Questões para Concursos

Text 10A2-III

As the world keeps warming and electricity bills take center stage in national politics, the data center boom will drive up USA carbon emissions and electricity costs. But a few simple policies could help bring both emissions and prices back down. That's the message of a new analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists released Wednesday, which models a variety of scenarios for how to fuel the coming artificial intelligence boom. The USA is poised to see a 60 to 80 percent increase in electricity demand through 2050, with data centers alone making up more than half of the increase by the end of this decade, the analysis finds. If policies stay the same as they currently are—with attacks on renewable energy being embedded into regulatory regimes and few significant national policies restricting carbon emissions from power plants—we could see between a 19 and 29 percent increase in CO emissions from USA power plants tied just to the energy needs of data centers over the next 10 years. There are answers, though: Bringing back tax credits for wind and solar energy, even if data centers eat up a significant chunk of new demand for electricity, would cut CO emissions by more than 30 percent over the next decade. They could also make wholesale electricity costs go down by about 4 percent by 2050, after a slight rise over the next decade. Power plants are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the USA, making up about a quarter of the country's overall emissions. Last year, emissions from the USA power sector rose slightly, marking the first increase since 2023; commercial buildings like data centers, a separate analysis released last week from the Rhodium Group found, were the main drivers of that demand.

Internet: (adapted).

Underground library in Warsaw metro invites commuters to trade scrolling for stories

In Warsaw’s Targówek district, a metro ride has become more than a daily routine. Now it offers a chance to escape into a story. Thanks to Metroteka, a newly opened subterranean library inside the Kondratowicza M2 metro station, commuters can now trade mindless scrolling for meaningful reading.
The 150-square-meter space is stocked with more than 16,000 books, all available through a fast self-checkout system. Visitors can also borrow laptops, sip complimentary coffee, and unwind in a cozy communal area, all while waiting for their train.
“Our dream is for Metroteka to become an educational and cultural center, and not just a place where you can borrow your books from,” says Grażyna StrzelczakBatkowska, deputy director of the Targówek library.

A modern space that breathes life into books
Metroteka’s design is as inviting as its mission. A lush hydroponic garden wall filled with herbs and flowers gives the underground space a breath of fresh air, literally. Basil, oregano, and other plants grow without soil or sunlight, infusing the library with an unexpected sense of vitality. The bookshelves, shaped like soft, undulating waves, add to the organic feel.
“I always joke that books are not made of glass,” Strzelczak-Batkowska says. “You can just pop in, grab a few, throw them on a self-checkout machine, and that’s it—you’re out on a new adventure.”

Aiming to reverse a national trend
Poland’s reading habits have been in steady decline for years. A 2024 survey by the National Library of Poland found that only 41 percent of respondents had read at least one book in the past year. According to Tomasz Makowski, director of the National Library, the legacy of war has shaped these numbers. During World War II, Poland lost 70 percent of its libraries.
“We had several generations that did not see their parents or grandparents in front of a wall of books,” Makowski says. “Reading is [also] not something associated with adulthood, but with schools, teachers, librarians, and usually mothers reading to children.
By placing literature in the path of everyday commuters, Metroteka hopes to shift that cultural perception.

An open invitation to all
For Makowski, the location is just as important as the books. “Opening a library in a metro station is like a dream for us,” he says. “Libraries should be beautiful and open; inviting, not intimidating. It’s not a shrine, but a place where you can spend time freely, take part in discussions, public consultations, or meet people.”
In the coming months, Metroteka plans to host author readings, workshops, and classes to further engage the community. Books can be returned either directly to the library or via parcel lockers outside the station, available around the clock.
As commuters pass through Kondratowicza station with coffee in hand and a novel tucked under one arm, Metroteka quietly transforms daily routines into cultural moments. By meeting people where they are, literally underground, the library isn’t just promoting reading. It’s redefining what public space can offer.

Source: https://www.optimistdaily.com/2025/09/underground-library-in-warsaw-metro-invites-commuters-to-trade-scrolling-for-stories/. Access on May 4th 2026.

Text 3A1-I
Bill Watterson. Calvin and Hobbes. Internet: .

TEXT I – Questions 26 to 46

OBSERVATION: THIS TEXT WAS PUBLISHED ON MARCH, 2020. AS YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE TEXT WHETHER IT REMAINS ACCURATE OR NOT.

