Questões para Concursos

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.

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.

Why art gallery visits may be one of the healthiest habits you can build

This year’s top Health stories celebrate the kind of progress that hits close to home: advances that help us live longer, feel better, and take care of one another. From mental health wins to medical innovations, these 2025 highlights are all about healing, hope, and human potential.

Most of us know the feeling of standing in front of a painting that makes us pause. Maybe it’s a burst of color that lifts our mood or a quiet scene that steadies the mind. Either way, a new study from King’s College London suggests that these moments are doing far more than sparking emotion. Researchers have found measurable evidence that viewing original art can support both mental health and long-term physical wellbeing.
Their findings point to something powerful: spending even a short amount of time with original artworks may reduce stress, improve emotional balance, and potentially contribute to a longer, healthier life. And the best part is that you do not need to be an art expert to benefit.

What the study actually measured
To explore the connection between art and health, researchers invited fifty healthy adults between the ages of eighteen and forty to take part in an experiment. One group visited The Courtauld Gallery in London, where they viewed original masterpieces by artists including Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet. A second group viewed high-quality reproductions in a non-gallery setting.

Participants wore sensors that tracked heart rate, skin temperature, and other subtle responses. They also provided saliva samples before and after the experience so researchers could measure changes in stress and inflammation.

The results were striking:
Cortisol, better known as the body’s primary stress hormone, fell by 22 percent among gallery visitors. Those who saw reproductions saw only an eight percent drop.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased by 30 percent in the gallery group and 28 percent in the reproduction group.
Gallery visitors also showed signs of emotional engagement, including small drops in skin temperature and variation in heart-rate patterns.
These shifts matter because high cortisol and inflammation are linked to chronic conditions such as anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes. In other words, your quiet moment with an original painting could be supporting your long-term health in ways you cannot feel immediately.

Why original art matters even more
Although both groups experienced some positive changes, the impact was stronger for those who viewed original artworks. Researchers believe that the immersive environment of a gallery adds layers of sensory experience with elements that highlight space, scale, texture, and atmosphere. These aspects work together to deepen the body’s response.

Importantly, the researchers emphasized that the benefits appeared regardless of art knowledge or emotional intelligence. You do not need to understand an artist’s entire catalog or even consider yourself an “art person” to gain something meaningful.

A simple, accessible step toward wellbeing

The implications of this study reach beyond museum walls. These findings help pave the way for broader integration of art and wellbeing, offering a low-cost and accessible option for reducing loneliness, easing depression, and improving life satisfaction.

And while art may not replace clinical care, it can be a gentle, joyful tool to add to your wellness routine. The next time you find yourself lingering in front of a painting, know that your body is responding in ways that support you; calming, stimulating, and restoring at the same time.

Source: https://www.optimistdaily.com/2026/01/why-art-gallery-visits-may-be-one-of-the-healthiest-habits-you-can-build-2/. Access on May 4th 2026.

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.

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.

Note: throughout the test, you are going to read an online article entitled Bing A.I. and the Dawn of the Post-Search Internet (written by Kyle Chayka), adapted from https://www.newyorker.com and accessed on 11 June 2023. The article is about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and it discusses ChatGPT.

All the questions of your test will refer to different parts and aspects of the article.

Note: throughout the test, you are going to read an online article entitled Bing A.I. and the Dawn of the Post-Search Internet (written by Kyle Chayka), adapted from https://www.newyorker.com and accessed on 11 June 2023. The article is about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and it discusses ChatGPT.

All the questions of your test will refer to different parts and aspects of the article.