Questões de Concursos Inglês

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As one of the oldest and most influential foreign language pedagogical journals, The Modern Language Journal (MLJ) offers valuable insights into how technological advances have affected language teaching and learning at various points in history. The present article will review the proposed pedagogical use of technological resources by means of a critical analysis of articles published in the MLJ since its first edition in 1916. The assessment of how previous technical capabilities have been implemented for pedagogical purposes represents a necessary background for the assessment of the pedagogical potential of present-day technologies. In this article I argue that, whereas most “new technologies” (radio, television, VCR, computers) may have been revolutionary in the overall context of human interaction, it is not clear that they have achieved equal degrees of pedagogical benefit in the realm of second language teaching. I further claim that the pedagogical effectiveness of different technologies is related to four major questions: (a) Is increased technological sophistication correlated to increased pedagogical effectiveness? (b) Which technical attributes specific to newtechnologies can be profitably exploited for pedagogical purposes? (c) How can new technologies be successfully integrated into the curriculum? and (d) Do new technologies provide for an efficient use of human and material resources?

(Salaberry, M. Researchgate.net. Adaptado)

Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.

One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.

Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.

Source: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2019/08/the-power-of-language-howwords-shape-people-culture

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"I’m not a naturally wrathful person. I don’t like to (and usually don’t) lose my temper. The exception is when drivers ignore pedestrian right of way. I will, whether I’m a few steps or a few miles into my walk, admonish them — loudly and none too gently. (They, of course, cannot hear me inside their cars.)

It’s hard to shake the impression that New York City’s drivers have become more aggressive. They run reds, viciously honk and yell at pedestrians who clearly have the right of way and generally endanger the lives of those on foot.

From 2009 to 2022, an average of 136 pedestrians were killed each year by traffic in the city. The numbers have gone down slightly — to 99 in 2023 — but cyclist deaths have climbed, though they remain a small fraction of pedestrian deaths. (The city’s decision to give pedestrians a head start at many intersections, where walk signals turn white before streetlights go green, may be helping.)

In the United States generally, walking has become far more dangerous. The number of pedestrian fatalities nationally has climbed more than 80 percent in the past 15 years, largely because of increasingly hazardous automotive design. Some police departments effectively no longer punish drivers for any traffic infractions. San Francisco’s police officers “have almost entirely abandoned enforcement of traffic laws,” The Times’s Heather Knight reported.

All of this calls not just for policy changes such as automobile regulation, improved policing and better urban planning but also for a more assertive pedestrian culture. Aggressive drivers have exacerbated this problem; aggressive pedestrians can help solve it."

Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/02/27/opinion/thepoint#pedestrian-safetyassertiveness

Read the text to answer question.

"I’m not a naturally wrathful person. I don’t like to (and usually don’t) lose my temper. The exception is when drivers ignore pedestrian right of way. I will, whether I’m a few steps or a few miles into my walk, admonish them — loudly and none too gently. (They, of course, cannot hear me inside their cars.)

It’s hard to shake the impression that New York City’s drivers have become more aggressive. They run reds, viciously honk and yell at pedestrians who clearly have the right of way and generally endanger the lives of those on foot.

From 2009 to 2022, an average of 136 pedestrians were killed each year by traffic in the city. The numbers have gone down slightly — to 99 in 2023 — but cyclist deaths have climbed, though they remain a small fraction of pedestrian deaths. (The city’s decision to give pedestrians a head start at many intersections, where walk signals turn white before streetlights go green, may be helping.)

In the United States generally, walking has become far more dangerous. The number of pedestrian fatalities nationally has climbed more than 80 percent in the past 15 years, largely because of increasingly hazardous automotive design. Some police departments effectively no longer punish drivers for any traffic infractions. San Francisco’s police officers “have almost entirely abandoned enforcement of traffic laws,” The Times’s Heather Knight reported.

All of this calls not just for policy changes such as automobile regulation, improved policing and better urban planning but also for a more assertive pedestrian culture. Aggressive drivers have exacerbated this problem; aggressive pedestrians can help solve it."

Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/02/27/opinion/thepoint#pedestrian-safetyassertiveness

The AirPods Pro deliver excellent noise cancellation, but you might notice that the ANC seems weak initially. Simply wait a few seconds. The earphones first need to measure the surrounding noise and create a custom ANC profile appropriate for your current environment. And then, when it kicks in, it's exceptional. Another positive note—the ANC doesn't seem to introduce any noticeable hiss in quiet settings, which cheap earphones often use as a crutch.