Everything You Need to Know About The COVID-19 Coronavirus

A doctor answers your most pressing questions about the outbreak.
BY SPENCER DUKOFF – MAR 2, 2020

The mounting spread of the coronavirus now known as COVID-19 has prompted widespread concern around the world as public health officials race to contain the outbreak. The novel coronavirus has killed more than 2,800 people worldwide, with the vast majority of deaths occurring in mainland China. However, over 83,000 cases have been reported on every continent except for Antarctica. (…)
In an effort to address the wide number of concerns and misconceptions in regards to this developing situation, Men's Health Editor-in-Chief Rich Dorment moderated a discussion via Slack with Dr. Keith Roach, an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Roach answered questions about the coronavirus submitted by Hearst employees. The following is a summary of that conversation.

How can we put the coronavirus outbreak into context with other high-profile outbreaks in the last decade, like Zika or H1N1?
Zika isn’t a good comparison, because Zika is spread by mosquito bites, and COVID-19 is spread person-to-person, having first been introduced to humans through an animal (COVID-19 is very closely related to a bat coronavirus, but whether it went through another animal first is not known).
The infectivity of an infection is described by a number called the basic reproductive number, R0, (we say “R nought”). The best estimate for COVID-19 is that the R0 is about 2.2, meaning it is roughly as infectious as influenza or SARS. However, the R0 doesn’t tell you all there is to know about how alarming the infection will be: SARS infected 8,000 people or so, while there have been 30 to 40 million cases of influenza in the U.S. this season. It seems to be similar to H1N1 influenza, but unlike influenza, nobody is likely to have partial immunity, such as might have been built up by previous infection or immunization to flu. COVID-19 is just too new.

How does the mortality rate compare to the flu?
The best data comes from China from just this week: of over 44,000 confirmed cases, 2.3% of people died. The case fatality rate is strongly linked to age, with older people being at a much higher risk of death.
In a typical flu season, the case fatality rate is about 0.1%. In 1918, where the H1N1 influenza killed 50 million people, the case-fatality rate was 2.5%. The possibility of a worst-case scenario of coronavirus not being contained, and being as infectious and deadly as the 1918 influenza virus, is what keeps public health officials up at night worrying.

What precautions should we be taking when riding any public transportation services? How long does the virus linger on porous/non-porous surfaces?
Although there are not data for COVID-19, other coronaviruses have been shown to persist as long as 9 days on glass, metal, or plastic in the worst case, with a very large amount of virus inoculated. Packaged goods from China are very unlikely to have infectious particles due to long shipping times and reduced virus infectivity on paper.
COVID-19 can be spread from infected surfaces, so keeping hands washed (or frequently using alcohol-based sanitizer) and being careful not to put your hands to your face will help reduce infection. However, the major risk is person-to-person through droplets from a cough or sneeze.
(…)

Were the isolation efforts that China made necessary to the coronavirus' containment?
Absolutely. In an infectious epidemic, the public health officials have only a few really effective tools. One is an effective vaccine, which there is not yet available for COVID-19. Another is medication, if there were effective antiviral medicines, which there aren’t any proven (trials are ongoing). The final, and oldest, is keeping people away from each other, especially quarantine and isolation. In China, the methods used were intensive: important gatherings were cancelled, and travel was highly restricted. A city of 11 million people was entirely quarantined.
In Japan, all schools have been closed for a month throughout the country.
(…)

Since the number of cases in China has plateaued, are we perhaps on the downward curve of the spread?
That seems to be the case in China, but the news from Italy is disturbing, and many European countries are reporting coronavirus. A woman in California is currently intubated in the ICU with no clear idea of how she was infected. Because 80-90% of cases have no or minimal symptoms, many public health officials fear that the opportunity to contain the virus is lost and a pandemic is inevitable. In the United States, much depends on a coordinated and effective response. That hasn’t really happened yet.

If I recently traveled to Milan and have children at home, should I be worried about exposing them?
(…) People who are sick are much more likely to transmit the disease than people who are asymptomatic or have minimal symptoms. If you had fever or cough, that should be evaluated, and you should call your doctor for guidance. Hospitals are getting protocols in place to evaluate people with respiratory illnesses coming from countries with coronavirus transmission, although the lack of testing kits has been a problem, which apparently will be solved within the next few days.
(…)

Should we stock up on vitamins or are there any medications we should have on hand?
As we have seen from the experience in China, it is possible that there may be interruptions to the supply of food and other goods. However, hoarding and panic buying is a very bad idea. Building up a two week supply of non-perishable foods for your family makes sense. Think also about medications, food for your pets, batteries, etc.

