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PAU Foreign Language II: English (Castilla-La Mancha) study materials
PAU Foreign Language II: English (Castilla-La Mancha) study resources

PAU Foreign Language II: English (Castilla-La Mancha) practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read this sentence from a review: 'The film is far from boring, yet it never quite lives up to the hype surrounding its release.' What does the reviewer suggest about the film?

  1. It is tedious and completely forgettable.
  2. It is boring in the second half only.
  3. It is entertaining but overrated. Correct answer.
  4. It fully deserves the praise it has received.

Explanation

The structure 'far from boring' denies dullness, while 'never quite lives up to the hype' indicates the film falls short of expectations. Combining both clauses, the reviewer finds it watchable but less impressive than its reputation suggests.

Question 2Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A news article states: 'The council has pledged to plant 5,000 trees by 2030, a promise welcomed by local campaigners.' Which reading is best supported by the text?

  1. The council refused to set a deadline.
  2. The pledge has already been fulfilled.
  3. Campaigners have criticised the council's plan.
  4. Local campaigners reacted positively to the commitment. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Welcomed by local campaigners' signals approval, and 'pledged' indicates a commitment rather than completed action. The year 2030 shows a deadline was in fact set.

Question 3Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In the sentence 'Had the organisers booked a larger venue, hundreds of fans would not have been turned away,' what does the writer imply?

  1. The organisers did book a larger venue.
  2. The venue was too small and some fans were excluded. Correct answer.
  3. The venue was large enough for everyone.
  4. No fans were affected by the decision.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the organisers booked'), describing an unreal past situation. Since the imagined alternative did not happen, the real outcome was an undersized venue and rejected fans.

Question 4Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read the paragraph: 'Sales of electric cars rose sharply last year. However, charging infrastructure has lagged behind, and many drivers cite this as their main concern.' What is the paragraph's main point?

  1. Drivers are unconcerned about charging.
  2. Charging networks are expanding faster than sales.
  3. Growth in electric cars is undermined by poor charging provision. Correct answer.
  4. Electric car sales have fallen recently.

Explanation

The contrast marker 'However' sets up a problem that qualifies the positive first sentence. The paragraph contrasts rising sales with lagging infrastructure and drivers' worries, making the mismatch its central point.

Question 5Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A travel blog says: 'The museum is worth a visit, provided you go early; by midday the queues stretch around the block.' What advice does the blogger give?

  1. The museum is not worth visiting at all.
  2. Skip the museum entirely.
  3. Visit the museum early to avoid long queues. Correct answer.
  4. Arrive at midday for the shortest wait.

Explanation

'Provided you go early' sets a condition for the recommendation, and the midday queue detail explains why. The blogger recommends the museum but only under the condition of an early arrival.

Question 6Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In an opinion column: 'Politicians who promise simple solutions to complex problems should be treated with suspicion.' What is the writer's stance?

  1. Complex problems have no solutions.
  2. Politicians should avoid making any promises.
  3. Suspicion is warranted when solutions are oversimplified. Correct answer.
  4. Simple solutions are usually the best ones.

Explanation

The modal 'should be treated with suspicion' expresses the writer's recommendation. The relative clause restricts this to politicians offering simple answers to complex problems, so the stance is scepticism towards oversimplification.

Question 7Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Choose the option that best completes the text: 'The report, ____ findings were leaked to the press, has sparked a heated debate.'

  1. whose Correct answer.
  2. who
  3. which
  4. that

Explanation

The gap needs a possessive relative determiner linking 'the report' to 'findings'. 'Whose' expresses possession and works for both people and things in this structure.

Question 8Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A science article reads: 'Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind; most species see quite well, and many also navigate by echolocation.' What does the article correct?

  1. The belief that bats are nocturnal.
  2. A claim that bats cannot fly.
  3. The idea that bats use echolocation.
  4. A common misconception about bats' eyesight. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Contrary to popular belief' introduces a correction, and the clause that follows refutes the idea that bats are blind. The rest of the sentence adds supporting detail about their vision.

