2009: Charles Darwin’s Bicentennial

Charles Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882), English naturalist, did poorly in
school, and so could not secure employment following his graduation. However, he was
able to secure a position as ship's naturalist aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. The Beagle
undertook a five year cruise around the world, beginning December 27, 1831 and
ending October 2, 1836. During the course of the voyage, Darwin noticed how species
changed along the coast of South America, and especially on the Galápagos Islands.
Upon returning to England, he published his observations in A Naturalist's Voyage on
the Beagle (1839). Darwin, reflecting on his observation, developed a theory of
evolution.
According to this theory, individual variability means that some organisms have a slight
advantage over others. The advantage will allow the organisms to compete better in the
"struggle for existence" and produce more offspring, which will inherit the
advantageous qualities. The process whereby favourable traits in the most "fit" animals
allow it to survive and reproduce, Darwin called "natural selection."
Darwin put off publishing because he knew the theory would arouse great controversy.
Therefore, he continued to compile evidence until he received a letter from Alfred R.
Wallace in 1858 along with a memoir on Wallace's own theory of evolution through
natural selection. This spurred Darwin to publish The Origin of Species. This book
revolutionized biology, and is one of the most revolutionary ever published.
Source: scienceworld.wolfram.com

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account
the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a. Why did Darwin go aboard the H.M.S. Beagle?

b. How would you explain what “natural selection” is?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text
that supports your answer by copying the exact passage on the answer sheet. (1.5
point: 0.5 each)

a. His trip around the world lasted five years.

b. The theory of evolution states that all animals are equal and develop in a very similar
way.

c. Darwin was not sure of his theory and never published a book.

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1
point: 0.25 each)
Voyage species advantage struggle offspring traits

a. descendant(s)
b. characteristics, features
c. battle, fight
d. journey, trip
IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct. (1.5
points: 0.5 each)
1. Darwin ...

a. found a job very easily after school.

b. got a job on a ship.
c. got his first job as a school teacher and then as a ship’s naturalist.

2. Natural selection is explained as ...

a. how animals survive when having certain advantages over other animals.
b. how animals produce more offspring.
c. how animals live and develop.

3. Darwin was very confident about his theory ...

a. and published a book immediately.

b. and stopped compiling evidence until he received a letter.
c. and published a book after receiving a letter.

Part B. Write a 130 to 150-word composition. (4 points)

• What measures can be implemented to protect endangered species?
OPCIÓN B
Part A. Reading Comprehension.
Read the following text:

Teenagers and Internet addiction

Today's teenagers are a generation for whom the line between online and real world
interaction is practically non-existent. The apotheosis of this is Myspace.com, which
began as a social networking site, but which now is ‘a nightclub open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week’. Myspace currently receives more daily visits than Google and
Amazon. The site has 40 million members worldwide, each using their personal page to
email and post bulletins, blogs and photos of themselves. It is precisely that creation of
identity which has made it such a teen sensation.
It's like a voluntary Big Brother. For millions of teenagers, the Internet is like a drug.
And the madness of the Internet and of adolescent hormones can be an especially potent
combination. On one occasion, fourteen-year-old Kara met 18-year-old David on
Myspace. The relationship, which began as a friendship, intensified on the site. When
her parents, who opposed the relationship, tried to cut off her online access to him, her
parents were shot dead by the boy.
The Internet fuels fantasy. You can be an Internet warrior, an Internet seductress. Kids
are using these sites to act out fantasy. On the Internet, you are allowed the chance to be
the best. Besides, lonely, unpopular or troubled teenagers get online and play the roles
they want to be. It doesn't matter if anyone is actually reading their postings or not: it
just feels good to let it all out, and see it archived forever.

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account
the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a. Why being a teenager and using Internet is such a potent combination?

b. Why were Kara’s parents murdered?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text
that supports your answer by copying the exact words on the answer sheet. (1.5
point: 0.5 each)

a. Teenagers are obsessed with getting their postings read by other teens.

b. Internet postings at Myspace are eventually eliminated by the company.

c. Nowadays young people don’t see the difference between their real life and their
virtual life.
III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1
point: 0.25 each)
Opportunity craziness qualified in fact promise powerful

a. actually
b. chance
c. potent
d. madness

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct (1.5 points:
0.5 each)

1. Myspace is a sensation because…

a) teenagers only express their identity there.

b) teenagers build up a different identity for their life online.
c) teenagers are aware of the duality of their real and online identities.

2. Kara’s parents were shot dead because…

a) they did not like Kara’s boyfriend.

b) they do not believe in adolescent love through the Internet.
c) they wanted to stop Kara having any online contact with her boyfriend.

3. Internet fuels fantasy…

a) because people can be whoever they want to be.

b) because Internet is a world of magic.
c) because Internet is virtual.

Part B. Write a 130 to 150-word composition. (4 points)

• What do you think about the Internet? Is it really so addictive?