obtaining
in exchange for advantages. Symbiosis, however, provides benefits to both associated species. Parasitism, however,
its part, implies a benefit for one of the species at the expense of the other.
An example of commensalism is that of remoras and sharks. The first dorsal fin of the remora, a fish of the
tropical seas, has transformed into an additive disc, through which it attaches to the sharks (eventually,
to the turtles and other larger marine animals or even to the boats) and consumes the remains with them
from food that the ships pour into the sea. In this way, the remora allows itself to be transported without effort on its part and
without benefit for the species that carries it.
Regarding symbiosis, a curious association occurs in the marine environment between sea anemones.
and a small fish that is white and yellow, the clownfish. This one always stays close to
an anemone, among whose tentacles it shelters despite being poisonous to other species (its skin is found
coated with mucus coming from the same anemone, which the fish acquires by rubbing against its polyps
and feeds on its excrement. For its part, it cleans and defends the anemone from its enemies, some of whom are so
Great is the size of sea turtles. It is, therefore, a true exchange of favors.
Adapted from Larousse Illustrated Encyclopedia. Santiago: Santiago Limited Commercial and Editorial Society, 1999, volume II.
96 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REPASO
4
A. Question the attitude of those who believe that only human beings are capable of attitudes of solidarity.
with his peers
[Link] las variadas y contradictorias actitudes que tienen los animales con los seres de otras especies
C. To promote in the reader a reflection on the multiple benefits they can obtain from animals
D. Explain, in an illustrative way, certain relationships that are established between some species of animals.
TEXT III
In the Andean realm, there was no concept of the creation of the world. The Andean inhabitants claimed to have emerged
from their places of origin with all their outfits, head ornaments, and weapons. For the Incas, this place of origin was
a cave; the Chancas claimed to have emerged from two lagoons; others considered the sea, springs, as pacarinas.
snow-capped mountains or other geographical locations.
TEXT IV
Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (1740-1814) has entered the cultural pantheon of France for everything
the high. His work was banned half a century ago, it has been published in three volumes by the most prestigious
literary collection, laPléiade, and now the Musée d'Orsay dedicates a vast exhibition to it: Attaquer le soleil (Attack the Sun)
to the sun). In this way, the frivolity of the century we live in —the civilization of spectacle— will achieve what
the two centuries of persecution did not succeed in ending the cursed legend that surrounded the character and
his books: to prove that neither he nor these were as dangerous or evil as was believed. After all, although his
the ideas were quite apocalyptic and gruesome, as a writer he was repetitive like a scratched record, and passed
some jolts, generally boring.
To enjoy Sade, it was essential to have nervous secrecy, to procure those underground editions like
the codices displayed in the museum—almost always with falsified print footnotes—that were saved from
miracle of kidnappings and burnings, and immerse yourself in its pages with the feeling of transgressing a
law and committing a mortal sin. Like today, The 120 Days of Sodom, Justine or the misfortunes of the
Virtue and Juliette or the Prosperities of Vice are sold in the most respectable bookstores and can be read everywhere.
good libraries, their appeal is considerably lower. And, as always happens with monothematic literature,
Such ferocity recurs in such a way in its pages that it stops being so and becomes play, unreality.
The exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay —excellent, by the way— is curated by Annie Le Brun, a great connoisseur.
de Sade and author of a subtle essay about him. In this exposition, something quite obvious is shown, that 'sadism'
it was not invented by the divine marquis, for literature and the plastic arts had already described cruelty and violence
sexual with imagination, boldness, and beauty since ancient times. But it is true that probably no one
No artist, writer, or philosopher went as far as he did in exploring those human depths where desires and
Talent 97
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
4
Intermixed instincts produce indescribable forms of horror. Goya, naturally very present with engravings.
and paintings in this exhibition, he summarized it brightly in the legend of one of his sharp observations: 'The dream
from reason produce monsters." Sade showed in his novels that sexual desires, free of all restraint,
they turn the human being into a predatory and carnivorous machine, and that a society that would allow them to spread
with absolute freedom, it could end all forms of life on the planet.
Adapted from VARGAS LLOSA, Mario. "The Divine Marquis in the Museum." El País.
TEXT V
At that time, I started to feel like a god. Don't be fooled: I was still, more than ever, the same man.
nourished by the fruits and animals of the earth, that returned the waste of its food to the soil, that sacrifices-
the dream at every revolution of the stars, restless to madness when there was too much time lacking the warmth
presence of love. My strength, my physical or mental agility, was maintained thanks to careful human gymnastics.
