92 PAGS MOCK EXAM: SIMULACRO V.92 - SOCIEDAD Y DEMOGRAFÍA Tu Pasaporte al Grado Superior Versión 92: La crisis demográfica, natalidad, envejecimiento y el sistema de pensiones.

English for Adults Official Exam Preparation 2025/2026

Simulacro V.92 - Sociedad y Demografía

Tu Pasaporte al Grado Superior

Versión 92: La crisis demográfica, natalidad, envejecimiento y el sistema de pensiones.

Examen Interactivo N.º 92

45 Minutos Recomendados

TEXT 1: The Demographic Time Bomb

Spain is currently facing a profound structural demographic crisis, characterized by one of the lowest birth rates in the entire world. In 2024, the country registered around 318,000 births, the lowest figure since official records began eighty years ago. The fertility rate has drastically fallen to approximately 1.1 children per woman. This is dangerously below the 2.1 threshold required for a stable generational replacement. Economists and sociologists describe this phenomenon as a "ticking time bomb" that threatens the future sustainability of the nation.

España se enfrenta actualmente a una profunda crisis demográfica estructural, caracterizada por una de las tasas de natalidad más bajas del mundo entero. En 2024, el país registró alrededor de 318.000 nacimientos, la cifra más baja desde que comenzaron los registros hace ochenta años. La tasa de fecundidad ha caído drásticamente a aproximadamente 1,1 hijos por mujer. Esto está peligrosamente por debajo del umbral de 2,1 requerido para un reemplazo generacional estable...

1. According to the text, what does the fertility rate of 1.1 children per woman imply for Spain?

El texto especifica: "dangerously below the 2.1 threshold required for a stable generational replacement". Es decir, no nacen suficientes niños para reemplazar a la generación actual.

a. It guarantees that the population will keep growing extremely fast. b. It is dangerously below the level needed to replace the current generation. c. It means that the economy is perfectly balanced for the next eighty years. d. It shows that Spanish women are having more children than ever before.

TEXT 2: Reasons Behind the Decline

The continuous drop in birth rates is driven by a complex mix of economic and social factors. Young Spaniards face a hostile financial environment marked by high youth unemployment, low salaries, and extreme difficulties in accessing affordable housing. Furthermore, there is a significant cultural shift: women are delaying motherhood to prioritize career stability. According to recent demographic projections, nearly 43% of Spanish women will not have children, largely due to the immense challenge of balancing a demanding professional life with family responsibilities.

La continua caída de las tasas de natalidad está impulsada por una compleja mezcla de factores económicos y sociales. Los jóvenes españoles se enfrentan a un entorno financiero hostil... Además, hay un cambio cultural significativo: las mujeres están retrasando la maternidad para priorizar la estabilidad profesional. Según proyecciones recientes, casi el 43% de las mujeres españolas no tendrán hijos, en gran parte debido al inmenso desafío de conciliar...

2. What is the primary cultural and social reason mentioned in the text for women delaying motherhood?

El texto diferencia la parte económica de la cultural ("cultural shift"). La causa cultural es que retrasan la maternidad "to prioritize career stability" (para priorizar su estabilidad profesional).

a. Because they simply do not like children anymore. b. Because the government forces them to wait until they are older. c. Because they are trying to achieve professional and career stability first. d. Because they spend all their time traveling and buying houses.

3. Message Interpretation: Read the following corporate email sent from the HR Department and decide what the employee must do.

"Dear Employee, please note that all requests for paternity and maternity leave must be submitted to the HR portal at least 15 days prior to the expected delivery date to ensure proper shift coverage."

"Estimado empleado, tenga en cuenta que todas las solicitudes de baja por paternidad y maternidad deben enviarse al portal de RR.HH. al menos 15 días antes de la fecha prevista de parto para garantizar la cobertura adecuada de los turnos."

"At least 15 days prior to" significa "Como mínimo 15 días antes de". "Expected delivery date" es la fecha en la que se espera que nazca el bebé.

a. They must return to work exactly 15 days after the baby is born. b. They are only allowed to take 15 days of vacation for their newborn. c. They must ask their colleagues to cover their shifts directly. d. They must submit their leave request a minimum of 15 days before the baby is born.

