87 PAGS MOCK EXAM. SIMULACRO V.87 - RETOS SOCIALES Y LABORALES Tu Pasaporte al Grado Superior Versión 87: Emigración juvenil, prácticas laborales, paro, turismo y Semana Santa.

English for Adults Official Exam Preparation 2025/2026

Simulacro V.87 - Retos Sociales y Laborales

Tu Pasaporte al Grado Superior

Versión 87: Emigración juvenil, prácticas laborales, paro, turismo y Semana Santa.

Examen Interactivo N.º 87

45 Minutos Recomendados

TEXT 1: The Spanish Brain Drain

In recent years, Spain has suffered a severe 'brain drain'. Thousands of highly qualified young graduates are forced to emigrate to northern European countries in search of better career opportunities. Despite having excellent university degrees, they often face a local job market characterized by precarious contracts and low salaries. Consequently, countries like Germany and the UK benefit from Spanish talent, while Spain loses the immense investment made in their public education.

En los últimos años, España ha sufrido una grave "fuga de cerebros". Miles de jóvenes graduados altamente cualificados se ven obligados a emigrar a países del norte de Europa en busca de mejores oportunidades profesionales. A pesar de tener excelentes títulos universitarios, a menudo se enfrentan a un mercado laboral local caracterizado por contratos precarios y bajos salarios. En consecuencia, España pierde la inmensa inversión realizada en su educación pública.

1. What is the main negative consequence of the 'brain drain' for Spain according to the text?

Fíjate en la última frase del texto: "Spain loses the immense investment made in their public education". Esa es la pérdida principal para el país.

a. Young Spaniards are learning new languages just for fun. b. The Spanish government is earning more money from foreign taxes. c. Spain loses the talent and the investment made in public education. d. Northern European countries are losing their best local engineers.

TEXT 2: Low-Quality Internships

Vocational training and university degrees usually include mandatory internships in real companies. However, many students complain about the poor quality of these practical periods. Instead of learning specific professional skills or receiving proper mentoring, trainees are frequently used as cheap labor to perform repetitive, low-value tasks like making photocopies or serving coffee. Experts warn that this exploitation deeply damages the students' motivation before they even begin their formal careers.

La formación profesional y los títulos universitarios suelen incluir prácticas obligatorias en empresas reales. Sin embargo, muchos estudiantes se quejan de la mala calidad de estos periodos prácticos. En lugar de aprender habilidades profesionales o recibir tutoría, a menudo se les utiliza como mano de obra barata para realizar tareas repetitivas y de poco valor, como hacer fotocopias o servir café.

2. Why are many students dissatisfied with their mandatory company internships?

El texto indica que los estudiantes se quejan ("complain") porque son usados como "cheap labor" (mano de obra barata) para tareas "repetitive, low-value".

a. Because they receive a very high salary that affects their taxes. b. Because they are often used as cheap labor for repetitive tasks. c. Because the company mentors spend too much time teaching them theory. d. Because they are forced to travel to other countries for the internship.

3. Message Interpretation: Read the following email from a manager to an intern carefully and decide what it implies about the deadline.

"Please ensure you submit the final internship report to Human Resources prior to our evaluation meeting on Thursday morning."

"Por favor, asegúrate de enviar el informe final de prácticas a Recursos Humanos antes de nuestra reunión de evaluación del jueves por la mañana."

Prior to es una forma formal de decir Before (Antes de). Por lo tanto, el informe tiene que estar listo antes de que empiece la reunión.

a. The report must be submitted before Thursday's meeting begins. b. You must write the report during the meeting on Thursday. c. The meeting is cancelled if the report is not perfect. d. You have until Friday to send the final version of the report.

4. Grammatical Transformation: Choose the option that correctly transforms the following sentence into the PASSIVE VOICE while maintaining the original tense: "The company offered the young graduate a terrible contract."

Transformación gramatical: Elige la voz pasiva correcta de: "La empresa ofreció al joven graduado un contrato terrible."

El verbo "offered" está en Pasado Simple. La estructura pasiva obligatoria es "was/were + Participio". Descartamos las opciones con "is", "has been" o "was offering".

a. The company was offering a terrible contract to the young graduate. b. The young graduate has been offered a terrible contract. c. A terrible contract is offered by the company to the graduate. d. A terrible contract was offered to the young graduate by the company.

5. Formal Register: Choose the best formal phrase to CONCLUDE an academic essay about the necessity of retaining young talent in the country.

