english exam for second course of bachillerato

The McCanns still hope to find their missing daughter

The parents of a missing British girl, Madeleine McCann, are back in Britain more than four months after their daughter disappeared in Portugal.

Madeleine McCann disappeared more than four months ago from an apartment in the small Portuguese resort of Praia de Luz. Kate and Gerry McCann say they returned from eating in a restaurant a short distance away, to find their daughter missing - she's not yet been found.

The McCanns have stayed in Portugal since Madeleine's disappearance, where they have at times been the focus of close media scrutiny. They seemed to use that interest to their advantage, launching an international campaign to keep the story in the public eye. Pictures of Madeleine were posted on a special website, in airports and police stations around the world.

The McCann's have found strength in their own religious faith in the past months, even though admitting times of doubt. Travelling to the Vatican weeks after Madeleine's disappearance, they were given a brief audience with the Pope.

In this and all public appearances, the McCanns have always seemed calm, even after the dramatic turn of events of recent days which saw them being named as official suspects by Portuguese police. In interviews with British newspapers, the McCanns have accused the police of trying to frame them in the case. Officers say Portuguese law prevents them from responding to that accusation.

The McCanns have said they wanted to return to Britain for the sake of their twins. But on Saturday a family friend said, they were determined that the focus of the investigation does not shift away from trying to find Madeleine.

Part A. Reading Comprehension.

I. Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text. (2 points: 1 point each)

a) What do officers say about Portuguese law?

b) Why did he McCanns want to return to Britain?

II. Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer. (1.5 point: 0.5 each)

a. The parents of Madeleine McCann have been back in Britain for more than 4 months.

b. They managed to have a long meeting with the Pope.

c. The McCanns had a meal in a restaurant which was not near the hotel.

III. Find a synonym for each of the four words below from these six options: (1 point: 0.25 each)

shift           strength         suspects          launching       scrutiny          frame

a) move

b) detailed examination

c) beginning

d) make sb feel they are guilty

IV. Choose a, b, or c, in each question below. Only one choice is correct. (1.5 points: 0.5 each)

1. The McCanns have found strength…

a) after visiting the Vatican.

b) because they believe in God according to their faith.

c) because they work out in a gym .

2. The McCanns have accused the police of…

a) killing Madeleine.

b) making them feel guilty of a crime they did not commit.

c) preventing them from responding to the accusations.

3. The McCanns…

a) returned to England when their daughter disappeared.

b) have never wanted to return to Britain.

c) seem to have used media interest to their advantage.

Part B. Composition (130-150 words approximately). Choose one of the following topics. (4 points)

1. What do you think of the McCann case? (OPINION)

2. What can we do to make sure children are safe? (PROBLEM SOLVING)

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having children? (ARGUMENTATIVE)