4. Grammatical Transformation: Choose the option that correctly transforms the following active sentence into the PASSIVE VOICE while maintaining the original Present Perfect tense: "The government has approved new financial aids for young families."

Transformación gramatical: Elige la voz pasiva correcta de: "El gobierno ha aprobado nuevas ayudas económicas para las familias jóvenes."

"Has approved" es Present Perfect. El nuevo sujeto ("New financial aids") es plural. Por lo tanto, la estructura pasiva debe ser "have been + Participio": "have been approved".

a. New financial aids have been approved by the government for young families. b. New financial aids were approved by the government for young families. c. New financial aids has been approved by the government for young families. d. New financial aids had been approving by the government for young families.

5. Formal Register: Choose the best formal phrase to INTRODUCE an academic essay about the consequences of an aging population.

Elige la mejor frase formal para INTRODUCIR un ensayo académico sobre las consecuencias del envejecimiento de la población.

Un ensayo formal no usa expresiones como "let's talk", "I want to say" o "crazy". Debe ser objetivo e impersonal: "This essay will comprehensively analyze..." (Este ensayo analizará exhaustivamente...).

a. It's totally crazy that there are so many old people and no babies. b. This essay will comprehensively analyze the severe socio-economic impacts of an aging population. c. I am writing this to tell everyone why having an old population is bad. d. Let's chat about what happens when nobody wants to have kids anymore.

6. Advanced Linking Words: Fill in the blank with the correct connector to express a CONSEQUENCE: "The birth rate has reached historic lows; _________, the public pension system is facing extreme financial pressure."

Conectores avanzados: Rellena el espacio para expresar una CONSECUENCIA: "La tasa de natalidad ha alcanzado mínimos históricos; _________, el sistema público de pensiones se enfrenta a una presión financiera extrema."

La segunda frase es el resultado de la primera. "Consequently" significa "En consecuencia / Por consiguiente". "Despite" y "However" indican contraste.

a. Despite b. However c. Consequently d. Although

TEXT 3: The Pension System at Risk

The Spanish pension model operates on a "pay-as-you-go" system, meaning that the taxes of current active workers directly fund the pensions of current retirees. However, the rapidly aging population and the imminent retirement of the massive "baby boom" generation are completely breaking this delicate balance. Estimates suggest that by 2050, more than 30% of the population will be over 65 years old. With fewer than two workers supporting each pensioner, the system will face an unbearable deficit.

El modelo de pensiones español opera con un sistema de reparto ("pay-as-you-go"), lo que significa que los impuestos de los trabajadores activos actuales financian directamente las pensiones de los jubilados actuales. Sin embargo, el rápido envejecimiento... y la inminente jubilación de la enorme generación del "baby boom" están rompiendo por completo este delicado equilibrio. Las estimaciones sugieren que para 2050, más del 30% de la población tendrá más de 65 años.

7. How does the Spanish "pay-as-you-go" pension system work according to the text?

El texto lo define literalmente: "meaning that the taxes of current active workers directly fund the pensions of current retirees" (los trabajadores activos pagan a los jubilados actuales).

a. The government pays the pensions using the money tourists spend on their holidays. b. People save money in their own private bank accounts to pay for their future pensions. c. Pensions are completely free and funded by European Union donations. d. The pensions of current retirees are paid using the taxes from people who are currently working.

8. Formal Correspondence: You are writing an email to a government agency to ask for information about how to get the "Child Benefit Grant" (Ayuda por hijo). Which phrase is the most appropriate for a formal email?

Correspondencia formal: Escribes un email a una agencia gubernamental para pedir información sobre cómo obtener la "Ayuda por hijo a cargo". ¿Qué frase es la más apropiada?

"I would be grateful if you could provide me with..." (Estaría agradecido si pudieran proporcionarme...) es la estructura perfecta. Nunca exijas ("Give me") ni uses un tono demasiado directo ("Tell me how").

a. I would be grateful if you could provide me with the necessary requirements to apply for the child benefit grant. b. Tell me how I can get the money for my baby right now. c. I want the child benefit, send me the papers fast. d. How much money do you give to parents? Send me an email.

