94. PAGS EXAM. The Skills Revolution 🚀 AI, Future Jobs & Your Professional Edge

English for Adults PAGS / Grado Superior · Preparation 2026/2027

PAGS MODEL 94 · SKILLS REVOLUTION

Your Passport to Higher VET

AI, future jobs, FP Dual, sustainability, reskilling and professional English.

Examen Interactivo N.º 94

45 Minutos Recomendados

TEXT 1: The Digital Transformation

The Spanish labour market is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation driven by digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the green energy transition. Despite a consistently high overall unemployment rate, the country faces a contradictory scenario: there is a severe shortage of specialized technical talent. Corporate demand is now heavily concentrated in the "data economy". Companies are desperately seeking AI engineers, machine learning researchers, cybersecurity experts, and cloud infrastructure specialists to maintain their global competitiveness.

El mercado laboral español está experimentando una transformación rápida y profunda impulsada por la digitalización, la inteligencia artificial y la transición hacia la energía verde. A pesar de una tasa general de desempleo consistentemente alta, el país se enfrenta a un escenario contradictorio: hay una grave escasez de talento técnico especializado. La demanda corporativa se concentra ahora en la "economía de los datos". Las empresas buscan desesperadamente ingenieros de IA, expertos en ciberseguridad...

1. According to the text, what is the main contradiction currently happening in the Spanish labour market?

El texto dice: "Despite a consistently high overall unemployment rate, the country faces a contradictory scenario: there is a severe shortage of specialized technical talent". (Alto desempleo general, pero falta talento especializado).

a. People want to work in agriculture, but there are only technology jobs available. b. Despite a high overall unemployment rate, there is a severe shortage of specialized technical talent. c. Companies are firing cybersecurity experts to hire more administrative staff. d. The government is creating millions of jobs, but nobody wants to work in Spain.

TEXT 2: Sustainability and Healthcare

Beyond pure technology, the job market is experiencing a massive boom in the sustainability and biotechnology sectors. As Europe accelerates its transition towards a circular economy, experts in carbon footprint management and renewable energy engineers are in high demand. Simultaneously, Spain's rapidly aging population has significantly increased the need for biomedical engineers, specialized nursing staff, and medical service managers, proving that human-centric healthcare roles continue to depend heavily on human judgement, empathy and care.

Más allá de la tecnología pura, el mercado laboral está experimentando un auge masivo en los sectores de sostenibilidad y biotecnología. A medida que Europa presiona agresivamente por una economía circular, los expertos en gestión de la huella de carbono... son muy demandados. Simultáneamente, el rápido envejecimiento de la población de España ha incrementado exponencialmente la necesidad de enfermería especializada...

2. Why is there an exponential increase in the demand for specialized nursing staff and healthcare roles?

Busca la razón justo antes de mencionar a los enfermeros: "Spain's rapidly aging population has significantly increased the need for..." (El rápido envejecimiento de la población ha incrementado la necesidad de...).

a. Because younger people are demanding more aesthetic surgeries. b. Because robots are taking over the hospitals entirely. c. Because Europe is pushing for a circular economy in the hospitals. d. Because the rapidly aging population requires more human-centric medical care.

3. Message Interpretation: Read the following corporate memo sent to the staff and decide what it implies for the employees.

"Dear team, to address the current technological skill gap, the company will sponsor mandatory 'reskilling' workshops on Big Data analysis starting next month. Attendance is required for all marketing and sales personnel."

"Estimado equipo, para abordar la actual brecha de habilidades tecnológicas, la empresa patrocinará talleres obligatorios de 'reskilling' sobre análisis de Big Data a partir del próximo mes. Se requiere la asistencia de todo el personal de marketing y ventas."

"Mandatory" significa obligatorio. "Attendance is required" reafirma que deben ir sí o sí. "Reskilling" es volver a formarse en nuevas habilidades.

a. Employees can choose whether they want to attend the workshops or stay home. b. The company is going to fire the marketing team and replace them with computers. c. Marketing and sales employees are obligated to attend training sessions to learn new skills. d. Employees must pay for their own Big Data courses outside of the company.

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 technological company has hired fifty new AI engineers."

