sf ingles teo exe aline andrade aula 04

CURSO ON LINE INGLÊS – TEORIA E EXERCÍCIOS - SENADO

AULA 04 PROFESSORA: ALINE ANDRADE

www.pontodosconcursos.com.br 1

Olá pessoal,

Neste nosso quarto encontro, estudaremos os prefixos e

sufixos do inglês que mais aparecem em provas de concursos.

Bons estudos e forte abraço.




Prefixos e Sufixos

Não há como ir para uma prova de concursos em que será cobrada

a matéria ‘inglês’ sem saber um pouco da utilização de prefixos e sufixos.

Eles têm a capacidade de alterar o significado das palavras e até mesmo

mudar a sua classe gramatical.

Dos dois tipos de afixos em inglês - prefixos e sufixos, os sufixos

são aqueles que aparecem com maior incidência e têm a função de

transformar a categoria gramatical das palavras a que se aplicam. Isto é,

um determinado sufixo será sempre aplicado a uma determinada

categoria de palavra e resultará sempre numa outra determinada

categoria – por exemplo, transformando um adjetivo em um substantivo.

Os prefixos, por seu turno, em regra não alteram a categoria

gramatical da palavra-base a que se aplicam, mas alteram o significado

da palavra.

Para ilustrar o que foi dito, pense na palavra uncomfortable. A

raiz dessa palavra é comfort, certo? O prefixo – UN aparece garantindo

a palavra o sentido contrário (desconforto), oposto ao de sua raiz. Já o

sufixo, - BLE lhe dá o caráter adjetivo (confortável).

O quadro abaixo, longe de ser exaustivo, apresenta os prefixos e

sufixos mais comuns em inglês e suas funções:




Prefixos Significado Exemplo

un- Oposição uncomfortable

in- Oposição Inconvenient

over- Excesso Overtired

Suffixes Significado Exemplo

-ness substantivo Weakness

-ing Gerúndio Going

-ed Particípio passado Worked

-less Ausência Useless

-ive Adjetivo Productive

-able Adjetivo Countable

-ible Adjetivo Flexible

-er comparativo Richer




- est Superlativo Richest

-ous adjetivo Delicious

-ly adverbio Slowly

Agora vejamos textos e questões em que a FGV, o CESPE e a ESAF

cobraram esse conhecimento:




DICA: Não leia o texto. Vá

direto para as questões.

German to English translator

A term very much in vogue today is “the knowledge

economy”. This is a term that is justifiably considered vague and

nebulous. Questions abound. What exactly is a knowledge

economy? There seems to be no clear definition. What are the

sectors a knowledge economy is composed of? Why the

overwhelming allure of the knowledge economy? Why are sweeping

statements made today that the economy of the world today is

moving towards a knowledge-based economy? And a question

closer to our hearts as language service providers: Are language

services part of the knowledge economy? Does it matter if they are

considered part of it or outside it?

One definition of the knowledge economy, taken from today’s

overwhelmingly popular web knowledge resource, wikipedia,

defines the knowledge economy as the use of knowledge

technologies (such as knowledge engineering and knowledge

management) to produce economic benefits.

Clearly, it is important for language services to be classified

and advertised as a part, nay a critical and indispensable part, of

the knowledge economy for three reasons:

a) Language services ARE an integral part of today’s knowledge

economy. The wheels of globalization, itself predicated on a

knowledge economy, would grind to a halt without language

services.




b) Language services are not accorded the recognition they

deserve in today’s comprehensive march towards globalization.

Being classified as a component of the knowledge economy will

confer on them the status they truly deserve.

c) Payment for language services is not commensurate with the

benefits they bring to the world economy. Once they get due

recognition, pay scales will be revised accordingly by market

forces.

No one can argue that language services such as translation

or interpretation do not produce economic benefits. What has to be

driven home is the magnitude of economic benefits produced.

i) While language services produce no tangible products or sales

(apart from the language services sold themselves), the intangible

effects of localization on product sales are substantial.

ii) Language services also enhance global collaboration, nay, are

the very factor that make it possible . Ask any two multinational

companies what underpins their process of collaboration. The

answer: a Memorandum of Understanding or some sort of Legal

Agreement drawn up in the languages of the countries of the

participating companies. So language services are required for

global collaboration to even be initiated. And that global

collaboration produces economic benefits is a fact.

It is therefore, indisputable that language services are a

knowledge technology and that they produce considerable

intangible economic benefits that are critical to the production of a

host of tangible economic benefits.

That being established, we as language service providers, can

go a step further, and claim that language services are the very

bedrock of the knowledge economy. However, what is it that

makes language services stand out as a special knowledge-based

service? There exist today many knowledgebased technologies,




such as information technology, software engineering, artificial

intelligence technologies, cognitive sciences, etc. Why are language

services unique?

An analogy with a natural phenomenon can drive home the

point. Just as the light of the sun is the very essence of the sun’s

ability to illumine, language is the very essence of all knowledge.

Just as the light of the sun illumines all objects in the solar system,

language is used to describe all known phenomena in our known

universe, and therefore forms the very backbone of all human

knowledge. While knowledge is domain-specific, language is meta-

knowledge. Language services are hence very special, since no

knowledge is possible without language. Language services will

thus form the very bedrock of the global knowledge economy going

forward. It is time language services are accorded their rightful

place in the global economy. In terms of recognition. In terms of

stature. And yes, in terms of remuneration.

1 (FGV/SENADO/2008) According to the text, language services

and knowledge economy are

(A) linked.

(B) controversial.

(C) exclusive.

(D) disposable.

(E) questionable.

Comentários

De acordo com o texto, serviços de tradução/linquagem (language

services) e conhecimento de economia (knowledge economy) são....




Vejamos o que o texto diz:

“Clearly, it is important for language services to be classified

and advertised as a part, nay a critical and indispensable part, of the

knowledge economy for three reasons:”

Da leitura das palavras em destaque, percebemos que o autor

afirma ser claramente, serviços de tradução/linguagem parte do

conhecimento de economia.

Observe o sufixo –ly formando o advérbio clearly e os sufixos –ed,

-al, -ive, -able das alternativas de resposta formando adjetivos.

Vejamos as alternativas de resposta:

(A) linked. = ligados

(B) controversial. = controversos

(C) exclusive. = exclusivos

(D) disposable. = descartáveis

(E) questionable. = questionáveis

Da análise das alternativas, podemos afirmar que se os serviços de

tradução/linguagem fazem parte do conhecimento de economia, estas

são duas coisas ligadas (linked).




VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

clearly: claramente

linked: ligados

controversial: controversos

exclusive: exclusivos

disposable: descartáveis

questionable: questionáveis

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra A.

2 (FGV/SENADO/2008) The opposite of vague in “considered vague

and nebulous” (lines 2-3) is

(A) dim.

(B) accurate.

(C) inexact.

(D) advantageous.

(E) imprecise.

Comentários

O oposto de “vague” na frase “considered vague and nebulous”

é:

Vague deriva do latim e significa vago, indeterminado. As

alternativas de resposta são:

(A) dim. = vago, obscuro

(B) accurate. = preciso




(C) inexact. = inexato

(D) advantageous. = vantajoso

(E) imprecise = impreciso

A palavra accurate é a que tem significado oposto a vague.

Observe os prefixos e sufixos em destaque.

VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

vague: vago, indeterminado

dim: vago, obscuro

accurate: preciso

inexact: inexato

advantageous: vantajoso

imprecise: impreciso

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra B.




3 (FGV/SENADO/2008) When the text states that a question is

“closer to our hearts” (line 9), it means this question is

(A) farther from them.

(B) less sensitive to them.

(C) more threatening to them.

(D) more influenced by them.

(E) nearer to them.