But what can I say except that everything was lived divinely? The unpredictable experiences of youth...
had come to an end, and also their urgency to enjoy the passing time. At forty-four years old, I felt
free of impatience, confident in myself, as perfect as my nature allowed me, eternal. And understand well that
this is about a conception of the intellect; the delusions, if it is necessary to call them that, came later. I
he was god, simply because he was man. The divine titles that Greece bestowed upon me later only did no more
that proclaim what I had verified long before for myself. I think I could have felt like a god in the
prisons of Domitian or in the pit of a mine. If I have the audacity to claim it, it is because that feeling
It just seems extraordinary to me, and it has nothing unique about it. Others felt it, or will feel it in the future.
Memories of Adrian by Marguerite Yourcenar
14. What is the intention of the text?
98 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
4
A. Define a divinity
B. Reflecting on a religion
C. Reveal a secret
[Link] an emotional state
TEXT VI
For some time now, the exclusivity of artists on a television channel no longer exists. Artists from
All television networks participate in different programs on different channels. But not only that: all the programs
from the competitors' channels, in addition to covering these spaces and informing us about what happens in them, they invite
The contestants are fed by the news that comes out of there and even campaign for their favorite. Nice, right?
No selfishness, no meanness, everyone collaborates with everyone.
A wave of love and detachment has arrived in Peruvian television to get the channels to share their
stars as little brothers? Unfortunately, no: they have simply realized that if they feedback each other
mutually, everyone wins in terms of rating. It's the only thing that matters to them, and this became evident.
last weekend when, once again, having the opportunity to unite for a noble cause such as
Teletón simply did not do it.
And it is that, despite the fact that, on channel 13's screen, the only one that fully broadcasted the Telethon, was shown the
logos of 2, 4, 9, and 13, the first three only transmitted the signal intermittently, especially since midnight of
Friday and the early hours of Saturday. He suppressed the fear to speak: they were not going to sacrifice them for the sake of the children of
Home Clinic San Juan de Dios. What thing? First is the rating. Did the collaboration goal exceed? There would be
It would have been the height of absurdity if it hadn't been done that way. Apparently, they were so unoptimistic this year that the proposed goal was
2 million soles, when everyone knows that the annual budget of San Juan de Dios doubles that figure.
With the little participation of the so-called 'big channels', we reached 3 million 436 thousand soles. Can you imagine...
What could we achieve if all the television networks really joined together, as happens in other countries, once a year for
this cause?
TEXT VII
There was so much rain that fell on Castelldefels that, one night, in his dreams, he received a divine message. Upon
Just like Noah, I should release a vessel with two animals of each species, for the flood was imminent.
Only one month was left. He visited all the banks and savings institutions. He promoted all kinds of raffles, games of chance, and fundraisers.
He created associations, foundations, and in three weeks —committed to several lives— bought a super-tanker.
with Cypriot flag.
As they were thinking of an immediate transfer at the Barcelona Zoo, he deceived them with great cunning and tricks.
to make a promotional trip. He loaded the super-tanker, and while the details were being finalized, he thought about the passengers.
what he would take. Being an orphan who had lived until eighteen in a house for foundlings, not having
friends and being single, he did not want to bring strangers onto the boat to fight over trifles. That is why he moved ahead.
The departure, and already in open sea, the flood began. On the fortieth day, the sun came out and the search for dry land began.
Talent 99
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
4
A few days later, aware that the human race would become extinct, he found islands of different sizes and left the
primates in one of them, away from the other animals, and left. The reason was that...
Adapted from "Deluge" by Carlos Fernández Guillén
TEXT VIII
Among the French Enlightenment thinkers who developed the ideological program of the Revolution, the figure of
Condorcet (1743-1794), who, in his work Outline of a Historical Table of the Progress of Human Spirit,
he claimed the recognition of the social role of women. Condorcet compared the social condition of women of
his time with that of the slaves. This comparison was to make his discontent with the existing situation evident.
After the triumph of the Revolution in 1789, an evident contradiction soon arose: a revolution that based its
justification in the universal idea of natural and political equality of human beings ('Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité')
denied women, half of the population, access to political rights, which actually meant
deny their freedom and their equality compared to the rest of the individuals.
The playwright and revolutionary activist Olimpia de Gouges (1748-1793) was the protagonist of the contestation.
female. In 1791, she published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Citizen, which was, in fact, a copy.
from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen approved by the National Assembly in August 1789.
Paraphrasing the great programmatic document of the revolution, Olympe de Gouges denounced that the revolu-
she would have forgotten the women in her equal and liberating project. Thus, she stated that 'woman is born free and
must remain the same as the man in rights" and that "the Law must be the expression of the general will; all the
Citizens must contribute, personally or through their representatives, to their training.