TEXT 4: The Welfare State at a Crossroads

This demographic transformation goes beyond pensions; it threatens the entire Welfare State. The inverted population pyramid means a shrinking base of young taxpayers must support an expanding top of elderly citizens. This dynamic places enormous pressure not only on the financial system but also on public healthcare and social services. Experts argue that without drastic policies to encourage birth rates and a highly efficient, regulated immigration strategy to supply essential workforce, the current model of social protection will inevitably collapse.

Esta transformación demográfica va más allá de las pensiones; amenaza a todo el Estado del Bienestar. La pirámide poblacional invertida significa que una base cada vez más pequeña de jóvenes contribuyentes debe mantener una cima cada vez mayor de ciudadanos mayores. Esta dinámica ejerce una enorme presión no sólo sobre el sistema financiero, sino también sobre la sanidad pública y los servicios sociales. Los expertos argumentan que sin políticas drásticas... el modelo actual colapsará inevitablemente.

9. What effect does the "inverted population pyramid" have on the Welfare State?

El texto advierte que esto "places enormous pressure not only on the financial system but also on public healthcare and social services" (ejerce enorme presión en la sanidad y servicios sociales).

a. It creates a massive surplus of money for the government to spend on holidays. b. It is putting enormous financial pressure on healthcare, social services, and pensions. c. It completely fixes the problems of the public healthcare system. d. It allows the government to easily lower taxes for all young citizens.

10. Identify the "False Friend": In English, the word "Jubilation" means extreme happiness or celebration. What is the correct English word for "Jubilación" (stopping work due to old age)?

Identifica el Falso Amigo: En inglés, la palabra "Jubilation" significa felicidad extrema o celebración. ¿Cuál es la palabra correcta para "Jubilación" (dejar de trabajar por la edad)?

¡No te dejes engañar! Decir "Happy Jubilation" al terminar la vida laboral es un error en inglés. La palabra correcta para Jubilación es Retirement.

a. Pensioner b. Holidays c. Retirement d. Firing

11. Public Notice Interpretation: You see this sign at the entrance of a Social Security Office. What does it mean?

"SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE. Appointments for retirement planning and maternity benefits must be booked online. No walk-ins accepted."

Aviso público: "OFICINA DE LA SEGURIDAD SOCIAL. Las citas para la planificación de la jubilación y las prestaciones por maternidad deben reservarse por internet. No se aceptan personas sin cita previa (walk-ins)."

"Booked online" = reservado por internet. "No walk-ins accepted" significa literalmente que no se atiende a quien entre caminando por la puerta sin haber pedido cita previa.

a. You can just walk into the office and someone will attend you immediately. b. You cannot enter the office without having scheduled an appointment on the internet first. c. The office is closed permanently and you can only do things by telephone. d. You must walk outside the office to book your retirement.

12. Identify the sentence that uses a CLEFT structure to emphasize exactly WHO pays the pensions in Spain:

¿Qué frase usa una estructura hendida (Cleft Sentence) para enfatizar QUIÉN paga las pensiones en España?

Para recalcar a las personas que hacen la acción, usamos la estructura "It is [Personas] who...". Ejemplo: "It is the current active workers who...".

a. It is the current active workers who pay for the pensions. b. The current active workers are the ones paying the pensions. c. The pensions are fully paid by the current active workers. d. Who pays for the pensions? The current active workers do.

TEXT 5: Potential Solutions

To prevent the collapse of the socio-economic system, the government must implement aggressive countermeasures. Some economists propose significantly extending the legal retirement age and modifying the calculation of pensions to reduce the monthly payouts. Others argue that the only viable lifeline is attracting a massive influx of young, qualified immigrants to immediately boost the active workforce and tax revenues. Regardless of the chosen path, painful political decisions are unavoidable in the near future.

Para evitar el colapso del sistema socioeconómico, el gobierno debe implementar contramedidas agresivas. Algunos economistas proponen extender significativamente la edad legal de jubilación y modificar el cálculo de las pensiones... Otros argumentan que el único salvavidas viable es atraer una afluencia masiva de inmigrantes jóvenes y calificados para impulsar inmediatamente la fuerza laboral activa. Independientemente del camino elegido, se avecinan decisiones dolorosas.