Comentários

Quando o texto diz que a questão é “closer to our hearts”, ele quer

dizer que a questão é....

Closer é a forma comparativa de close, significa mais perto. Da

análise das alternativas, apenas a letra E trouxe um sinônimo de closer,

que é nearer. Logo, esta é a alternativa correta. Lembrem-se que o

sufixo –er é usado para formar o comparativo de adjetivos de 1-2

sílabas.

VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

closer: mais perto

nearer: mais perto

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra E.




4 (FGV/SENADO/2008) “a comprehensive march” (line 27) is one

that is

(A) all-inclusive.

(B) upcoming.

(C) understandable.

(D) overwhelming.

(E) constructive.

Comentários

O enunciado diz que “uma marcha global” é aquela que é:

As alternativas são as seguintes:

(A) all-inclusive. = inclusiva

(B) upcoming. = próxima

(C) understandable. = compreensível

(D) overwhelming. = avassaladora

(E) constructive. = construtiva

A melhor alternativa de resposta é a letra a, já que global gera a

idéia de ‘com a participação de todos’, logo, inclusiva.

VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

comprehensive march: marcha global

all-inclusive: inclusiva

upcoming: próxima

understandable: compreensível

overwhelming: avassaladora

constructive: construtiva





5 (FGV/SENADO/2008) The expression “a host of tangible economic

benefits” (line 55) indicates these benefits are

(A) scarce.

(B) effective.

(C) plentiful.

(D) successful.

(E) welcoming.

Comentários

A expressão “a host of tangible economic benefits” indica que estes

benefícios são...

A expressão significa “uma série de benefícios econômicos

tangíveis”. Vejamos as alternativas:

(A) scarce. = escassos

(B) effective. = eficazes

(C) plentiful. = abundantes

(D) successful. = bem sucedidos

(E) welcoming. = acolhedores

Da análise, percebe-se apenas uma alternativa possível, a letra C,

com a idéia de muito, abundante acompanhando a idéia de “uma série..”.




VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

a host: uma série

tangible: tangível

economic benefits: benefícios econômicos

scarce: escassos

effective: eficazes

plentiful: abundantes

successful: bem sucedidos

welcoming: acolhedores

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra C.

6 (FGV/SENADO/2008) When the text qualifies language services

as “unique” (line 63), it defines them as

(A) unfit.

(B) uniform.

(C) unusual.

(D) untidy.

(E) useful.

Comentários

Quando o texto qualifica serviços de tradução/linguagem como

“unique”, ele os define como ....

Unique significa único. Vejamos as alternativas:




(A) unfit. = impróprios

(B) uniform. = uniformes

(C) unusual. = diferentes

(D) untidy. = desarrumados

(E) useful. = úteis

A alternativa que mais se aproxima de unique é unusual.

VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

unique: único.

unfit: impróprios

uniform: uniformes

unusual: diferentes

untidy: desarrumados

useful: úteis


Information is a cornerstone of political education and

socialization. The ability to find out about issues of public

importance, and the capacity to inform oneself about the workings

of government and its policies are examples of how information can

be essential to the education of the informed and responsible




citizen. Yet in this era of information overload, the subtle but vital

difference between information and knowledge needs to be drawn

in order to create virtual places that promote political education in

the broadest sense. It is not, in fact, information per se which is

useful but knowledge, information which has been distilled and

contextualized so that it can impart meaning.

The Internet is the ultimate reference library, chock-full

of data supplied by individuals and institutions from around the

world, usually for the free use of all comers. The danger of the

Internet is that it threatens to overwhelm us with so much

information that, instead of democratizing and enriching our

political lives, it is actually drowning us in irrelevancies.

Internet users know well that the abundance of

informational riches can have a paralytic effect, rendering the

viewer helpless to find anything. The huge quantity of information

available creates an inverse relationship between speaking and

listening, between information and understanding. The more

people speak, the fewer people will actually be heard. In fact, the

deluge of data ensures that we cannot find anything. It has also

the effect of making us even more dependent than in the days

before the flood on unaccountable, commercialized search tools

and information filters to sort information and make it meaningful.

Although these editors are machines, they are not neutral. The

values and choices are embedded deep within the code and often

not obvious to the user.

Beth Simone Noveck. Paradoxical partners: electronic

communication and electronic democracy. In: Peter Ferdinand

(Ed.). The Internet, democracy, and democratization. London:

Frank Cass/Routledge, 2000, p. 23-4 (with adaptations).




Based on the text above, judge the following items.

7. (CESPE/TCU-TI/2010) In line 27, “unaccountable” is the same

as innumerable.

Comentários:

Nesta questão a banca cobrou o significado da palavra

“unaccountable” e afirmou ser o mesmo que “innumerable”.

Esta foi uma questão maliciosa que tinha a intenção de confundir o

candidato. Veja por que:

Uncountable = innumerable = incontável

≠

Unaccountable = inexplicável, esquisito, irresponsável

PREFIXO –UN

Unaffected = não afetadas

Prefixo UN – contrário, negativo

Logo, affected=afetada




VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

uncountable: incontável

innumerable: incontável

unaccountable: inexplicável, esquisito, irresponsável

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é ERRADO.

8. (CESPE/TCU-TI/2010) There are reasons to doubt the reliability of

the Internet as a source of useful, relevant and neutral information.

Comentários:

A questão afirma que há (there are) razões para duvidar (to

doubt) da confiabilidade da internet como fonte (source) de

informação útil, relevante e neutra.

“There are reasons to doubt the reliability of the Internet as a source of

useful, relevant and neutral information.”




As palavras-chave da questão são os adjetivos ‘useful’,

‘relevant’ e ‘neutral’. Vejamos no texto se encontramos palavras

similares ou contrárias a estas:

“(…) It is not, in fact, information per se which is


contextualized so that it can impart meaning. (…)”

“(…) The danger of the Internet is that it threatens to

overwhelm us with so much information that, instead of

democratizing and enriching our political lives, it is actually

drowning us in irrelevancies.













not obvious to the user.”

useful ≠ “ It is not … information per se which is useful…”

relevant ≠ irrelevancies

neutral ≠ not neutral




Logo, a questão está correta ao afirmar que há razões para

duvidar da utilidade, relevância e neutralidade das informações na

internet. O texto está dizendo exatamente isto.

Aparece na questão o verbo ‘there be’ que corresponde ao

verbo haver no português, mas que, ao contrário do português,

flexiona para o plural e singular.

THERE IS = para o singular

THERE ARE = para o plural

VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

there are: há

reasons: razões

doubt: dúvida

reliability: confiança

source: fonte

useful: util

relevant: relevante

neutral: neutro

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é CERTO.




The pre-Iraq war and pre-9/11 performance of some

secret services is subject to harsh criticism and, in some

countries, various investigations. Governments are accused

to have taken essential decisions based upon dubious

information. The different agencies are blamed for inter- and

intra-agency rivalry blocking the efficiency of any early

warning system. In addition, they are heavily criticized for

delivering the message their political masters wanted to hear.

We do not want to blame anybody. But we believe that it is

necessary to rethink the whole business of secret services.

Without knowing the details that obviously led to serious

deficiencies, there are several fundamental problems with the

work of secret services in open, democratic societies. In

democracies, there is often a basic mistrust towards

intelligence gathering. It seems to be a dirty job. Democracy

asks for openness and transparency. People in democracies

do not like the work in a shadow. Scientists and journalists

refrain in general from cooperation with secret services. They

are afraid to destroy their access to foreign countries and

colleagues. Recruitment of qualified young people has

become difficult.

Dieter Farwick. Internet: <http://www.world securitynetwork.

com/showArticle3.cfm?article_id=9226> (with adaptations).

