Plastic Surgery: Beauty or Beast (2007)

Some psychologists are worried about the psychological impact on those who undergo drastic cosmetic surgery—and also on those who don't and, consequently, may feel inadequate. Although radical transformations are rare, some psychologists plan to investigate the surge in cosmetic procedures and whether these surgeries have any lasting sychological consequences. The number of cosmetic operations increased by 44 percent from 2003 to 2004, according  to he American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgeons conducted a record 11.9 million 5 procedures last  year, both non-surgical (like Botox) and surgical (like breast augmentation or liposuction). How do such practices affect patients psychologically? Social workers have made a recent analysis of 37 studies on patients' psychological and psychosocial functioning before and after cosmetic surgery. It suggests positive outcomes in patients, including improvements in body image and possibly a quality-of-life increase too. But the same research—
10 published in April 2005—also found several elements of poor outcomes, especially for those who hold unrealistic expectations or have a history of depression and anxiety. The researchers found that patients who are dissatisfied with surgery may request repeat procedures or experience depression and adjustment problems, social isolation, family problems, self-destructive behaviours and anger toward the surgeon and his or her staff.
(A) COMPREHENSION (4 points)
  a) ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-2 ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE 
  TEXT. USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (1 point per answer)
     1) How may plastic surgery affect patients?
     2) Are all patients psychologically prepared for plastic surgery?
  b) ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE 
    PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT. (0.5 points per answer)
     3) Radical transformations are frequent after cosmetic surgery.
     4) Botox is a cosmetic technique used by surgeons
     5) Plastic surgeons conducted the analysis of 37 studies on patients’ psychological reactions
     6) People suffering from depression usually react well after surgery
(B) USE OF ENGLISH (3 points)
     7) Find in the text one word meaning: "a doctor whose job is to perform medical operations” (noun)  
    (0.25 points)
     8) Give one opposite for AUGMENTATION (noun) (line 6) (0.25 points)
     9) Find in the text a synonym for RESULT (noun) (0.25 points)
    10) Complete the series with another word of the same semantic group: (0.25 points)
     REQUEST, SOLICIT, IMPLORE, BEG …
    11) Join the following sentences using a relative pronoun. Make changes if necessary. (0.5 points)
     Martin´s mother is Spanish. She speaks both Spanish and English fluently
     12) Fill in the gap with a correct form of the verb in brackets: (0.5 points)
     Someone (hit) _________ me as I came into the room.
     13) Give a question for the underlined words: (0.5 points)
     The Members of Parliament met the Prime Minister last Friday.
     14) Use the words in the boxes to make a meaningful sentence. Use all and only the words in the boxes without changing their form. (0.5 points)
     whole with infected the her she enthusiasm class
(C) PRODUCTION (3 points)
     15) WRITE A COMPOSITION (80-100 WORDS). CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING  
     OPTIONS. SPECIFY YOUR OPTION.
     a) What is your opinion about changes in physical appearance?
     b) The importance of being beautiful. Discuss.