Transformación gramatical: Elige la voz pasiva correcta de: "La empresa tecnológica ha contratado a cincuenta nuevos ingenieros de IA."

El verbo "has hired" es Present Perfect. El objeto es "fifty new AI engineers" (plural). La pasiva requiere "have been + Participio": "have been hired".

a. Fifty new AI engineers have been hired by the technological company. b. Fifty new AI engineers has been hired by the technological company. c. Fifty new AI engineers were hired by the technological company. d. Fifty new AI engineers are being hired by the technological company.

5. Formal Register: Choose the best formal phrase to INTRODUCE an academic essay about the automation of jobs.

Elige la mejor frase formal para INTRODUCIR un ensayo académico sobre la automatización de los puestos de trabajo.

"This essay will critically examine..." (Este ensayo examinará críticamente...) es la forma más profesional y objetiva de iniciar un texto. Las otras opciones son demasiado coloquiales (chat, crazy, I think).

a. Let's chat about how robots are taking everyone's jobs right now. b. I think it is completely crazy that computers can work better than humans. c. This essay will critically examine the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional employment sectors. d. Today I am going to tell you guys why you should learn to code.

6. Advanced Linking Words: Fill in the blank with the correct connector to express CONTRAST: "Many basic administrative tasks are at risk of disappearing; __________, roles requiring complex problem-solving are expanding rapidly."

Conectores avanzados: Rellena el espacio para expresar CONTRASTE: "Muchas tareas administrativas básicas están en riesgo de desaparecer; __________, los roles que requieren resolución de problemas complejos se están expandiendo rápidamente."

"Therefore" indica consecuencia. "In addition" suma información. "However" (Sin embargo) indica un claro contraste entre una idea negativa (desaparecer) y otra positiva (expandirse).

a. Therefore b. Because c. In addition d. However

TEXT 3: The Automation Paradox

Although artificial intelligence is significantly reshaping the employment landscape, experts estimate that some estimates suggest that around 15% of tasks in Spain could face a high risk of automation, which actually places the country below the European average. Sectors reliant on physical dexterity and complex human interaction, such as hospitality and construction, are much less vulnerable. Paradoxically, while the media focuses entirely on digital skills, employers report serious difficulties in finding qualified workers for traditional trades like electricians, plumbers, and industrial welders.

Aunque la IA está sacudiendo fuertemente el panorama laboral, los expertos estiman que solo el 15% de las tareas laborales en España tienen un alto riesgo de automatización total... Paradójicamente, mientras los medios se centran por completo en las habilidades digitales, los empleadores informan de dificultades extremas y diarias para encontrar trabajadores cualificados para oficios tradicionales como electricistas, fontaneros y soldadores industriales.

7. What paradox is mentioned in the text regarding the current demand for workers?

El texto dice: "Paradoxically, while the media focuses entirely on digital skills, employers report extreme... difficulties in finding qualified workers for traditional trades" (Mientras todos miran a lo digital, faltan fontaneros y electricistas).

a. Employers only want to hire young people with computer science degrees. b. While everyone focuses on tech skills, there is a massive shortage of traditional tradespeople like plumbers and electricians. c. Electricians and plumbers are losing their jobs because robots can do their work better. d. Spain has automated 100% of its construction and hospitality sectors.

8. Formal Correspondence: You are writing an email to the Human Resources department to ask about "upskilling" (formación continua) courses for employees. Which phrase is the most appropriate?

Correspondencia formal: Escribes un email a RR.HH. para preguntar sobre cursos de "upskilling" (formación continua) para empleados. ¿Qué frase es la más apropiada?

"I would be grateful if you could provide information regarding..." (Estaría agradecido si pudiera proporcionar información sobre...) es el nivel C1/B2 perfecto. Las exigencias (I want, tell me) son demasiado informales y rudas.

a. I would be grateful if you could provide information regarding the internal upskilling programs. b. Tell me what courses the company offers because I need to learn more. c. Send me the list of the training sessions to my email right now, please. d. I want to study artificial intelligence, pay for my university degree.