Question 9Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Not until the final chapter does the author reveal the identity of the narrator.' What can we conclude?

  1. The final chapter has no narrator.
  2. The author never reveals the narrator's identity.
  3. The narrator's identity is revealed at the start.
  4. The narrator is identified only at the very end. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Not until the final chapter' with subject-verb inversion places the revelation at the very end of the book. The main verb 'reveal' confirms the identity is disclosed.

Question 10Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A job advert says: 'Candidates must be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.' Which candidate best matches the requirement?

  1. Someone who prefers a slow, relaxed pace.
  2. Someone who avoids time-limited tasks.
  3. Someone who needs constant supervision.
  4. Someone who stays calm and delivers on time. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Work under pressure' refers to staying effective in stressful conditions, and 'meet tight deadlines' means finishing on schedule. Only the option combining calmness with punctual delivery matches both parts.

Question 11Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In the sentence 'The proposal was met with a lukewarm response,' what does 'lukewarm' most nearly mean?

  1. Indifferent Correct answer.
  2. Hostile
  3. Enthusiastic
  4. Confused

Explanation

'Lukewarm' literally means slightly warm and figuratively describes weak or unenthusiastic support. In this context it signals a response lacking real enthusiasm, closest to indifference.

Question 12Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'While the new policy has reduced waiting times, critics argue it has done so at the expense of staff wellbeing.' What is the critics' point?

  1. Staff wellbeing has improved under the policy.
  2. Waiting times have increased since the policy.
  3. The policy has failed to reduce waiting times.
  4. The improvement in waiting times has a cost for staff. Correct answer.

Explanation

The concessive 'While' accepts the benefit, and 'at the expense of' introduces the cost. Critics therefore argue that faster service comes with a negative impact on staff.

Question 13Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Which option best completes the text? 'By the time the guests arrived, the chef ____ the entire meal.'

  1. prepares
  2. had prepared Correct answer.
  3. was preparing
  4. has prepared

Explanation

'By the time' plus a past simple event signals an action completed before another past moment. The past perfect 'had prepared' expresses that earlier completion correctly.

Question 14Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A consumer article states: 'The warranty covers manufacturing defects but excludes damage caused by misuse or accidental drops.' Which situation would likely be covered?

  1. A break resulting from an accidental fall.
  2. Damage caused by using the device incorrectly.
  3. A screen cracked after being dropped.
  4. A faulty battery that failed without misuse. Correct answer.

Explanation

The warranty covers manufacturing defects and excludes misuse and accidental drops. A battery failing on its own fits the covered category, while the other options fall under the stated exclusions.

Question 15Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The charity's appeal raised a record sum, although organisers admit they had expected far less.' What does the sentence tell us?

  1. Organisers were disappointed by the result.
  2. The amount raised exceeded the organisers' expectations. Correct answer.
  3. The appeal fell short of expectations.
  4. The charity expected a record sum.

Explanation

'Although' contrasts the record sum with the lower expectation. The clause 'expected far less' shows the outcome surpassed what organisers had anticipated.

Question 16Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In a text about urban planning: 'Pedestrianising the city centre has been a double-edged sword: footfall has soared, but some traders report delivery difficulties.' What does 'double-edged sword' convey?

  1. A policy that has failed completely.
  2. A decision supported by all traders.
  3. A plan that has had no measurable effect.
  4. A change with both benefits and drawbacks. Correct answer.

Explanation

The idiom 'double-edged sword' describes something with both positive and negative consequences. The colon introduces the two sides: higher footfall as a benefit and delivery problems as a drawback.

Question 17Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Choose the option that best completes the text: 'She spoke ____ quietly that the audience at the back could barely hear her.'

  1. such
  2. too
  3. very
  4. so Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'so + adjective/adverb + that' pattern expresses a result. 'So quietly that' correctly links the manner of speaking to the consequence for the audience.

Question 18Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Far from being a passing trend, remote working appears to have become embedded in company culture.' What does the writer claim?

