Questões de Língua Inglesa da Escola de Administração Fazendária (ESAF)

With regard to paternity leave, the government has given men the right to

• A. take six months’ paid leave as soon as their baby is born.
• B. care for a baby if the mother returns to work within three months.
• C. receive their full salary to look after the baby for three out of the first six months.
• D. take a three-month break receiving payment when the baby is six months old.
• E. stay at home with the baby’s mother on unpaid leave for six months.

The Work and Pensions Secretary

• A. a has been personally attacked by company bosses who dislike her plans.
• B. believes  exible working hours are a drawback for many workers.
• C. is seeking employers’ cooperation for new proposals on working hours.
• D. shows scant regard for the needs of parents wanting flexible timetables.
• E. wants pensions to be paid to fathers who care for their neonate infants.

Ms Cooper hopes her new proposals will give more flexible working hours

• A. from the outset, to workers of both genders.
• B. to fathers of babies, concurrently with mothers.
• C. after six months, to those established in their jobs.
• D. to senior staff who want to start a family.
• E. to parents and youth workers up to the age of sixteen.

The International Labour Organization seeks to

• A. encourage social equality at international level.
• B. foster workers’ rights and good working practices.
• C. stamp out protectionism and restrictive practices.
• D. promote national wealth through higher productivity.
• E. overturn protective practices in the workplace.

The founders of the ILO believed that

• A. the people must wake up again after a damaging war.
• B. decent social rights must be promoted by advanced countries.
• C. individuals’ mercenary aims reinforce community life.
• D. good working conditions are essential to maintain world peace.
• E. the ILO favours tripartite progress between men, women and the UN.

The phrase “gives the ILO an edge” [paragraph 4 line 4] means

• A. offers the ILO a shove.
• B. cuts the ILO to the quick.
• C. sends the ILO to the rearguard.
• D. lumps the ILO together with.
• E. provides the ILO with an advantage.

In paragraph 1, growth in the new order is defined as

• A.

  both real and active.

• B.

  absolutely extraordinary.

• C.

  not very active or busy.

• D.

  sustainable and rapid.

• E.

  unpredictable.

In paragraph 1, fi nance is referred to as

• A.

  remaining low throughout the crisis.

• B.

  having been affected by the crisis.

• C.

  having eroded throughout the process.

• D.

  likely to be considered in a future analysis.

• E.

  likely not to be hit by this scenario.

Your answers to questions 17 to 20 must be based on the article below entitled "Looming water crisis simply a management problem":

 Looming water crisis simply a management problem

Source: www.newscientist.com August 20th 2008 (Adapted)

Today´s focus on the credit crisis and rising prices for food and oil has temporarily put another global scarcity in the shade: water. The UN predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of us will experience water shortages, with severe lack of water blighting the lives and livelihoods of 1.8 billion. According to the UN World Water Assessment Programme, by 2050, 7 billion people in 60 countries may have to cope with water scarcity. At this year´s World Economic Forum, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon recommended that water scarcity should be at the top of the international agenda. "As the global economy grows, so will its thirst," he said, warning of a future marred by conflicts over water.

There is no doubt that we need to rethink how we use water, especially with the human population growing rapidly, and global warming likely to produce unpredictable patterns of rainfall and drought. Nevertheless, my own research suggests that the situation may not be as dire as many are suggesting. Nations can thrive on surprisingly meagre quantities of fresh water – provided they adopt water-efficient technologies and encourage economic activity that does not guzzle water. I believe the looming water crisis is primarily a problem of distribution and management rather than supply. And we can solve it with existing technologies, increased investment and political will.

In paragraph 1, the author refers to "a future marred by conflicts over water". In other words, a future

• A.

  unspoiled by them.

• B.

  rid of them.

• C.

  clouded by them.

• D.

  broadened by them.

• E.

  safeguarded by them.

In paragraph 2, the author mentions "the fiscal strain now hobbling California". In other words, the fiscal

• A.

  policies which have been favouring California´s growth.

• B.

  pressure currently preventing California´s development.

• C.

  programmes successfully spoused by California.

• D.

  measures which have steadily gained acceptance.

• E.

  incentives recently promoted by the Californian government.