Odds are you carry DNA from a Neandertal, Denisovan or some other archaic human. Just a few years ago such a statement would have been virtually unthinkable. For decades evidence from genetics seemed to support the theory that anatomically modern humans arose as a new species in a single locale in Africa and subsequently spread out from there, replacing archaic humans throughout the Old World without mating with them. But in recent years geneticists have determined that, contrary to that conventional view, anatomically modern Homo sapiens did in fact interbreed with archaic humans, and that their DNA persists in people today.

The University of Arizona in Tucson examines the latest genetic finding and explores the possibility that DNA from these extinct relatives helped H. sapiens become the wildly successful species it is today.

I have an enduring interest in the rise of H. sapiens and I am fascinated with Neandertals. So naturally I’ve been keen to find out how much, if any, Neandertal DNA I have in my own genome. Several consumer genetic test companies now test for Neandertal genetic markers as part of the broader ancestry analysis, and, after one of them lowered the price of their kit to U$ 99 in December, I decided to take the plunge. As it happens, National Geographic’s Genographic Project had recently updated their own genetic test to look for Neandertal DNA, and they sent me a kit. And so it was on a chilly Saturday in late January that I found myself spitting into a test tube for a test company and swabbing my cheek for the Genographic Project.

Of course the two tests look at far more than one’s Neandertal ancestry. The company provides a wealth of health information, testing for variation in DNA that might affect disease risk and drug performance as well as mutations that could cause disease in one’s children. Genographic’s test does not look for health information. Both tests trace one’s maternal lineage (and paternal lineage, for males) to beyond 10,000 years ago and reveal what percentage of one’s recent ancestry comes from various regions around the world.

Finding my inner neandertal. In: Scientific
American, April, 2013, p. 5-7 (adapted).

Judge the item that follow based on the text above.

“that conventional view” refers to the theory that modern humans came from just one single place in Africa.

Cosmetic surgery is the science of changing the way a person looks by reshaping a part of his/her body. Throughout times, people have always had the desire to look more beautiful and fashionable. Whatever their age, size, or shape, people have followed fashion in order to look more attractive.

Cosmetic surgery is also used in many countries to improve the appearance of people who have been hurt in fires or in car accidents. Cosmetic surgery is also used to improve the appearance of children who are born with physical problems.

Like any other surgery, cosmetic surgery can be dangerous and painful. It is also somewhat expensive for the average person. But as surgeons find safer, faster and less expensive techniques, people around the world will continue their search for beauty.

Carolyn Duparequier Sardinas & Laurie Betta. North star focus on
reading and writing. Intermediate Longman. p. 161 (adapted).

According to the text, judge the item below.

Physical appearance has been a concern of human beings for a long time now.

Ao nos contar a história dos percalços de um funcionário em ascensão pela burocracia do Brasil imperial, Antonio Candido revisita as questões cruciais de nosso século XIX.

Nascido em um Rio ainda joanino em 1810, Antonio Nicolau Tolentino entrou para o serviço público em 1825, atravessou os anos turbulentos das Regências e do início do Segundo Reinado, falecendo em julho de 1888, logo após a abolição da escravatura. O personagem viveu, portanto, quase todo o período. Em si, o fato não tornaria mais, ou menos, interessante sua trajetória pessoal, não fosse ela significativa o suficiente para revelar a dinâmica social do tempo. Filho de lavradores pobres ou de mãe solteira — não se sabe ao certo —, saiu da obscuridade por esforço próprio, foi reconhecido em seu valor por figurões da política, arranjou um bom casamento entre a elite e terminou seus dias como alto funcionário.

Da roça aos salões de baile na Corte, a subida não foi feita sem ânimo prestativo, hesitações, orgulho das próprias qualidades, espera do momento oportuno e resignação de quem teve de ouvir calado. Tudo isso num quadro social que não lhe garantia qualquer reconhecimento e é uma constante brasileira até hoje. Entretanto, Tolentino não apenas abaixava a cabeça para resguardar sua carreira, como faria um adulador medíocre; havia nele um idealismo, no bom sentido do termo, que obviamente encontrou resistências quando foi posto em prática. O nervo da narrativa de Antonio Candido é o conflito entre as intenções racionais do burocrata e a politicagem ampla, geral e irrestrita.

Não se trata, contudo, de luta do bem contra o mal, pois tal embate tem uma especificação histórica cuja raiz se encontra no próprio surgimento do Brasil como país. Em outras palavras, o Brasil independente afirmava-se como nação moderna, adotava uma Constituição, um Parlamento, fraque e cartola, ao mesmo tempo em que mantinha a maior parte de sua população fora do âmbito da cidadania.

Milton Ohata. “Ascensão à brasileira” - Resenha de Um funcionário
da monarquia: ensaio sobre o segundo escalão, de Antonio Candido.
In: Novos estudos CEBRAP. n.º 34, nov./2002 (com adaptações).

Julgue o item seguinte, relativos às ideias do texto acima.

