EBAU practice- emails

https://www.examenesdepau.com/files/examen/vT6AEa/

OPCIÓN 1 JUNIO 2018. HOW TO COPE WITH AN EXCESS OF EMAILS

Question1:[2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
1. Email is radically different now from when it started.

FALSE “hasn’t changed that much since its invention”

2. One reason that causes people stress is that they find it difficult to take a break from emails.

TRUE “People either feel they can never completely disconnect”

So it’s hardly surprising that email overload is now a major cause of stress and disruption. People either feel they can never completely disconnect, or find they are incapable of answering all their new emails.

3. The author suggests you should simply not pay attention to certain messages.

TRUE “like simply ignoring unwanted messages”

Use your software to filter out all unimportant emails automatically

4. Emails have increased our ability to focus on things according to the Microsoft study.

FALSE “Distraction from emails has helped reduce our concentration to eight seconds”

Question 2:[2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

1. What problems with email does the text mention?

Different problems:

·        It takes over our lives
·        It is an obstacle for face to face communication.
·        It causes stress and disruption.
·        It makes it difficult to disconnect from work.
·        It is impossible to answer all your emails.
·        It reduces power of concentration.

Model answer:

The main problems associated with email is that it makes it difficult for us to concentrate on other aspects of our lives, causing us to feel stressed and preoccupied with work all the time. It also discourages more personal forms of communication like speaking to people in person.

2. How does the author suggest people deal with their email problems?

Different suggestions:

·        Turn off email alerts.
·        Deal with your emails properly, setting aside quality time.
·        Organize your email in different folders.
·        Use an application to filter out unwanted emails.
·        Think before you email.
·        Consider other communication option, such as a face-to-face chat.
·        Write appropriately- short, focused, making it easier for people to reply.

Model answer:

The author suggests planning time to deal with emails specifically instead of being constantly alerted to their arrival. He also says it is a good idea to organize messages appropriately and to use software to avoid receiving spam. When it comes to writing to people, you should make your messages logical and short, which means that people will answer you better.

3. Question 3:[1,5 POINTS]Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words given:

1. to allow (paragraph 1) letting, to let

2. each (paragraph 2) every

3. straightaway (paragraph 3) immediately

4. to suppose (paragraph 4) assume

5. correctly (paragraph 5) properly

Question 4:[1,5 POINTS]Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet.

1. The text says that…

a. only a few people email colleagues who they work closely with.

b. a lot of people email colleagues who they work closely with.

c. some people never email colleagues who they work closely with.

d. most people rarely email colleagues who they work closely with.

2. If people are constantly looking at their emails,…

a. it might affect their health negatively.

b. it will definitely affect their health negatively.

c. it would have affected their health negatively.

d. it will always influence their health negatively.

3. The author suggests that people will find it easier to reply…

a. despite your answer being short and focused.

b. as long as your answer is short and focused.

c. although your answer is short and focused.

d. whether your answer is short and focused or not.

Question 5:[3 POINTS]Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:

·        What are the advantages and disadvantages of communicating with your friends electronically?