From the text above, it can be deduced that




9. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) the American decision to declair war

against Iraq was based on doubtless information.

Comentários:

As palavras decision e based aparecem na frase:

“Governments are accused to have taken essential decisions based

upon dubious information.”

Fazendo a comparação, temos que:

Item Texto

American ………………………………….. Governments x

Are accused x

Decision…………………………………….. have taken decisions

Was based ……………………………….. based

On doubtless information…………. upon dubious information x

Feita a análise, fica mais fácil observar que enquanto o item fala

em decisão americana, o texto fala, de maneira geral, que governos são

acusados de terem tomado decisões (have taken decisions). Ao

contrario do que está dito no texto (decisões baseadas em informações

dúbias, duvidosas), a alternativa fala em decisões baseadas em

informações indubitáveis (doubtless).

SUFIXO - LESS

Doubtless = indubitável

sufixo - LESS = contrário, negativo

Logo, doubt=dúvida, desconfiança




VOZ PASSIVA

Tanto na questão quanto no texto foi usada a voz passiva. Observe:

the American decision to declair war against Iraq was based on doubtless information.

decisões (objeto) foram baseadas (passado be + based)

Governments are accused to have taken decisions based upon dubious information

governos são acusados (presente be + accused)

VOZ PASSIVA (BE + VERBO NO PASSADO PARTICÍPIO)

PODE ESTAR NO PRESENTE OU NO PASSADO (is, are, was, were)

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

declair: declarar

war against Iraq: guerra contra o Iraque

was based on: estava/era baseado

doubtless: indibutável

are accused to: são acusados de

have taken decisions: ter tomado decisões

essential: essencial

based upon: baseado em

dubious: dúbio





10. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) political issues should not prevail over

security matters.

Comentários: No texto, a palavra political aparece em:

“In addition, they are heavily criticized for delivering the message

their political masters wanted to hear.”

A questão afirma que questões políticas (polítical issues) não

deveriam (should not) prevalecer sobre questões de segurança

(security matters). No mesmo sentido, o texto fala em agências de

inteligência sendo fortemente criticadas (heavily criticized) por sofrer

influência política.

Item: should not prevail

Texto: criticized

heavily = duramente, fortemente

Adjetivos + Sufixo LY = advérbio

Outro exemplo:

hardly (dificilmente)




PALAVRAS-CHAVE

political issues: questões políticas

should: deveria

prevail over: prevalecer

security matters: questões de segurança

in addition: Ainda, em adição

heavily: severamente

criticized: criticado

delivering: entrega

political: politico

masters: mestres

want: querer

hear: ouvir





11. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) open democracies welcome the action of

intelligence services.

Comentários:

A questão fala em open democracies, que o texto trata na frase:

“In democracies, there is often a basic mistrust towards intelligence

gathering. It seems to be a dirty job. Democracy asks for openness

and transparency(…)”

Item Texto

open openness, transparency

democracies democracies

welcome mistrust, dirty

intelligence services intelligence gathering

Observamos que enquanto o item fala que democracias abertas

acolhem sem restrições (welcome) os serviços de inteligência, o texto

fala em mistrust (desconfiança, suspeita) e ainda usa o adjetivo dirty (

que indica sujo, reprovação).

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

open democracies: democracias abertas

welcome: sem restrições, bem-vindo

mistrust: desconfiança

towards: em direção

intelligence gathering: coleta de inteligência

seem: parecer

dirty job: trabalho sujo

ask: perguntar, solicitar

openness: abertura




transparency: transparência


12. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) “mistrust” (R.17) is synonymous with

distrust.

Comentários:

A palavra mistrust aparece em:

“In democracies, there is often a basic mistrust towards

intelligence gathering.”

Trust significa confiança.

PREFIXOS

Mis –

Prefixos são usados para indicar o oposto

Dis –

Trust=confiança (mistrust e distrust = disconfiança)





This heavily armed group wears black uniforms and

their faces are often masked, and their symbol includes a

skull with crossed pistols. It is not some illegal paramilitary

force but an elite battalion of the police in Rio de Janeiro

known as Bope, the Battalion for Special Police Operations.

They were created by the Department of Police to deal

with kidnappings, but their job now is to take on the most

dangerous drug gangs in the country, a battle fought with

high-calibre weapons in the city’s favelas and shanty towns.

The launch of a new movie called Tropa de Elite (or

Elite Squad) has put this police unit in the spotlight in an

unprecedented way. The movie also points an accusing finger

at the hypocrisy of rich young people who complain about

violence in Brazilian society, but who use the drugs that

finance the gangs which dominate many favelas. Some critics

have accused the film of glamorising violence and making a

hero of a police officer who endorses torture and acts outside

the law, an interpretation rejected by the film’s director.

Internet: <news.bbc.co.uk> (adapted).

Based on the text, it can be deduced that




13. (CESPE/PMDF/2008) people agree that the police officer as shown

in the film is an unquestionable hero.

Comentários:

As palavras-chave aqui são: people, agree, police officer,

unquestionable, hero.

Ao buscá-las no texto encontramos a frase:

“Some critics have accused the film of glamorising violence and making

a hero of a police officer who endorses torture and acts outside the

law, an interpretation rejected by the film’s director.”

Enquanto a questão afirma que as pessoas concordam (people

agree) que o policial do filme é um herói inquestionável

(unquestionable), o texto quando fala no policial herói aborda os

críticos (critics) e suas acusações (accused). Logo, ao contrário do que

a questão afirma, o policial é um herói questionável (questionable x

unquestionable), já que sofre critícas.

PREFIXO UN -

SUFIXO - BLE

Unquestionable = inquestionável


Logo, questionable= questionável

Outros exemplos:

unlikely (inprovável)

unstable (instável)

unsustainable (insustentável)

Sufixo BLE – vel, - ável

Unquestionable = inquestionável

sustainable (sustentável)

stable(estável)




VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

people: pessoas

agree: concordam

police officer: policial

unquestionable: inquestionável

hero: herói

critics: críticos

have accused: acusaram

glamorising violence: glamorizar a violência

make: fazer

endorses torture: aprovar a tortura

acts outside the law: age fora da lei





DICA: Antes de ler o texto, não perca

tempo, vá ao enunciado da questão.

Veja o que a Banca Examinadora quer

de você.

Insolvencies/Guaranty Funds

Source: www.iii.org

Feb/ 2006 (Adapted)

1. The regulation of insurance company solvency is a

function of the state. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services

Modernization Act of 1999, which allowed banks, securities firms,

insurance companies and other financial services entities to affiliate and

sell one another’s products, continues this practice. State regulators

monitor the financial health of companies licensed to provide insurance in

their state through analysis of the detailed annual financial statements

that insurers are required to file and periodic on-site examinations. When

a company is found to be in poor financial condition, regulators can take

various actions to try to save it. Insolvencies do occur, however, despite

the best efforts of regulators.




14. (ESAF/SUSEP/2006) According to the text, “insolvencies do

occur”, which means they

a) actually happen.

b) are undoubtedly preventable.

c) hardly take place.

d) do not pose a threat.

e) used to be more frequent.

Comentários:

O enunciado da questão já remete o leitor à expressão

“insolvencies do occur”. Só será necessário encontrar esta expressão no

texto. Vejamos a última frase do texto: “(…)Insolvencies do occur,

however, despite the best efforts of regulators.” Agora as palavras-chave

e as alternativas de resposta:

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

insolvencies: insolvências

occur: ocorrer, acontecer

however: porém, não obstante

despite: apesar de

actually: efetivamente, de fato

happen: acontecer

undoubtedly: indubitavelmente

preventable: evitável

hardly: dificilmente




take place: ocorrer

pose a threat: representar uma ameaça

used to be: costumava ser

a) actually happen.