Elige la mejor frase formal para CONCLUIR un ensayo académico sobre la necesidad de retener el talento joven en el país.

Expresiones como "I think it's very bad" o "Bye" son demasiado informales. "To sum up, it is imperative..." (En resumen, es imperativo...) demuestra un vocabulario avanzado propio de B2.

a. That's all I have to say about this sad situation. b. To sum up, it is imperative that the government creates better job opportunities. c. In conclusion, I think it's very bad for everyone that they leave. d. Bye, I hope you understand my points on youth emigration.

6. Advanced Linking Words: Select the most effective connector to ADD extra information to a previous argument in a formal text.

Conectores avanzados: Selecciona el conector más efectivo para AÑADIR información extra a un argumento previo en un texto formal.

"However" y "On the contrary" son de contraste. "Therefore" es de consecuencia. "Furthermore" significa "Además", ideal para añadir información.

a. However,... b. Therefore,... c. Furthermore,... d. On the contrary,...

TEXT 3: Constant Unemployment Rates

Spain has consistently maintained one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe. A structural problem behind this alarming statistic is the high percentage of the adult population lacking formal professional qualifications. While the modern job market increasingly demands specialized technical skills, many unemployed individuals only have basic education. Therefore, investing heavily in adult retraining programs and accessible vocational courses is absolutely essential to reduce this chronic unemployment.

España ha mantenido consistentemente una de las tasas de desempleo más altas de Europa. Un problema estructural detrás de esta estadística es el alto porcentaje de población adulta que carece de cualificaciones profesionales formales. Mientras el mercado laboral moderno exige habilidades técnicas especializadas, muchos desempleados solo tienen educación básica.

7. According to the text, what is a structural reason for the high unemployment rate in Spain?

El texto menciona literalmente: "A structural problem... is the high percentage of the adult population lacking formal professional qualifications" (carecen de cualificación profesional).

a. A high percentage of the adult population lacks formal professional qualifications. b. Adults do not want to work in technical sectors anymore. c. Companies only want to hire people without any studies to pay them less. d. There are too many vocational courses available, which confuses the workers.

8. Formal Correspondence: You have received an email rejecting your job application. You want to ask the company what you did wrong in the interview to improve for the future. Which phrase is the most professional?

Correspondencia formal: Te han rechazado en una entrevista de trabajo. Quieres preguntar qué hiciste mal para mejorar. ¿Cuál es la frase más profesional para el email?

Pedir explicaciones ("Tell me why" o "What I did wrong") suena agresivo. En el mundo corporativo se pide "feedback" (retroalimentación) de forma indirecta: "I would appreciate it if...".

a. Tell me why you didn't hire me, I need to know the truth. b. I want my feedback now because I spent a lot of time on this interview. c. Can you just tell me what I did wrong so I don't do it again? d. I would appreciate it if you could provide some feedback on my application.

TEXT 4: Tourism Boom in Andalusia

Tourism in Andalusia has experienced a spectacular increase, breaking historical records year after year. The region's unique combination of rich cultural heritage, excellent gastronomy, and sunny weather attracts millions of international visitors. This tourism boom has significantly boosted the local economy by creating thousands of jobs in the hospitality sector. Nevertheless, local residents are starting to worry about negative effects, such as the saturation of public spaces.

El turismo en Andalucía ha experimentado un aumento espectacular, batiendo récords históricos año tras año. La combinación única de la región de rico patrimonio cultural, excelente gastronomía y clima soleado atrae a millones de visitantes. Este boom turístico ha impulsado significativamente la economía local al crear miles de empleos...

9. What is one of the main positive effects of the tourism boom mentioned in the text?

El texto diferencia lo positivo ("boosted the local economy by creating thousands of jobs") de lo negativo al final ("worry about negative effects").

a. It has reduced the amount of traffic in the main cities. b. It has significantly boosted the local economy and created jobs. c. It has forced locals to move to other countries to find peace. d. It has lowered the prices of all local restaurants.

10. Identify the "False Friend": If you want to talk about something that belongs to the "present time" (algo actual), which word must you use in English?

Identifica el Falso Amigo: Si quieres hablar de algo que pertenece al "tiempo presente" (algo ACTUAL), ¿qué palabra debes usar en inglés?

