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Catalonia PAU Foreign Language - English study materials
Catalonia PAU Foreign Language - English study resources

Catalonia PAU Foreign Language - English practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension

Read this extract: "When the city council voted to pedestrianise the old quarter, shopkeepers feared a collapse in trade. Six months later, footfall had risen by a third and three empty premises had reopened." What is the main point of the extract?

  1. Trade in the old quarter depends mainly on residents rather than visitors.
  2. The council ignored the concerns expressed by local shopkeepers.
  3. The pedestrianisation produced results that contradicted the shopkeepers' initial fears. Correct answer.
  4. Empty premises in the old quarter are a permanent feature of the city.

Explanation

The extract sets up an expectation (fear of lost trade) and then reports the opposite outcome (more footfall, reopened shops). The main point is therefore the contrast between the predicted and actual effects, not the council's attitude or a general claim about empty premises.

Question 2Reading comprehension

An extract states: "The report stops short of recommending a ban, arguing instead that voluntary guidelines would be enough for now." What does the writer imply about the report's position?

  1. It rejects any form of regulation.
  2. It prefers a non-binding approach at this stage. Correct answer.
  3. It has no opinion on the question of a ban.
  4. It believes a ban would be impossible to enforce.

Explanation

"Stops short of recommending a ban" plus "voluntary guidelines would be enough for now" indicates a preference for a non-binding measure at present. The phrase "for now" signals a temporary stance rather than a rejection of regulation altogether.

Question 3Reading comprehension

In the sentence "The scheme was welcomed by parents, who had campaigned for safer crossings for years," what does the relative clause tell us?

  1. That safer crossings were built many years ago.
  2. That the parents had a long-standing involvement in the issue. Correct answer.
  3. That the scheme was designed by the parents themselves.
  4. That all parents in the area supported the scheme.

Explanation

The non-defining clause "who had campaigned ... for years" adds background about the parents' prior involvement. It does not claim that every parent supported the scheme, nor that parents designed it or that the crossings already existed.

Question 4Reading comprehension

Read: "Far from solving the housing shortage, the new tax appears to have discouraged construction." Which word best captures the function of "Far from" in this sentence?

  1. It introduces a concession.
  2. It signals a contrast with an expectation. Correct answer.
  3. It adds a supporting example.
  4. It expresses the writer's uncertainty.

Explanation

"Far from" introduces a sharp contrast: instead of the expected result (solving the shortage), the opposite occurred. It is a contrastive connector, not a concession, an example marker or a hedge.

Question 5Reading comprehension

An article says: "Critics argue the app collects more data than it needs. The developers counter that every permission is optional." What is the relationship between the two sentences?

  1. The second sentence restates the first in different words.
  2. The second sentence concedes that the criticism is valid.
  3. The second sentence gives an example of the first.
  4. The second sentence offers a response to the criticism. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Counter" marks a reply to the preceding criticism, so the second sentence presents the developers' rebuttal. It does not illustrate, paraphrase or accept the critics' point.

Question 6Reading comprehension

Read the extract: "The festival was cancelled. Organisers blamed the weather, though the forecast had been clear all week." What does the second sentence suggest?

  1. The forecast was inaccurate.
  2. The festival will certainly be rescheduled.
  3. The weather explanation is open to doubt. Correct answer.
  4. The organisers had checked the forecast carefully.

Explanation

The contrast between blaming the weather and a clear forecast invites scepticism about the stated reason. "Though" signals that the explanation sits awkwardly with the evidence, so doubt is implied rather than certainty about rescheduling or the forecast's accuracy.

Question 7Reading comprehension

Which option best completes the text? "The museum extended its opening hours. ____, visitor numbers rose by a fifth over the summer."

  1. For instance
  2. As a result Correct answer.
  3. In contrast
  4. Nevertheless

Explanation

The rise in visitor numbers is presented as a consequence of the longer opening hours, so a result connector is needed. "As a result" expresses cause and effect, which fits the logical link between the two clauses.

Question 8Reading comprehension

An extract reads: "Not everyone was convinced. The union described the deal as 'a fig leaf', pointing out that wages would stay frozen for another two years." What does the quotation imply about the deal?

  1. It hides an unfair situation behind a respectable appearance. Correct answer.
  2. It was negotiated without any union involvement.
  3. It is a legally binding and generous agreement.
  4. It will raise wages immediately.