A opção A está correta. “Insolvencies do occur” significa que

insolvências efetivamente acontecem. “Actually” significa “de fato,

efetivamente”.

IMPORTANTE

actually = realmente, efetivamente


Logo, actual = real, efetivo

CUIDADO! FALSO COGNATO!

Atualmente = nowadays, presently

Outros exemplos:

undoubtedly (indubitavelmente)


frequently (frequentemente)

usually (usualmente, habitualmente)


A opção B está incorreta. Da leitura da frase “Insolvencies do

occur, however, despite the best efforts of regulators.” percebe-se que

apesar dos esforços dos reguladores, as insolvências efetivamente

ocorrem. Logo, não se pode afirmar que insolvência seja

indubitavelmente evitável (preventable).


A opção C está incorreta. O texto não diz que insolvência

dificilmente (hardly) ocorre (take place), apenas afirma que ela ocorre.





A opção D está incorreta. “Insolvencies do occur” não quer dizer

que insolvências não representam (pose) uma ameaça (threat).

Perceba que o enunciado da questão quer apenas o significado da

expressão e não a interpretação de que sejam ou não ameaças.


A opção E está incorreta. A opção afirma que insolvências

costumavam ser (used to be) mais freqüentes. No texto não há essa

afirmação.





15. (ESAF/SUSEP/2006) In relation to the monitoring of the financial

health of companies licensed to provide insurance, the state regulators

a) are currently designing two tools to follow it.

b) might resort to actions designed to assist them.

c) may decide to outsource any further analysis.

d) have been assessing the most effective procedures.

e) are likely to adopt the analysis of their statements.

Comentários:

O enunciado da questão diz: “In relation to the monitoring of the

financial health of companies licensed to provide insurance, the

state regulators …” (Em relação ao monitoramento da saúde financeira

de companhias licenciadas a oferecer seguro, os reguladores estatais...)

Vejamos onde o texto está tratando de “monitoring”.

DICA: Observe que das 10 palavras-

chave, 6 são verdadeiros cognatos, ou

seja, palavras que se assemelham ao

português. Felizmente elas são

maioria! Mas cuidado, há os falsos

cognatos. Não se preocupe com eles

agora. Eles são minoria.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

relation: relação

monitoring: monitoramento

financial health: saúde financeira




companies: companhias

licensed: licenciadas

provide: oferecer, fornecer, produzir

state regulators: reguladores estatais

O texto trata do assunto “monitoring” na seguinte frase:

“State regulators monitor the financial health of companies licensed to

provide insurance in their state through analysis of the detailed annual

financial statements that insurers are required to file and periodic on-site

examinations.”

MAIS PALAVRAS-CHAVE

through: através

analysis: análises

detailed: detalhadas

annual: anual

financial statements: demonstrações financeiras

insurers: segurador, seguradora

are required: são demandados, solicitados

to file: seguir

periodic: periódico

on-site examinations: exame, investigação in loco




Da leitura, verificamos que há duas maneiras através, por meio

(through) das quais os reguladores estatais monitoram a saúde

financeira das companhias: analysis of the detailed annual financial

statements that insurers are required to file and periodic on-site

examination.

Agora, apenas com a leitura dessa frase, sem se preocupar

inicialmente com a tradução do que está destacado em azul, vejamos as

opções de resposta:


A opção A está incorreta. O texto não diz que os reguladores

estatais estão atualmente (currently) desenvolvendo (designing) duas

ferramentas (tools) para monitoramento da saúde financeira das

seguradoras. O autor apenas afirma que os reguladores estatais

monitoram a saúde financeira das companhias de seguro através de 2

ferramentas: analysis of the detailed annual financial statements that

insurers e periodic on-site examination.


A opção B está correta. O verbo “to resort to” significa recorrer a,

apelar a. Já “might resort to” dá a idéia de probabilidade. A opção

Currently = atualmente

CUIDADO! FALSO COGNATO!

x

actually = realmente, efetivamente




afirma que é possível que os reguladores do mercado de seguros

recorram às ferramentas citadas no texto. Logo a afirmativa está

corretíssima, uma vez que o autor afirma que os reguladores estatais

monitoram a saúde financeira das companhias através da analysis of the

detailed annual financial statements that insurers are required to file e do

periodic on-site examination, duas ações desenvolvidas para lhes

assistir.


A opção C está incorreta. O autor não diz que os reguladores

podem (may) decidir por terceirizar (outsource) análises mais

profundas (further – forma comparativa do adjetivo far).


A opção C está incorreta. No texto não há qualquer menção ao

verbo assess (avaliar, estimar, calcular) ou outro com idéia similar. Logo,

está errado afirmar que os reguladores estatais estão avaliando os

procedimentos mais efetivos.


A opção E está incorreta. Não se pode afirmar pela leitura do texto

que os reguladores estatais estão tendentes a adotar a análise de suas

demonstrações. Totalmente errada.

Sufixo -LY Forma adjetivos e advérbios

slowly: lentamente

likely: provavelmente, tendente

lively: vivaz




PALAVRAS-CHAVE

currently: atualmente

designing: desenvolvendo

tool: ferramenta

resort to: recorrer a

outsource: terceirizar

further: mais profundo, mais distante

assess: avaliar, estimar, calcular

most effective procedures: procedimentos mais efetivos

likely: provávelmente, tendente

adopt: adotar

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra B.




Land of Promise

Source: www.economist.com/specialreports

April 12th 2007 (Adapted)

1. In 2003 Goldman Sachs, an investment bank, selected

Brazil, along with Russia, India and China, as one of the “BRICs”-

the developing countries that would share dominance of the world

economy by 2050.

2. In some ways Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs. Unlike

China and Russia it is a full-blooded democracy; unlike India it has

no serious disputes with its neighbours. It is the only BRIC without

a nuclear bomb. The Heritage Foundation’s “Economic Freedom

Index”, which measures such factors as protection of property

rights and free trade, ranks Brazil (“moderate free”) above the

other BRICs (“mostly unfree”). One of the main reasons why

Brazil’s growth has been slower than China’s and India’s is that

Brazil is richer and more urbanized.

3. The survey will argue that disgruntlement persists

because Brazil is a battleground between progress and inertia.

Since independence was proclaimed by the son of the Portuguese

king, Brazil has been adding layer upon layer of change rather than

sweeping away the old and starting afresh.




16. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 1, four countries are referred to

as

a) unlikely to play a key role in the world economic scenario.

b) the slowest-growing economies of the present.

c) likely to dominate the world economy in the future.

d) the fastest-growing economies over the past 50 years.

e) being today’s richest and most prosperous economies.

Comentários:

Logo no enunciado, mesmo para quem tem apenas noções básicas

de inglês, já dá para saber que para responder a questão bastará ler o

parágrafo 1°.

A questão quer saber o que o texto do parágrafo 1° diz sobre os

quatro países. Então vamos ler apenas o parágrafo 1° e tentar identificar

o vocabulário-chave:

“In 2003 Goldman Sachs, an investment bank, selected Brazil, along

with Russia, India and China, as one of the “BRICs”- the developing

countries that would share dominance of the world economy by

2050.”

Significado desse vocabulário em destaque




PALAVRAS-CHAVE

investment bank: banco de investimentos

selected: selecionou

developing countries: países em desenvolvimento

would share dominance: compartilharão domínio

world economy: economia mundial

DICA: Observe que das 10 palavras-

chave, 6 são verdadeiros cognatos, ou

seja, palavras que se assemelham no

português e no inglês. Felizmente elas

são a maioria! Mas cuidado, há os

falsos cognatos, que são minoria, mas

não se preocupe com eles agora.

