Questões de Concurso

Heavy rains in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais have caused severe flooding and landslides, leaving at least 32 people dead. The cities most affected are Juiz de Fora and Ubá.

In Juiz de Fora, twelve homes were swept away by a mudslide. In Ubá, a river burst its banks and flooded several streets. Rescue teams have been searching for at least 38 people who remain missing, while shelters have been set up for thousands of residents who were left homeless.

Meteorologists reported that the amount of rain that fell in the region during the month was already double the average normally expected for February, and additional rainfall was forecast for the following days.

A resident of Ubá, Lucas Gandra, told BBC Brasil that he received the first flood warning early on Tuesday, when a friend called to inform him that the local river was about to overflow. According to him, the situation worsened very quickly.

“At 00:07 the water was overflowing and by 00:20 it was already causing enormous damage. The water rose very quickly, ” he said.

The city, located about 300 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, had previously experienced flooding in 2019 and 2020, but residents reported that the current disaster was far more destructive.

Lucas Gandra also described dramatic scenes during the flooding, recalling that many residents were trapped in their homes and calling for help.

More than 200 people were rescued by emergency teams, although some of those who died had reportedly attempted to help others during the disaster. Another resident of Ubá, Carolina Magalhães, described the situation as “horrific.” She reported seeing floodwaters carrying debris through the streets, including household items, motorcycles, and gas cylinders.

DINIZ, Iara; BUSCHSCHLÜTER, Vanessa. Brazil floods: “I saw people trapped in their homes crying for help”. BBC News,25 Feb.2026. Available at: BBC News article (adapted) Accessed on: 1 Mar.2026.

Heavy rains in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais have caused severe flooding and landslides, leaving at least 32 people dead. The cities most affected are Juiz de Fora and Ubá.

In Juiz de Fora, twelve homes were swept away by a mudslide. In Ubá, a river burst its banks and flooded several streets. Rescue teams have been searching for at least 38 people who remain missing, while shelters have been set up for thousands of residents who were left homeless.

Meteorologists reported that the amount of rain that fell in the region during the month was already double the average normally expected for February, and additional rainfall was forecast for the following days.

A resident of Ubá, Lucas Gandra, told BBC Brasil that he received the first flood warning early on Tuesday, when a friend called to inform him that the local river was about to overflow. According to him, the situation worsened very quickly.

“At 00:07 the water was overflowing and by 00:20 it was already causing enormous damage. The water rose very quickly, ” he said.

The city, located about 300 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, had previously experienced flooding in 2019 and 2020, but residents reported that the current disaster was far more destructive.

Lucas Gandra also described dramatic scenes during the flooding, recalling that many residents were trapped in their homes and calling for help.

More than 200 people were rescued by emergency teams, although some of those who died had reportedly attempted to help others during the disaster. Another resident of Ubá, Carolina Magalhães, described the situation as “horrific.” She reported seeing floodwaters carrying debris through the streets, including household items, motorcycles, and gas cylinders.

DINIZ, Iara; BUSCHSCHLÜTER, Vanessa. Brazil floods: “I saw people trapped in their homes crying for help”. BBC News,25 Feb.2026. Available at: BBC News article (adapted) Accessed on: 1 Mar.2026.

Heavy rains in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais have caused severe flooding and landslides, leaving at least 32 people dead. The cities most affected are Juiz de Fora and Ubá.

In Juiz de Fora, twelve homes were swept away by a mudslide. In Ubá, a river burst its banks and flooded several streets. Rescue teams have been searching for at least 38 people who remain missing, while shelters have been set up for thousands of residents who were left homeless.

Meteorologists reported that the amount of rain that fell in the region during the month was already double the average normally expected for February, and additional rainfall was forecast for the following days.

A resident of Ubá, Lucas Gandra, told BBC Brasil that he received the first flood warning early on Tuesday, when a friend called to inform him that the local river was about to overflow. According to him, the situation worsened very quickly.

“At 00:07 the water was overflowing and by 00:20 it was already causing enormous damage. The water rose very quickly, ” he said.

The city, located about 300 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro, had previously experienced flooding in 2019 and 2020, but residents reported that the current disaster was far more destructive.

Lucas Gandra also described dramatic scenes during the flooding, recalling that many residents were trapped in their homes and calling for help.

More than 200 people were rescued by emergency teams, although some of those who died had reportedly attempted to help others during the disaster. Another resident of Ubá, Carolina Magalhães, described the situation as “horrific.” She reported seeing floodwaters carrying debris through the streets, including household items, motorcycles, and gas cylinders.

DINIZ, Iara; BUSCHSCHLÜTER, Vanessa. Brazil floods: “I saw people trapped in their homes crying for help”. BBC News,25 Feb.2026. Available at: BBC News article (adapted) Accessed on: 1 Mar.2026.

When discussing careers, professional growth, or the process of finding a job, people often focus mainly on "hard skills." These are abilities directly associated with carrying out specific tasks or performing a certain profession. In most cases, they can be tested or measured because they are developed through diplomas, certifications, technical courses, workshops, academic education, and professional training programs.

In contrast, "soft skills" are not as easy to evaluate quantitatively. They are usually connected less to formal education and more to personal experience, behavior, attitude, and the way individuals interact with others. For this reason, they are frequently referred to as "people skills." They involve qualities such as the ability to communicate effectively, cooperate with others, motivate teams, or demonstrate leadership in different situations.

Among the soft skills most valued in the workplace are creativity, teamwork, leadership, organization, adaptability, and strong written and verbal communication. These competencies contribute to the development of a more complete and versatile professional. In competitive job markets, they can even become a major advantage for candidates seeking employment opportunities. Since interpersonal interaction exists in nearly every profession, these skills are important across practically all industries. For employers and job seekers alike, these abilities are considered "transferable skills" because they can be applied successfully in different positions, companies, and professional environments. Organizations generally appreciate professionals who can adapt easily, collaborate with others, and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, making soft skills increasingly valuable in modern workplaces.

Adapted from the article "Soft Skills" available at: https://lingua.com/businessenglish/reading/soft-skills/