Questões de Inglês

Smartphones

[1]   These days, almost everyone carries a cell phone. Cell phone technology is improving quickly in the
21st century, and the range of cell phones is greater than in the past. There are two basic kinds of cell
phones: "feature phones" and "smartphones".
     The older feature phones are cell phones with a number of important tools. These include text
[5]  messaging, a calendar, a contact list, a digital camera, and voice recording. And, of course, feature phones
also have the ability to make and receive phone calls.
    In contrast, the newer smartphones have all the features of a traditional feature phone plus many
others. These include GPS, a high-quality digital camera, Wi-Fi, and the ability to send and receive
information over the Internet. In general, programs for smartphones run faster than feature-phone programs.
[10]  They also allow users to install a wide range of useful applications. Another improvement is that cell phone
signals for smartphones are often stronger than the signals for older phones.
    In the earlier days of smartphones, users had to use a “stylus” to write in and then point to the phone
numbers they wanted to call. Users had to work harder to make things happen, and things happened more
slowly. Today, they simply touch the screen to dial a number. Smartphones were also more expensive in the
[15]  earlier days. Today, consumers can buy smartphones more cheaply than in the past.
     Overall, smartphones are faster, more efficient, and “smarter” than feature phones, but feature
phones are still more popular with many groups of consumers. Consumers between the ages of 24 and 35,
however, are more likely to buy smartphones. In this age group, the number of smartphone users is bigger
now than it was in the past. If prices continue to go down, smartphones will become more popular for all
[20]  age groups.

PAVLIK, Cheryl. Grammar Sense 1 (Student's Book). 2 ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. p. 375.

Smartphones

[1]   These days, almost everyone carries a cell phone. Cell phone technology is improving quickly in the
21st century, and the range of cell phones is greater than in the past. There are two basic kinds of cell
phones: "feature phones" and "smartphones".
     The older feature phones are cell phones with a number of important tools. These include text
[5]  messaging, a calendar, a contact list, a digital camera, and voice recording. And, of course, feature phones
also have the ability to make and receive phone calls.
    In contrast, the newer smartphones have all the features of a traditional feature phone plus many
others. These include GPS, a high-quality digital camera, Wi-Fi, and the ability to send and receive
information over the Internet. In general, programs for smartphones run faster than feature-phone programs.
[10]  They also allow users to install a wide range of useful applications. Another improvement is that cell phone
signals for smartphones are often stronger than the signals for older phones.
    In the earlier days of smartphones, users had to use a “stylus” to write in and then point to the phone
numbers they wanted to call. Users had to work harder to make things happen, and things happened more
slowly. Today, they simply touch the screen to dial a number. Smartphones were also more expensive in the
[15]  earlier days. Today, consumers can buy smartphones more cheaply than in the past.
     Overall, smartphones are faster, more efficient, and “smarter” than feature phones, but feature
phones are still more popular with many groups of consumers. Consumers between the ages of 24 and 35,
however, are more likely to buy smartphones. In this age group, the number of smartphone users is bigger
now than it was in the past. If prices continue to go down, smartphones will become more popular for all
[20]  age groups.

PAVLIK, Cheryl. Grammar Sense 1 (Student's Book). 2 ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. p. 375.

    Obesity in Children and Teens

[1] The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16

and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to

recognize but most difficult to treat. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is

responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year. The annual cost to society for obesity is estimated at nearly

[5] $100 billion. Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and

maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

What is obesity?

A few extra pounds does not suggest obesity. However they may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily

and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the weight is

[10] at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type. Obesity most

commonly begins between the ages of 5 and 6, or during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who

is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

What causes obesity?

The causes of obesity are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Obesity

[15] occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent

chance that their children will also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, their children have an

80 percent chance of being obese. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than 1 percent

of all obesity is caused by physical problems. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:

• poor eating habits

[20] • overeating or binging

• lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids)

• family history of obesity

• medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems)

• medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications)

[25] • stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves, deaths, abuse)

• family and peer problems

• low self-esteem

• depression or other emotional problems

What are risks and complications of obesity?

[30] There are many risks and complications with obesity. Physical consequences include:

• increased risk of heart disease

• high blood pressure

• diabetes

• breathing problems

[35] • trouble sleeping

Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems. Teens with

weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their

peers. Depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder can also occur. […]

(Disponível em: http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/obesity_in_children_and_teens, acesso em: 21 ago. 2012.)

Men in the 21st century
John Edmonson defends modern man´s role in society

    1.° Back in the 1980´s everyone was talking about the “new man”. Every magazine was full of pictures of him holding babies and saucepans, and we were told that no self-respecting modern man would expect his wife to do all the childcare or housework. So, we didn´t. The division of domestic labour changed and men got in touch with their feminine side. Or at least that´s what I thought.