O que podemos extrair deste parágrafo, observando as palavras-

chave em destaque é: “Em 2003, um banco de investimentos selecionou

o Brasil, juntamente com a Rússia, a Índia e a China para ser um BRICs

– países em desenvolvimento que compartilharão o domínio da economia

mundial até 2050. Temos aí as seguintes palavras chaves:

E quanto a esses quatro países,vamos às opções de resposta:


A opção A está errada. Não é improvável (unlikely) que os 4

países tenham papel chave (key role) no cenário da economia

mundial. O primeiro parágrafo afirma exatamente o contrário.




Unlikely = Improvável


Logo, likely=provável


A opção B está errada. O texto não afirma que essas quatro

economias estão crescendo de modo mais lento atualmente. O texto

é claro ao se referir ao tempo futuro, ano de 2050. Nem se trata aqui de

saber inglês, mas de observar datas.

IMPORTANTE

Slowest = mais lento, devagar

Sufixo EST – para formar superlativos da maioria dos adjetivos curtos em

inglês. Para os adjetivos longos usamos o MOST.


A opção C está correta. Como vimos no comentário da opção a,

likely significa provável. O texto afirma que os 4 países provavelmente

dominarão a economia mundial.





A opção D está errada, o texto não diz que as 4 economias

cresceram de modo mais acelerado nos últimos 50 anos. Como vimos

no comentário do item b, -EST está formando o superlativo do adjetivo

fast (rápido, acelerado).

IMPORTANTE

Growing = crescendo ou crescimento, a depender da frase em que aparece.

Sufixo ING – pode formar gerúndio de verbos, mas também substantivos.


A opção E está errada. Como vimos, o texto não diz que as 4

economias são as mais ricas nem tampouco as mais prósperas no

presente (today).





17. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 2, the author compares Brazil’s

growth to China’s and India’s and, therefore, defines it as

a) not being as fast.

b) dependent on the latter.

c) unexpectedly higher.

d) not as stable.

e) the least steady.

Comentários:

Agora vamos ao parágrafo 2°. Neste parágrafo o autor compara o

crescimento do Brasil ao da China e Índia. Observe que a questão quer

saber como é definido o crescimento (growth) do Brasil.

DICA: A Banca quer que o candidato

consiga identificar as características

do crescimento do Brasil que

aparecem no texto na forma de

adjetivos. Destaque os adjetivos.

“In some ways Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs. Unlike China and

Russia it is a full-blooded democracy; unlike India it has no serious

disputes with its neighbours. It is the only BRIC without a nuclear bomb.

The Heritage Foundation’s “Economic Freedom Index”, which measures

such factors as protection of property rights and free trade, ranks Brazil

(“moderate free”) above the other BRICs (“mostly unfree”). One of the




main reasons why Brazil’s growth has been slower than China’s and

India’s is that Brazil is richer and more urbanized.”

Primeiro perceba que o tema central tratado neste parágrafo é a

economia brasileira. Observe as palavras-chave em destaque vermelho.

Esses são os adjetivos para responder à questão. Ao identificar, senão

todos, pelo menos alguns dos adjetivos do texto, podemos matar a

questão:

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

steadiest = mais estável

full-blooded = forte

moderate-free = moderadamente livre

slower = mais lento (prefixo –er para comparativo)

richer = mais rico (prefixo –er para comparativo)

more urbanized = mais urbanizado (prefixo –er para comparativo)

Vejamos as opções de resposta:


A opção A está correta. Na última frase do parágrafo 2 o autor

afirma que a razão para que o crescimento econômico brasileiro seja

mais lento (slower than) que o da China e da Índia é que o Brasil é

mais rico (richer) e mais urbanizado (more urbanized). A opção

descreve o crescimento do Brasil como não sendo tão rápido (quanto ao

da China e Índia – not as fast as China).





A opção B está incorreta. Não há no texto qualquer afirmação de

que o crescimento brasileiro seja dependente dos outros países. Latter

significa último ou mencionado em segundo lugar. Voltando ao enunciado

da questão, o segundo país mencionado foi Índia. Contudo, observe que

mesmo sem saber o significado desta palavra não há no texto qualquer

menção à dependência. Pelo contrário, quem tem o mínimo de

conhecimento em inglês e conseguiu identificar a palavra FREE (livre) no

parágrafo 2, já poderia “sacar” que esse item está incorreto.


A letra C está incorreta. Lembre-se que estamos falando de

crescimento. O item fala unexpectedly higher (un-expectedly =

inesperado - lembrem-se do prefixo un)(high-er=mais alto). Se

voltarmos aos adjetivos que marcamos no texto não há essa afirmação.

Não confunda com richer (na última frase do parágrafo 2) com

higher – richer no texto está se referindo ao país Brasil e não ao

crescimento. Não necessariamente um país que é mais rico terá um

crescimento mais elevado (comparem China e EUA, por exemplo).

d) not as stable.

A letra D está incorreta. Na primeira frase do parágrafo temos: “In

some ways Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs(…)”. Logo, Brasil é o

mais estável. Como já vimos acima, stead (estável) +est = superlativo

(mais estável). O item diz not as stable (não tão estável). Veja bem:





A letra E está incorreta. O crescimento brasileiro não é o menos

(LEAST) estável. Na primeira frase do parágrafo temos: “In some ways

Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs(…)”. Logo, Brasil é o mais estável.


stead = stable = estável

MORE x LESS

MOST x LEAST




Brazil’s President is Wildly Popular

Source: Special Double Issue Newsweek

Dec 31st, 2007/ Jan 7th, 2008 (Adapted)

1. For Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da 2007 has

been a good year. The economy is surging, even as the United

States shows signs of weakness. Rising real wages, school

enrollments and life expectancy have finally nudged Brazil into the

United Nations’ elite of “high human development” nations. One by

one Lula has seen top aides and allies fall to corruption scandals,

but so far nothing seems to dim his aura. Now some of Lula’s most

ardent devotees in the ruling Workers Party (PT) are even pushing

to change the Constitution to allow him to run for a third

consecutive term in office. “All the stars are aligned,” says Walter

Molano, a specialist in emerging markets with BCP Securities.

18. (ESAF/CGU/2008) The text reports that the Brazilian economy is

surging. In other words,

a) its scenario had urged caution.

b) its growth has been slowing down.

c) it will emerge in the near future.

d) it is undergoing a process of growth.

e) its development has been hindered.




Comentários:

Também nessa questão já podemos ir direto ao ponto. A questão

se refere à economia brasileira e pede que encontremos a alternativa

que mais se assemelha à idéia de is surging. Vejamos a frase:

“The economy is surging, even as the United States shows signs of

weakness.”

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

is surging: está surgindo, aumentando rapidamente

shows signs: mostra sinais

weakness: fraqueza

IMPORTANTE

Sufixo -NESS Forma substantivos abstratos: weakness,

richness

Vejamos as alternativas:


A opção A está incorreta. O texto fala que a economia está

surgindo e não que tenha necessitado de cautela.





A opção B está incorreta. O crescimento não está diminuindo, pelo

contrário.


está incorreta. O Presidente Lula não diz que a economia A opção C

irá emergir no futuro próximo.


A opção D está correta. O que o Presidente diz é que a economia

está surgindo, logo corresponde à idéia de que está passando por um

processo de crescimento.


A opção E está incorreta. O texto não diz que o desenvolvimento

tem sido impedido. Aqui você precisaria saber o significado de hinder

(impedir), contudo, daria para acertar a questão sabendo o vocabulário

da opção d.

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra D.




Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development

Source: www.ausaid.gov.au

18th Jan 2008 (Adapted)

1. Corruption is a major impediment to broadbased

growth and development, undermining government revenue and

expenditure on the delivery of basic services such as law and

justice, health care, education, and the maintenance of essential

infrastructure. The World Bank Institute has estimated that more

than US$1 trillion is paid in bribes each year and, over the long

run, countries that tackle corruption and improve the rule of law

can increase their national incomes by as much as four times.