Olympe de Gouges' program was clear: freedom, equality, and political rights, especially the right to
vote, for women. However, the feminist proposal was not shared by the men who led the
revolution, not even among the most radical of them.
The imprisonment and execution of Olympe de Gouges during the period of the Jacobin dictatorship symbolized
the failure of feminist claims during the revolution. The Napoleonic Civil Code (1804), in which
they gathered the main social advances of the revolution, denied women the recognized civil rights
for men during the revolutionary period (legal equality, property rights...) and imposed some laws
discriminatory, according to which the home was defined as the exclusive sphere of female action.
Adapted from <[Link]
100 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
4
A. The role of women in the Revolution
B. Condorcet and Gouges: great French women
C. Failure of feminist ideas in the French Revolution
The denunciation by Condorcet and Gouges regarding the role of the French woman
23. The phrase 'Paraphrasing the great programmatic document of the revolution' can be expressed as
A. "saying in other words the declaration of the revolution."
B. "improving revolutionary propaganda documents".
C. "clarifying what has been said and depicted in the history of the revolution."
D. 'giving other meanings to what is defined by the revolutionaries.'
26. Which of the following options presents a situation analogous to the last paragraph?
[Link] tortura y decapitación de Túpac Amaru II significó, para el pueblo, la sofocación de la rebelión. Las autori-
Colonial data, immediately afterwards, eliminated the noble indigenous class and increased repression.
against the Andean region, to prevent something like this from happening again.
The trial and imprisonment of Abimael Guzmán could signify the end of terrorism and the armed struggle in the
Peru. The Government of Peru considers Sendero Luminoso as a terrorist organization; therefore, the entities
International organizations are prohibited from providing him with funds or financial assistance.
C. The year of Carranza's death marked the end of the Mexican Revolution. When he arrived at the presidency
Hello, Lázaro Cárdenas (1934) institutionalized the reforms that had begun in the revolutionary process.
and that were legitimized with the Constitution of 1917.
[Link] regreso a Francia, FloraTristán emprende una campaña a favor de la emancipación de la mujer. Yahabía
achieved the legal separation from her husband and the custody of her children; however, her ex-husband, furious
He is impotent, tries to murder her, shooting her in the street and leaving her badly wounded in September 1838. Flora
gains notoriety in the press.
Talento 101
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
5
The recipient of the text
Every text has been written for someone to read. Even if we write in our diary, there is always a reader.
potential. The recipient of a text can be specific (for example, in a text that is part of the co-
correspondence between two people, the recipients have first and last names) or it can be general (for example,
News about the global situation is usually directed at anyone who wants to be informed about the matter.
what you are describing:
TEXT I
Do you want to defend a woman abuser? I recommend not using these arguments:
"She stayed silent and did not report it when it happened." You are misinformed. Few women report their aggressors.
immediately. They are afraid, ashamed, and have not yet been able to process what has happened to them.
"If he mistreated her, why would she go back to him?" In a relationship, when a man hits a woman, it is
because she has already manipulated her, already entangled her, already destroyed her self-esteem. Physical violence rarely occurs at the beginning of
a relationship. When it happens, the woman is within a web characterized by emotional dependency.
Many times, not only does she not leave him, but he convinces her and she convinces herself that it is her who has...
the blame for the mistreatment and he deserves it.
“I know a lot about him. He is not aggressive.” The wicked aggressor is socially successful. He is only usually violent.
with their partner.
I can't think of any more 'arguments.' The only idea that comes to mind is: an aggressor is indefensible.
Adapted from FERRUCCI, Gabriela (2017) [Facebook page]. Consultation: November 11, 2017. <[Link]
[Link].9/posts/1684021621669884?pnref=story>
3. What idea would the author agree with according to what is stated in the text?
A. There are no valid arguments that can defend a woman abuser.
Men who assault their partners replicate the violence they experienced at home.
Women with low self-esteem often start a relationship with violent men.
The people who defend men who assault women lack all related information.
to the genre.
102 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
1
4. What idea from the text would serve to support that, when there is aggression from a man, the woman does not...
is she the guilty one?
A. That the victim has returned to the aggressor is probable evidence that he has manipulated her until
the point of convincing her that she deserves that situation.
A person who defends a woman abuser is misinformed and believes it is possible to defend them.
indefensible.
C. Socially healthy aggressors mistreat their partners, but on the outside, they appear successful and balanced.
the others.
The women who do not report their attackers until a long time later have completely overcome the
fear, shame, and the past.
TEXT II
Street sexual harassment (SSH) refers to the unwanted words and actions carried out by strangers.
in public places that are motivated by gender and involve perceiving women as sexual objects. Their
manifestations invade a person's physical and emotional space in a disrespectful, frightening, or
insulting. Women suffer from ASC systematically several times a day since, approximately, the age of 12.