TEXT 4: Solutions to the Talent Gap

To bridge the widening gap between educational output and corporate needs, coordinated solutions across education and industry are vital. Experts strongly advocate for the continued expansion of Dual Vocational Training (FP Dual), which immerses students in real-world industrial environments from day one. Furthermore, companies must invest heavily in internal "reskilling" to ensure their current workforce can adapt to changing job requirements. Finally, to prevent a disastrous "brain drain," businesses must offer highly competitive salaries and flexible working conditions, such as teleworking, to retain their best professionals.

Para cerrar la creciente brecha entre los resultados educativos y las necesidades corporativas, las soluciones transversales son vitales. Los expertos abogan firmemente por la expansión de la FP Dual... Además, las empresas deben invertir en "reskilling" interno para asegurar que su fuerza laboral actual no quede obsoleta. Finalmente, para evitar una desastrosa "fuga de cerebros", las empresas deben ofrecer salarios competitivos y condiciones de trabajo flexibles, como el teletrabajo.

9. What must companies do specifically to prevent a "brain drain" (fuga de cerebros) according to the text?

El texto responde a esto en la última frase: "to prevent a disastrous 'brain drain,' businesses must offer highly competitive salaries and flexible working conditions...".

a. They must fire their older workers and only hire students from Vocational Training. b. They must force employees to sign contracts that prohibit them from leaving the country. c. They must offer highly competitive salaries and flexible working conditions like teleworking. d. They must buy faster computers so people can finish their tasks in less time.

10. Identify the "False Friend": If a boss says "I DEMAND an explanation for this error", what are they doing?

Identifica el Falso Amigo: Si un jefe dice "I DEMAND an explanation for this error", ¿qué está haciendo?

¡Cuidado! En inglés, To demand NO significa "Preguntar" o "Pedir amablemente". Significa Exigir (obligar o requerir estrictamente algo).

a. They are asking a polite, gentle question about what happened. b. They are strictly requiring or forcing someone to give an explanation (exigiendo). c. They are offering to help the employee fix the mistake for free. d. They are demanding a lawsuit (demandar en un juzgado) against the employee.

11. Public Notice Interpretation: You see this sign at the entrance of a Robotics Lab in a Vocational Training Center. What does it strictly mean?

"ADVANCED ROBOTICS LAB. Only authorized students with valid ID may access this area. No food or drinks permitted."

Aviso público: "LABORATORIO DE ROBÓTICA AVANZADA. Solo los estudiantes autorizados con una identificación válida pueden acceder a esta área. No se permiten comidas ni bebidas."

El texto tiene dos reglas claras: 1. Necesitas ID válida para entrar. 2. "No food or drinks permitted" (Prohibido comer y beber dentro).

a. Anyone can enter the lab if they leave their food and drinks outside. b. Authorized students can eat their lunch inside if they show their ID. c. The laboratory is permanently closed for cleaning and maintenance. d. You cannot eat or drink inside, and you need an authorized ID to enter.

12. Identify the sentence that uses a CLEFT structure to emphasize exactly WHAT companies must invest in:

¿Qué frase usa una estructura hendida (Cleft Sentence) para enfatizar EN QUÉ deben invertir las empresas?

Para destacar el "Qué" (formación interna / internal training), usamos la estructura "It is [internal training] that...". Ejemplo: "It is internal training that companies must invest in."

a. It is internal training that companies must invest in to survive. b. Companies must heavily invest their money in internal training. c. What must companies invest in? Internal training, definitely. d. Internal training is exactly what all companies need right now.

TEXT 5: Professions at Risk

As the technological paradigm shifts rapidly, certain professions face a significant risk of decline or transformation. Routine, repetitive tasks and basic data management roles are highly susceptible to being replaced by automated software and advanced chatbots. Jobs such as telemarketers, ticket agents, and basic customer service counter clerks are increasingly being automated or redesigned. Workers in these vulnerable sectors are urgently advised to obtain new professional certificates to transition into growing fields like logistics or e-commerce.

A medida que el paradigma cambia, ciertas profesiones se enfrentan a un grave riesgo de desaparecer. Las tareas rutinarias y repetitivas... son muy susceptibles de ser reemplazadas por software automatizado y chatbots. Trabajos como operadores de telemarketing, agentes de billetes y oficinistas de servicio al cliente están siendo eliminados gradualmente. Se recomienda a estos trabajadores obtener nuevos certificados...