2. Corruption weakens institutions and makes states more

vulnerable to crisis. It has the potential to undermine security in

our partner countries and in the Asia-Pacific region more broadly.

Security can be threatened when governments fail to deliver

services, uphold law and order, maintain public confidence in

institutions, or control the use of resources.

3. Corruption can lead to ‘money politics’ and undermine

the decisions of democratically elected governments. It can also

open the way for a variety of other crimes such as money

laundering and trafficking in drugs, arms, and people.




19. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 1, tackling corruption and the

increase of national incomes are described as

a) minor governmental concerns.

b) dissociated matters.

c) major private initiatives.

d) unrelated issues.

e) closely linked.

Comentários:

A questão remete o leitor ao Parágrafo 1. Antes de ler o parágrafo,

vejamos o enunciado.

“In paragraph 1, tackling corruption and the increase of national

incomes are described as …”

Agora, antes de se preocupar com o significado das palavras chaves,

vamos ao parágrafo 1 do texto identificar onde está a resposta da

questão.

“… countries that tackle corruption and improve the rule of law can

increase their national incomes by as much as four times.”

Agora, conforme o enunciado, a banca quer saber como tackling

corruption (combate à corrupção) e the increase of national

incomes (aumento da renda nacional) são descritos no texto.




PALAVRAS-CHAVE

tackling: tentar resolver, lidar, atacar (problema, tarefa), combater

tackle: tentar resolver, lidar, atacar (problema, tarefa), combater

improve: melhorar

rule of law: legislação

corruption: corrupção

increase: aumentar

national incomes: renda, salário, pagamento, honorário

described: descritos

minor: menor, inferior, secundário

concerns: preocupações

dissociated: dissociar, desagregar

matters: negócio, questão, causa, caso

major: maior, principal.

private: privado

initiatives: iniciativas

unrelated: não relacionado

issues: questões

closely linked: intimamente ligado


A opção A está incorreta. O texto não diz que corrupção e

aumento da renda são preocupações governamentais secundárias,

inferiores (minor concerns). Veja como a corrupção e o aumento da

renda nacional estão descritos no texto: “… countries that tackle

corruption and improve the rule of law can increase their national

incomes by as much as four times”.





A opção B está incorreta. O texto afirma que países que combatem

a corrupção (tackle corruption) podem aumentar em 4 vezes (four

times) a renda nacional (increase their national incomes). Logo, não

se pode dizer que o combate à corrupção e o aumento da renda são

questões dissociadas. O texto afirma que um influencia o outro.

IMPORTANTE

PASSADO PARTICÍPIO

dissociated: dissociada (o)

related: relacionada (o)

unrelated: prefixo UN – negação, logo, não relacionada

linked: ligada (o)

weakened: enfraquecida (o)


A opção C está incorreta. O texto diz “… countries that tackle

corruption and improve the rule of law can increase their national

incomes by as much as four times”, ou seja, fala em países que

combatem a corrupção. A alternativa está errada ao afirmar que o

combate à corrupção e o aumento da renda nacional são iniciativas

principalmente privadas.


A opção D está incorreta. Esta afirmação também é feita na

alternativa B e está incorreta. Como vimos, o texto afirma que países

que combatem a corrupção (tackle corruption) podem aumentar em 4

vezes a renda nacional (increase their national incomes). Logo, não

se pode dizer que o combate à corrupção e o aumento da renda são

questões (issues) dissociadas.

e) closely linked.




A opção E está correta. Se o texto afirma que países que

combatem a corrupção (tackle corruption) podem aumentar em 4

vezes a renda nacional (increase their national incomes), isso quer

dizer que o combate à corrupção e o aumento da renda são intimamente

ligados (closely linked). Close significa perto, closely transforma o

adjetivo em advérbio, traduzido por intimamente, bem perto.

IMPORTANTE

closely = intimamente


Outros exemplos:


frequently (frequentemente)

usually (usualmente, habitualmente)

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra E.




20. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 2, institutions are said to be

weakened by corruption. In other words, they

a) seem to be immune to this practice.

b) have the legal means to prevent it.

c) remain unaffected by this practice.

d) are undoubtedly affected by it.

e) are in charge of legally handling it.

Comentários:

O enunciado da própria questão destaca que no parágrafo 2 é dito

que as instituições são enfraquecidas (weakened) pela corrupção.

Tendo isso em vista, você deverá encontrar a opção que mais se

aproxima dessa idéia. Observe que nem será preciso ler o parágrafo 2

para responder à questão.


A opção A está incorreta. Como vimos a questão trata das

instituições e o enunciado afirma que as mesmas se enfraquecem pela

corrupção. Ao contrário, a alternativa diz que as instituições parecem

(seem) estar imunes a esta prática (corruption).


A opção B está incorreta. A opção afirma que as instituições têm

os meios legais (legal means) para prevenir (prevent) a corrupção (it).

Veja que não é isso que o texto diz. Conforme o enunciado da questão,

no parágrafo 2 é dito que as instituições são enfraquecidas pela

corrupção.





A opção C está incorreta. Ao contrário do que o texto e o

enunciado da questão afirmam, essa alternativa diz que as instituições

continuam (remain) não sendo afetadas (unaffected) por esta prática

(corruption).

IMPORTANTE

Unaffected = não afetadas


Logo, affected=afetada


A opção D está correta. Se o enunciado da questão afirmou que as

instituições se enfraquecem com a corrupção, esta alternativa está

correta ao dizer que as instituições são undoubtedly (indubitavelmente)

afetadas pela corrupção.

IMPORTATE

Un doubtedly = indubitavelmente


Sufixo LY – forma advérbio (- mente)


A opção E está incorreta. Esta opção diz que as instituições são as

responsáveis (be in charge) por lidar legalmente (legally handling)

com a corrupção. O texto não faz tal afirmação.




PALAVRAS-CHAVE

institutions: instituições

said: passado de “say” dizer

weakened: enfraquecido

seem: parecer

legal means: meios legais

prevent: prevenir

affected: afetado, passado de affect

Undoubtedly: indubitavelmente

be in charge: ser o responsável

legally handling: lidar legalmente

Logo, a resposta para esta questão é a letra D.




REVISÃO DO VOCABULÁRIO-CHAVE

A partir deste momento vamos revisar a aula por meio do quadro

do vocabulário-chave.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE

clearly: claramente

linked: ligados

controversial: controversos

exclusive: exclusivos

disposable: descartáveis

questionable: questionáveis vague: vago, indeterminado

dim: vago, obscuro

accurate: preciso

inexact: inexato

advantageous: vantajoso

imprecise: impreciso

closer: mais perto

nearer: mais perto comprehensive march: marcha global

all-inclusive: inclusiva

upcoming: próxima

understandable: compreensível

overwhelming: avassaladora

constructive: construtiva

a host: uma série

tangible: tangível




economic benefits: benefícios econômicos

scarce: escassos

effective: eficazes

plentiful: abundantes

successful: bem sucedidos

welcoming: acolhedores

unique: único.