Infere-se que o autor do texto considera Antonio Nicolau Tolentino socialmente excluído no Brasil da época da monarquia.

Apesar da ampliação do acesso à escola e da crescente geração de emprego, uma população de 9,6 milhões de jovens, formada principalmente por mulheres, muitas delas com filhos, não estuda nem trabalha e é motivo de preocupação nos estudos sobre condições de vida da população brasileira, aponta a síntese de indicadores sociais de 2013 do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), com dados de 2012. Um em cada cinco brasileiros (19,6%) de 15 a 29 anos de idade faz parte da “geração nem nem”, jovens que nem estudam nem trabalham.

O Estado de S.Paulo, 30/11/2013, p. A34.

Tendo o fragmento de texto acima como referência inicial e considerando aspectos marcantes da realidade social brasileira contemporânea, julgue o item subsequente.

Programas oficiais de transferência de renda, como o Bolsa Família, atingem expressivo universo de famílias brasileiras pobres.

Odds are you carry DNA from a Neandertal, Denisovan or some other archaic human. Just a few years ago such a statement would have been virtually unthinkable. For decades evidence from genetics seemed to support the theory that anatomically modern humans arose as a new species in a single locale in Africa and subsequently spread out from there, replacing archaic humans throughout the Old World without mating with them. But in recent years geneticists have determined that, contrary to that conventional view, anatomically modern Homo sapiens did in fact interbreed with archaic humans, and that their DNA persists in people today.

The University of Arizona in Tucson examines the latest genetic finding and explores the possibility that DNA from these extinct relatives helped H. sapiens become the wildly successful species it is today.

I have an enduring interest in the rise of H. sapiens and I am fascinated with Neandertals. So naturally I’ve been keen to find out how much, if any, Neandertal DNA I have in my own genome. Several consumer genetic test companies now test for Neandertal genetic markers as part of the broader ancestry analysis, and, after one of them lowered the price of their kit to U$ 99 in December, I decided to take the plunge. As it happens, National Geographic’s Genographic Project had recently updated their own genetic test to look for Neandertal DNA, and they sent me a kit. And so it was on a chilly Saturday in late January that I found myself spitting into a test tube for a test company and swabbing my cheek for the Genographic Project.

Of course the two tests look at far more than one’s Neandertal ancestry. The company provides a wealth of health information, testing for variation in DNA that might affect disease risk and drug performance as well as mutations that could cause disease in one’s children. Genographic’s test does not look for health information. Both tests trace one’s maternal lineage (and paternal lineage, for males) to beyond 10,000 years ago and reveal what percentage of one’s recent ancestry comes from various regions around the world.

Finding my inner neandertal. In: Scientific
American, April, 2013, p. 5-7 (adapted).

Judge the item that follow based on the text above.

“if any” refers to the possibility that there is no Neandertal DNA in the author’s genome at all.

On June 6, the Guardian and the Washington Post broke the first stories in a series that would expose extraordinary surveillance at home and abroad by the U.S.

National Security Agency in arguably the most important leak of classified intelligence ever. The stories initially detailed the NSA’s program of bulk data collection of Americans’ phone and internet records, but soon exposed U.S. spying against allies and other more traditional espionage targets abroad. NSA-contractor Edward Snowden revealed from Hong Kong that he had handed over hundreds of thousands of documents to reporters, and said he was doing so to prevent the establishment of “turn-key tyranny” in America.

The ensuing revelations and Snowden’s flight to Russia infuriated the Obama administration, which sought his extradition on criminal charges. They also embarrassed the intelligence community and initiated an international discussion on the boundaries of surveillance in this age of instant communication.

The Snowden leaks. Internet: <www.nation.time.com> (adapted).

Judge if the translation suggested in each item grammatically correct and maintains the meaning of the original text.

“They also embarrassed the intelligence community and initiated an international discussion on the boundaries of surveillance in this age of instant communication” = Eles também envergonharam a comunidade ligada aos serviços de inteligência e deram início a uma discussão internacional sobre os limites da vigilância nesta era de comunicação instantânea.

A função pública sempre esteve ligada a motivações como a natureza do serviço e o compromisso com o interesse comum. No entanto, o tipo de atividade das instituições públicas pressupõe uma cadeia de intermediações que distancia a atuação dos gestores dos efeitos decorrentes de seus atos.

Instituições grandes, pesadas e rígidas, cadeias de decisão extensas e complexas, limitações de regulamentos e recursos, prejudicam a busca de níveis mais elevados de eficiência e eficácia. Para atingir bem seus objetivos, as empresas públicas devem procurar criar condições equivalentes à racionalidade das empresas privadas, sem desconsiderar a especificidade do setor público. Neste, não existem instrumentos contábeis equivalentes aos balanços anuais nem indicadores claros de produtividade ou incentivos que estimulem. É comum, inclusive, a falta de clareza a respeito dos objetivos e produtos de cada unidade administrativa ou prestadora de serviços. Portanto, para se reproduzir a racionalidade microeconômica, devem ser definidos critérios e criados mecanismos que sejam coerentes com a realidade do setor público.