  1. Companies have abandoned remote working.
  2. Remote working has become a lasting part of company practice. Correct answer.
  3. Remote working is a short-lived fashion.
  4. Remote working was never popular.

Explanation

'Far from being a passing trend' rejects the idea of a temporary fashion, and 'embedded in company culture' asserts that the practice is now established and lasting.

Question 19Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A film review reads: 'The plot is predictable, the dialogue wooden, yet the performances are so committed that the film is hard to resist.' What is the reviewer's overall verdict?

  1. The film is a complete failure.
  2. The plot is the film's strongest feature.
  3. The film is enjoyable despite its weaknesses. Correct answer.
  4. The acting is the weakest element.

Explanation

The reviewer lists flaws (predictable plot, wooden dialogue) but the 'yet' clause praises committed performances that make the film appealing. The verdict is therefore mixed but ultimately positive.

Question 20Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Scarcely had the announcement been made when shares in the company plummeted.' What happened?

  1. The announcement had no effect on the shares.
  2. Shares fell almost immediately after the announcement. Correct answer.
  3. Shares rose immediately after the announcement.
  4. The announcement came after the shares fell.

Explanation

'Scarcely ... when' is an inverted structure meaning one event followed another almost instantly. It conveys that the fall in share price came very soon after the announcement.

Question 21Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A text argues: 'It is often assumed that longer working hours boost productivity. In fact, studies repeatedly show that beyond a certain point, extra hours reduce output.' What is the writer doing?

  1. Supporting the assumption that longer hours help.
  2. Avoiding any position on the issue.
  3. Challenging a common assumption with evidence. Correct answer.
  4. Describing a single isolated study.

Explanation

'It is often assumed' presents a common belief, and 'In fact' signals a correction backed by repeated studies. The writer is therefore contesting the assumption using evidence.

Question 22Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In the sentence 'The manager's decision, however unpopular, was entirely within her rights,' what does the writer concede?

  1. The manager had no rights in the matter.
  2. The decision was popular with staff.
  3. The decision may be unpopular but was legally acceptable. Correct answer.
  4. The decision was outside her authority.

Explanation

The concessive phrase 'however unpopular' acknowledges possible unpopularity, while the main clause affirms the decision was within her rights. The writer grants the criticism but defends the legality.

Question 23Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The scheme was rolled out in three pilot cities; its success there has persuaded policymakers to extend it nationwide.' What is the causal link described?

  1. Policymakers rejected the scheme after the pilots.
  2. Pilot results caused a decision to expand nationally. Correct answer.
  3. Nationwide expansion led to pilot schemes.
  4. The scheme failed in all three cities.

Explanation

The semicolon joins two clauses where the second explains the consequence of the first. Success in the pilot cities 'persuaded' policymakers, so the pilot results caused the national extension.

Question 24Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Which option best completes the text? '____ the heavy rain, the outdoor concert went ahead as planned.'

  1. However
  2. Despite Correct answer.
  3. Although
  4. Because of

Explanation

The gap precedes a noun phrase ('the heavy rain'), so a preposition is needed. 'Despite' expresses contrast with a noun phrase, fitting the idea that the concert continued anyway.

Question 25Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A health article states: 'Moderate exercise is beneficial, but the benefits diminish if sessions are too intense or too frequent.' Which conclusion follows?

  1. Frequency of exercise has no effect on benefits.
  2. More intense exercise is always better.
  3. Balance in intensity and frequency matters for benefits. Correct answer.
  4. Exercise provides no health benefits at all.

Explanation

The sentence affirms benefits from moderate exercise but warns that excessive intensity or frequency reduces them. The implied conclusion is that a balanced approach maximises the benefits.

Question 26Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read this extract from a news report: 'The council voted to pedestrianise the high street, a move welcomed by shopkeepers but strongly opposed by delivery firms.' What does the extract tell us about reactions to the decision?

  1. Delivery firms welcomed the change while shopkeepers objected.
  2. Everyone affected by the decision supported it.
  3. Opinion was divided, with different groups reacting differently. Correct answer.
  4. The council itself was divided over the decision.