unfit: impróprios

uniform: uniformes

unusual: diferentes

untidy: desarrumados

useful: úteis

uncountable: incontável

innumerable: incontável

unaccountable: inexplicável, esquisito, irresponsável there are: há

reasons: razões

doubt: dúvida

reliability: confiança

source: fonte

useful: util

relevant: relevante

neutral: neutro

declair: declarar

war against Iraq: guerra contra o Iraque

was based on: estava/era baseado

doubtless: indibutável

are accused to: são acusados de

have taken decisions: ter tomado decisões

essential: essencial

based upon: baseado em




dubious: dúbio political issues: questões políticas

should: deveria

prevail over: prevalecer

security matters: questões de segurança

in addition: Ainda, em adição

heavily: severamente

criticized: criticado

delivering: entrega

political: politico

masters: mestres

want: querer

hear: ouvir open democracies: democracias abertas

welcome: sem restrições, bem-vindo

mistrust: desconfiança

towards: em direção

intelligence gathering: coleta de inteligência

seem: parecer

dirty job: trabalho sujo

ask: perguntar, solicitar

openness: abertura

transparency: transparência people: pessoas

agree: concordam

police officer: policial

unquestionable: inquestionável

hero: herói

critics: críticos

have accused: acusaram

glamorising violence: glamorizar a violência




make: fazer

endorses torture: aprovar a tortura

acts outside the law: age fora da lei

insolvencies: insolvências

occur: ocorrer, acontecer

however: porém, não obstante

despite: apesar de

actually: efetivamente, de fato

happen: acontecer

undoubtedly: indubitavelmente

preventable: evitável

hardly: dificilmente

take place: ocorrer

pose a threat: representar uma ameaça

used to be: costumava ser

relation: relação

monitoring: monitoramento

financial health: saúde financeira

companies: companhias

licensed: licenciadas

provide: oferecer, fornecer, produzir

state regulators: reguladores estatais

through: através

analysis: análises

detailed: detalhadas

annual: anual




financial statements: demonstrações financeiras

insurers: segurador, seguradora

are required: são demandados, solicitados

to file: seguir

periodic: periódico

on-site examinations: exame, investigação in loco

currently: atualmente

designing: desenvolvendo

tool: ferramenta

resort to: recorrer a

outsource: terceirizar

further: mais profundo, mais distante

assess: avaliar, estimar, calcular

most effective procedures: procedimentos mais efetivos

likely: provávelmente, tendente

adopt: adotar

investment bank: banco de investimentos

selected: selecionou

developing countries: países em desenvolvimento

would share dominance: compartilharão domínio

world economy: economia mundial steadiest = mais estável

full-blooded = forte

moderate-free = moderadamente livre

slower = mais lento (prefixo –er para comparativo)

richer = mais rico (prefixo –er para comparativo)




more urbanized = mais urbanizado (prefixo –er para comparativo)

tackling: tentar resolver, lidar, atacar (problema, tarefa), combater

tackle: tentar resolver, lidar, atacar (problema, tarefa), combater

improve: melhorar

rule of law: legislação

corruption: corrupção

increase: aumentar

national incomes: renda, salário, pagamento, honorário

described: descritos

minor: menor, inferior, secundário

concerns: preocupações

dissociated: dissociar, desagregar

matters: negócio, questão, causa, caso

major: maior, principal.

private: privado

initiatives: iniciativas

unrelated: não relacionado

issues: questões

closely linked: intimamente ligado institutions: instituições

said: passado de “say” dizer

weakened: enfraquecido

seem: parecer

legal means: meios legais

prevent: prevenir

affected: afetado, passado de affect

Undoubtedly: indubitavelmente

be in charge: ser o responsável

legally handling: lidar legalmente




QUESTÕES DA AULA

German to English translator

A term very much in vogue today is “the knowledge

economy”. This is a term that is justifiably considered vague and

nebulous. Questions abound. What exactly is a knowledge

economy? There seems to be no clear definition. What are the

sectors a knowledge economy is composed of? Why the

overwhelming allure of the knowledge economy? Why are

sweeping statements made today that the economy of the world

today is moving towards a knowledge-based economy? And a

question closer to our hearts as language service providers: Are

language services part of the knowledge economy? Does it matter

if they are considered part of it or outside it?

One definition of the knowledge economy, taken from

today’s overwhelmingly popular web knowledge resource,

wikipedia, defines the knowledge economy as the use of

knowledge technologies (such as knowledge engineering and

knowledge management) to produce economic benefits.

Clearly, it is important for language services to be classified

and advertised as a part, nay a critical and indispensable part, of

the knowledge economy for three reasons:

a) Language services ARE an integral part of today’s knowledge

economy. The wheels of globalization, itself predicated on a

knowledge economy, would grind to a halt without language

services.




b) Language services are not accorded the recognition they

deserve in today’s comprehensive march towards globalization.

Being classified as a component of the knowledge economy will

confer on them the status they truly deserve.

c) Payment for language services is not commensurate with the

benefits they bring to the world economy. Once they get due

recognition, pay scales will be revised accordingly by market

forces.

No one can argue that language services such as translation

or interpretation do not produce economic benefits. What has to

be driven home is the magnitude of economic benefits produced.

i) While language services produce no tangible products or sales

(apart from the language services sold themselves), the intangible

effects of localization on product sales are substantial.

ii) Language services also enhance global collaboration, nay, are

the very factor that make it possible . Ask any two multinational

companies what underpins their process of collaboration. The

answer: a Memorandum of Understanding or some sort of Legal

Agreement drawn up in the languages of the countries of the

participating companies. So language services are required for

global collaboration to even be initiated. And that global

collaboration produces economic benefits is a fact.

It is therefore, indisputable that language services are a

knowledge technology and that they produce considerable

intangible economic benefits that are critical to the production of a

host of tangible economic benefits.

That being established, we as language service providers,

can go a step further, and claim that language services are the

very bedrock of the knowledge economy. However, what is it that

makes language services stand out as a special knowledge-based




service? There exist today many knowledgebased technologies,

such as information technology, software engineering, artificial

intelligence technologies, cognitive sciences, etc. Why are

language services unique?

An analogy with a natural phenomenon can drive home the

point. Just as the light of the sun is the very essence of the sun’s

ability to illumine, language is the very essence of all knowledge.

Just as the light of the sun illumines all objects in the solar

system, language is used to describe all known phenomena in our

known universe, and therefore forms the very backbone of all

human knowledge. While knowledge is domain-specific, language

is meta-knowledge. Language services are hence very special,

since no knowledge is possible without language. Language

services will thus form the very bedrock of the global knowledge

economy going forward. It is time language services are accorded

their rightful place in the global economy. In terms of recognition.

In terms of stature. And yes, in terms of remuneration.

1 (FGV/SENADO/2008) According to the text, language services

and knowledge economy are

(A) linked.

(B) controversial.

(C) exclusive.

(D) disposable.

(E) questionable.

2 (FGV/SENADO/2008) The opposite of vague in “considered

vague and nebulous” (lines 2-3) is

(A) dim.

(B) accurate.

(C) inexact.




(D) advantageous.

(E) imprecise.

3 (FGV/SENADO/2008) When the text states that a question is

“closer to our hearts” (line 9), it means this question is

(A) farther from them.

(B) less sensitive to them.

(C) more threatening to them.

(D) more influenced by them.

(E) nearer to them.

4 (FGV/SENADO/2008) “a comprehensive march” (line 27) is one

that is

(A) all-inclusive.

(B) upcoming.

(C) understandable.

(D) overwhelming.

(E) constructive.

5 (FGV/SENADO/2008) The expression “a host of tangible economic

benefits” (line 55) indicates these benefits are

(A) scarce.

(B) effective.

(C) plentiful.

(D) successful.

(E) welcoming.

6 (FGV/SENADO/2008) When the text qualifies language services

as “unique” (line 63), it defines them as

(A) unfit.

(B) uniform.

(C) unusual.




(D) untidy.

(E) useful.

Information is a cornerstone of political education and

socialization. The ability to find out about issues of public

importance, and the capacity to inform oneself about the workings

of government and its policies are examples of how information

can be essential to the education of the informed and responsible

citizen. Yet in this era of information overload, the subtle but vital

difference between information and knowledge needs to be drawn

in order to create virtual places that promote political education in

the broadest sense. It is not, in fact, information per se which is


contextualized so that it can impart meaning.

