ID: 1024091•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text I


Despite the tricky and life-threatening relationship between Paleolithic humans and the megafauna that comprised so much of their environment, twentieth-century scholars tended to claim cave art as evidence of an unalloyed triumph for our species. It was a “great spiritual symbol,” of a time when “man had just emerged from a purely zoological existence, when instead of being dominated by animals, he began to dominate them.” But the child-like and highly stylized stick figures found in caves do not radiate triumph. By the standards of our own time, they are excessively self-effacing and, compared to the animals portrayed around them, pathetically weak.

While twentieth-century archeologists tended to solemnize prehistoric art as “magico-religious” or “shamanic,” today’s more secular viewers sometimes detect a vein of sheer silliness. India’s Mesolithic rock art portrays few human stick figures; those that are portrayed have been described by modern viewers as “comical,” “animalized” and “grotesque.” As Judith Thurman wrote about the artists, “despite their penchant for naturalism, rarely did they choose to depict human beings, and then did so with a crudeness that smacks of mockery.”

But who are they mocking, other than themselves and, by extension, their distant descendants, ourselves? Of course, our reactions to Paleolithic art may bear no connection to the intentions or feelings of the artists. Yet there are reasons to believe that Paleolithic people had a sense of humor not all that dissimilar from our own.


Barbara Ehrenreich. The Humanoid Stain. Later on. Internet: (adapted).

Judge whether the following items about text I are right (C) or wrong (E).

The last sentence of the second paragraph could be rewritten, maintaining its original meaning and correctness, as: Accordingly, Judith Thurman has already written that cave artists, notwithstanding their respect for naturalistic portraits, have an aversion to painting human beings with traces of crudeness, which suggests mockery.

ID: 1022035•
Inglês•
Vocabulário Vocabulary•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text III


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).

Regarding text III, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The excerpt “It licenses a kind of international spoils system” could be, without altering the meaning of the sentence, replaced with It spoils the international system.

ID: 1022039•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text V


Urbanization is one of the defining trends of this century and a key driver of development. By 2050, around 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities and towns. Asia and Africa will collectively account for a significant majority of the urban growth rate, a development that reflects the growth of both ‘megacities’ and smaller urban settlements in both regions over the past three decades. Today, cities produce around 80% of the global GDP and this importance is likely to continue. Cities also use 75% of global energy and are responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. Accompanying the pace and extent of urbanization are a number of positive and negative trends — from increased economic opportunities and improvements in lives and livelihoods, through to the potential for greater urban-rural disparity, lower quality of life, and conflict. One thing is clear, cities across the world play a critical role in driving sustainable development.

However, cities today face numerous vulnerabilities and threats. Without proper planning, policies, and support, urbanization often leads to unnecessary risks and costs, preventing cities from reaching their full potential. Cases such as urban sprawls and the proliferation of informal settlements are increasing, and the communities who reside in such areas often suffer from the poor provision of public services (or lack of) such as healthcare or waste management systems. As their population grows, cities also become more complex, making long-term planning and city management a challenge. Amongst the numerous challenges that policymakers must tackle include those that are environmental, those pertaining to resource allocation, and even social challenges such as reducing intra-city inequalities.

Cities are providing a wide range of opportunities and possibilities for its citizens and, in order for them to be fully harnessed, cities should be built for and together with its citizens to fully unlock their potential. This includes taking into account the various needs and aspirations of people, making sure that everyone can have equal and inclusive access to services and create urban spaces and environments to enhance livability.


Internet: <www.undp.org (adapted)

Based on text V, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

It can be inferred that the more urban expansions and proliferation of informal settlements are created, the more problems the communities nearby will face in terms of provision of public services.

ID: 1022038•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text IV


In the middle of July, Roger was making his first ministerial speech. I did not need reminding, having drafted enough of them, how much speeches mattered — to parliamentary bosses, to any kind of tycoon. Draft after draft: the search for the supreme, the impossible, the more than Flaubertian perfection; the scrutiny for any phrase that said more than it ought to say, so that each speech at the end was bound, by the law of official inexplicitness, to be more porridge-like than when it started out in its first draft. I had always hated writing drafts for other people, and nowadays got out of it. To Hector, to Douglas, it was part of the job, which they took with their usual patience, their usual lack of egotism: when a minister crossed out their sharp, clear English and went in for a literary composition of his own, they gave a wintry smile and let it stand.


C. P. Snow. Corridors of Power. London: Penguin Books, 1972, p. 31.
Considering the grammatical and semantic aspects of text IV, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The narrator of the text considers that the process of rewriting the speech multiple times contributes to its becoming more focused and direct.

