Entrance University exam, June 2007-Ordinary announcement

UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA
REGIÓN DE MURCIA
CONSEJERÍA DE EDUCACIÓN Y CULTURA
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE CARTAGENA
PRUEBAS DE ACCESO A LA UNIVERSIDAD PARA ALUMNOS DE
BACHILLERATO LOGSE (PLAN 2002)
Junio 2007
INGLÉS. CÓDIGO 54
Spain changes sizes in clothes for women
Spain’s biggest fashion retailers (1) have agreed to re-size their clothing in order to better
reflect the real sizes of women and reduce pressure on them to conform (2) to an extremely thin image. Health Minister Elena Salgado has announced that the National Consumer Institute will measure 8,500 women between 12 and 70 years of age with the aim of “defining standard patterns and normalising sizes”, according to an agreement between fashion houses and the ministry.
Companies such as Zara, El Corte Ingles, Mango and Cortefiel are behind the agreement,
which intends to make fashion sizes “truthful, homogeneous and comprehensible (3)”. Mannequins in shop windows will now be at least a European size 38, while size 46 will no longer be considered extra-size. Labels will include not just the overall (4) size, but information on hip and shoulder as well.
The government hopes that by selling more realistic sizes, it will discourage (5) women from
trying to conform to such a thin ideal as is usually presented on fashion catwalks*. “If everything goes well, as we expect, then of course we will continue with a resizing for men”, Salgado told reporters.
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* catwalk: a narrow pathway over the stage of a theatre
PREGUNTAS (NO RESPONDAN EN ESTA HOJA)
READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. BE CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION FOR EACH QUESTION
1. Link each of the words or expressions listed below with one word or expression in the column (as numbered in the text) [1 mark]. Please copy the correct pair of words on your answer sheet, e.g. ‘retailer and ...’
clear - manufacturer - general - prevent - adjust
retailer (1) and …
conform (2) and …
comprehensible (3) and …
overall (4) and …
discourage (5) and …

2. Reading comprehension
2.1. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer sheet.
- A committee will be appointed to decide on the issue of sizing
- The new sizing will be based on the statistical analysis of population
- Fashion houses alone will decide on the new sizing
- The new sizes will depend on the results of a national opinion poll

2.2. Choose the best option [0.75 marks]. Please copy the complete correct option on your answer sheet.
- One result of the agreement is that mannequins will no longer be exhibited in shop windows
- The agreement will imply a radical change in fashion designs
- One consequence of the agreement is that customers will find more information on labels
- The agreement means that small sizes will disappear

3. Complete the sentences using information from the text [2 marks]. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally, unless this is unavoidable.
a) If the agreement is successful …
b) Information on hip and shoulder sizes …
c) Minister Elena Salgado said that male …
d) The agreement …

4. Complete with one or more adequate words [1.5 marks]. Do not copy the complete text on your sheet, only the letter – (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) – followed by the word or words that you find suitable for the gap. It is important that phrases from the text are not reproduced literally.
In order to help control weight-related disorders …… (a) anorexia, Spain has also …… (b) models below a certain weight from Madrid catwalks. In fact, 30% of the women …… (c) appeared at the Cibeles fashion show in Madrid last year were rejected because they …… (d) adjust to new rules demanding that models present a healthy image: that is they must weigh at least 56 kilos if their ……(e) is 1.75. These figures are approximately what the World Health Organization …… (f) to be the minimum healthy weight.

5. The text informs about an agreement between the Spanish Ministry of Health and some Fashion houses. Can you summarize the basic aims and terms of the agreement? (25-50 words) [2 marks] You are expected to draw information from the text, but please use your own words.

6. In your opinion, is there a direct connection between the world of fashion and weight-related disorders (anorexia, bulimia, etc.)? (25-50 words) [2 marks]. Express your own ideas by using your own words.