Aragón PAU English cheat sheet

Aragón PAU - Lengua Extranjera: Inglés

• The exam tests reading comprehension, English usage (lexis and grammar), and written production; texts are authentic-style articles of roughly 250–400 words with questions in English.

• Reading-comprehension items are typically true/false with justification from the text, short-answer questions, and vocabulary-in-context: a justified answer must quote or paraphrase the exact lines that prove it, not merely restate the statement.

• For true/false justification, copy a short fragment (roughly 5–15 words) from the text and cite the line; a correct T/F mark without a valid quote earns no credit for the justification.

• Vocabulary-in-context items ask for a synonym or definition of a word as used in the passage: answer in English and keep the same word class (noun for noun, verb for verb).

• Usage sections test tense contrast (present perfect vs past simple), conditionals, passive voice, reported speech, relative clauses, modals, and prepositions; transform the whole sentence while preserving its original meaning.

• Written production is usually one opinion/argumentative or narrative task of about 100–150 words tied to the reading topic; assessment weighs task achievement, organization (paragraphs, linkers), range, and accuracy.

• Useful linkers for the writing task: contrast (however, whereas, despite + noun/-ing), cause/result (therefore, as a result, owing to), addition (furthermore, in addition), and conclusion (to sum up, on balance).

• Keep register consistent and formal in opinion essays: avoid contractions, slang, and second-person generalisations; vary sentence length and use specific examples rather than vague statements.

• Time budget guidance that works in practice: about 15 minutes reading and answering comprehension, 15 minutes usage, 25–30 minutes planning plus writing, and 5–10 minutes checking spelling, agreement, and verb forms.