ID: 1022027•
Inglês•
Pronomes Pronouns•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text II


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).

Considering text II, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

In the fragment “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” (third sentence of the first paragraph), the referent for the pronoun “they” is “adults”.

ID: 1022040•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text V


Urbanization is one of the defining trends of this century and a key driver of development. By 2050, around 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities and towns. Asia and Africa will collectively account for a significant majority of the urban growth rate, a development that reflects the growth of both ‘megacities’ and smaller urban settlements in both regions over the past three decades. Today, cities produce around 80% of the global GDP and this importance is likely to continue. Cities also use 75% of global energy and are responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. Accompanying the pace and extent of urbanization are a number of positive and negative trends — from increased economic opportunities and improvements in lives and livelihoods, through to the potential for greater urban-rural disparity, lower quality of life, and conflict. One thing is clear, cities across the world play a critical role in driving sustainable development.

However, cities today face numerous vulnerabilities and threats. Without proper planning, policies, and support, urbanization often leads to unnecessary risks and costs, preventing cities from reaching their full potential. Cases such as urban sprawls and the proliferation of informal settlements are increasing, and the communities who reside in such areas often suffer from the poor provision of public services (or lack of) such as healthcare or waste management systems. As their population grows, cities also become more complex, making long-term planning and city management a challenge. Amongst the numerous challenges that policymakers must tackle include those that are environmental, those pertaining to resource allocation, and even social challenges such as reducing intra-city inequalities.

Cities are providing a wide range of opportunities and possibilities for its citizens and, in order for them to be fully harnessed, cities should be built for and together with its citizens to fully unlock their potential. This includes taking into account the various needs and aspirations of people, making sure that everyone can have equal and inclusive access to services and create urban spaces and environments to enhance livability.


Internet: <www.undp.org (adapted)

Based on text V, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

To ensure equal and inclusive access to services and create urban spaces that improve livability, cities should be developed by citizens aiming to fully realize their potential.

ID: 1022026•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text II


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).

Considering text II, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

By stating that he wants to show the reader “the lie of the land” (first sentence of the text), the author means that he wants to inform the reader of the rules he followed in writing the book.

ID: 1022030•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text II


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).

Based on text II, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

It can be correctly concluded from the excerpt “Praise is so much duller than criticism” (ninth sentence of the first paragraph) that the author wishes to write a book criticizing what he considers “monstrosities”.

ID: 1022032•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text III


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).

Regarding text III, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The author of the text considers that, more than the competence of the applicants or their nationality, it is their political connections — who they know — that has the greatest impact on their chance of being recruited for international jobs.

ID: 1022036•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text IV


In the middle of July, Roger was making his first ministerial speech. I did not need reminding, having drafted enough of them, how much speeches mattered — to parliamentary bosses, to any kind of tycoon. Draft after draft: the search for the supreme, the impossible, the more than Flaubertian perfection; the scrutiny for any phrase that said more than it ought to say, so that each speech at the end was bound, by the law of official inexplicitness, to be more porridge-like than when it started out in its first draft. I had always hated writing drafts for other people, and nowadays got out of it. To Hector, to Douglas, it was part of the job, which they took with their usual patience, their usual lack of egotism: when a minister crossed out their sharp, clear English and went in for a literary composition of his own, they gave a wintry smile and let it stand.


C. P. Snow. Corridors of Power. London: Penguin Books, 1972, p. 31.
Considering the grammatical and semantic aspects of text IV, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The text suggests that, when their original drafts were modified by a minister, Hector and Douglas would stand up to him and insist on retaining the sharp, clear English of the original.

ID: 1022031•
Inglês•
Análise sintática Syntax Parsing•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text II


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).

Based on text II, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

In “for them the familiar appearance” (third sentence of second paragraph), “them” refers to the people the book is meant for: “those who look for bearings in a new field”.

ID: 1022042•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text V


Urbanization is one of the defining trends of this century and a key driver of development. By 2050, around 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities and towns. Asia and Africa will collectively account for a significant majority of the urban growth rate, a development that reflects the growth of both ‘megacities’ and smaller urban settlements in both regions over the past three decades. Today, cities produce around 80% of the global GDP and this importance is likely to continue. Cities also use 75% of global energy and are responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. Accompanying the pace and extent of urbanization are a number of positive and negative trends — from increased economic opportunities and improvements in lives and livelihoods, through to the potential for greater urban-rural disparity, lower quality of life, and conflict. One thing is clear, cities across the world play a critical role in driving sustainable development.