And traumas are generated not only by the act, but by the recurrence.
The activists from Acción Respeto have raised the need to present a bill to p-
analyze the ASC. They argue, on one hand, that the law would not only serve to penalize, but also
it would work preventively: "Currently, harassers operate with impunity, as there is no figure
which exactly contemplates their conduct and, therefore, both police officers and prosecutors minimize it and are indifferent.
In the face of victims' complaints; however, this law would not only punish that crime, but it would also deter many.
they will stop doing it. Although for now they do not fully understand why it is wrong, future generations will
"growing knowing that it is a punishable conduct," they assert. On the other hand, at the social level, they claim that this law would highlight
that the ASC is a violent and unacceptable behavior, and it would prevent the reinforcement of this type of actions that is observed-
in society: "When victims turn to adults or to the police stations, they reinforce the concept
that these practices must be endured, since 'it's part of being a woman', 'you have to bear it in silence', 'it's
a minimal thing," which reinforces the idea that this is how men treat women and such behaviors are something
"normal", which is a kind of rite that marks their inferior role within society and teaches them to accept it.
violence towards them without responding, because that is being a woman. With the law, it will become evident that ASC is a behavior
violent and incorrect, and not something 'normal' that we should endure.
Adapted from LOTO, Norma (2015). "When the woman's body is public domain." Latin America in motion. Consulted: 09 of
November [Link]/es/articulo/169237>
Talent 103
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
5
9. What are the arguments of the activists Acción Respeto?
The law to combat ASC punishes aggressors and would also deter them from committing it.
The law to combat ASC reinforces the idea that this is an unacceptable behavior in society.
The law to combat ASC allows for a fair sentence to be handed down for offenders.
A. Only 1 and 3 [Link] 1 and 2 C. Only 2 and 3 [Link]
10. ¿Cuál sería la paráfrasis de “se generan traumas no solo por el acto, sino por la recurrencia”?
Traumas are generated in society not only by those who support it, but by the persistence of the ASC.
Women develop traumas, as ASC is present at every moment of their lives.
C. ASC traumatizes women, who consider it a recurring and harmful behavior.
The ASC generates trauma in women not only due to the act itself, but also because of the frequency with which it is performed.
What does it mean that women suffer ASC 'systematically' in the first paragraph?
That the ASC is evident in many social strata.
B. that women suffer from ASC recurrently
C. that women only have to endure the ASC
D. that the ASC is very widespread and harms most women
TEXT III
We express ourselves about food in a negative way: what we should not eat, what is bad and unhealthy. The
The effects of that attitude are more treacherous than any excessive amount of "bad eating" could cause us.
By worrying about food, we turn moments of comfort and joy into sources of fear and anxiety.
All this happens under the guise of science. That is to say, our aversion to 'bad food' arises from opinions.
unfounded claims that lack a critical perspective on scientific evidence. There are various examples that demonstrate
The above: the most demonized foods, in fact, do not harm us.
In recent years, gluten has become the enemy, even when wheat represents nearly 20 percent of
the calories consumed worldwide. Less than one percent of people in the United States suffer from
wheat allergy and less than one percent have celiac disease. However, the sale of labeled products
Gluten-free products increased worldwide between 2011 and 2014. Gluten-free diets can cause
the deficiency of nutrients such as vitamin B, folic acid, and iron.
The commotion around gluten is similar to the panic over MSG, or monosodium glutamate, a sodium atom added to
glutamic acid. This began roughly fifty years ago. A letter from 1968 in The New England Journal
of Medicine initiated the hysteria; the author claimed to have felt numbness, weakness, and palpitations after
eating at a Chinese restaurant. This was followed by some limited studies and an avalanche of news articles. In
For a short time, nutrition experts and consumer advocates were calling for a ban on MSG. Much
People still mistakenly believe that MSG is poison. Certainly, we do not need MSG in our diet.
but we also don't need to expend energy to avoid it.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are, in theory, one of our best alternatives for ...
to address the growing population. When a 2015 survey asked Americans if they thought that
ingesting modified foods was safe, almost 60 percent said it was unsafe. The same question was asked to
the scientists. Only 11 percent of them thought they were unsafe.
104 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
5
Food should be a source of pleasure, not panic. For most people, it is possible to eat in a way that is more
healthy without living terrified or battling to completely avoid certain foods. If there is something you should
Eliminate fear from your diet.
Adapted from CARROLL, Aaron (2017). "What to eat when everything is bad?" In The New York Times. Accessed: November 9, 2017.
Invalid URL [Link]/en/2017/11/08/what-to-eat-when-everything-is-bad/
15. What is the idea that the author tries to demonstrate throughout their text?
Genetically modified organisms represent, so far, the best alternative for scientists.
to feed the growing world population.
