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Free Practice Questions for Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English

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Key Facts: Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English Exam

90 min

Exam time duration for PAU Foreign Language II paper at UIB

Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)

4.0 / 10

Minimum mark required in Access Phase to calculate overall PAU grade

PAU Balearic Islands Regulations 2026

B2 - C1

Target CEFR English proficiency level assessed

Balearic Islands Bachillerato English Curriculum

100

Comprehensive practice questions available in this OpenExamPrep subject bank

OpenExamPrep

Master the Balearic Islands PAU English II exam (UIB 2026) with 100 practice questions spanning reading analysis, Use of English grammar, phrasal verbs, and writing mechanics.

Sample Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Passage A: 'The Balearic Islands have accelerated their transition toward renewable energy to combat seasonal grid pressure caused by tourism. While solar initiatives have expanded rapidly across Mallorca and Menorca, environmentalists urge caution regarding land usage, arguing that large-scale photovoltaic farms may compromise agricultural heritage and local ecosystems unless strictly regulated.' What is the main objective behind accelerating renewable energy in the Balearic Islands according to Passage A?
A.To mitigate seasonal pressure on the power grid resulting from tourism.
B.To replace traditional agricultural practices with solar farming.
C.To lower electricity rates for foreign hospitality corporations.
D.To attract more international tourists during peak summer months.
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the islands accelerated their renewable transition 'to combat seasonal grid pressure caused by tourism.'
2Passage A: 'The Balearic Islands have accelerated their transition toward renewable energy to combat seasonal grid pressure caused by tourism. While solar initiatives have expanded rapidly across Mallorca and Menorca, environmentalists urge caution regarding land usage, arguing that large-scale photovoltaic farms may compromise agricultural heritage and local ecosystems unless strictly regulated.' What can be inferred about environmentalists' attitude toward photovoltaic farms in Passage A?
A.They support unrestricted expansion to maximize green energy output quickly.
B.They advocate for strict regulation to balance energy goals with land conservation.
C.They prefer fossil fuels over solar power due to land consumption issues.
D.They completely oppose any implementation of solar energy in the archipelago.
Explanation: The passage states that environmentalists urge caution and argue solar farms may compromise heritage 'unless strictly regulated', inferring they favor regulated development.
3Passage A: 'The Balearic Islands have accelerated their transition toward renewable energy to combat seasonal grid pressure caused by tourism. While solar initiatives have expanded rapidly across Mallorca and Menorca, environmentalists urge caution regarding land usage, arguing that large-scale photovoltaic farms may compromise agricultural heritage and local ecosystems unless strictly regulated.' In the context of Passage A, what does the word 'compromise' most nearly mean?
A.To evaluate or inspect systematically.
B.To reach a mutual agreement through concession.
C.To undermine, endanger, or harm.
D.To restore to a previous natural state.
Explanation: In this context, 'compromise agricultural heritage' means to endanger or jeopardize agricultural land.
4Passage B: 'Microplastics derived from synthetic textile laundering have emerged as a stealthy pollutant across Mediterranean coastal zones. Despite growing public awareness of single-use plastics, synthetic microfibres from clothing remain largely uncaptured by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Marine biologists emphasize that these microscopic filaments adsorb toxic pollutants, which are subsequently ingested by marine fauna, entering the human food web.' According to Passage B, why do synthetic microfibres present a persistent environmental challenge?
A.Synthetic clothing is no longer popular among Mediterranean consumers.
B.Marine organisms naturally detoxify microplastics before human consumption.
C.Public awareness of single-use plastics has declined sharply.
D.Wastewater treatment plants often fail to filter out synthetic microfibres.
Explanation: The text states that synthetic microfibres 'remain largely uncaptured by conventional wastewater treatment plants.'
5Passage B: 'Microplastics derived from synthetic textile laundering have emerged as a stealthy pollutant across Mediterranean coastal zones. Despite growing public awareness of single-use plastics, synthetic microfibres from clothing remain largely uncaptured by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Marine biologists emphasize that these microscopic filaments adsorb toxic pollutants, which are subsequently ingested by marine fauna, entering the human food web.' In Passage B, the word 'stealthy' is used to characterize microplastics as being:
A.Insidious, subtle, and occurring unnoticeably.
B.Extremely vibrant and colorful under daylight.
C.Completely harmless to marine biodiversity.
D.Conspicuous and easily detected by monitors.