However, cities today face numerous vulnerabilities and threats. Without proper planning, policies, and support, urbanization often leads to unnecessary risks and costs, preventing cities from reaching their full potential. Cases such as urban sprawls and the proliferation of informal settlements are increasing, and the communities who reside in such areas often suffer from the poor provision of public services (or lack of) such as healthcare or waste management systems. As their population grows, cities also become more complex, making long-term planning and city management a challenge. Amongst the numerous challenges that policymakers must tackle include those that are environmental, those pertaining to resource allocation, and even social challenges such as reducing intra-city inequalities.

Cities are providing a wide range of opportunities and possibilities for its citizens and, in order for them to be fully harnessed, cities should be built for and together with its citizens to fully unlock their potential. This includes taking into account the various needs and aspirations of people, making sure that everyone can have equal and inclusive access to services and create urban spaces and environments to enhance livability.


Internet: <www.undp.org (adapted)

Based on text V, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

Despite the many vulnerabilities and threats cities encounter, it is reasonable to conclude that with effective planning, policies, and adequate support, urbanization can avoid unnecessary risks and costs, enabling cities to achieve their full potential.

ID: 1022033•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text III


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).

Regarding text III, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

According to the text, reconciling the principle of equitable geographical distribution of recruits with that of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity was a legal obligation incumbent both on the Secretary-General of the League of Nations and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

ID: 1024092•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text I


Despite the tricky and life-threatening relationship between Paleolithic humans and the megafauna that comprised so much of their environment, twentieth-century scholars tended to claim cave art as evidence of an unalloyed triumph for our species. It was a “great spiritual symbol,” of a time when “man had just emerged from a purely zoological existence, when instead of being dominated by animals, he began to dominate them.” But the child-like and highly stylized stick figures found in caves do not radiate triumph. By the standards of our own time, they are excessively self-effacing and, compared to the animals portrayed around them, pathetically weak.

While twentieth-century archeologists tended to solemnize prehistoric art as “magico-religious” or “shamanic,” today’s more secular viewers sometimes detect a vein of sheer silliness. India’s Mesolithic rock art portrays few human stick figures; those that are portrayed have been described by modern viewers as “comical,” “animalized” and “grotesque.” As Judith Thurman wrote about the artists, “despite their penchant for naturalism, rarely did they choose to depict human beings, and then did so with a crudeness that smacks of mockery.”

But who are they mocking, other than themselves and, by extension, their distant descendants, ourselves? Of course, our reactions to Paleolithic art may bear no connection to the intentions or feelings of the artists. Yet there are reasons to believe that Paleolithic people had a sense of humor not all that dissimilar from our own.


Barbara Ehrenreich. The Humanoid Stain. Later on. Internet: (adapted).

Judge whether the following items about text I are right (C) or wrong (E).

By stating that the human figures in cave art are “self-effacing” (last sentence of the first paragraph), the author means that humans were virtually absent characters in cave paintings.

ID: 1022037•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text IV


In the middle of July, Roger was making his first ministerial speech. I did not need reminding, having drafted enough of them, how much speeches mattered — to parliamentary bosses, to any kind of tycoon. Draft after draft: the search for the supreme, the impossible, the more than Flaubertian perfection; the scrutiny for any phrase that said more than it ought to say, so that each speech at the end was bound, by the law of official inexplicitness, to be more porridge-like than when it started out in its first draft. I had always hated writing drafts for other people, and nowadays got out of it. To Hector, to Douglas, it was part of the job, which they took with their usual patience, their usual lack of egotism: when a minister crossed out their sharp, clear English and went in for a literary composition of his own, they gave a wintry smile and let it stand.


C. P. Snow. Corridors of Power. London: Penguin Books, 1972, p. 31.
Considering the grammatical and semantic aspects of text IV, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).


In the first sentence of the text, the verb “making” is being used with the sense of writing.

ID: 1022028•
Inglês•
Vocabulário Vocabulary•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text II


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).

Based on text II, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

In the last sentence of the text, the word “dog” has a similar meaning to trouble.

ID: 1024085•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text I


Despite the tricky and life-threatening relationship between Paleolithic humans and the megafauna that comprised so much of their environment, twentieth-century scholars tended to claim cave art as evidence of an unalloyed triumph for our species. It was a “great spiritual symbol,” of a time when “man had just emerged from a purely zoological existence, when instead of being dominated by animals, he began to dominate them.” But the child-like and highly stylized stick figures found in caves do not radiate triumph. By the standards of our own time, they are excessively self-effacing and, compared to the animals portrayed around them, pathetically weak.