Monosodium glutamate is not negative for the body. Despite this, there are still many people who
he/she thinks it is poison.
C. We usually use negative phrases to refer to certain types of food: what should not be eaten, what
it is not healthy and what is bad.
In front of certain foods, we should eliminate fears based on unfounded opinions and that ado-
they lack critical analysis before scientific evidence.
TEXT IV
The prolific work left to humanity by Hannah Arendt has become essential study material for
the researchers, philosophers, and sociologists, as it addresses issues that are fully relevant in the current reality.
Among these we can highlight political action, history, power, violence, control, labor, work,
the public space, the private sphere, among others. It is also worth noting the deep analysis it conducts of totality-
tarism, which he takes as the epicenter of his reflections in his philosophical thought; he insists that the struggle against
totalitarianism cannot wait until the notion of it has been understood, since this notion cannot
to be understood only after totalitarianism has been defeated.
Talent 105
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
5
One of the main virtues of our thinker is the constant denunciation of the causes that led to the
establishment of Nazism, so that humanity never forgets what happened and to prevent it from happening again in the future. It was
a woman who always kept in mind that totalitarianism was the phenomenon of the century and that, with the simple disappearance
del nazismo o del estalinismo, su derrota final no había llegado.
Now, how to define Hannah Arendt? The author of this work defines her as the archaeologist of thought.
political, since, as it develops its ideas, distinctions, and boundaries, it discovers new ones
veins, new treasures that were submerged in the peace of history.
For our author, the 20th century has been the century of wars and violence. Therefore, she recommends reflecting.
about this last one as a common denominator of the present century. It highlights the effectiveness of non-violent actions and the
permanent theoretical interest in distinguishing to understand. In this same sense, it insists that the new problems
The challenges that humanity will face in the contemporary era go beyond exclusively political matters.
Hunger, the dire consequences of drug addiction, and the gradual destruction of the planet as a habitat for
Human beings constitute themes that have become significant global challenges that generate expectations in
a large part of the population of the world. To these observations made by our author in her time we can add
now the issues of AIDS, the gradual and progressive warming of the Earth due to the destruction of the layer
of ozone that causes as a consequence the melting of polar ice caps that cause flooding in various
part of the world, among others.
Adapted ÁVILA, Francisco (2005). “Some ideas from Hannah Arendt's political thought: its current impact”. In Science Magazine
Social (RCS), Vol. XI, No. 1, pp. 181-191. Consultation: October 25, 2017. <[Link]
19. What is the best paraphrase for 'insists that the fight against totalitarianism cannot wait until it...'
you have understood the notion of this, since this notion cannot be understood until totalitarianism
has been defeated?
The struggle within totalitarianism helps us to have a complete picture of how to understand it and overthrow it.
tart, as Arendt persists.
For Arendt, starting the fight against totalitarianism is the basis for beginning to understand it and not the other way around.
reverse.
C. The author notes that to overcome totalitarianism, a prior notion of what it really is is needed;
only in this way can he be defeated and fully understood.
We must not wait to understand the idea of what totalitarianism is in order to fight against it, for it co-
We will set fire to it as long as we have defeated it, emphasizes Arendt.
106 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
5
23. What argument does Arendt present to support that the new problems that humanity will face in the era
Do contemporary issues impact beyond exclusively political matters?
There are problems outside the political sphere that concern the global population.
Violence and wars are the common traits of our postmodern era.
There are new problems such as global warming and AIDS, which will destroy life.
A. Solo 1 [Link] 2 C. Solo 3 [Link]
24. What is Arendt's argumentative synthesis on how to reflect on the 21st century?
There is something in common between the 20th and 21st centuries: wars and violence; therefore, both centuries face
they will face the same problems.
It is necessary, in the 21st century, to reflect on violence as a common point with the last century, because
The previous one was characterized by both wars and violence.
C. In addition to the wars and violence of the 21st century, we also have to add hunger and the dire consequences of
drug addiction. Therefore, it is necessary to think about this century differently.
The common denominator between the 20th and 21st centuries is wars and violence. Therefore, we have to
reflect on the last based on what has already happened.
Talent 107
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
6
Image analysis
TEXT I
TEXT II
Mafalda, Quino
108 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
6
4. Which of the following alternatives presents a possible inference for the image?
The government that children try to imitate in their play is not one that acts.
The woman who speaks to Mafalda believes that the government only generates serious problems.
C. The only thing left for the people is to passively wait for the government to do something for them.
In the country where Mafalda lives, the people do not exercise their right to complain about the negligence of their rulers.