Explanation

The extract contrasts two groups: shopkeepers welcome the move while delivery firms oppose it, so reactions are split. The text reports on the council's vote but says nothing about disagreement within the council itself, so that inference is unsupported.

Question 27Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A travel article says: 'The hotel's brochure promises sea views, though in practice the sea is visible only from the top-floor terrace.' What is the writer implying about the brochure?

  1. It was written by someone who had never visited the hotel.
  2. It accurately reflects the experience of every guest.
  3. It gives a misleading impression of what most guests will see. Correct answer.
  4. It describes the hotel's facilities in excessive detail.

Explanation

The contrast between 'promises' and 'in practice' signals that the brochure overstates the sea view, which is limited to one place. The writer questions the accuracy of the impression given, not the writer's identity or the level of detail.

Question 28Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on 30 June; late entries will not be considered under any circumstances.' What does the text state about late applications?

  1. They will be rejected without exception. Correct answer.
  2. They will be considered only in exceptional cases.
  3. They should be submitted the following day.
  4. They may be accepted if a reason is given.

Explanation

The phrase 'under any circumstances' removes any possibility of exception, so late entries are always rejected. Any option suggesting a possible exception contradicts this absolute wording.

Question 29Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In a restaurant review: 'The service was attentive without being intrusive.' How does the reviewer describe the staff?

  1. They interrupted meals far too often.
  2. They were helpful but gave diners their space. Correct answer.
  3. They were slow to take orders.
  4. They ignored customers for long periods.

Explanation

'Attentive' means staff looked after diners well, while 'without being intrusive' means they did not bother them excessively. Together these indicate good service that respects customers' privacy.

Question 30Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The museum has extended its opening hours, so visitors can now stay until 8 p.m. on weekdays.' What change has the museum made?

  1. It now closes later on weekdays. Correct answer.
  2. It has introduced free entry on weekdays.
  3. It has reduced its weekend opening hours.
  4. It now opens earlier at weekends.

Explanation

The text says visitors can stay until 8 p.m. on weekdays, which means the museum closes later than before. The other changes are not mentioned anywhere in the sentence.

Question 31Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A weather bulletin reads: 'Scattered showers are expected throughout the morning, clearing by early afternoon.' What forecast is given?

  1. Strong winds developing in the afternoon.
  2. Heavy rain all day with no sign of improvement.
  3. Clear skies in the morning and rain later.
  4. Occasional rain in the morning, followed by clearer weather. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Scattered showers' means occasional, not continuous, rain, and 'clearing by early afternoon' means the weather improves later. The forecast therefore describes morning rain followed by clearer conditions.

Question 32Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The company's profits rose sharply last quarter, a trend analysts attribute largely to the launch of its budget smartphone.' What do analysts believe caused the rise?

  1. A general improvement in the economy.
  2. A reduction in the company's workforce.
  3. The release of a cheaper phone model. Correct answer.
  4. The withdrawal of a rival product.

Explanation

'Budget' means low-cost, so the launch of its budget smartphone refers to a cheaper model. The analysts attribute the profit rise mainly to this launch, which matches the first option.

Question 33Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A sign in a library reads: 'Please return borrowed items to the shelf marked 'Returns' rather than leaving them on the tables.' What are users asked to do?

  1. Take borrowed items home with them.
  2. Put items back in a designated place. Correct answer.
  3. Keep items on the tables for staff to collect.
  4. Ask a librarian before returning anything.

Explanation

The sign asks users to return items to the shelf marked 'Returns', which is a designated place. The phrase 'rather than leaving them on the tables' rules out leaving items on tables.

Question 34Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The study surveyed 2,000 participants over five years, yet its authors caution that the sample was drawn from a single region.' What limitation do the authors acknowledge?

  1. Too few people took part in the study.
  2. The survey period was too short to be useful.
  3. The findings may not apply to other regions. Correct answer.
  4. The participants were not asked enough questions.

Explanation

Because all participants came from one region, the authors warn that the results may not generalise elsewhere. This is a limitation of geographical scope, not of sample size or duration.