Explanation: 'Stealthy' means acting quietly or secretively, implying an insidious, unnoticeable pollution process.
6Passage B: 'Microplastics derived from synthetic textile laundering have emerged as a stealthy pollutant across Mediterranean coastal zones. Despite growing public awareness of single-use plastics, synthetic microfibres from clothing remain largely uncaptured by conventional wastewater treatment plants. Marine biologists emphasize that these microscopic filaments adsorb toxic pollutants, which are subsequently ingested by marine fauna, entering the human food web.' What is a logical implication of the passage regarding the human health impact of synthetic microfibres?
A.Human health is entirely unaffected because microplastics remain in marine sediments.
B.Contaminants absorbed by microplastics can indirectly affect human consumers via seafood consumption.
C.Wastewater treatment facilities will eliminate human dietary exposure within a few weeks.
D.Synthetic microfibres are only toxic to deep-sea fish, sparing coastal food chains.
Explanation: The text states microfibres adsorb toxic pollutants and are ingested by marine fauna, entering the human food web, implying indirect health risks for human consumers.
7Passage C: 'The integration of generative artificial intelligence in secondary education has ignited intense debate among educators. Proponents contend that personalized AI tutoring can democratize learning by adapting to individual student paces and learning styles. Conversely, critics worry that overreliance on AI tools may erode critical thinking skills and exacerbate academic dishonesty. A balanced pedagogical consensus advocates for incorporating AI literacy into curricula, empowering students to evaluate AI outputs critically rather than banning the technology outright.' What benefit of generative AI in education is cited by its advocates in Passage C?
A.It prevents students from accessing online resources during exams.
B.It eliminates the need for human teachers in secondary schools.
C.It offers personalized tutoring that adapts to individual student needs.
D.It guarantees that all students receive perfect grades on written essays.
Explanation: Proponents argue that 'personalized AI tutoring can democratize learning by adapting to individual student paces and learning styles.'
8Passage C: 'The integration of generative artificial intelligence in secondary education has ignited intense debate among educators. Proponents contend that personalized AI tutoring can democratize learning by adapting to individual student paces and learning styles. Conversely, critics worry that overreliance on AI tools may erode critical thinking skills and exacerbate academic dishonesty. A balanced pedagogical consensus advocates for incorporating AI literacy into curricula, empowering students to evaluate AI outputs critically rather than banning the technology outright.' What solution does the balanced pedagogical consensus propose regarding AI in schools?
A.Restricting AI education exclusively to post-secondary university courses.
B.Imposing an absolute ban on all digital devices in secondary classrooms.
C.Allowing students to use AI tools for exams without any critical verification.
D.Teaching AI literacy so students learn to critically analyze AI-generated content.
Explanation: The text states the consensus advocates 'incorporating AI literacy into curricula, empowering students to evaluate AI outputs critically rather than banning the technology.'
9Passage C: 'The integration of generative artificial intelligence in secondary education has ignited intense debate among educators. Proponents contend that personalized AI tutoring can democratize learning by adapting to individual student paces and learning styles. Conversely, critics worry that overreliance on AI tools may erode critical thinking skills and exacerbate academic dishonesty. A balanced pedagogical consensus advocates for incorporating AI literacy into curricula, empowering students to evaluate AI outputs critically rather than banning the technology outright.' In Passage C, what does the word 'exacerbate' mean?
A.To make a problem, negative situation, or feeling worse.
B.To transform an abstract concept into a physical object.
C.To resolve a complex conflict through mediation.
D.To alleviate or lessen the severity of a problem.
Explanation: 'Exacerbate' means to worsen or aggravate a problem (here, worsening academic dishonesty).
10Passage D: 'Historic urban centers across Southern Europe face an existential conundrum as visitor volumes eclipse residential populations. In destinations like Palma de Mallorca and Venice, short-term holiday rentals have driven housing prices to unprecedented heights, displacing local residents and transforming historic neighborhoods into open-air commercial theme parks. Urban planners suggest limiting holiday rental licenses and promoting sustainable cultural tourism to safeguard tangible and intangible heritage.' According to Passage D, what primary factor has contributed to soaring housing prices in historic centers?
A.A sudden decline in international air travel options.
B.The proliferation of short-term holiday rentals.
C.Massive construction of public affordable housing projects.
D.Strict government ceilings on property rental rates.
Explanation: The text notes that 'short-term holiday rentals have driven housing prices to unprecedented heights.'