    2.° However, read any of the articles written today on the subject and anyone would think that men haven´t changed since the beginning of time. No one seems to think the division of labour has really improved and apparently we´re supposed to feel guilty about it. But all of my married friends are new men compared to their father´s generation. They don´t expect their wives to do everything for them and they all spend quality time with their kids.
    3.° I´ve got two older brothers and both of them do most of the cooking for their families, as well as being the main breadwinners. Neither of them spend hours in the pub with their friends watching football. And I don´t think either of my brothers want the lifestyle our father´s generation had – certainly none of my friends do. However, no newspaper reports that. Instead we get surveys such as the one quoted in The Guardian saying that on an average day in Britain, men only spend 13 minutes caring for their children, 45 minutes cooking and doing housework, but three hours watching TV.
    4.° It´s hard to find anything that shows men in a positive light these days. And each time I read about how selfish and unhelpful men are, my blood boils! In fact, I´ve read two articles on the subject recently, and each article suggests that all women are capable of being the breadwinner as well as running the home – apparently men aren´t necessary anymore! Would a woman tell a man that when she needed a tyre changed or when there was a burglar climbing through her window at four in the morning? I think not!
(Face2face, Upper intermediate, p. 80, Cambridge University Press, 2007)

Men in the 21st century
John Edmonson defends modern man´s role in society

    1.° Back in the 1980´s everyone was talking about the “new man”. Every magazine was full of pictures of him holding babies and saucepans, and we were told that no self-respecting modern man would expect his wife to do all the childcare or housework. So, we didn´t. The division of domestic labour changed and men got in touch with their feminine side. Or at least that´s what I thought.

    2.° However, read any of the articles written today on the subject and anyone would think that men haven´t changed since the beginning of time. No one seems to think the division of labour has really improved and apparently we´re supposed to feel guilty about it. But all of my married friends are new men compared to their father´s generation. They don´t expect their wives to do everything for them and they all spend quality time with their kids.
    3.° I´ve got two older brothers and both of them do most of the cooking for their families, as well as being the main breadwinners. Neither of them spend hours in the pub with their friends watching football. And I don´t think either of my brothers want the lifestyle our father´s generation had – certainly none of my friends do. However, no newspaper reports that. Instead we get surveys such as the one quoted in The Guardian saying that on an average day in Britain, men only spend 13 minutes caring for their children, 45 minutes cooking and doing housework, but three hours watching TV.
    4.° It´s hard to find anything that shows men in a positive light these days. And each time I read about how selfish and unhelpful men are, my blood boils! In fact, I´ve read two articles on the subject recently, and each article suggests that all women are capable of being the breadwinner as well as running the home – apparently men aren´t necessary anymore! Would a woman tell a man that when she needed a tyre changed or when there was a burglar climbing through her window at four in the morning? I think not!
(Face2face, Upper intermediate, p. 80, Cambridge University Press, 2007)

Men in the 21st century
John Edmonson defends modern man´s role in society

    1.° Back in the 1980´s everyone was talking about the “new man”. Every magazine was full of pictures of him holding babies and saucepans, and we were told that no self-respecting modern man would expect his wife to do all the childcare or housework. So, we didn´t. The division of domestic labour changed and men got in touch with their feminine side. Or at least that´s what I thought.

    2.° However, read any of the articles written today on the subject and anyone would think that men haven´t changed since the beginning of time. No one seems to think the division of labour has really improved and apparently we´re supposed to feel guilty about it. But all of my married friends are new men compared to their father´s generation. They don´t expect their wives to do everything for them and they all spend quality time with their kids.
    3.° I´ve got two older brothers and both of them do most of the cooking for their families, as well as being the main breadwinners. Neither of them spend hours in the pub with their friends watching football. And I don´t think either of my brothers want the lifestyle our father´s generation had – certainly none of my friends do. However, no newspaper reports that. Instead we get surveys such as the one quoted in The Guardian saying that on an average day in Britain, men only spend 13 minutes caring for their children, 45 minutes cooking and doing housework, but three hours watching TV.
    4.° It´s hard to find anything that shows men in a positive light these days. And each time I read about how selfish and unhelpful men are, my blood boils! In fact, I´ve read two articles on the subject recently, and each article suggests that all women are capable of being the breadwinner as well as running the home – apparently men aren´t necessary anymore! Would a woman tell a man that when she needed a tyre changed or when there was a burglar climbing through her window at four in the morning? I think not!
(Face2face, Upper intermediate, p. 80, Cambridge University Press, 2007)