In my tests, the AirPods Pro dramatically lowered powerful low-frequency rumble (like you hear on an airplane) after an initial adjustment period. In some of our deep rumble tests, the AirPods even matched the performance of the $299 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, which is impressive.

What's even more impressive is that, in some tests, the AirPods Pro fare better than the QuietComfort Earbuds. The problem, if you can call it one, is consistency, and something I experienced with the AirPods Max as well. The latter are also capable of shockingly effective noise cancellation, but sometimes a slight head turn can reduce their efficacy. The AirPods Pro are more likely to remain effective after the initial adjustment, but sometimes the resulting profile didn't impress me. But, to their credit, a slight change to the in-ear fit can induce a far more competent noise cancellation profile. So don't be afraid to play around with how the earpieces sit in your ear if the ANC isn't initially impressive.

https://www.pcmag.com

The AirPods Pro deliver excellent noise cancellation, but you might notice that the ANC seems weak initially. Simply wait a few seconds. The earphones first need to measure the surrounding noise and create a custom ANC profile appropriate for your current environment. And then, when it kicks in, it's exceptional. Another positive note—the ANC doesn't seem to introduce any noticeable hiss in quiet settings, which cheap earphones often use as a crutch.

In my tests, the AirPods Pro dramatically lowered powerful low-frequency rumble (like you hear on an airplane) after an initial adjustment period. In some of our deep rumble tests, the AirPods even matched the performance of the $299 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, which is impressive.

What's even more impressive is that, in some tests, the AirPods Pro fare better than the QuietComfort Earbuds. The problem, if you can call it one, is consistency, and something I experienced with the AirPods Max as well. The latter are also capable of shockingly effective noise cancellation, but sometimes a slight head turn can reduce their efficacy. The AirPods Pro are more likely to remain effective after the initial adjustment, but sometimes the resulting profile didn't impress me. But, to their credit, a slight change to the in-ear fit can induce a far more competent noise cancellation profile. So don't be afraid to play around with how the earpieces sit in your ear if the ANC isn't initially impressive.

https://www.pcmag.com

1 The shipping trends play a vital role in global trade, transporting goods worth trillions of dollars yearly. Population growth and continued urbanization will also lead to an increase in demand for maritime shipping services. The maritime shipping industry must continue to innovate and adopt new technologies to meet this increased demand. The following are some of the most promising trends and innovations currently taking place in the maritime shipping industry:

2 1. Green Technology - One of the most critical trends in maritime shipping is the move toward green technology. With increasing public awareness of the need to protect the environment, it is becoming increasingly crucial for maritime companies to adopt green practices. Maritime companies invest in cleaner-burning fuels such as LNG (liquefied natural gas). LNG produces significantly lower emissions than traditional marine fuels such as heavy fuel oil (HFO) and diesel. Some maritime companies are also experimenting with battery-powered ships to reduce emissions further. While battery-powered ships are not yet commercially viable on long voyages, they show great promise for use on shorter routes.

3 2. Electric Ships - Global maritime transport emits around 900 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, accounting for 2-3% of the world’s total emissions. As the push for decarbonization gathers momentum, it is only a matter of time before electric ships become the norm.

4 3. Autonomous Ships - Another exciting trend in maritime shipping is the development of autonomous ships. Autonomous ships have the potential to revolutionize the industry. They offer many advantages over traditional vessels, including reduced operating costs, increased efficiency, and improved safety by reducing the need for manual labor onboard ships. In addition, automated systems are less susceptible to human error than their manual counterparts. While there are many regulatory hurdles to overcome before autonomous vessels can be deployed commercially, they are expected to eventually become a common sight in the world’s oceans.

5 4. Blockchain - Blockchain technology is also beginning to make its way into the maritime shipping industry. Blockchain offers several potential benefits for maritime companies, including improved tracking of shipments and real-time visibility of their location- this would minimize delays caused by lost or misplaced cargo, reduce paperwork, and increase transparency throughout the supply chain. Moreover, blockchain-based smart contracts could automate many administrative tasks related to shipping, such as documentation and billing.

6 5. Big data and predictive analytics - Another major trend transforming maritime shipping is the increasing use of big data and predictive analytics. The shipping industry generates vast amounts of data that can be extremely valuable if analyzed correctly. Big data analytics can improve everything from route planning to fuel consumption. By harnessing the power of data, shipping companies can optimize their operations, reduce costs, and enhance safety and security. Predictive analytics is particularly valuable for identifying potential problems before they occur, such as equipment failures or weather hazards.