Entre os critérios em discussão, encontram-se os conceitos da produtividade no setor público; a modificação dos processos orçamentários com definições ligadas a objetivos e produtos mensuráveis e passíveis de avaliação; a revisão dos elementos que definem a rentabilidade social dos programas, serviços e investimentos realizados pelo Estado; a incorporação de critérios que atribuam peso maior à demanda dos usuários na tomada de decisão no setor público; e, por último, a adoção de padrões comparativos como forma de avaliar o rendimento e a qualidade da ação estatal.

Carolina Tohá e Ricardo Solari. A modernização do Estado e a gerência pública. In:
Revista do Serviço Público. Ano 48 n.º 3, set.-dez./1997 (com adaptações).

Considerando as informações e as estruturas linguísticas do texto acima, julgue o item a seguir.

No período compreendido entre as linhas, a supressão da expressão “que sejam” não prejudicaria a correção gramatical nem os sentidos do texto.

Facebook, the social network that celebrates its 10^th birthday this week, has astounding statistics. In just one decade, it has signed up some 1.3 billion people, half of whom log in on any given day and spend an average of 18 minutes per visit.

Facebook connects families across continents, friends across the years and people around the world.

And yet Facebook’s effects on its users may not be entirely benign. Some researchers suggest that the ability to connect does not necessarily make people any happier, and it could actually reduce the satisfaction they feel about their life.

Can it really be possible that Facebook makes you sad?

Until recently, few had studied this question and the little evidence that did exist actually hinted that the social network has a beneficial effect. In 2009, Sebastian Valenzuela and colleagues at the University of Texas at Austin measured how life satisfaction varied among over 2,500 students who used Facebook, and they found a small positive correlation.

Yet last summer, a team of psychologists from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the University of Leuven in Belgium decided to drill a bit deeper by evaluating how life satisfaction changes over time with Facebook use.

Ethan Kross and colleagues questioned a group of people five times a day over two weeks about their emotional state. They asked questions such as “how do you feel right now?”, “how lonely do you feel right now?”, “how much have you used Facebook since we last asked?” and so on. This gave them a snapshot of each individual’s well-being and Facebook usage throughout the day.

The team found that Facebook use correlated with a low sense of well-being. “The more people used Facebook over two-weeks, the more their life satisfaction levels declined over time,” they said. “Rather than enhancing well-being, these findings suggest that Facebook may undermine it.”

Justin Mullins. Can Facebook make you sad? February 6,
2014. Internet: <www.bbc.co.uk> (adapted).

Based on the text above, judge the following item.

The author mentions the study by Kross and colleagues to reinforce the findings of Valenzuela and colleagues.

The biology of human sleep timing, like that of other mammals, changes as we age. As puberty begins, bedtimes and waking times get later. This trend continues until 19.5 years in women and 21 in men. Then it reverses. At 55 we wake at about the time we woke before puberty. On average this is two hours earlier than adolescents. This means that for a teenager, a 7 am alarm call is the equivalent of a 5 am start for a person in their 50s.

However, biology is only part of the problem.

Additional factors include a more relaxed attitude to bedtimes by parents, a general disregard for the importance of sleep, and access to TVs, DVDs, PCs, gaming devices, cellphones and so on, which promote alertness.

Researchers at Brown University in Providence have shown that teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep per night.

Observations at a school in Liverpool suggested many were getting just 5 hours on a school night. Unsurprisingly, teachers reported students falling asleep in class.

Evidence that sleep is important is overwhelming.

Research has demonstrated its critical role in memory consolidation and our ability to generate innovative solutions 22 to complex problems. Similar studies have shown that long-term sleep deprivation might be an important factor in predisposing people to diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

Adolescents are increasingly using stimulants to compensate for sleep loss, and caffeinated and/or sugary drinks are the usual choice. The half-life of caffeine is 5 to 9 hours. So a 28 caffeinated drink late in the day delays sleep at night. Tiredness also increases the possibility of taking up smoking.

In the US, the observation that teenagers have 31 biologically delayed sleep patterns compared to adults has led several schools to start the school day at a later time. An analysis of the impact of this decision by the University of 34 Minnesota found that academic performance was enhanced, as was attendance. Sleeping in class declined, as did self-reported depression.

In the UK, a specific high school instituted a 10 am start in 2009 and saw an improvement in academic performance. However, a later start by itself is not enough.

Society in general, and teenagers in particular, must start to take sleep seriously. Sleep is not a luxury or an indulgence but a fundamental biological need.

Russell Foster. Why teenagers really do need an extra hour in
bed. April 22, 2013. Internet: <www.newscientist.com> (adapted).

Judge the following item according to the text.

In the sentence “Research has demonstrated its critical role in memory consolidation”, the pronoun “its” refers to “Research”.

Com relação à gestão de políticas públicas no Brasil, julgue o próximo item.

O PPA é considerado uma política pública de caráter corretivo por visar à correção de resultados anteriores.