(…)
Are there any differentiating signs of contraction we can watch out for early on?
No, coronavirus can start exactly like a cold. Symptoms typically begin about 5 days after exposure, but the incubation period could be as long as 14 days. As noted before, many cases have no symptoms.
Symptoms of severe disease are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. This could indicate pneumonia, the most dangerous form of the disease, and the one most likely to lead to requiring hospitalization. Critical illness with COVID-19, especially in the elderly, is very dangerous.

If we feel a cold coming on, is it recommended to immediately go to the emergency room?
No! Call your doctor (this is why it’s important to have a relationship with a primary care doctor). The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has given us guidance on how to evaluate people WITH KNOWN RISK of COVID-19 and symptoms at home. The same is true if you have no symptoms but are exposed to a known contact. We don’t want potentially infectious people coming into the medical system and potentially infecting people there, who may be at very high risk due to age or medical condition.
If you have what seems like a cold and no known risk, you probably don’t need to see the doctor anyway. Of course, if you are really sick, you need to get an evaluation. This advice is likely to change in the event of a major pandemic.
(…)

Does the virus stay active forever or do we need a vaccine in order to be "cured"?
People only stay in the hospital if there are treatments we can do there we can’t do at home, or if they are so sick they need intensive monitoring. That’s true in any situation. Hospitals have efficient isolation rooms to keep other patients safe and trained personnel to keep themselves safe.
Once a person recovers from coronavirus (98% do), they are likely to have lifelong immunity, if COVID-19 behaves the way other coronaviruses do. Even people with minimal or no symptoms will likely develop immunity. An effective vaccine would provide protection without getting ill.

What’s happening with a coronavirus vaccine?
Normally, a vaccine takes a minimum of 3 to 5 years to develop and test. In theory, a vaccine could be developed for COVID-19 in 18 months, which would have to be some kind of record.
(…)
How should people be thinking about upcoming travel out of the country?
(…) The immediate future even over the next few days is unknown: what things will be like in two weeks is anyone’s guess. Areas that aren’t affected now may report being affected while you're reading this article. There is a good chance that tourist destinations in affected areas will be closed, and that quarantine may be required upon return, especially if the CDC upgrades the severity of the affected area. You may have the time of your life and be able to see things with nobody there. But it might also be the disaster vacation from hell.

What would be your general advice for how we should be feeling at this point?
Between slightly and moderately anxious. We have prepared for disaster before and it hasn't really shown up. Prepare for the worst: hope for the best.

(Source:https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a31189030 /coronavirus-covid-19-what-to-know/. Access: 02/03/2020)

TEXT III- Questions 27 to 36

Five ways to get a better bedtime routine by

Amy Sedghi

Getting to sleep can be a struggle , but blackout
blinds and to-do lists can help – as can reserving
the bedroom for sex and shut-eye


An eye mask will block out light.

1. Go to bed at regular times

Going to sleep and waking up at regular times –
even on weekends – will strengthen your body
clock, says Dr Lizzie Hill, a clinical sleep
physiologist and a spokeswoman for the British
Sleep Society. Regular mealtimes are also an
important cue for your circadian rhythm. Avoid
exercise too close to bedtime, as it can cause
restlessness and an elevated body temperature,
says Samantha Briscoe, a senior physiologist at
the Sleep Centre at London Bridge hospital.

2. Protect the bedroom

Preserve the bedroom as a place for sleep (and
sex): there is evidence that the brain forms a strong
association with sleep there. A temperature of 16-
18C (60-64F) is thought to be ideal for most,
according to the Sleep Council, an awareness and
support organisation. Blackout blinds or an eye
mask can help block out light, while keeping
electronic devices out of the bedroom is highly
recommended. If you struggle to fall asleep after
more than 25 minutes, Matthew Walker – a sleep
expert and a professor of neuroscience and
psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
– suggests getting up and going to read under a
dim light in another room. Once sleepy, you can
return to bed.

3. Get ahead on the next day

Your night-time routine is an opportunity to make
mornings run a little smoother: choose your clothes
for the next day when you reach for your pyjamas
or pack your bag while brushing your teeth. Martin
Hagger, a professor of health psychology at the
University of California, Merced, has stressed how
routines are linked to the formation of healthy
habits.

4. Wind down

Reading a book can help slow breathing and relax
muscles, while yoga stretches or even a gentle
walk can reduce anxiety, says Briscoe. A warm bath or shower can also help you relax:
researchers at the University of Texas at Austin
found that bathing in water of 40-42.5C one to two
hours before bedtime was associated with better
sleep.