Explanation

A "fig leaf" is an image for something that conceals an embarrassing or unacceptable reality. The following clause explains the concealment: wages stay frozen, so the deal looks better than it is.

Question 9Reading comprehension

In the sentence "Researchers who study sleep patterns warn that screens disrupt rest," which part identifies the group being discussed?

  1. who study sleep patterns Correct answer.
  2. Researchers
  3. that screens disrupt rest
  4. warn that screens disrupt rest

Explanation

The defining relative clause "who study sleep patterns" restricts "researchers" to a specific group. The main verb phrase "warn..." is the predicate, and "that screens disrupt rest" is the reported content of the warning.

Question 10Reading comprehension

Read: "Although the trial produced promising results, the sample was small and drawn from a single region." What is the writer's attitude towards the trial?

  1. Enthusiastic and uncritical.
  2. Neutral, offering no evaluation at all.
  3. Entirely dismissive of the findings.
  4. Cautiously positive but aware of limitations. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Promising results" is positive, while the comment on sample size and region adds a methodological caveat. The combination signals cautious optimism rather than outright enthusiasm or dismissal.

Question 11Reading comprehension

What is the function of the sentence "In other words, the policy rewards those who already own property" in a paragraph about a tax reform?

  1. It introduces a new argument unrelated to the previous one.
  2. It clarifies the previous statement in simpler terms. Correct answer.
  3. It provides statistical evidence for the claim.
  4. It concedes a point to opponents of the reform.

Explanation

"In other words" is a reformulation marker: the sentence restates the preceding idea more plainly. It does not add a new argument, supply data or concede anything.

Question 12Reading comprehension

An extract states: "The mayor's promise to cut waiting lists was met with polite applause, and little else." What does "and little else" convey?

  1. The audience applauded loudly and enthusiastically.
  2. The audience did not understand the promise.
  3. The mayor made several other promises.
  4. The promise was received with scepticism rather than real support. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Polite applause, and little else" implies a lukewarm, unenthusiastic response. The hedged adjective "polite" plus the absence of anything more suggests scepticism rather than genuine approval.

Question 13Reading comprehension

Which option best completes the text? "The novel sold poorly at first. ____, it was rediscovered decades later and is now considered a classic."

  1. Therefore
  2. However Correct answer.
  3. Similarly
  4. Moreover

Explanation

The second clause reverses the expectation set by the first (poor sales versus later status as a classic), so a contrastive connector is required. "However" marks this reversal.

Question 14Reading comprehension

Read: "The company insists its packaging is fully recyclable. In practice, few councils accept it in kerbside collections." What point does the second sentence make?

  1. Councils are legally obliged to accept the packaging.
  2. The company has stopped producing the packaging.
  3. There is a gap between a technical claim and everyday reality. Correct answer.
  4. The packaging is not actually recyclable in any sense.

Explanation

The contrast between "fully recyclable" and the limited council provision highlights a gap between the claim and practical access. The text does not deny recyclability in principle, only its real-world availability.

Question 15Reading comprehension

In the sentence "The volunteers, many of whom had travelled from neighbouring towns, arrived before dawn," what does the clause "many of whom..." do?

  1. It adds extra information about the volunteers. Correct answer.
  2. It states the reason for their arrival.
  3. It defines which volunteers arrived.
  4. It introduces a contrast with the main clause.

Explanation

"Many of whom..." is a non-defining relative clause: it gives additional detail about the volunteers without restricting which ones are meant. The commas signal that the information is supplementary rather than defining.

Question 16Reading comprehension

An extract reads: "Supporters call the reform bold. Opponents call it reckless. Both camps agree it will be expensive." What does the final sentence do?

  1. It sides with the supporters.
  2. It introduces a third group of critics.
  3. It identifies a point shared by both sides. Correct answer.
  4. It contradicts the two previous sentences.

Explanation

"Both camps agree" explicitly marks common ground between supporters and opponents. The sentence reports a shared conclusion (high cost) without endorsing either side's characterisation of the reform.

Question 17Reading comprehension

What does the writer suggest by saying "The minister's apology, carefully worded, stopped just short of admitting error"?

  1. The minister's words were improvised and careless.
  2. The minister fully accepted responsibility.
  3. The minister refused to apologise at all.
  4. The minister avoided a direct admission of fault. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Stopped just short of admitting error" means the apology came close to but did not include an admission of fault. "Carefully worded" reinforces the impression of deliberate avoidance.

