Questões para Concursos

Predicting the unpredictable Some years ago, a devastating earthquake struck the Italian town of L’Aquila. More than 300 people lost their lives, over 1,500 people were injured, and many buildings were destroyed. Two years later, seven earthquake experts were involved in a court case: Did they adequately warn the public after the initial tremors began? At the heart of the debate is whether they could have predicted a disaster like this. Although a lot of scientists are working to improve our ability to predict natural disasters, so far no one has come up with a reliable method to forecast earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, days or weeks beforehand . Most of the research focuses on the areas most likely to experience seismic activity – but even our knowledge about where these areas are, is very limited. One reason for this is that human beings have only been around for a very small part of the Earth’s history. In geological terms, we all arrived on the scene very recently. Records from the past 2,000 years are incomplete, and the biggest earthquakes nearly always happen in areas where there have been no earthquakes in recorded history. So, is there any hope for improving our ability to predict disasters? A solution may come from an unexpected source. Four years ago, a team of US physicists at Rutgers University in New Jersey were studying why pharmaceutical powders stick together. They observed that the powder stuck together when placed in a spinning cylinder, but then developed cracks and collapsed. Just before the cracks developed, an electric signal, like a small bolt of lightning, was created. The scientists repeated the experiment with a wide range of different materials, and they got similar results every time. This phenomenon might also exist in nature. Some scientists believe that rocks may become electrically charged under unusual pressure, such as before an earthquake. This electric charge then causes changes in the surrounding air or water, which animals may be able to sense before humans do. For example, while biologists were studying a colony of frogs in a pond near L’Aquila, they noticed that nearly all the animals left the water days before the earthquake. A similar thing happened in China, when snakes were hibernating for the winter in caves, but escaped just before a large earthquake. The same kind of electric charge , like the small bolt of lightning felt in the experiment at Rutgers, may have been responsible. At the moment, there is no reliable way ............ using such findings to predict earthquakes, and further studies may be necessary to give us a better understanding of the interactions involved, but one day, the technology may be used ............ predict future catastrophes. For example, two science institutions in Russia and Britain are already developing a new micro-satellite, which could detect these electric signals and help rescue people ................ natural disasters in time. Scientists are planning to launch the first of these satellites ............... space. Will these satellites be the solution? Only time will tell. For the time being, the best defense is to be prepared.

Predicting the unpredictable Some years ago, a devastating earthquake struck the Italian town of L’Aquila. More than 300 people lost their lives, over 1,500 people were injured, and many buildings were destroyed. Two years later, seven earthquake experts were involved in a court case: Did they adequately warn the public after the initial tremors began? At the heart of the debate is whether they could have predicted a disaster like this. Although a lot of scientists are working to improve our ability to predict natural disasters, so far no one has come up with a reliable method to forecast earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, days or weeks beforehand . Most of the research focuses on the areas most likely to experience seismic activity – but even our knowledge about where these areas are, is very limited. One reason for this is that human beings have only been around for a very small part of the Earth’s history. In geological terms, we all arrived on the scene very recently. Records from the past 2,000 years are incomplete, and the biggest earthquakes nearly always happen in areas where there have been no earthquakes in recorded history. So, is there any hope for improving our ability to predict disasters? A solution may come from an unexpected source. Four years ago, a team of US physicists at Rutgers University in New Jersey were studying why pharmaceutical powders stick together. They observed that the powder stuck together when placed in a spinning cylinder, but then developed cracks and collapsed. Just before the cracks developed, an electric signal, like a small bolt of lightning, was created. The scientists repeated the experiment with a wide range of different materials, and they got similar results every time. This phenomenon might also exist in nature. Some scientists believe that rocks may become electrically charged under unusual pressure, such as before an earthquake. This electric charge then causes changes in the surrounding air or water, which animals may be able to sense before humans do. For example, while biologists were studying a colony of frogs in a pond near L’Aquila, they noticed that nearly all the animals left the water days before the earthquake. A similar thing happened in China, when snakes were hibernating for the winter in caves, but escaped just before a large earthquake. The same kind of electric charge , like the small bolt of lightning felt in the experiment at Rutgers, may have been responsible. At the moment, there is no reliable way ............ using such findings to predict earthquakes, and further studies may be necessary to give us a better understanding of the interactions involved, but one day, the technology may be used ............ predict future catastrophes. For example, two science institutions in Russia and Britain are already developing a new micro-satellite, which could detect these electric signals and help rescue people ................ natural disasters in time. Scientists are planning to launch the first of these satellites ............... space. Will these satellites be the solution? Only time will tell. For the time being, the best defense is to be prepared.