7 6. Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity is a growing concern for maritime companies due to the increased reliance on digital systems and networks. As the shipping industry becomes increasingly digitized, companies must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect their vessels and cargo from attack. Ships are now equipped with everything from satellite communications to remote monitoring capabilities, all of which create potential cyber vulnerabilities.

8 Conclusion - The maritime shipping news is undergoing a period of significant change, with new technologies and trends emerging that have the potential to revolutionize the way that we ship goods around the world.

Is AI the future of education in the South East?

27 May 2024 - Jacob Panons, BBC News, South East

“Artificial intelligence (AI) in education was once just considered a tool used by pupils to help write their essays, but schools themselves in the South East are beginning to harness the technology too.

A West Sussex boarding prep school now has an AI head teacher acting as a "co-pilot" with the school's human leader Tom Rogerson.

Cottesmore School has also allowed students to design their perfect tutor using the technology.

The government has said AI has the power to "transform education".

- How AI is being used

Some schools in the South East have used the technology to help with formatting worksheets, but the AI head teacher was brought in to give advice on issues such as how to support teachers and staff members, as well as ways to help children with additional needs.

Mr Rogerson, head teacher at Cottesmore School, said: "It's there for advice and to clarify thoughts and as a sounding board."

On top of this the AI tutors were adopted so students could ask questions when one-on-one time with their teachers was not available.

The school in Pease Pottage, which educates children aged eight to 13, also set up the "my future school" project, where children design their perfect imaginary school with the help of AI.

AI has also been incorporated into lessons in Turner Schools in Folkestone, Kent, to teach students about how to use it responsibly.”

Source: https://bbc.com/news/articles/c999k57ky7ro

This book wants to show the newcomer the lie of the land without confusing him with details. In writing it I thought first and foremost of readers in their teens. But I have never believed that books for young people should differ from books for adults except for the fact that they must reckon with the most exacting class of critics, critics who are quick to detect and resent any trace of pretentious jargon or bogus sentiment. I know from experience that these are the vices which may render people suspicious of all writings. I have striven to use plain language even at the risk of sounding casual or unprofessional. I hope that no reader will attribute my decision to get along with a minimum of the art historian’s conventional terms to any desire on my part of ‘talking down’ to him. Apart from this decision, I have tried to follow a number of more specific self-imposed rules, such as limiting myself to real works of art and cutting out anything which might merely be interesting as a specimen of taste or fashion. This decision entailed a considerable sacrifice of literary effects. Praise is so much duller than criticism, and the inclusion of some amusing monstrosities might have offered some light relief. Thus, while I do not claim that all the works illustrated represent the highest standard of perfection, I did make an effort not to include anything which I considered to be without a peculiar merit of its own.

A second rule also demanded a little self-denial. I vowed to resist any temptation to be original in my selection, lest the well-known masterpieces be crowded out by my own personal favourites. This book, after all, is not intended merely as an anthology of beautiful things; it is meant for those who look for bearings in a new field, and for them the familiar appearance of apparently ‘hackneyed’ examples may serve as welcome landmarks.

One more rule I have followed. When in doubt I have always preferred to discuss a work which I had seen in the original rather than one I knew only from photographs. I should have liked to make this an absolute rule, but I did not want the reader to be penalized by the accidents of travel restrictions which sometimes dog the life of the art-lover.

E. H. Gombrich. The Story of Art. Phaidon, New York – London: 1995, p. 7-8 (adapted).

Aside from the difficulties of operating a decidedly multinational staff organization, once it is formed, the problem of reconciling the principle of equitable geographical distribution of recruits with that of “securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity” is a formidable one. This delicate task was politically imposed upon the League of Nations secretary-general, and is constitutionally required of his counterpart in the United Nations.

For better or for worse, recruitment policy cannot be based exclusively upon the criterion of the individual’s personal qualifications; in the field of international employment, the relevant irrelevancy is not “whom do you know” but “where are you from?” From a strictly administrative point of view, there is some positive value in securing broad nationality distribution, even at the expense of sheer quality; for some purposes, a slightly incompetent man’s nationality may make him more useful than a more expert civil servant of inappropriate nationality.

For the most part, however, the Charter principle of geographical distribution is a concession to political necessity. It licenses a kind of international spoils system in which states seek to nourish their national self-esteem by securing an adequate quota of international jobs for their citizens. Ironically, perhaps, because it is politically necessary it is also politically and administratively desirable; what shall it profit an international organization to maintain its administrative purity and lose its own members or their political support?

Inis L. and Claude Jr. Swords into Plowshares: The Problems and Progress of International Organization. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984, pp. 196-197 (adapted).