TEXT III
6. Through his cartoon, the author expresses himself in a _____________ manner on the topic.
The critique Irascible C. careless D. arrogant
TEXT IV
Talent 109
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
6
8. It can be inferred from the previous text that
A person in a high public office may be less appreciated if they lose it.
We should not trust any praise from a colleague, because we might end up hurt.
In public institutions, it is common to encounter hypocritical people.
In companies and public and private institutions, people often betray each other.
9. What is the sequence of tones used by the character throughout the cartoon?
A. Affable – exaggerated – questioning – worried
B. Sumiso - sycophant - scared - dismissive
C. Cordial – efusivo – sorprendido – despectivo
[Link] – optimista – alarmado – ofensivo
TEXT VI
Mom, what future do you see for that women's liberation movement; no, never mind, forget it?
10. Which of the following alternatives supports the author's position on women's liberation?
The Women's Liberation movement protested mainly against the discrimination of the.
woman in relation to suffrage; the group demanded that women be able to elect the leaders.
[Link], in recent years, has been a pioneer in the formation of feminist collectives that seek
eradicate, mainly, violence against women.
C. Currently, there are some women who still have as their life ideal to have several children and stay at home.
house to take care of them and be housewives.
Despite the fact that women have equal rights to men, in practice they still suffer from violence.
of gender, which is exacerbated by the indifference of the authorities.
11. Why, in the end, did Mafalda become discouraged from asking her mom the question?
A. Because he saw her very tired doing the household chores and did not want to bother her.
B. Because he didn't feel in the mood to listen to a long and boring answer.
C. Because, observing reality, he realized what the answer to his question was.
D. Because she thought that her question might offend her mom in some way.
110 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
6
TEXT VII
[Link] to the text, what measure could result in the reduction of gender violence?
The inclusion of teaching equality between men and women in schools
B. The inclusion of the death penalty for child rapists
C. The approval of chemical castration as a punishment for child rapists
The use of the term equality instead of feminism to make the problem visible.
Talent 111
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
6
TEXT VIII
Thomas Hobbes, 17th-century English philosopher, argues that man, initially, tends to be selfish and uses everything
his power to achieve his objectives without caring about the other until society arises. Thanks to it, he accepts to live.
respecting others under the control of a State. In contrast, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher of the century
XVIII states that initially man is good, but when society arises, he is corrupted by it.
Mafalda interpreted that the word 'mature' was related to ______ in the sociopolitical sphere.
prosperity
A partial development
C. a threat
The indifference of the authorities
TEXT IX
112 Talent
2023-1
Comprehensive Reading REVIEW
6
16. Considering the determinants of nutritional status, in which of the following situations is the newborn
presents a greater risk of malnutrition?
A mother of a family living in a human settlement where drinking water is scarce
only at the early hours of the day she gives birth to a girl.
B. Adults who have the financial capacity to support a family, which is why they decide to have their
first child
C. A couple has just had a baby who was born with a weight below average, so
he needs to stay in a private clinic for a few days to gain more weight.
From young parents with several children living in a middle-upper class district and having quick access to
health services decide to have one more child.
17. What phrase would best summarize the content of the text?
A. Immediate determinants of nutritional status
[Link] de riesgo asociados a la desnutrición
C. Food intake and political status as determinants of nutritional status
D. Socioeconomic problems as consequences of nutritional status
TEXT XIII
Talent 113
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehension Reading
6
18. What is the theme of this infographic?
A. Various data on organ donation and transplantation in Peru
B. Organs that can be transplanted and their compatibility: the Peruvian case
C. Situation of organ donation in Peru and requirements related to the donor's age
The importance of organ donation in Peru and requirements
MIXED TEXTS
In the Talent Evaluation of PUCP, we can also find mixed texts, those that combine.
traditional texts (continuous) with images or boxes. In these cases, we will find questions that are focused on
It is essential to recognize what purpose the image serves within the text or how it complements the information.
Let's review the following examples.
TEXT I
In terms of equity and redistribution, if a solidarity tax (IS) were to be considered, it should be
aimed at wealth, that is, at the assets of the richest in Peru (accumulated economic value to the
long over time until the present and likely to grow in the future) and not to the income, as many experts have
suggested. Income is a flow over a given period of time, while wealth is a stock that has been
conseguido gracias a la acumulación de múltiples flujos de ingreso. En una crisis, los ingresos son los primeros en ser
affected by being a weekly, biweekly or monthly flow, while wealth is a stock that may not be seen
affected by the crisis and that would be the safeguard against the reduction of our income as in the case of our
savings (CTS, pensions, properties, etc.). Consequently, the tax should focus on households and
dreams that have great accumulated wealth (and not necessarily those who receive the highest monthly income), since
they have greater spending capacity.