While twentieth-century archeologists tended to solemnize prehistoric art as “magico-religious” or “shamanic,” today’s more secular viewers sometimes detect a vein of sheer silliness. India’s Mesolithic rock art portrays few human stick figures; those that are portrayed have been described by modern viewers as “comical,” “animalized” and “grotesque.” As Judith Thurman wrote about the artists, “despite their penchant for naturalism, rarely did they choose to depict human beings, and then did so with a crudeness that smacks of mockery.”

But who are they mocking, other than themselves and, by extension, their distant descendants, ourselves? Of course, our reactions to Paleolithic art may bear no connection to the intentions or feelings of the artists. Yet there are reasons to believe that Paleolithic people had a sense of humor not all that dissimilar from our own.


Barbara Ehrenreich. The Humanoid Stain. Later on. Internet: (adapted).

Based on text I, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The text stresses the difference between the opinions of cave artists and of modern art scholars in terms of the concept of the artistic genius.

ID: 1024088•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text I


Despite the tricky and life-threatening relationship between Paleolithic humans and the megafauna that comprised so much of their environment, twentieth-century scholars tended to claim cave art as evidence of an unalloyed triumph for our species. It was a “great spiritual symbol,” of a time when “man had just emerged from a purely zoological existence, when instead of being dominated by animals, he began to dominate them.” But the child-like and highly stylized stick figures found in caves do not radiate triumph. By the standards of our own time, they are excessively self-effacing and, compared to the animals portrayed around them, pathetically weak.

While twentieth-century archeologists tended to solemnize prehistoric art as “magico-religious” or “shamanic,” today’s more secular viewers sometimes detect a vein of sheer silliness. India’s Mesolithic rock art portrays few human stick figures; those that are portrayed have been described by modern viewers as “comical,” “animalized” and “grotesque.” As Judith Thurman wrote about the artists, “despite their penchant for naturalism, rarely did they choose to depict human beings, and then did so with a crudeness that smacks of mockery.”

But who are they mocking, other than themselves and, by extension, their distant descendants, ourselves? Of course, our reactions to Paleolithic art may bear no connection to the intentions or feelings of the artists. Yet there are reasons to believe that Paleolithic people had a sense of humor not all that dissimilar from our own.


Barbara Ehrenreich. The Humanoid Stain. Later on. Internet: (adapted).

Based on text I, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The author concludes that cave artists depicted humans as weak to show the preponderance megafauna had in those days.

ID: 1022041•
Inglês•
Interpretação de texto Reading comprehension•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text V


Urbanization is one of the defining trends of this century and a key driver of development. By 2050, around 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities and towns. Asia and Africa will collectively account for a significant majority of the urban growth rate, a development that reflects the growth of both ‘megacities’ and smaller urban settlements in both regions over the past three decades. Today, cities produce around 80% of the global GDP and this importance is likely to continue. Cities also use 75% of global energy and are responsible for 70% of global carbon emissions. Accompanying the pace and extent of urbanization are a number of positive and negative trends — from increased economic opportunities and improvements in lives and livelihoods, through to the potential for greater urban-rural disparity, lower quality of life, and conflict. One thing is clear, cities across the world play a critical role in driving sustainable development.

However, cities today face numerous vulnerabilities and threats. Without proper planning, policies, and support, urbanization often leads to unnecessary risks and costs, preventing cities from reaching their full potential. Cases such as urban sprawls and the proliferation of informal settlements are increasing, and the communities who reside in such areas often suffer from the poor provision of public services (or lack of) such as healthcare or waste management systems. As their population grows, cities also become more complex, making long-term planning and city management a challenge. Amongst the numerous challenges that policymakers must tackle include those that are environmental, those pertaining to resource allocation, and even social challenges such as reducing intra-city inequalities.

Cities are providing a wide range of opportunities and possibilities for its citizens and, in order for them to be fully harnessed, cities should be built for and together with its citizens to fully unlock their potential. This includes taking into account the various needs and aspirations of people, making sure that everyone can have equal and inclusive access to services and create urban spaces and environments to enhance livability.


Internet: <www.undp.org (adapted)

Based on text V, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

Due to the amount of global GDP produced by cities, the article shows how important it is for cities to continue growing to help the urbanization process.

ID: 1022034•
Inglês•
Vocabulário Vocabulary•
CESPE CEBRASPE•
Instituto Rio Branco•
Tarde•
2024

Text III


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).

Regarding text III, judge whether the following statements are right (C) or wrong (E).

The fragment “even at the expense of sheer quality” (last sentence of the second paragraph) could be, without harming the coherence of the text, replaced with even if this entails the choice of less qualified applicants.

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