5. Write down your worries

“If your mind is buzzing from the day, try keeping
a journal or worry book,” suggests Hill. The NHS
also recommends writing to-do lists for the next
day in order to organise thoughts and clear the
mind. “If you experience difficulty with sleep over
the longer term, consider whether there may be an
underlying medical condition,” says Hill. A sleep
diary could help you identify any patterns

(https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/04/five-ways-toget-
a-better-bedtime-routine. Access: 08/01/2020)

Read the following comic
strip and answer questions 46 to 48.

Source:
https://www.comicskingdom.com/hagar-
the-horrible/. Access: 02/12/2019

TEXT III- Questions 27 to 36

Five ways to get a better bedtime routine by

Amy Sedghi

Getting to sleep can be a struggle , but blackout
blinds and to-do lists can help – as can reserving
the bedroom for sex and shut-eye


An eye mask will block out light.

1. Go to bed at regular times

Going to sleep and waking up at regular times –
even on weekends – will strengthen your body
clock, says Dr Lizzie Hill, a clinical sleep
physiologist and a spokeswoman for the British
Sleep Society. Regular mealtimes are also an
important cue for your circadian rhythm. Avoid
exercise too close to bedtime, as it can cause
restlessness and an elevated body temperature,
says Samantha Briscoe, a senior physiologist at
the Sleep Centre at London Bridge hospital.

2. Protect the bedroom

Preserve the bedroom as a place for sleep (and
sex): there is evidence that the brain forms a strong
association with sleep there. A temperature of 16-
18C (60-64F) is thought to be ideal for most,
according to the Sleep Council, an awareness and
support organisation. Blackout blinds or an eye
mask can help block out light, while keeping
electronic devices out of the bedroom is highly
recommended. If you struggle to fall asleep after
more than 25 minutes, Matthew Walker – a sleep
expert and a professor of neuroscience and
psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
– suggests getting up and going to read under a
dim light in another room. Once sleepy, you can
return to bed.

3. Get ahead on the next day

Your night-time routine is an opportunity to make
mornings run a little smoother: choose your clothes
for the next day when you reach for your pyjamas
or pack your bag while brushing your teeth. Martin
Hagger, a professor of health psychology at the
University of California, Merced, has stressed how
routines are linked to the formation of healthy
habits.

4. Wind down

Reading a book can help slow breathing and relax
muscles, while yoga stretches or even a gentle
walk can reduce anxiety, says Briscoe. A warm bath or shower can also help you relax:
researchers at the University of Texas at Austin
found that bathing in water of 40-42.5C one to two
hours before bedtime was associated with better
sleep.

5. Write down your worries

“If your mind is buzzing from the day, try keeping
a journal or worry book,” suggests Hill. The NHS
also recommends writing to-do lists for the next
day in order to organise thoughts and clear the
mind. “If you experience difficulty with sleep over
the longer term, consider whether there may be an
underlying medical condition,” says Hill. A sleep
diary could help you identify any patterns

(https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/04/five-ways-toget-
a-better-bedtime-routine. Access: 08/01/2020)

TEXT IV - Questions 37 to 39.

Sleep (slēp):

A natural state of rest, occurring at regular
intervals, in which the eyes usually close, the
muscles relax, and

responsiveness to external events decreases.
Growth and repair of the tissues of the body are
thought to occur duringsleep, and energy is
conserved and stored. In humans and some other
animals, scientists have identified one phase of
sleep (called REM sleep) as the phase in which
dreams occur.

Did You Know? Shakespeare had it right. He
said that sleep was the "balm of hurt minds" and
that sleep "knits up the ravel'd sleeve of care." In
other words, sleep helps overcome the stress of
everyday life. So the third of your life you spend
asleep is not a waste of time. All warm-blooded
animals have the need to sleep. Studies have
shown that animals that are not allowed to sleep
for a long enough time can actually die. Babies,
human and animal, sleep even more than adults
do. Researchers think that babies may sleep so
much because it helps the young body continue to
develop quickly. Not only are babies' bodies
growing, but their brains are, too – and sleep is
very important for the brain. During sleep, the brain
sorts through experiences and stores important
new information for later use. This processing of
experiences, in fact, is thought to be a major
source of dreams.

(Source: The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary,
Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company.)

A respeito dos verbos empregados no texto 7A2-II, julgue os
próximos itens.p>