Now, it is worth asking based on the above, who are the richest in Peru? According to the discu-
Many analysts have cited the National Household Survey (ENAHO) as a reliable means to calculate
Who would be called to contribute to the IS? It is true that the ENAHO is one of the main sources of information.
about the income and expenses of Peruvian households. However, it is not reliable if it is to be used to identify
to identify the richest households. The ENAHO is built from a sample of households that is representative of the
totality of the country (so that the data can be generalized). However, a technical flaw of the survey
When visiting families with the highest incomes to ask them questions, they choose not to.
respondents leave a void within the sample. Consequently, estimating the tax base of the IS with the data
to abandon the ENAHO would be a terrible mistake. However, thanks to alternative methodologies to the ENAHO, we present the
number of adults according to wealth ranges for Peru based on Credit Suisse estimates for
years 2016 to 2018. Clearly, in Peru there are millionaires and they are the ones called to contribute to the IS.
Adapto from CASTILLO, César and Luan SÁNCHEZ (2020) “Redistribution in times of pandemic: relevance of a solidarity tax (to the
wealth)". Another View. Lima, May 13.
114 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
1
Adults according to wealth ranges Peru
3. What do the authors of the text centrally argue about the creation of the IS?
It should be directed at the great accumulated wealth and not at the higher monthly income.
2. The ENAHO cannot be used to estimate who should contribute to this tax.
In Peru, there are millionaires who are called to pay in IS.
Those who possess accumulated wealth have greater spending capacity.
4. What is the argument that supports the central opinion of the authors?
The ENAHO shows a technical flaw due to which it would be a terrible mistake to use it to estimate who
they must pay the IS.
Unlike monthly income, which is affected in crises, those who possess accumulated wealth
they have more spending potential.
In 2018, there were 41,352 millionaires in Peru, and these people are the ones who are capable of paying.
IS sin affected.
4. There are alternative methodologies to the ENAHO and it is possible to determine who would pay the IS based on
the estimates from Credit Suisse (2016-2018).
Talent 115
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
6
5. Select the best paraphrase for the following fragment: "Consequently, the tax should be focused on"
in households and people who have great accumulated wealth (and not necessarily those who earn the most
monthly income), as they have greater spending capacity.
As a consequence, those who should pay taxes are those with more savings, although not
necessarily perceive higher monthly income.
The solidarity tax, then, should be applied without necessarily considering the higher income.
monthly, but rather a greater accumulated wealth, which generates more spending capacity.
3. Therefore, individuals and households with greater accumulated wealth are the ones who should pay more taxes, since
who are the Peruvians with the highest purchasing power.
4. Therefore, the wealth of a household should not be measured by the monthly income, as those who have more
spending capacity refers to those with great accumulated wealth.
6. What is the synthesis of the argument regarding the use of ENAHO to calculate who would be subject to IS?
It should be used with caution, because it is one of the main sources of household economy.
It would be a terrible mistake to use it considering there are other more efficient methodologies.
3. Due to the technical failure that leaves a gap in the sample, it is not reliable for estimating the tax base.
It is recommended by many specialists, although the information from Credit Suisse is better.
TEXT II
Lima, Sunday, October 30, 2007
The rise in the price of bread has revealed just how much we are a country that depends on food.
imported. This year, for now, one billion dollars in food will be imported. Are those bulky figures
Does importation mean that Peruvians are eating more and more? No, it happens that prices inter-
national prices of products such as wheat, corn, and soybeans have risen considerably, which has caused that,
For example, if a month ago we bought eight loaves of bread for one sol, today that little coin only gets us six loaves.
And what do we buy? Well, key products in the daily diet of Peruvians, such as wheat, yellow corn (prin-
main food of the poultry industry), rice, sugar, dairy, soybeans, and meats. The problem is that we depend on the
foreign production and our food security is at risk. But what is the factor that most influences the
price increase of products that have the highest demand in Peruvian food? Undoubtedly, the rise is
the result of replacing wheat crops with corn, soy, and canola. What is the reason for the substitution?
Well, these products (yellow corn, soybeans, and canola) are used for the production of bioethanol, which is used as
combustible (which has made them scarcer for marketing as food and has made their price
it also increases, although not as sharply as in the case of wheat). The substitution has skyrocketed the
price of wheat. Yes, at the beginning of the year, the ton cost 477 dollars, now it is sold for 594 dollars. And the growing
The demand for bioethanol originates from the constant increase in the international price of a barrel of oil.
(which is now at 85 dollars and could reach up to 150). In the face of these increases, bioethanol has been presented as
the economic and ecological alternative. But, to produce it, it is necessary to replace crops. The wheat, then, is
it is scarcer and therefore more expensive.