13. Why are jobs like telemarketers and ticket agents at high risk of disappearing?

El texto detalla que "Routine, repetitive tasks... are highly susceptible to being replaced by automated software" (las tareas rutinarias y repetitivas pueden ser reemplazadas por software automático).

a. Because nobody uses telephones or travels by train anymore. b. Because these workers usually demand salaries that are too high for companies. c. Because their routine, repetitive tasks are easily replaced by automated software. d. Because the government has made those specific professions illegal in Spain.

14. Language Interference (Spanglish): In Spanish we say "Trabajo de ingeniero" or "Trabajo de enfermera". Which of the following sentences contains a typical GRAMMATICAL ERROR caused by translating this phrase literally into English?

Identificación de errores: En español decimos "Trabajo de ingeniero". ¿Qué frase contiene un ERROR típico por traducir esto literalmente al inglés?

Nunca digas "I work OF engineer". En inglés, para indicar la profesión se utiliza "AS A/AN": "I work AS AN engineer" (Trabajo COMO ingeniero).

a. I work as an artificial intelligence engineer in Madrid. b. She wants to be a specialized nurse in the future. c. They are working as plumbers for a large construction company. d. My brother works of data scientist for a big multinational bank.

15. Professional Communication: You have received a better salary offer from another company and want to resign (dimitir) from your current job. Select the most polite and professional way to inform your boss via email.

Comunicación profesional: Has recibido una oferta con mejor sueldo y quieres dimitir. Selecciona la forma más educada y profesional de informar a tu jefe por email.

La expresión estándar corporativa es "Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position..." Nunca insultes o alardees de tu nuevo sueldo al irte.

a. I am leaving this company tomorrow because another place pays me much more money. b. Please accept this message as formal notification that I am resigning from my position to pursue a new career opportunity. c. I quit! You guys didn't pay me enough so I found a better boss. d. I am not coming to work next week, delete my email from your system, thanks.

16. Listening Comprehension Tasks

Podcast: The Future of Work (Audio Simulation - 1:30 min)

Full Audio Script:

Welcome to The Future of Work. Today, we are analyzing the massive transformation happening in the Spanish labour market in 2026. Experts agree that the data economy has become an important driver of growth. There is an enormous gap between what companies need and what unemployed people can offer. In fact, human resources managers report that Spain faces a substantial shortage of specialised workers in several technical fields, especially AI engineers and data analysts. But will Artificial Intelligence steal all our jobs? Not quite. Studies show that only 15 percent of labor tasks in Spain are at high risk of total automation, which is actually below the European average. However, to survive this shift, companies must invest heavily in 'reskilling'—which means training their current employees in new technologies so they do not become obsolete. Interestingly, while everyone talks about computers, there is an ironic twist: the market is suffering from a severe and critical shortage of traditional manual trades. Many employers also report difficulties recruiting electricians, plumbers and welders, which can increase demand for qualified tradespeople.

Audio Summary (Español): El podcast analiza el mercado laboral español en 2026. Hay una brecha enorme: existe una importante escasez de trabajadores especializados (como ingenieros de IA). Sin embargo, solo el 15% de las tareas están en alto riesgo de automatización. La clave para sobrevivir es el "reskilling" (formar a los empleados actuales en nuevas tecnologías). Irónicamente, aunque todo se centra en lo digital, hay una grave escasez de oficios manuales tradicionales como electricistas, fontaneros y soldadores.

16.1 According to human resources managers in the podcast, what does the podcast say about Spain's need for specialised workers?

a. A substantial number of specialised workers. b. Exactly fifteen thousand workers. c. Exactly ten million workers. d. None, the market is completely full.

16.2 What percentage of labor tasks in Spain are at high risk of total automation?

a. 80 percent. b. 50 percent. c. 15 percent. d. 100 percent.

16.3 What does the concept of 'reskilling' mean according to the audio?

a. Firing all the old workers and hiring very young people. b. Training current employees in new technologies so they don't become obsolete. c. Moving the entire company to a different country to save money. d. Buying new robots to replace the human resources department.