En inglés, Actual significa "Real" o "Verdadero". Para decir "Actual" (del presente, ej. situación actual), se debe usar Current.

a. Real b. Current c. Now d. Actually

11. Public Notice Interpretation: You see this sign on a door at a hotel. What does it strictly mean?

"STAFF ONLY. No admittance without valid ID."

Aviso público: "SÓLO PERSONAL. Prohibida la entrada sin identificación válida."

"Staff" se refiere a los empleados (trabajadores). "No admittance" significa que no se puede pasar. Es una zona restringida.

a. You can enter if you show your passport to the receptionist. b. The staff is not allowed to enter this room under any circumstances. c. Only authorized employees with proper identification can enter. d. Anyone can enter if they are friends with the hotel manager.

12. Identify the sentence that uses a CLEFT structure to emphasize exactly WHERE the young graduates are finding work:

¿Qué frase usa una estructura hendida (Cleft Sentence) para enfatizar DÓNDE encuentran trabajo los jóvenes graduados?

Para destacar el lugar, la estructura es "It is in [Lugar] where/that...".

a. It is in northern Europe where many young Spaniards find good jobs. b. Many young Spaniards find good jobs in northern Europe. c. Northern Europe is a place where Spaniards find jobs easily. d. Where do young Spaniards find good jobs? In northern Europe.

TEXT 5: Seasonal Jobs

Despite the economic benefits of tourism, the employment generated in Spain is often highly seasonal and precarious. Many workers in the hospitality industry face long shifts, low wages, and contracts that only last for the busy summer months. Once the tourist season ends in September, these individuals return to unemployment, creating a frustratingly unstable economic cycle for thousands of families living in the coastal regions.

A pesar de los beneficios económicos del turismo, el empleo generado suele ser muy estacional y precario. Muchos trabajadores de la hostelería se enfrentan a turnos largos, salarios bajos y contratos que sólo duran los meses de verano. Una vez finalizada la temporada, vuelven al desempleo...

13. What generally characterizes the jobs created by the tourism industry according to this text?

El texto los describe literalmente como "highly seasonal and precarious" (altamente estacionales y precarios).

a. They are permanent, high-paying corporate positions. b. They usually last for the entire year without any interruption. c. They are often highly seasonal, precarious, and have low wages. d. They are exclusively reserved for international tourists, not locals.

14. Language Interference (Spanglish): In Spanish, "la gente" is singular ("la gente es"). In English, "people" is plural. Which of the following sentences contains a typical GRAMMATICAL ERROR based on this confusion?

Identificación de errores: En español "la gente" es singular. En inglés "people" es plural. ¿Qué frase contiene un ERROR gramatical típico por esta confusión?

Nunca digas "People is". Como "people" (personas) es plural en inglés, el verbo debe ir en plural: "People ARE". Busca la opción que tenga el error.

a. The students are studying hard for their exams. b. My family is very large and noisy. c. The people is very friendly in Andalusia. d. Those cars are too expensive for me.

15. Professional Communication: You have been offered a low-quality internship where you would only make coffee. Select the most polite and professional way to DECLINE the offer via email.

Comunicación profesional: Te han ofrecido unas prácticas de mala calidad donde solo harías café. Selecciona la forma más educada y profesional de rechazar la oferta por correo electrónico.

Aunque la oferta sea mala, en el entorno corporativo jamás se debe insultar o usar sarcasmo. Agradece la oportunidad y explica tus objetivos ("seeking more technical training").

a. Thank you for the opportunity, but I am seeking a position with more technical training. b. I am not going to serve coffee for you, thanks anyway. c. Your internship offer is a complete joke, I reject it. d. I don't want to work for your company because the tasks are boring.

16. Listening Comprehension Tasks

Holy Week in Andalusia (Audio Simulation - 1:30 min)

Full Audio Script:

Welcome to Cultural Insights. Today we are exploring the profound importance of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Andalusia. This annual event is much more than a simple religious tradition; it is a vital pillar of the Andalusian identity. From a religious and moral perspective, it represents a deeply emotional period of faith, penance, and community reflection. Socially, it brings families and entire neighborhoods together, passing down centuries-old traditions from grandparents to children. But the impact is also massively economic. The spectacular processions draw millions of tourists to cities like Seville, Malaga, and Granada. This generates millions of euros for local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. However, balancing this massive economic and tourist boom with the authentic religious respect and solemnity of the celebration remains a continuous challenge for the local authorities.

