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Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II - English study materials
Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II - English study resources

Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II - English practice questions

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Question 1Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence is the most appropriate closing for an informal email to a friend in Part 1?

  1. Kindly accept my sincere apologies.
  2. I look forward to receiving your prompt reply.
  3. Yours faithfully,
  4. Write back soon and tell me your news! Correct answer.

Explanation

An informal email ends with a friendly, personal sign-off that invites a reply. 'Write back soon and tell me your news!' fits the friendly tone of writing to a friend. Formal closing formulas belong to letters to people you do not know.

Question 2Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

You are writing an article about a school club. Which sentence is the best opening to attract readers?

  1. The club was founded in the year 2019 by the school.
  2. There are many clubs in the world today.
  3. Do you want to try something new after school? Then read on! Correct answer.
  4. I am going to write about a club now.

Explanation

An article should catch the reader's attention, and a direct question does this well. 'Do you want to try something new after school?' invites the reader in. Flat factual or self-announcing openings are weaker for this task.

Question 3Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

A Part 1 task asks you to reply to an email from a friend who wants to know what you did at the weekend. Which reply best matches the task?

  1. Hi Alex, thanks for your email! Last Saturday I went swimming with my sister and we had a great time. What about you? Correct answer.
  2. Dear Mr Jones, I am writing to confirm the weekend arrangements.
  3. Hi Alex, I have received your email and will reply later.
  4. To the Weekend Committee, please note my activities below.

Explanation

The task asks for a friendly reply about your weekend, so the answer should give that information in an informal tone and invite a reply. Option 0 does exactly this. The others are formal or fail to give the requested information.

Question 4Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence is the most appropriate way to ask for information in a Part 1 email to a friend?

  1. Kindly disclose the commencement time immediately.
  2. I request that you furnish me with the relevant details.
  3. You are required to inform me of the start time.
  4. Could you tell me what time the film starts? Correct answer.

Explanation

'Could you tell me...?' is a polite, natural question for an informal email. The other options use formal or demanding language that does not suit writing to a friend. Register must stay friendly and simple.

Question 5Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in a list?

  1. I bought apples bananas and, oranges for the picnic.
  2. I bought, apples bananas and oranges for the picnic.
  3. I bought apples bananas, and oranges for the picnic.
  4. I bought apples, bananas and oranges for the picnic. Correct answer.

Explanation

In a simple list, commas separate the items, with 'and' before the last item. 'Apples, bananas and oranges' follows this pattern. The other options place commas in the wrong positions and make the list confusing.

Question 6Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

A candidate writes: 'Me and my friend go to the cinema yesterday.' Which correction is best?

  1. My friend and me go to the cinema yesterday.
  2. Me and my friend went to the cinema yesterday.
  3. My friend and I went to the cinema yesterday. Correct answer.
  4. I and my friend goes to the cinema yesterday.

Explanation

The subject pronoun should be 'I', placed after the other person for politeness, and the past time word 'yesterday' requires the past simple 'went'. Option 1 corrects both the pronoun and the tense. The others keep an error.

Question 7Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence uses 'because' correctly to give a reason?

  1. I stayed at home because so it was raining heavily.
  2. I stayed at home because it was raining heavily. Correct answer.
  3. I stayed at home because of it was raining heavily.
  4. I stayed at home because raining heavily.

Explanation

'Because' is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb, as in 'because it was raining heavily'. 'Because of' is followed by a noun phrase, not a clause. The other options mix these structures incorrectly.

Question 8Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence best demonstrates correct use of an apostrophe for possession in a writing task?

  1. The girls' bags were left in the classroom. Correct answer.
  2. The girls bags were left in the classroom.
  3. The girl's bags was left in the classroom.
  4. The girls's bags were left in the classroom.

Explanation

For a plural noun ending in -s, the possessive apostrophe goes after the -s: 'the girls' bags'. The verb 'were' also agrees with the plural subject. The other options either omit the apostrophe or place it wrongly.

Question 9Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which sentence uses the past simple correctly in a story?

  1. Last summer we visited my cousin in Lisbon and swam every day. Correct answer.
  2. Last summer we were visiting my cousin in Lisbon and swim every day.
  3. Last summer we visit my cousin in Lisbon and swim every day.
  4. Last summer we have visited my cousin in Lisbon and swam every day.

Explanation

Finished actions in the past need the past simple: 'visited' and 'swam'. Both verbs in the first option are correct past simple forms, so the sentence is consistent. The other options mix tenses or use present forms with a past time phrase.