116 Talent
2023-1
Comprehension Reading REVIEW
6
7. According to the text, why is wheat becoming increasingly scarce?
[Link] su precio en el mercado internacional se ha incrementado notablemente y lo seguirá haciendo
B. Because, to produce it, it is necessary to replace crops that are in great shortage such as corn, soy, and canola.
C. Because its cultivation has been replaced by the cultivation of other products that are used to produce bioethanol.
Because it is used to produce bioethanol, a very economical and ecological alternative fuel.
What problem does the increase in the price of certain products like wheat or yellow corn reveal?
A. The considerable increase in the price of oil worldwide
The need to produce bioethanol
C. The dependence of Peru on food imports
The need to find more economical energy sources
10. What is the main contribution of the table to the general sense of the text?
A. Provide evidence of the upward trend in the import of basic foodstuffs in Peru during the
last years.
B. Illustrate the upward trend in imports with the example of two staple products, such as wheat.
and the corn.
C. To complement the information contained in the text, note that 2007 is the year in which the most has been
invested in imported products.
D. Raise the reader's awareness of the dimension of the problem by establishing the amounts of investment in products.
imported.
TEXT III
The use of human skulls for the celebration of rituals has been documented in numerous archaeological sites.
gicos from different timelines and geographical areas. For example, some societies considered that skulls
they possessed powers or life force, and it was not uncommon for a rival to be decapitated after a confrontation as proof
of superiority and authority. Another proof is the cup skulls. These elements shaped like a vessel present
modifications of the bone surface such as cut marks and percussion marks, likely due to cleaning
meticulous of the bone.
A new study has found morphological similarities in these pieces discovered in various sites of the
European continent, where modifications have been identified since the Upper Paleolithic, about 20,000 years ago
years, up to the Bronze Age, about 4000 years ago. The marks and fractures indicate that the cup skulls were
intentionally produced as containers or cups. The results have been published in the journal
Journal of Archaeological Science.
The group, formed by researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES),
from the Rovira i Virgili University of Tarragona (URV) and the Natural History Museum of London (NHML), analyzed the
frequency and the spatial distribution of skull cuts found at five sites in Gran Dolina
Atapuerca, Gough's Cave (Great Britain), Fontbrégoua (France), Herxheim (Germany), and the Cave of El Mirador.
also in Atapuerca.
The goal was to identify a common pattern that responded to a systematic elaboration of the skulls. "It's difficult to know
Yes, there was a ritualization of the elements, as feelings do not leave a fossil record. But this methodology
allows us in some way to relate to or identify a process different from what would be simple consumption," he explains.
Francesc Marginedas, principal author of the study and master's student in Quaternary Archaeology and Evolution
Human in the URV.
Talent 117
2023-1
REVIEW Comprehensive Reading
6
The group found similar statistical results at all locations except for the Gran Dolina site in Atapuerca.
In the Fontbrégoua cave, the analysis was conducted on whole skulls, possibly related to
the collection of war trophies. Therefore, the authors suggest that the treatment of human skulls for
ritual purposes result in a consistent pattern of modifications. Different signals that have been preserved
about the bones helped them recognize these possible ceremonial practices. It is about the striations made with
stone tools, which were mainly used during the extraction of the scalp and meat
meticulously and repeatedly.
The conscious fracturing of these skulls suggests that it is not solely related to the need to extract
the brain for nutritional purposes, but were produced in a concrete and intentional manner as containers
the vessels. "In all these sites there is evidence of cannibalism, for which this amount is not necessary.
of brands. What we identify is an intensive cleaning and we relate it to ritual use because it is an element
already known,” explains Marginedas.
Currently, it is still unknown what the cup skulls were used for, but the repetition of the pattern provides
new evidence of the preparation of skulls for ritual practices, mostly associated with
cases of human cannibalism during recent Prehistory.
Adapted from LAVANGUARDIA (2020). 'Skulls to make bowls'. In [Link]. Consulted: January 27, 2020.w.
[Link]/science/20200120/472986555558/[Link]#yusp
11. When Francesc Marginedas says: "It is difficult to know if there was a ritualization of the elements, as I felt...
mindsets do not leave a fossil record. But this methodology allows us to somehow relate or identify
a process different from what simple consumption would be," it is expressed in a way
Critical and effusive.
Doubtful and conformist.
C. reflexive and optimistic.
Categorical and imperative.
12. The author uses the image that accompanies the text to
emphasize the use of bones as trophies.
2. describe the techniques used for decapitation.
3. illustrate the possible use of the cranial concave part.
4. persuade about the rituals carried out with human skulls.
118 Talent
2023-1