Question 18Reading comprehension

Which option best completes the text? "The library introduced late opening hours. ____, students preparing for exams finally had somewhere quiet to study at night."

  1. By contrast
  2. Nevertheless
  3. Admittedly
  4. Consequently Correct answer.

Explanation

The second clause describes a direct benefit produced by the new hours, so a result connector is appropriate. "Consequently" expresses this cause-and-effect link.

Question 19Reading comprehension

Read: "The study found a correlation between screen time and poor sleep. The authors are careful to note that correlation is not causation." Why do the authors add the second sentence?

  1. To show that the study was poorly designed.
  2. To claim that screens definitely cause poor sleep.
  3. To warn against over-interpreting the finding. Correct answer.
  4. To suggest that sleep affects screen time only.

Explanation

The reminder that "correlation is not causation" is a caution against drawing causal conclusions from the data. It limits how the finding should be read rather than asserting a causal link.

Question 20Reading comprehension

In the sentence "What surprised the researchers was not the result itself but the speed with which it appeared," what is being emphasised?

  1. The rapidity of the outcome was the surprising element. Correct answer.
  2. The researchers doubted the result.
  3. The experiment was completed too slowly.
  4. The result was unexpected.

Explanation

The "not X but Y" construction places the emphasis on Y, here "the speed with which it appeared". The result itself is explicitly excluded as the source of surprise.

Question 21Reading comprehension

An extract says: "Volunteers cleaned the beach every weekend for a year. The council, meanwhile, debated whether to fund the project." What contrast does "meanwhile" highlight?

  1. The volunteers' disagreement with the council.
  2. The cost of cleaning versus the cost of funding.
  3. The beach's condition before and after cleaning.
  4. Action by volunteers versus delay by the authorities. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Meanwhile" sets two simultaneous activities side by side: the volunteers' steady work and the council's ongoing debate. The contrast is between practical action and institutional hesitation, not between costs or conditions.

Question 22Reading comprehension

Read: "Had the warning been issued earlier, the residents could have evacuated in time." What does this sentence imply?

  1. The warning was issued early enough.
  2. The warning came too late for evacuation. Correct answer.
  3. No warning was ever issued.
  4. The residents ignored the warning.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ("Had the warning been issued..."), which describes an unreal past situation. It implies the warning was not issued early enough, so timely evacuation was impossible.

Question 23Reading comprehension

What is the purpose of the phrase "To put it simply" at the start of a sentence in an explanatory article?

  1. To change the subject completely.
  2. To introduce a more technical restatement.
  3. To signal a simplified summary of the point. Correct answer.
  4. To concede that the previous point was wrong.

Explanation

"To put it simply" announces a plain-language summary of what has just been said. It is a reformulation marker, not a concession or a topic change, and it moves towards simplicity rather than technicality.

Question 24Reading comprehension

An extract states: "The proposal was ambitious, perhaps too ambitious for a council with shrinking reserves." What does "perhaps too ambitious" suggest?

  1. The writer fully supports the proposal.
  2. The writer is certain the proposal will succeed.
  3. The writer believes the proposal is unoriginal.
  4. The writer thinks the proposal may exceed what is affordable. Correct answer.

Explanation

"Perhaps too ambitious" hedges a doubt: the plan may be beyond the council's means given shrinking reserves. The qualifier "perhaps" softens the criticism but still points to feasibility concerns.

Question 25Reading comprehension

Read: "Some argue that remote work boosts productivity; others point to the loss of spontaneous collaboration. The evidence, so far, is mixed." What does the final sentence conclude?

  1. Remote work clearly increases productivity.
  2. The debate has been settled by research.
  3. Collaboration matters more than productivity.
  4. Neither side has yet been proved right. Correct answer.

Explanation

"The evidence is mixed" means the data support neither position decisively. The conclusion is therefore that the question remains open, not that one side has won or that the debate is closed.

Question 26Reading comprehension

Read this short extract from a PAU-style article: "The council approved the new cycle lane in March. By September, two of the busiest streets had lost a lane of traffic, and shopkeepers were complaining about deliveries." What is the main purpose of the second sentence?

  1. It compares two different cities' transport policies.
  2. It reports the practical consequences of an earlier decision. Correct answer.
  3. It predicts what will happen to the cycle lane next year.
  4. It explains why the council voted the way it did.

Explanation

The first sentence states a decision (approval in March); the second describes what followed by September. The link between them is cause and effect, so the second sentence reports consequences rather than motives, predictions or comparisons.