Question 10Writing, argument and audience-focused mediation

Which word correctly completes this story sentence? 'We were walking home ___ it suddenly started to rain.'

  1. while
  2. despite
  3. when Correct answer.
  4. during

Explanation

'When' introduces a short action that interrupts a longer background action in the past continuous. 'While' would need a continuous verb after it, and 'during' needs a noun. So 'when' is the only correct choice here.

Question 11Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'The school trip to the science museum leaves at 8:15, not 8:45 as the letter said.' What time does the trip leave?

  1. 9:15
  2. 8:15 Correct answer.
  3. 8:45
  4. 8:30

Explanation

The speaker corrects the earlier written time by saying the coach leaves at 8:15, and explicitly contrasts this with 8:45 from the letter. In B1 listening tasks, a correction signal such as 'not ... as the letter said' tells you the second figure is being rejected. The time you should record is therefore 8:15.

Question 12Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A boy says: 'I wanted to join the chess club, but it clashed with football practice, so I chose football.' Which club did he join?

  1. both clubs
  2. the football club Correct answer.
  3. the chess club
  4. neither club

Explanation

The speaker states a preference that was blocked by a timetable clash and then says 'so I chose football'. The contrast word 'but' plus the result clause 'so I chose' shows which activity he actually took up. Listening for the outcome after 'so' is the key skill here.

Question 13Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'Don't forget your packed lunch on Wednesday - the canteen is closed for repairs.' What should students bring?

  1. a packed lunch Correct answer.
  2. money for the canteen
  3. a repair kit
  4. nothing at all

Explanation

The instruction 'Don't forget your packed lunch' is a direct reminder about what to bring. The reason given is that the canteen is shut, which removes the alternative of buying food. Notices like this usually pair a reminder with a reason, and the reminder carries the answer.

Question 14Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A girl says: 'My brother's taller than me now, but I'm the one who's better at basketball.' What does she say about herself?

  1. Her brother is better at basketball.
  2. She is shorter and worse at basketball.
  3. She is taller than her brother.
  4. She is better at basketball than her brother. Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause after 'but' introduces the speaker's own advantage: being better at basketball. The first clause gives the brother the height advantage, so the two pieces of information must be kept apart. Recognising that 'but' switches the subject of the comparison prevents mixing them up.

Question 15Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'The homework is to finish exercise 4 on page 22 and bring it on Friday.' What is the homework?

  1. to finish exercise 4 Correct answer.
  2. to do exercise 22
  3. to read page 22
  4. to hand work in on Friday only

Explanation

The task is named directly after 'The homework is to', which makes 'finish exercise 4' the assignment. The page number and the day are extra details about where the exercise is and when to bring it. Separating the task from its location and deadline is what the question tests.

Question 16Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A teacher says: 'The art room is on the first floor, next to the library - not the science block.' Where is the art room?

  1. on the ground floor
  2. in the science block
  3. next to the library Correct answer.
  4. next to the canteen

Explanation

The teacher gives the location as 'next to the library' and then rules out the science block. The phrase 'not the science block' is a correction of a common mistake, so it cannot be the answer. Following the positive statement after the place name is the reliable strategy.

Question 17Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'Tickets are £6 for adults and £3.50 for students, but under-fives go free.' How much does a student pay?

  1. £3.50 Correct answer.
  2. £6.00
  3. £9.50
  4. nothing

Explanation

The price list links each group to its own price, and students are matched with £3.50. The adult price and the free entry for under-fives apply to other groups, not to students. Matching the person in the question to the right item in a list is the skill being checked.

Question 18Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A message says: 'Please return your library books by Monday, or you'll have to pay a fine.' What happens if books are late?

  1. The library closes.
  2. You keep the books.
  3. You pay a fine. Correct answer.
  4. You get new books.

Explanation

The sentence sets a deadline and states the consequence with 'or': a fine must be paid. The word 'or' signals what follows if the first condition is not met. Listening for conditional consequences is a common B1 task type.

Question 19Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A student says: 'I was going to take the bus, but the driver said the road was flooded, so I walked.' How did the student travel to school?

  1. by bus
  2. by train
  3. by car
  4. on foot Correct answer.

Explanation

The final clause 'so I walked' reports the action actually taken. The bus and the flooded road explain why the original plan changed, but they are not the means of travel. In narratives, the clause after 'so' usually gives the outcome.

Question 20Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'The match starts at 3, so meet at the sports hall at 2:30 - that gives us time to warm up.' Why meet at 2:30?

