Canary PAU English case studies
Canary PAU English · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Canary PAU English exam (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad – Inglés, also called EBAU Inglés in Canarias) is the English component of the university access assessment taken by students in the Canary Islands. It is designed for secondary-school candidates finishing Bachillerato and for other applicants who need to certify English within the regional access procedure, and it tests English as a foreign language rather than literature or linguistics. The paper is built around three kinds of work: reading a short authentic-style text and answering comprehension questions, applying grammar and vocabulary in context, and writing a composition or short essay on a given topic. Because the reading and writing sections carry the most weight, the exam rewards candidates who can understand a text quickly and then produce clear, organised English under time pressure. The Canary PAU English case studies are 5 cases and about 2,484 words.
1Beach Cleanup: The Bus Pass Trap
Read this extract from a leaflet and a candidate's answer. Text: 'Since 2019, the Guía youth centre has run a summer beach-cleanup programme.
515 words, about 3 min2The Gap-Fill Email: Five Judgement Calls
A candidate has completed this email for a B2 Use of English gap-fill. Each gap tests one grammar point in context.
520 words, about 3 min3The Under-Length Beach Fee Essay
Writing task: 'Your local council plans to charge non-residents €5 to park at a popular beach. Write an opinion essay of 140–190 words saying whether you agree.' Candidate's essay: 'Nowadays, everybody knows that tourism is a controversial issue.
520 words, about 3 min4Bird Song Study: Which Summary Is Defensible?
Text: 'A 2023 study in Tenerife compared bird song in two pine forests: one beside a busy road, one 3 km away. Birds near the road sang at a higher minimum frequency.
454 words, about 2 min5Formal Application: Register vs Grammar
A candidate is writing a formal email to apply for a summer volunteer post at a wildlife rescue centre. The post involves feeding animals and cleaning enclosures; the centre is a registered charity.
475 words, about 2 min