Question 27Reading comprehension

An article reads: "The report's authors describe the findings as 'preliminary'. They stress that the data cover only six months and a single hospital." In the context of reading comprehension, what does 'preliminary' signal about the findings?

  1. They apply to every hospital in the country.
  2. They were rejected by the hospital where they were collected.
  3. They are provisional and may change with more evidence. Correct answer.
  4. They have been confirmed by several independent teams.

Explanation

The word 'preliminary' means coming before the main or final stage, so the results are provisional. The following sentence supports this by pointing to limited time and a single site, which are reasons for caution rather than confirmation.

Question 28Reading comprehension

Read the extract: "Tourism brought money to the valley, but it also brought traffic, higher rents and seasonal work. For many residents, the balance has tipped." What does 'the balance has tipped' mean here?

  1. The valley's economy has stopped depending on tourism.
  2. The disadvantages now outweigh the advantages for many residents. Correct answer.
  3. The number of tourists has fallen sharply this season.
  4. Residents have reached a fair agreement with local businesses.

Explanation

The idiom 'the balance has tipped' means the situation has shifted so that one side becomes dominant. Since the sentence follows a list of costs set against the benefit of money, it means the costs now dominate for many residents.

Question 29Reading comprehension

Read: "The new library opens at nine. It closes at eight on weekdays and at two on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays." A student wants to know the latest time to visit on a Saturday. Which detail answers the question?

  1. The library closes at two on Saturdays. Correct answer.
  2. The library closes at eight on weekdays.
  3. The library is closed on Sundays.
  4. The library opens at nine every day.

Explanation

The question asks specifically about Saturday closing time, and the extract states the library closes at two on Saturdays. Locating the sentence that matches the day is the key scanning skill tested here.

Question 30Reading comprehension

In a PAU reading text you find: "The scheme was launched in 2019. Since then, more than 4,000 households have signed up." Which option best completes the text so that it keeps the same logical link? "The scheme was launched in 2019. ____, more than 4,000 households have signed up."

  1. Nevertheless
  2. Since then Correct answer.
  3. In contrast
  4. For instance

Explanation

The second sentence reports a result that followed the 2019 launch, so a time-link connector is needed. 'Since then' means 'from that time until now', which matches the present perfect 'have signed up'.

Question 31Reading comprehension

Read the sentence from an article: "The volunteers, exhausted after a twelve-hour shift, kept working until the last family had been rehoused." What does the phrase between the commas tell the reader?

  1. It states the result of the volunteers' work.
  2. It describes the state of the volunteers at that moment. Correct answer.
  3. It identifies which volunteers the article is about.
  4. It explains why the families had to leave their homes.

Explanation

The phrase 'exhausted after a twelve-hour shift' is a participial phrase modifying 'the volunteers'. It adds descriptive information about their condition, not about the families or the outcome.

Question 32Reading comprehension

An extract says: "The council's recycling campaign was a modest success. Participation rose, though not as much as the organisers had hoped." Which statement best reflects the writer's attitude?

  1. Completely dismissive of the campaign.
  2. Cautiously positive but aware of limited results. Correct answer.
  3. Convinced the campaign exceeded all expectations.
  4. Neutral, offering no evaluation at all.

Explanation

Calling it a 'modest success' while noting participation fell short of hopes shows a balanced, mildly positive judgement. The writer recognises progress but qualifies it, which is the definition of cautious approval.

Question 33Reading comprehension

In a reading text you read: "Applicants must submit the form by 30 June. Late submissions will not be considered." What does the second sentence add?

  1. It explains how to complete the form.
  2. It states the consequence of missing the deadline. Correct answer.
  3. It gives an alternative way to apply.
  4. It extends the deadline for some applicants.

Explanation

The first sentence sets a deadline; the second tells applicants what happens if they miss it. The function is to state a consequence, which is a common pattern in informative texts.

Question 34Reading comprehension

Read the extract: "The company says its new app is 'designed for everyone'. Its own manual, however, assumes users have a recent smartphone and a stable internet connection." What is the writer doing with the word 'however'?

  1. Contrasting the company's claim with a practical limitation. Correct answer.
  2. Introducing the reason why the app was designed.
  3. Adding a second example of the app's popularity.
  4. Agreeing that the app works for all users.

Explanation

'However' signals contrast between two ideas. Here it sets the inclusive claim ('designed for everyone') against the manual's requirements, which exclude some users, so the writer is exposing a gap between claim and reality.