Question 35Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Had the firefighters arrived ten minutes later, the warehouse could not have been saved.' What does the sentence suggest?

  1. The warehouse had already been empty for years.
  2. The warehouse was destroyed despite the firefighters' efforts.
  3. The warehouse was saved, but only just in time. Correct answer.
  4. The firefighters arrived too late to help.

Explanation

The third conditional 'had arrived... could not have been saved' describes a hypothetical past that did not happen, so the warehouse was in fact saved. 'Ten minutes later' emphasises how narrow the escape was.

Question 36Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

In a debate article: 'Supporters of the ban point to falling accident rates; opponents, by contrast, highlight the cost to small businesses.' What is the structure of the article's presentation?

  1. It endorses one side without presenting the other.
  2. It sets out two opposing sets of arguments. Correct answer.
  3. It dismisses both sides as equally unreasonable.
  4. It reports statistics without any interpretation.

Explanation

The phrase 'by contrast' signals that two sides are being balanced: supporters cite falling accidents while opponents cite costs. The article therefore presents opposing arguments rather than taking a side.

Question 37Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The novel's narrator is a child, yet the vocabulary is strikingly sophisticated.' What is the writer pointing out?

  1. An inconsistency between the narrator's age and the language used. Correct answer.
  2. That the narrator grows up during the story.
  3. That the vocabulary is deliberately simple.
  4. That the novel is unsuitable for young readers.

Explanation

The contrast signalled by 'yet' highlights a mismatch: a child narrator whose language is unusually sophisticated. The writer notes this tension rather than commenting on the book's suitability or the narrator's development.

Question 38Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A recruitment text states: 'The role requires a self-starter who can prioritise tasks without constant supervision.' Which candidate best fits the description?

  1. Someone who works best in a large team.
  2. Someone who prefers clear instructions for each task.
  3. Someone who organises their own workload independently. Correct answer.
  4. Someone who needs regular guidance from a manager.

Explanation

'Self-starter' and 'without constant supervision' both indicate someone who works independently and manages their own priorities. Options describing a need for guidance or instructions contradict these requirements.

Question 39Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The council's recycling scheme was launched with great fanfare, but participation has since dwindled to barely a third of households.' What does the sentence indicate?

  1. The scheme was never publicised to residents.
  2. Initial enthusiasm for the scheme has fallen considerably. Correct answer.
  3. The council has cancelled the scheme.
  4. Most households now recycle regularly.

Explanation

'Launched with great fanfare' indicates initial enthusiasm, while 'dwindled to barely a third' shows a sharp decline in participation. The sentence describes a drop in uptake, not the scheme's cancellation.

Question 40Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The author's latest work is less a biography than a meditation on memory itself.' What is the writer saying about the book?

  1. It focuses more on memory than on recounting a life. Correct answer.
  2. It is shorter than the author's previous works.
  3. It contains no information about the subject's life.
  4. It is a conventional biography of a famous person.

Explanation

The structure 'less X than Y' means the book is more Y than X, so it is more a reflection on memory than a straightforward biography. It does not claim that all biographical content is absent.

Question 41Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

A consumer text says: 'The device comes with a two-year guarantee, which covers hardware faults but not accidental damage.' Which situation would be covered?

  1. The screen cracks after being dropped.
  2. The owner spills coffee on the keyboard.
  3. A component fails during normal use. Correct answer.
  4. The device is lost on public transport.

Explanation

The guarantee covers hardware faults, so a component failing during normal use falls within its terms. Accidental damage and loss are explicitly outside the cover described.

Question 42Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'While the new rail timetable has cut journey times, it has left many rural stations with fewer services.' What overall point does the text make?

  1. The change has made all journeys slower.
  2. The change brings benefits but also creates disadvantages. Correct answer.
  3. The change has improved services everywhere equally.
  4. The change has been rejected by rural passengers.

Explanation

The concessive 'while' introduces a positive effect (shorter journeys) followed by a negative one (fewer rural services), so the text presents a mixed outcome. It does not claim uniform improvement or rejection.