  1. to buy tickets
  2. because the match starts at 2:30
  3. to warm up before the match Correct answer.
  4. because the hall closes at 3

Explanation

The reason is introduced by 'that gives us time to', which is followed by the purpose: warming up. The 3 o'clock start and the 2:30 meeting time are separate details that must not be confused. Purpose clauses explain why an arrangement is made.

Question 21Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A girl says: 'The film was supposed to be about animals, but it was actually a cartoon about space.' What was the film about?

  1. space Correct answer.
  2. animals
  3. a school
  4. the sea

Explanation

The structure 'was supposed to be ... but was actually ...' contrasts an expectation with the reality. The content of the film is given after 'actually', so space is the true subject. The word 'but' marks the point where the real information replaces the mistaken idea.

Question 22Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'Mum, I've already had lunch at Tom's, so don't make anything for me.' What does the speaker want?

  1. to eat at Tom's again
  2. a big lunch
  3. no food prepared for them Correct answer.
  4. to cook dinner themselves

Explanation

Because lunch has already been eaten, the request is that nothing be made. The cause is given first ('I've already had lunch') and the request follows with 'so'. Linking a reason to a request is the point of the question.

Question 23Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A radio advert says: 'The new swimming pool opens next month, and entry is free for the first week.' What is special about the first week?

  1. Only adults may swim.
  2. Entry costs less but is not free.
  3. Entry is free. Correct answer.
  4. The pool is closed.

Explanation

The advert attaches the detail 'entry is free' directly to 'the first week'. The opening date is separate information about when the pool starts operating. Noting which detail belongs to which time period avoids mixing them up.

Question 24Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

You hear: 'I'd rather go to the beach than the park, unless it rains.' What does the speaker prefer?

  1. the park if it rains
  2. the beach, if it is not raining Correct answer.
  3. the park in all weather
  4. neither place

Explanation

'I'd rather ... than ...' states a preference for the first option, and 'unless it rains' makes that preference conditional. So the beach is preferred as long as the weather is dry. Conditional preferences require holding both parts together.

Question 25Listening meaning, interaction and written-script preparation

A teacher says: 'Hand in your projects on Thursday, not Wednesday as I said before.' When are projects due?

  1. next week
  2. Wednesday
  3. Friday
  4. Thursday Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher gives a new deadline and marks the old one as replaced with 'not Wednesday as I said before'. The corrected day is the one that now applies. When two dates appear, the one attached to a correction is the current instruction.

Question 26Read for information, inference and textual effect

Passage A: 'The Balearic Islands have accelerated their transition toward renewable energy to combat seasonal grid pressure caused by tourism. While solar initiatives have expanded rapidly across Mallorca and Menorca, environmentalists urge caution regarding land usage, arguing that large-scale photovoltaic farms may compromise agricultural heritage and local ecosystems unless strictly regulated.' What can be inferred about environmentalists' attitude toward photovoltaic farms in Passage A?

  1. They support unrestricted expansion to maximize green energy output quickly.
  2. They advocate for strict regulation to balance energy goals with land conservation. Correct answer.
  3. They prefer fossil fuels over solar power due to land consumption issues.
  4. They completely oppose any implementation of solar energy in the archipelago.

Explanation

The passage states that environmentalists urge caution and argue solar farms may compromise heritage 'unless strictly regulated', inferring they favor regulated development.

Question 27Read for information, inference and textual effect

'The municipal council has announced a public consultation to discuss the installation of designated bicycle lanes along the coastal promenade.' What is the primary purpose of this announcement?

  1. To issue traffic tickets to cyclists riding on pedestrian promenades.
  2. To ban all bicycles from coastal areas permanently.
  3. To recruit construction workers for highway repair projects.
  4. To inform citizens about an upcoming meeting to gather public input on new bicycle infrastructure. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'announced a public consultation to discuss' indicates the notice is inviting public input on bicycle lanes.

Question 28Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Although the newly built bypass road was promised to alleviate morning gridlock, commuters continue to experience agonizing delays every single morning.' What is the tone of the writer in this statement?

  1. Critical and disappointed. Correct answer.
  2. Indifferent and neutral.
  3. Humorous and playful.
  4. Enthusiastic and optimistic.

Explanation

The contrast between 'was promised' and 'agonizing delays' conveys a critical, disappointed tone regarding traffic promises.

Question 29Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Despite rigorous testing during the development phase, the software patch triggered unexpected system crashes upon deployment.' What can be inferred from this statement?