13. What are the two main solutions proposed by economists in the text?

El texto cita dos grupos de economistas. Unos proponen "extending the legal retirement age" (extender la edad de jubilación) y otros "attracting a massive influx of young... immigrants" (atraer inmigrantes jóvenes).

a. Lowering the retirement age and stopping all immigration to the country. b. Forcing elderly people to work in agriculture and reducing their pensions to zero. c. Making young people pay double taxes and forbidding them from leaving Spain. d. Extending the legal retirement age or attracting a massive influx of young immigrants.

14. Language Interference (Spanglish): In Spanish we say "Estoy embarazada". However, many Spanish students confuse this word with an English "False Friend". Which of the following sentences contains a typical GRAMMATICAL/VOCABULARY ERROR based on this confusion?

Identificación de errores: En español decimos "Estoy embarazada". Sin embargo, muchos estudiantes lo confunden con un Falso Amigo en inglés. ¿Qué frase contiene un ERROR típico por esta confusión?

"Embarrassed" NO significa embarazada; significa "avergonzado". Si vas a tener un bebé, la palabra correcta es "Pregnant". Decir "I am embarrassed" para anunciar un embarazo es un error garrafal.

a. My sister is pregnant, she will have a baby in two months. b. I am very embarrassed because I am going to have a baby soon. c. She told the company she was pregnant and needed maternity leave. d. We are very happy because my wife is pregnant with our first child.

15. Professional Communication: The Human Resources department has offered you an early retirement package. However, you want to keep working. Select the most polite and professional way to DECLINE the offer.

Comunicación profesional: RR.HH. te ha ofrecido un paquete de jubilación anticipada, pero tú quieres seguir trabajando. Selecciona la forma más educada de RECHAZAR la oferta.

Un rechazo profesional agradece primero la propuesta ("Thank you for the proposal") y justifica educadamente tu decisión ("I intend to continue my professional career").

a. I don't want to retire, I am not old yet so leave me alone. b. Are you trying to fire me? I refuse to accept this horrible deal. c. Thank you for the proposal, but I intend to continue my professional career for a few more years. d. No thanks, your retirement package is not enough money for me to live.

16. Listening Comprehension Tasks

Podcast: Demographic Trends (Audio Simulation - 1:30 min)

Full Audio Script:

Welcome to Demographic Trends. Today we discuss the ticking time bomb of Spain's population crisis. In 2024, births hit an eighty-year low, dropping by nearly 25 percent over the last decade. The fertility rate is now a mere 1.1 children per woman. Why is this happening? Young adults point to severe economic instability, sky-high housing costs, and the impossibility of balancing a career with family life. The most alarming consequence of this demographic winter is the threat to the public pension system. Because Spain uses a pay-as-you-go model, current workers fund current retirees. By 2050, the massive baby boomer generation will be fully retired, leaving a shrinking young workforce to foot the bill. Experts warn that the dependency ratio will skyrocket, requiring huge amounts of public debt just to pay monthly pensions. Without a sudden baby boom or a highly organized immigration strategy, the Spanish welfare state is heading toward an unprecedented financial collapse.

Audio Summary (Español): El podcast analiza la "bomba de relojería" de la crisis demográfica española. Los nacimientos han caído casi un 25% en la última década. Los jóvenes culpan a la inestabilidad económica y al precio de la vivienda. La consecuencia más alarmante es la amenaza al sistema de pensiones. Para 2050, los "baby boomers" estarán jubilados, dejando a una fuerza laboral menguante a cargo de la factura. Los expertos advierten que requerirá enormes cantidades de deuda pública pagar las pensiones si no hay un cambio radical con la inmigración o la natalidad.

16.1 According to the podcast, by how much have births dropped over the last decade?

a. By exactly 1.1 percent. b. They haven't dropped; they have increased by 50 percent. c. By nearly 25 percent. d. By more than 80 percent.