16.4 What traditional trades are ironically suffering from a severe shortage of workers?

a. Doctors, nurses, and hospital managers. b. University teachers and high school professors. c. Supermarket cashiers and telemarketers. d. Electricians, plumbers, and welders.

Welcome to The Future of Work. Today, we are analyzing the massive transformation happening in the Spanish labour market in 2026. Experts agree that the data economy has become an important driver of growth. There is an enormous gap between what companies need and what unemployed people can offer. In fact, human resources managers report that Spain faces a substantial shortage of specialised workers in several technical fields, especially AI engineers and data analysts. But will Artificial Intelligence steal all our jobs? Not quite. Studies show that only 15 percent of labor tasks in Spain are at high risk of total automation, which is actually below the European average. However, to survive this shift, companies must invest heavily in 'reskilling'—which means training their current employees in new technologies so they do not become obsolete. Interestingly, while everyone talks about computers, there is an ironic twist: the market is suffering from a severe and critical shortage of traditional manual trades. Many employers also report difficulties recruiting electricians, plumbers and welders, which can increase demand for qualified tradespeople.

Preguntas de Reserva (Ampliadas)

TEXT 6: The Digital Divide

While the creation of new high-tech jobs is a positive trend, sociologists warn of a growing "digital divide." Older workers and those from low-income backgrounds often lack access to the expensive retraining programs required to transition into the data economy. Consequently, the government is being urgently pressed to provide subsidized digital literacy courses to ensure that the automation revolution does not leave the most vulnerable citizens behind in chronic unemployment.

Si bien la creación de nuevos empleos tecnológicos es positiva, los sociólogos advierten sobre una creciente "brecha digital". Los trabajadores mayores y aquellos de bajos ingresos a menudo carecen de acceso a los costosos programas de reentrenamiento necesarios... En consecuencia, se presiona al gobierno para que ofrezca cursos de alfabetización digital subvencionados para asegurar que la revolución de la automatización no deje atrás a los más vulnerables.

17. What is the "digital divide" (brecha digital) warning about according to the text?

El texto indica que trabajadores mayores y de bajos ingresos no tienen acceso a programas de reentrenamiento ("lack access to the expensive retraining programs"), dejándolos en el paro.

a. That older and low-income workers might be left behind because they cannot access retraining programs. b. That the internet in Spain is too slow to handle artificial intelligence software. c. That young people spend too many hours looking at their mobile phones. d. That companies are spending too much money on computers and not enough on offices.

18. Grammatical function: What does the linking word "Consequently" indicate in the last text about the digital divide?

Gramática aplicada: ¿Qué indica la palabra de enlace "Consequently" (En consecuencia) en el último texto?

"Consequently" (En consecuencia / Por consiguiente) se utiliza siempre para introducir un resultado directo o el efecto de la situación explicada anteriormente.

a. It adds extra, identical information to the main argument. b. It introduces a direct result or effect of the previously mentioned situation. c. It expresses a strong contrast, similar to 'However'. d. It indicates the exact time the new government will pass the law.

Glosario Tecnológico y Laboral V.94

Term	Meaning
Reskilling / Upskilling	Reciclaje profesional / Formación continua
Brain drain	Fuga de cerebros
Shortage	Escasez / Falta (de trabajadores)
Trades (Plumbers, Welders)	Oficios (Fontaneros, Soldadores)
To demand	Exigir (No "preguntar" - Falso Amigo)
To work as	Trabajar de / como (No "work of")
Phased out	Eliminado gradualmente
Digital divide	Brecha digital

CLAVE DE RESPUESTAS V.94

01. B

02. D

03. C

04. A

05. C

06. D

07. B

08. A

09. C

10. B

11. D

12. A

13. C

14. D

15. B

16.1 A

16.2 C

16.3 B

16.4 D

17. A

18. B

© 2026 Manuel Molina Porlán. All rights reserved. Part of the NEUROEDUCATION Educational Publishing Project. Original articles, educational materials, activities, illustrations and multimedia content are protected by intellectual property legislation.

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