Audio Summary (Español): El programa explora la importancia de la Semana Santa en Andalucía. Religiosa y moralmente, es un periodo de fe, penitencia y reflexión. Socialmente, une a familias y barrios manteniendo vivas las tradiciones. Económicamente, atrae a millones de turistas dejando enormes beneficios en hoteles y negocios. El reto para las autoridades es equilibrar este boom turístico con el respeto religioso.

16.1 What does Holy Week represent from a SOCIAL perspective according to the audio?

a. It is an event exclusively created for tourists to take photos. b. It brings families and entire neighborhoods together to share traditions. c. It forces local people to leave the city to find quiet places. d. It only involves the local politicians and the police forces.

16.2 How does the event impact the local ECONOMY?

a. It causes businesses to lose money because everything is closed for a week. b. It makes hotel prices drop significantly to attract more people. c. It has absolutely no real impact on the local economic situation. d. It generates millions of euros for local businesses, hotels, and restaurants.

16.3 From a RELIGIOUS and moral point of view, how is the week described?

a. As a deeply emotional period of faith, penance, and reflection. b. As a time where people must only eat specific traditional foods. c. As a week where all churches are permanently closed to the public. d. As a modern, superficial festival invented recently by the government.

16.4 What is a continuous CHALLENGE for the local authorities regarding this event?

a. Finding enough wax candles for all the processions. b. Stopping the millions of tourists from visiting the cities. c. Balancing the economic boom with authentic religious respect and solemnity. d. Convincing young people to stay at home during the holidays.

Welcome to Cultural Insights. Today we are exploring the profound importance of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Andalusia. This annual event is much more than a simple religious tradition; it is a vital pillar of the Andalusian identity. From a religious and moral perspective, it represents a deeply emotional period of faith, penance, and community reflection. Socially, it brings families and entire neighborhoods together, passing down centuries-old traditions from grandparents to children. But the impact is also massively economic. The spectacular processions draw millions of tourists to cities like Seville, Malaga, and Granada. This generates millions of euros for local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. However, balancing this massive economic and tourist boom with the authentic religious respect and solemnity of the celebration remains a continuous challenge for the local authorities.

Preguntas de Reserva (Ampliadas)

TEXT 6: Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence is completely reshaping the modern workplace. While AI tools can quickly automate repetitive tasks and increase corporate productivity, there is a growing fear among workers about potential mass job losses. However, human resources experts suggest that rather than completely replacing humans, AI will demand that employees adapt and learn new digital skills to collaborate efficiently with these powerful new technologies.

El rápido avance de la Inteligencia Artificial está remodelando por completo el lugar de trabajo moderno. Si bien las herramientas de IA pueden automatizar tareas y aumentar la productividad, existe un temor creciente a la pérdida de empleos. Sin embargo, los expertos sugieren que, en lugar de reemplazar completamente a los humanos, la IA exigirá que los empleados se adapten y aprendan nuevas habilidades...

17. What do human resources experts suggest about the future of workers regarding AI?

Los expertos dicen ("experts suggest") que los empleados tendrán que adaptarse ("adapt") y aprender nuevas habilidades ("learn new digital skills").

a. That AI will permanently destroy all the manual jobs in the world. b. That employees will need to adapt and learn new digital skills to collaborate with AI. c. That modern companies will stop using computers completely out of fear. d. That workers will simply have to work longer hours for much less money.

18. Grammatical function: Select the option that best describes the grammatical purpose of the phrase "Rather than" used in the previous text about AI.

Gramática aplicada: ¿Cuál es la función gramatical de "Rather than" (En lugar de / Más que) en el último texto?

"Rather than" significa "En lugar de". Introduce una alternativa o preferencia frente a otra acción.

a. It expresses a strong hypothetical condition. b. It is used to fully agree with a previous statement. c. It introduces an alternative or preference (meaning "instead of"). d. It shows the exact time when a specific event happened.

Glosario V.87

Term	Meaning
Brain drain	Fuga de cerebros
Internships	Prácticas (en empresas)
Trainees	Aprendices / Estudiantes en prácticas
Unemployment	Paro / Desempleo
Hospitality sector	Sector de la hostelería
Precarious	Precario / Inestable
Penance	Penitencia
Solemnity	Solemnidad / Respeto

CLAVE DE RESPUESTAS V.87

01. C

02. B

03. A

04. D

05. B

06. C

07. A

08. D

09. B

10. B

11. C

12. A

13. C

14. C

15. A

16.1 B

16.2 D

16.3 A

16.4 C

17. B

18. C