16.2 What do young adults blame for the lack of births in Spain?

a. Severe economic instability and sky-high housing costs. b. The lack of internet and smartphones in rural areas. c. The incredibly long holidays they have every summer. d. Because hospitals refuse to attend to young mothers.

16.3 What will happen by 2050 regarding the "baby boomer" generation?

a. They will all start working again to help the economy. b. They will stop receiving pensions voluntarily to help the youth. c. They will move to other countries to retire in peace. d. They will be fully retired, leaving a shrinking young workforce to foot the bill.

16.4 What will the government need to do to pay pensions if nothing changes?

a. Stop paying the pensions completely to save the system. b. It will require huge amounts of public debt just to pay monthly pensions. c. Ask the pensioners to pay the government back every month. d. Print new money exclusively for the baby boomer generation.

Welcome to Demographic Trends. Today we discuss the ticking time bomb of Spain's population crisis. In 2024, births hit an eighty-year low, dropping by nearly 25 percent over the last decade. The fertility rate is now a mere 1.1 children per woman. Why is this happening? Young adults point to severe economic instability, sky-high housing costs, and the impossibility of balancing a career with family life. The most alarming consequence of this demographic winter is the threat to the public pension system. Because Spain uses a pay-as-you-go model, current workers fund current retirees. By 2050, the massive baby boomer generation will be fully retired, leaving a shrinking young workforce to foot the bill. Experts warn that the dependency ratio will skyrocket, requiring huge amounts of public debt just to pay monthly pensions. Without a sudden baby boom or a highly organized immigration strategy, the Spanish welfare state is heading toward an unprecedented financial collapse.

Preguntas de Reserva (Ampliadas)

TEXT 6: Immigration as a Lifeline

Many sociologists firmly believe that the demographic winter can only be solved through a highly regulated and efficient immigration policy. By successfully integrating thousands of young foreign workers into the formal labor market, the state could immediately increase its social security contributions. Although this presents cultural integration challenges, the economic reality dictates that foreign labor is absolutely vital to maintain the national welfare system.

Muchos sociólogos creen firmemente que el invierno demográfico sólo puede resolverse mediante una política de inmigración altamente regulada y eficiente. Al integrar con éxito a miles de jóvenes trabajadores extranjeros en el mercado laboral formal, el Estado podría aumentar inmediatamente sus cotizaciones a la seguridad social. Aunque esto presenta desafíos de integración cultural, la realidad económica dicta que la mano de obra extranjera es absolutamente vital.

17. How can immigration help solve the pension crisis according to the text?

El texto explica el mecanismo económico: integrarlos en el mercado laboral "could immediately increase its social security contributions" (aumentaría inmediatamente las cotizaciones).

a. By increasing the number of active workers who pay social security contributions. b. By sending foreign workers to fix the empty hospitals in rural areas. c. By replacing all the old Spanish pensioners with young foreign workers. d. By making immigrants pay double taxes just for arriving in the country.

18. Grammatical function: What does the linking word "Although" indicate in the last sentence of the text?

Gramática aplicada: ¿Qué indica la palabra de enlace "Although" (Aunque) en la última frase del texto?

"Although" (Aunque) siempre se usa para introducir una concesión o un contraste entre dos ideas (ej: "Aunque es un reto, es vital hacerlo").

a. It indicates the exact time the immigrants will arrive in the country. b. It adds extra, identical information to the main argument. c. It introduces a contrast or concession to the main idea. d. It expresses the direct result or consequence of a problem.

Glosario Demográfico y Social V.92

Term	Meaning
Fertility rate	Tasa de fecundidad (hijos por mujer)
Time bomb	Bomba de relojería
Pay-as-you-go system	Sistema de pensiones de reparto
Welfare State	Estado del bienestar
Retirees / Pensioners	Jubilados / Pensionistas
Maternity leave	Baja por maternidad
To be pregnant	Estar embarazada (no "embarrassed")
Retirement	Jubilación (no "jubilation")

CLAVE DE RESPUESTAS V.92

01. B

02. C

03. D

04. A

05. B

06. C

07. D

08. A

09. B

10. C

11. B

12. A

13. D

14. B

15. C

16.1 C

16.2 A

16.3 D

16.4 B

17. A

18. C