  1. The deployment process was cancelled prior to software installation.
  2. Development testing did not reveal every potential vulnerability or operational issue. Correct answer.
  3. The software engineers deliberately inserted bugs into the release code.
  4. System crashes were anticipated and welcomed by the IT department.

Explanation

Since crashes occurred 'despite rigorous testing', we infer that testing failed to catch all potential bugs.

Question 30Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Bilingual individuals often demonstrate enhanced cognitive flexibility, executive function control, and delayed onset of dementia symptoms compared to monolinguals.' Which statement best captures the main point of this sentence?

  1. Dementia can be cured entirely by studying foreign language grammar.
  2. Bilingualism is mandatory for learning foreign languages in high school.
  3. Speaking two languages offers notable cognitive and neurological advantages. Correct answer.
  4. Monolingual adults perform better on memory tasks than bilingual adults.

Explanation

The sentence outlines cognitive flexibility, executive control, and delayed dementia as cognitive benefits of bilingualism.

Question 31Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Far from being an isolated occurrence, the heatwave of 2025 exemplifies a persistent warming trend observed across the western Mediterranean basin over the past four decades.' What rhetorical function does 'Far from being...' serve in this sentence?

  1. It proves that local weather forecasts are consistently inaccurate.
  2. It summarizes the economic costs of recent agricultural droughts.
  3. It introduces a humorous exaggeration to entertain the audience.
  4. It refutes the notion that the heatwave was an anomaly and frames it as part of a long-term pattern. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Far from being an isolated occurrence' explicitly rejects the idea that the event was an anomaly, emphasizing the broader warming trend.

Question 32Read for information, inference and textual effect

'The curator explained that the ancient ceramic artifact was surprisingly resilient, surviving centuries underground without structural decay.' What does 'resilient' mean here?

  1. Strong, durable, and able to withstand damage. Correct answer.
  2. Extremely heavy and difficult to transport.
  3. Visually colorful and decorative.
  4. Fragile and easily broken.

Explanation

'Resilient' in this context means durable and able to withstand harsh conditions without breaking down.

Question 33Read for information, inference and textual effect

'While online university degrees offer unprecedented flexibility for working adults, studies show that student retention rates remain lower than those in traditional campus-based programs.' What is a reasonable inference based on this statement?

  1. Campus-based students spend fewer hours studying than online students.
  2. Flexibility alone does not guarantee student completion in online higher education. Correct answer.
  3. Working adults are prohibited from enrolling in campus-based university courses.
  4. Traditional universities intend to replace all face-to-face classes with online modules.

Explanation

Since online courses have high flexibility but lower retention rates, flexibility alone isn't sufficient for student retention/completion.

Question 34Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Notwithstanding initial skepticism from local traders, the pedestrianization of the city center resulted in a 25% increase in retail turnover within six months.' What is the primary argument conveyed by this sentence?

  1. City centers should permit more vehicular traffic to boost retail revenue.
  2. Retail turnover is independent of urban planning decisions.
  3. Local traders were correct to oppose pedestrianization because sales plummeted.
  4. Pedestrianization proved economically beneficial for retailers despite prior doubts. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence contrasts initial skepticism with a positive outcome (25% increase in turnover), demonstrating economic success.

Question 35Read for information, inference and textual effect

'Posidonia oceanica meadows act as carbon sinks and coastal protectors in the Mediterranean, yet anchor damage from private yachts continues to degrade these vital marine habitats.' Which statement best summarizes the main message?

  1. Yachting activities endanger Posidonia oceanica, an ecologically essential Mediterranean seagrass. Correct answer.
  2. Private yachts have been banned from all Balearic waters to protect beaches.
  3. Coastal erosion in the Mediterranean is caused primarily by offshore wind farms.
  4. Posidonia oceanica is an invasive seaweed species that threatens marine fauna.

Explanation

The sentence contrasts the ecological importance of Posidonia oceanica (carbon sink, coastal protector) with the threat posed by yacht anchors.

Question 36Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct option to complete the sentence: 'By the time Maria arrives at the airport tomorrow afternoon, the flight _____.'

  1. will already depart
  2. will have already departed Correct answer.
  3. has already departed
  4. is departing already

Explanation

Future perfect ('will have departed') is required to express an action that will be completed before a specific future time ('by the time Maria arrives').

Question 37Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct verb form: 'If I _____ more free time, I would join the local environmental protection association.'

  1. will have
  2. have
  3. had Correct answer.
  4. would have

Explanation

Second conditional sentences use past simple ('had') in the if-clause to express a hypothetical present/future situation.