About the Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English Exam

The Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II (English) exam, administered by the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), assesses upper-intermediate to advanced English language competencies for 2º de Bachillerato students entering Spanish universities. This 100-question prep bank covers reading comprehension, grammar structures, upper-intermediate lexicon, phrasal verbs, false friends, and formal writing discourse markers.

Exam sponsor: PAU Organising Commission of the Balearic Islands / UIB. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The exam evaluates B2-C1 English proficiency through reading comprehension questions, Use of English transformations and grammar/lexicon items, and essay writing mechanics. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed Balearic Islands PAU paper, not an official translation or format simulation.

Time Limit

90 minutes (1.5 hours)

Passing Score

Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 69.21 ordinary registration fee (Access Phase); EUR 13.85 per additional Admission Phase subject paper (UIB 2026)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Reading Comprehension & Text Analysis

Identifying main ideas, implicit meanings, contextual inferences, tone, and context-dependent vocabulary in authentic B2/C1 texts.

35%

English Grammar & Use of English

Mastery of complex tenses, conditionals, passive voice, reported speech, modal verbs, relative clauses, inversion, and rephrasing.

20%

Lexicon & Collocations

Phrasal verbs, idioms, false friends (false cognates), word formation (prefixes/suffixes), and fixed prepositional phrases.

15%

Writing Mechanics & Discourse Markers

Cohesive connectors, formal essay structure, register awareness, punctuation, and academic writing conventions.

Preparing for the Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).
  • Assessment: The exam evaluates B2-C1 English proficiency through reading comprehension questions, Use of English transformations and grammar/lexicon items, and essay writing mechanics. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed Balearic Islands PAU paper, not an official translation or format simulation.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 69.21 ordinary registration fee (Access Phase); EUR 13.85 per additional Admission Phase subject paper (UIB 2026) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Balearic Islands PAU Foreign Language II — English: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice rephrasing sentences using target structures such as 'Hardly had...', 'If only I had...', and 'It is reported that...' to excel in Use of English.
2Expand your vocabulary of phrasal verbs, especially multi-word verbs used in formal and semi-formal contexts (e.g., 'bring about', 'carry out', 'phase out').
3Learn a wide range of discourse connectors categorized by function (contrast: 'nevertheless', 'whereas'; addition: 'furthermore'; consequence: 'consequently', 'therefore').
4Read authentic English articles from reputable newspapers and journals to build context-based inferencing skills and topic-specific vocabulary.
5Review common false friends in Spanish/Catalan to avoid false cognate traps in reading comprehension and sentence choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these official Balearic Islands PAU exam questions?

Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed Balearic Islands PAU paper, not an official translation or format simulation. Use official UIB past papers and subject matrices for open-response, listening, graphic, and performance practice.

What level of English proficiency is expected on the Balearic Islands PAU English II exam?

The exam targets upper-intermediate to advanced levels, spanning B2 to early C1 on the CEFR framework, matching the 2º de Bachillerato curriculum in the Balearic Islands.

How is the PAU English grade weighted towards university entry?

If taken in the Mandatory Access Phase (Fase d'Accés), it counts toward the 40% PAU block (where a minimum score of 4.0 is required). If taken in the Admission Phase (Fase d'Admissió), it can add up to 0.2 points per weighting multiplier to the total admission score (up to 14 points).

What grammar topics are most frequently tested in the Use of English section?

Key areas include past perfect vs. past simple, passive voice and causative passives, 2nd/3rd/mixed conditionals, reported speech transformations, relative clauses (defining vs. non-defining), modal verbs of deduction, and negative inversion.

What is the penalty or structure of the PAU English exam at UIB?

The official exam includes text reading comprehension, direct questions, vocabulary matching/synonyms, rewrite/rephrasing items, and a formal essay prompt (150–200 words). This practice bank provides 100 high-yield questions covering these exact competencies.

What are common false friends between Spanish/Catalan and English that appear on the test?

Common false friends include 'actually' (not currently), 'embarrassed' (not pregnant), 'assist' (to help, not to attend), 'sensible' (reasonable, not sensitive), and 'realise' (to become aware, not just to make real).