Question 35Reading comprehension

An article states: "Critics of the airport expansion point to rising emissions. Supporters reply that the region's economy depends on tourism. Neither side disputes the need for better rail links." What does the final sentence establish?

  1. The writer's own support for the expansion.
  2. An area of agreement between the two opposing sides. Correct answer.
  3. The reason the expansion was cancelled.
  4. A third argument that rejects both positions.

Explanation

'Neither side disputes' means both sides accept the point, so the sentence identifies common ground. Recognising where opponents agree is a useful comprehension skill in balanced articles.

Question 36Reading comprehension

Read: "She had spent years in the city, yet the silence of the mountains unsettled her. Every sound seemed magnified; every shadow, a possible visitor." What atmosphere does the writer create?

  1. A busy, crowded urban setting.
  2. A calm, scientific observation of nature.
  3. A cheerful mood of holiday relaxation.
  4. An uneasy sense of isolation and heightened awareness. Correct answer.

Explanation

Words such as 'unsettled', 'magnified' and 'a possible visitor' build tension and alertness. The contrast with city life and the personification of shadows show the character feels isolated and uneasy.

Question 37Reading comprehension

An extract reads: "If the subsidy is withdrawn, smaller farms will struggle to survive. The ministry, for its part, insists the money is needed elsewhere." What does the second sentence suggest about the ministry's position?

  1. It has not yet formed an opinion on the subsidy.
  2. It prioritises other spending over supporting small farms. Correct answer.
  3. It agrees that small farms should close.
  4. It plans to increase the subsidy for small farms.

Explanation

Saying the money 'is needed elsewhere' implies the ministry values other uses of the funds more highly. It is a statement of priorities, not of hostility to farms or indecision.

Question 38Reading comprehension

Read the sentence: "The results, published last week, contradict earlier studies that had found no link." Which paraphrase keeps the meaning?

  1. The newly published results disagree with previous research that found no connection. Correct answer.
  2. The newly published results confirm previous research that found no connection.
  3. The earlier studies were published after the new results.
  4. The earlier studies and the new results reached the same conclusion.

Explanation

'Contradict' means to be in conflict with, so the new results oppose the earlier findings. The relative clause 'that had found no link' describes the earlier studies, and the past perfect shows they came before.

Question 39Reading comprehension

An article says: "The museum's decision to return the artefacts was praised abroad. At home, the reaction was more muted." What does 'muted' mean in this context?

  1. Less enthusiastic and more restrained. Correct answer.
  2. Completely silent and unreported.
  3. Louder and more widely shared.
  4. Angrier and more hostile.

Explanation

'Muted' describes a reaction that is restrained or subdued rather than strong. The contrast with 'praised abroad' shows that the domestic response was noticeably cooler, though not necessarily hostile.

Question 40Reading comprehension

Read: "The novel's narrator claims to remember everything, but the details he gives change from chapter to chapter." What effect does this create for the reader?

  1. It casts doubt on the narrator's reliability. Correct answer.
  2. It proves the narrator has an exceptional memory.
  3. It shows the author made careless errors.
  4. It confirms that the story is autobiographical.

Explanation

When a narrator claims perfect memory but gives inconsistent details, the reader is invited to question his account. This is the classic signal of an unreliable narrator, a common focus in literary reading tasks.

Question 41Reading comprehension

An extract reads: "The government promised 'a thorough review'. Six months on, no report has been published and no committee has been appointed." How does the writer evaluate the promise?

  1. As completed ahead of schedule.
  2. As unnecessary because the problem is solved.
  3. As generous but poorly funded.
  4. As unfulfilled so far, despite the passage of time. Correct answer.

Explanation

The time marker 'six months on' combined with the absence of a report or committee shows the promise has not been acted on. The writer lets facts imply criticism without stating it directly.

Question 42Reading comprehension

Read: "Few would deny that the training programme has helped new staff. Whether it justifies its cost is another matter." What is the writer's overall point?

  1. The programme works but its value for money is open to question. Correct answer.
  2. The programme is cheap and therefore worthwhile.
  3. The programme is useless and should be scrapped.
  4. The programme has not yet been evaluated.

Explanation

The first sentence concedes a benefit, and 'whether it justifies its cost is another matter' raises a separate doubt. The structure is concession followed by qualification, so the writer accepts effectiveness but questions cost-effectiveness.