Question 43Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The proposal was greeted with scepticism, not least from within the minister's own party.' What does the sentence reveal?

  1. Only opposition parties doubted the proposal.
  2. Doubt came from the minister's own political colleagues. Correct answer.
  3. The minister personally rejected the proposal.
  4. The proposal was welcomed by the minister's party.

Explanation

'Not least from within the minister's own party' means that members of the minister's party were among the most notable sceptics. The sentence therefore indicates internal doubt rather than support.

Question 44Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The documentary never states its position outright; instead, it lets the interviewees' contradictions speak for themselves.' How does the documentary make its point?

  1. By using a narrator to explain every scene.
  2. By avoiding interviews altogether.
  3. By stating its argument directly at the start.
  4. By letting the subjects reveal problems through their own words. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text says the documentary avoids stating a position and instead lets contradictions in the interviews emerge. This implies the argument is conveyed indirectly through the interviewees' own words.

Question 45Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'Rarely has a policy been so widely misunderstood, even by those who drafted it.' What is the writer's view?

  1. The policy was drafted by outside experts.
  2. The policy has been widely praised.
  3. Even the policy's authors did not fully grasp it. Correct answer.
  4. The policy was understood by almost everyone.

Explanation

The sentence says the policy was misunderstood 'even by those who drafted it', meaning its own authors failed to understand it fully. The fronted negative 'rarely has' emphasises how unusual the level of misunderstanding is.

Question 46Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The report's conclusions are tentative, hedged with qualifications at every turn, yet its recommendations are remarkably bold.' What does the contrast suggest?

  1. The authors are cautious in analysis but confident in their proposals. Correct answer.
  2. The authors are certain about their findings but unsure what to recommend.
  3. The report avoids making any recommendations at all.
  4. The report's conclusions and recommendations are equally cautious.

Explanation

'Tentative' and 'hedged' describe cautious conclusions, while 'remarkably bold' describes confident recommendations. The 'yet' signals this contrast between the two parts of the report.

Question 47Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'It would be a mistake to read the falling figures as a sign of declining interest; attendance at related events has, if anything, risen.' What does the writer argue?

  1. Attendance at related events has fallen sharply.
  2. The figures are unreliable and should be ignored.
  3. Interest has clearly declined across all activities.
  4. The figures should not be interpreted as reduced enthusiasm. Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer warns against reading the figures as declining interest and supports this with rising attendance at related events. The phrase 'if anything, risen' reinforces that enthusiasm has not dropped.

Question 48Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'So ingrained is the habit that few commuters could say when it began.' What is emphasised about the habit?

  1. It is unusual and difficult to explain.
  2. It is so established that people cannot recall its origin. Correct answer.
  3. Most commuters are trying to give it up.
  4. It has only recently become common among commuters.

Explanation

The inversion 'so ingrained is the habit' emphasises how deeply established it is, and 'few could say when it began' shows people cannot remember its origin. The sentence stresses familiarity, not novelty.

Question 49Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The charity's accounts, though technically compliant, reveal a worrying reliance on a single donor.' What is the writer's concern?

  1. The charity spends too little on its accounts.
  2. The charity has too many donors to manage.
  3. The organisation's financial stability depends too heavily on one source. Correct answer.
  4. The accounts have broken accounting regulations.

Explanation

'Technically compliant' concedes that rules are met, but the real concern is 'reliance on a single donor', which threatens stability. The writer therefore questions sustainability rather than legality.

Question 50Reading comprehension of authentic English texts

Read: 'The evidence, far from settling the debate, has merely shifted it to new ground.' What does the writer mean?

  1. The evidence has finally resolved the disagreement.
  2. The evidence has made the debate less relevant.
  3. The evidence has been rejected by all sides.
  4. The evidence has changed the focus of the argument rather than ending it. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Far from settling the debate' denies that the argument is resolved, and 'shifted it to new ground' means the discussion has moved to different questions. The evidence therefore relocates rather than ends the dispute.