Text 1 Structure of education in Singapore The complete control and management of Singapore’s education is in the hands of the Ministry of Education (MOE). With continuous endeavour from MOE, today Singapore can be considered to have a strong and well-reputed education system. As per recent study Singapore is ranked fourth in terms of World’s Best Education System. The preschools are run by the private sector, including religious bodies, community foundations, business groups, etc. However, every preschool need to register itself with the Singapore Ministry of Education before being functional. After completion of 6 years of primary education, students have to appear for a Primary School Leaving Exam (PSLE). All those students who passed the exam are admitted in a secondary level course, which is usually completed in 4-5 years. It is similar to attending seventh grade through tenth grade in the American education system. After completion of the secondary education, the students need to appear in Singaporean GCE ‘O’ Level exam. Based on the merit in that exam, students proceed to pre-university education, which is similar to attending eleventh grade and twelfth grade as per the American education system. At this level students can opt for a wide range of subjects from varied academic areas covering Humanities, Arts and Languages, Sciences and Mathematics streams. www.singaporeeducation.info/Education-System/ Structure-of-Education

Read the text, and analyse the assertives that are introduced. The field of English language instruction for non-native speakers, commonly referred to as Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), has experienced significant changes in recent times, due to the emergence of technology and the use of novel pedagogical methods. Conventional approaches, characterised by a focus on memorization and repeated grammar drills, are being replaced by dynamic and interactive methodologies that accommodate a wide range of learning preferences. The integration of technology has emerged as a prominent transformation in the field of ESL instruction. Digital platforms, such language learning applications and online courses, provide customised learning experiences that may adjust to the unique pace and skill level of each individual learner. The utilisation of gamification is employed to transform the process of language acquisition into an enjoyable and captivating endeavour. In addition, the utilisation of online forums and virtual classrooms enables individuals to engage in real-time communication with native speakers, therefore providing them with valuable opportunities for meaningful language practise. Content-Based Instruction (CBI) is an increasingly prominent pedagogical technique that has garnered significant attention and recognition. This approach facilitates the integration of English language acquisition with content-based instruction, so students acquire English proficiency by actively interacting with academic topics such as science, history, or literature. The implementation of contextual learning not only enhances the relevance and engagement of the language learning process, but also facilitates the organic acquisition of intricate vocabulary and concepts by students. Task-Based Learning (TBL) places emphasis on the utilisation of language as a means to achieve certain objectives. Within Task-Based Language (TBL) classes, the conventional approach of introducing a language element followed by practise and production is substituted with the use of activities that require students to employ English in a genuine manner. This may encompass the resolution of problems, the execution of tasks, or the enactment of role-playing scenarios. These activities possess a high level of motivation and accurately reflect the usage of language in real-world contexts. Flipped Classrooms is a pedagogical approach that combines online and in-person learning, wherein students are assigned to review instructional materials, often in the form of video courses, outside of the classroom, and subsequently participate in interactive activities during class time to consolidate their understanding. This technique facilitates increased engagement during classroom sessions and affords educators the chance to deliver focused assistance in areas requiring the greatest attention. Cultural Immersion programmes, which involve placing students in English-speaking situations, have been demonstrated to significantly enhance language competence. This approach facilitates learners' exposure to the language within authentic contexts, fostering the acquisition of colloquial idioms and idiomatic use, which are frequently omitted in conventional instructional materials. In summary, the contemporary approaches to ESL instruction are distinguished by a transition towards enhanced authenticity, interactivity, and individualization in the learning process. Through the use of technology and the implementation of novel pedagogical approaches, educators have enhanced capabilities to adequately equip students for practical English communication in real-life scenarios, making the learning experience more efficacious and pleasant, and at the same time recognising the cultural context meaning in the process of language acquisition. (Available in: https://www.skylineuniversity.ac.ae/knowledge-update/from-different-corners/. Adapted.)