Question 43Reading comprehension

In a text about urban planning you read: "Pedestrianisation reduced accidents on the main street. Retailers, who had feared a fall in trade, reported a small increase in sales." What is the function of the relative clause in the second sentence?

  1. It explains why accidents fell on the main street.
  2. It gives background about the retailers' earlier attitude. Correct answer.
  3. It identifies which street the retailers own shops on.
  4. It states the result of pedestrianisation on sales.

Explanation

The clause 'who had feared a fall in trade' is non-defining and adds information about the retailers' previous concerns. This background makes the reported increase in sales more meaningful.

Question 44Reading comprehension

An extract says: "The orchestra's new conductor has divided opinion. Some hear fresh energy; others miss the warmth of her predecessor." Which statement is supported by the text?

  1. The previous conductor was unpopular with audiences.
  2. Listeners disagree about the new conductor's style. Correct answer.
  3. The orchestra has cancelled its current season.
  4. The new conductor is universally admired.

Explanation

'Divided opinion' is directly explained by the two contrasting views: fresh energy versus lost warmth. The reader must match the general phrase with the specific evidence that follows.

Question 45Reading comprehension

Read: "The charity's appeal raised £40,000 in a week. Its target was £25,000." Which sentence best summarises the information?

  1. The appeal fell short of its fundraising target.
  2. The appeal exceeded its fundraising target within seven days. Correct answer.
  3. The appeal raised exactly the amount it had planned.
  4. The appeal needed another week to reach its target.

Explanation

Forty thousand pounds is more than twenty-five thousand, and 'in a week' corresponds to seven days. Summarising requires comparing the figure with the target rather than simply repeating it.

Question 46Reading comprehension

Read: "The article's headline announces a 'crisis in schools'. The body of the text, however, reports a shortage of teachers in three rural areas." What is the writer of this passage pointing out?

  1. That rural schools have no problems at all.
  2. That the article contains no factual information.
  3. That the headline accurately reflects the whole country's situation.
  4. A mismatch between the headline's scale and the evidence given. Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'however' contrasts a nationwide 'crisis' with a limited local shortage. The writer is highlighting the gap between the dramatic headline and the narrower evidence in the article.

Question 47Reading comprehension

Read the extract: "The council's plan to plant 10,000 trees was welcomed. Critics noted, however, that no budget had been set aside for watering them through the first summer." What does the criticism imply?

  1. The trees will be planted in the wrong season.
  2. The plan may fail in practice because of a missing practical detail. Correct answer.
  3. The council has planted too many trees already.
  4. The critics oppose tree planting in principle.

Explanation

The criticism focuses on a practical omission: without funding for watering, young trees may die. The implication is that good intentions may not translate into results, which is a common inference task.

Question 48Reading comprehension

An extract reads: "Supporters of the four-day week cite productivity gains in pilot schemes. Sceptics counter that firms volunteering for such trials are hardly typical." What is the sceptics' argument?

  1. Employees dislike the four-day week.
  2. Productivity always falls when working hours are reduced.
  3. The evidence comes from an unrepresentative sample of companies. Correct answer.
  4. Pilot schemes are too expensive to run.

Explanation

The key phrase is 'hardly typical', which questions whether volunteer firms represent the wider economy. This is a criticism of the sample, not of the four-day week itself.

Question 49Reading comprehension

Read: "The biography is meticulously researched. Its author has read every letter, every diary, every marginal note. What the book lacks is a sense of why any of it mattered." What is the reviewer's verdict?

  1. Detailed and accurate, but weak on interpretation and significance. Correct answer.
  2. Brilliant in both research and argument.
  3. Too short to cover the subject properly.
  4. Inaccurate and based on too little research.

Explanation

The first part praises thorough research, while 'what the book lacks' introduces a flaw: it does not explain the subject's importance. The verdict is therefore mixed, praising scholarship but criticising interpretation.

Question 50Reading comprehension

Read: "The mayor's statement was technically accurate: the budget had not been cut. It had, however, been frozen for three years while costs rose." What is the writer suggesting about the statement?

  1. It is a full and transparent account of the situation.
  2. It contains a factual error about the budget.
  3. It is literally true but misleading in its effect. Correct answer.
  4. It exaggerates the rise in costs.

Explanation

The writer concedes the statement is 'technically accurate' but adds 'however' to show that a frozen budget loses value as costs rise. The implication is that literal truth can create a false impression.