The Internet is the ultimate reference library, chock-

full of data supplied by individuals and institutions from around

the world, usually for the free use of all comers. The danger of the

Internet is that it threatens to overwhelm us with so much

information that, instead of democratizing and enriching our

political lives, it is actually drowning us in irrelevancies.
















not obvious to the user.

Beth Simone Noveck. Paradoxical partners: electronic

communication and electronic democracy. In: Peter Ferdinand

(Ed.). The Internet, democracy, and democratization. London:

Frank Cass/Routledge, 2000, p. 23-4 (with adaptations).

Based on the text above, judge the following items.

7. (CESPE/TCU-TI/2010) In line 27, “unaccountable” is the same

as innumerable.

8. (CESPE/TCU-TI/2010) There are reasons to doubt the reliability of

the Internet as a source of useful, relevant and neutral information.

The pre-Iraq war and pre-9/11 performance of some

secret services is subject to harsh criticism and, in some

countries, various investigations. Governments are accused

to have taken essential decisions based upon dubious

information. The different agencies are blamed for inter- and

intra-agency rivalry blocking the efficiency of any early

warning system. In addition, they are heavily criticized for

delivering the message their political masters wanted to

hear. We do not want to blame anybody. But we believe that

it is necessary to rethink the whole business of secret

services. Without knowing the details that obviously led to

serious deficiencies, there are several fundamental problems

with the work of secret services in open, democratic




societies. In democracies, there is often a basic mistrust

towards intelligence gathering. It seems to be a dirty job.

Democracy asks for openness and transparency. People in

democracies do not like the work in a shadow. Scientists and

journalists refrain in general from cooperation with secret

services. They are afraid to destroy their access to foreign

countries and colleagues. Recruitment of qualified young

people has become difficult.

Dieter Farwick. Internet: <http://www.world securitynetwork.

com/showArticle3.cfm?article_id=9226> (with adaptations).

From the text above, it can be deduced that

9.(CESPE/ ABIN/2004) the American decision to declair war against

Iraq was based on doubtless information.

10. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) political issues should not prevail over

security matters.

11. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) open democracies welcome the action of

intelligence services.

12. (CESPE/ ABIN/2004) “mistrust” (R.17) is synonymous with

distrust.

This heavily armed group wears black uniforms and

their faces are often masked, and their symbol includes a

skull with crossed pistols. It is not some illegal paramilitary

force but an elite battalion of the police in Rio de Janeiro

known as Bope, the Battalion for Special Police Operations.




They were created by the Department of Police to deal

with kidnappings, but their job now is to take on the most

dangerous drug gangs in the country, a battle fought with

high-calibre weapons in the city’s favelas and shanty towns.

The launch of a new movie called Tropa de Elite (or

Elite Squad) has put this police unit in the spotlight in an

unprecedented way. The movie also points an accusing

finger at the hypocrisy of rich young people who complain

about violence in Brazilian society, but who use the drugs

that finance the gangs which dominate many favelas. Some

critics have accused the film of glamorising violence and

making a hero of a police officer who endorses torture and

acts outside the law, an interpretation rejected by the film’s

director.

Internet: <news.bbc.co.uk> (adapted).

Based on the text, it can be deduced that

13. (CESPE/PMDF/2008) people agree that the police officer as

shown in the film is an unquestionable hero.

Insolvencies/Guaranty Funds

Source: www.iii.org

Feb/ 2006 (Adapted)




1. The regulation of insurance company solvency is a

function of the state. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services

Modernization Act of 1999, which allowed banks, securities firms,

insurance companies and other financial services entities to affiliate and

sell one another’s products, continues this practice. State regulators

monitor the financial health of companies licensed to provide insurance

in their state through analysis of the detailed annual financial

statements that insurers are required to file and periodic on-site

examinations. When a company is found to be in poor financial

condition, regulators can take various actions to try to save it.

Insolvencies do occur, however, despite the best efforts of regulators.

14. (ESAF/SUSEP/2006) According to the text, “insolvencies do

occur”, which means they

a) actually happen.





15. (ESAF/SUSEP/2006) In relation to the monitoring of the financial

health of companies licensed to provide insurance, the state regulators









Land of Promise

Source: www.economist.com/specialreports

April 12th 2007 (Adapted)

4. In 2003 Goldman Sachs, an investment bank, selected

Brazil, along with Russia, India and China, as one of the “BRICs”-

the developing countries that would share dominance of the world

economy by 2050.

5. In some ways Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs.

Unlike China and Russia it is a full-blooded democracy; unlike

India it has no serious disputes with its neighbours. It is the only

BRIC without a nuclear bomb. The Heritage Foundation’s

“Economic Freedom Index”, which measures such factors as

protection of property rights and free trade, ranks Brazil

(“moderate free”) above the other BRICs (“mostly unfree”). One

of the main reasons why Brazil’s growth has been slower than

China’s and India’s is that Brazil is richer and more urbanized.

6. The survey will argue that disgruntlement persists

because Brazil is a battleground between progress and inertia.

Since independence was proclaimed by the son of the Portuguese

king, Brazil has been adding layer upon layer of change rather

than sweeping away the old and starting afresh.




16. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 1, four countries are referred to

as






17. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 2, the author compares Brazil’s

growth to China’s and India’s and, therefore, defines it as




d) not as stable.





Brazil’s President is Wildly Popular

Source: Special Double Issue Newsweek

Dec 31st, 2007/ Jan 7th, 2008 (Adapted)

1. For Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da 2007 has

been a good year. The economy is surging, even as the United

States shows signs of weakness. Rising real wages, school

enrollments and life expectancy have finally nudged Brazil into the

United Nations’ elite of “high human development” nations. One

by one Lula has seen top aides and allies fall to corruption

scandals, but so far nothing seems to dim his aura. Now some of

Lula’s most ardent devotees in the ruling Workers Party (PT) are

even pushing to change the Constitution to allow him to run for a

third consecutive term in office. “All the stars are aligned,” says

Walter Molano, a specialist in emerging markets with BCP

Securities.

18. (ESAF/CGU/2008) The text reports that the Brazilian economy is

surging. In other words,









Tackling Corruption for Growth and Development

Source: www.ausaid.gov.au

18th Jan 2008 (Adapted)

1. Corruption is a major impediment to broadbased

growth and development, undermining government revenue and

expenditure on the delivery of basic services such as law and

justice, health care, education, and the maintenance of essential

infrastructure. The World Bank Institute has estimated that more

than US$1 trillion is paid in bribes each year and, over the long

run, countries that tackle corruption and improve the rule of law

can increase their national incomes by as much as four times.

2. Corruption weakens institutions and makes states

more vulnerable to crisis. It has the potential to undermine

security in our partner countries and in the Asia-Pacific region

more broadly. Security can be threatened when governments fail

to deliver services, uphold law and order, maintain public

confidence in institutions, or control the use of resources.

3. Corruption can lead to ‘money politics’ and undermine

the decisions of democratically elected governments. It can also

open the way for a variety of other crimes such as money

laundering and trafficking in drugs, arms, and people.

19. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 1, tackling corruption and the

increase of national incomes are described as





e) closely linked.




20. (ESAF/CGU/2008) In paragraph 2, institutions are said to be

weakened by corruption. In other words, they









GABARITO

1- A 2- B 3-E 4-A 5-C 6-C 7-E

8- C 9- E 10- C 11- E 12- C 13- E 14- A

15- B 16- C 17- A 18- D 19- E 20- D

sf ingles teo exe aline andrade aula 04

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