Question 38Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Complete the rephrasing: 'She didn't pass the exam because she didn't study enough.' 'If she had studied more, she _____ the exam.'

  1. will have passed
  2. had passed
  3. would pass
  4. would have passed Correct answer.

Explanation

Third conditional (if + past perfect, would + have + past participle) expresses hypothetical past outcomes.

Question 39Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct passive transformation of: 'They are building a new university research center in Palma.'

  1. A new university research center is being built in Palma. Correct answer.
  2. A new university research center has built in Palma.
  3. A new university research center is building in Palma.
  4. A new university research center was built in Palma.

Explanation

Present continuous passive is formed with am/is/are + being + past participle ('is being built').

Question 40Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct reported speech form: 'I will call you as soon as I land in Ibiza,' David told me.

  1. David told me that he had called me as soon as he lands in Ibiza.
  2. David told me that he would call me as soon as he landed in Ibiza. Correct answer.
  3. David told me that I will call him as soon as he lands in Ibiza.
  4. David told me that he will call me as soon as I landed in Ibiza.

Explanation

In reported speech with a past reporting verb ('told'), 'will call' shifts to 'would call' and present simple 'land' shifts to past simple 'landed'.

Question 41Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the sentence with correct formal negative inversion:

  1. Seldom witness we such dedication to environmental preservation.
  2. Seldom we have witnessed such dedication to environmental preservation.
  3. Seldom have we witnessed such dedication to environmental preservation. Correct answer.
  4. Seldom we had witnessed such dedication to environmental preservation.

Explanation

Negative adverbials like 'seldom' at the beginning of a sentence require auxiliary inversion (Adverb + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb: 'Seldom have we witnessed').

Question 42Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct modal verb of past deduction: 'The streets are soaking wet this morning. It _____ heavily during the night.'

  1. should have rained
  2. can rain
  3. must rain
  4. must have rained Correct answer.

Explanation

'Must have + past participle' expresses a strong logical deduction about a past event based on present evidence.

Question 43Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct relative pronoun to complete the sentence: 'Professor Alcover, _____ research on marine biodiversity won an international award, will deliver the keynote lecture.'

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

Explanation

The possessive relative pronoun 'whose' is used to indicate ownership or possession relative to a person ('Professor Alcover's research').

Question 44Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct inverted conditional structure: '_____ known about the road closures earlier, we would have taken the train to Manacor.'

  1. Did we
  2. Had we Correct answer.
  3. If we had
  4. Were we

Explanation

In third conditional inversion, 'If we had known' becomes 'Had we known', omitting 'if' and placing 'Had' before the subject.

Question 45Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct pair of verb forms: 'When the police arrived at the museum, the thieves _____ already _____.'

  1. will have / left
  2. have / left
  3. had / left Correct answer.
  4. were / leaving

Explanation

Past perfect ('had left') indicates an action completed prior to another past reference point ('when the police arrived').

Question 46Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct causative form: 'We couldn't repair the car engine ourselves, so we _____ by a mechanic in Inca.'

  1. repaired it
  2. had repaired it
  3. got it repair
  4. had it repaired Correct answer.

Explanation

Causative structure 'have + object + past participle' ('had it repaired') signifies arranging for someone else to perform a service.

Question 47Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct verb form: 'The archaeological team stopped _____ lunch after discovering an intact Roman mosaic.'

  1. to have Correct answer.
  2. having
  3. have
  4. for having

Explanation

'Stop to do something' means interrupting an activity in order to do something else (stop to have lunch). 'Stop doing' means ceasing an action.

Question 48Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct option to complete the cleft sentence: 'It was only after reading the official report _____ the full extent of the environmental damage.'

  1. where we realized
  2. when we realized
  3. that we realized Correct answer.
  4. which we realized

Explanation

It-cleft sentences focusing on time/prepositional clauses take 'that' (It was only after... that we realized...).

Question 49Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Choose the correct punctuation and relative pronoun: 'The Tramuntana mountain range _____ was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011 attracts thousands of hikers annually.'

  1. , which Correct answer.
  2. that
  3. , that
  4. which

Explanation

Non-defining relative clauses provide extra non-essential information, require commas, and use 'which' (never 'that') for things.

Question 50Grammar and vocabulary through meaning and context

Select the correct option: 'Despite the short notice, _____ students attended the workshop on career opportunities in marine biology.'

  1. a little
  2. a few Correct answer.
  3. few
  4. little

Explanation

'A few' means a positive small number of countable nouns ('students'), whereas 'few' has a negative connotation ('scarcely any').