Questões de Concurso

Text I

While viruses do not respect borders, their spread and their chances of survival have long depended greatly on the laws, policies and acts of states. However, not all states are up to the job, writes Adam Roberts. 

A.J.P. Taylor often observed that great events can have very small causes. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is fresh evidence for this proposition. The cause is in all likelihood tiny and accidental: a genetic mutation in a virus, which then spreads into the human population. Like earlier epidemics throughout history, it could have happened with no human intentionality. Its consequences are already momentous and will be even more so before it is over.

The novel coronavirus can easily be seen as a profoundly anti-democratic force. In its first eight months, from early January to mid-August, it produced over 20 million cases of the COVID-19 disease. That disease has killed over 800,000 people and counting; put millions out of work; drastically curtailed travel; precipitated states of emergency; and caused citizens to be placed under detailed and intrusive administrative control, demonstrations to be banned, and elections to be rescheduled or postponed. Bitter disagreements have arisen about when and how to ease restrictions on movement. COVID-19 has generated a revival of conspiracy theories and unjustified recriminations, and prompted absurd denials of medical reality by certain political leaders. Among states, the pandemic has actually heightened some long-existing disputes, most notably those on trade and other matters between China and the United States. The capacity of the United Nations system to address epidemics has been called into question, not least in harsh American criticisms of the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is too simple to cast the pandemic crisis merely as a narrative of rampant authoritarianism versus embattled democracy. The long history of pandemics, earthquakes and other disasters reminds us of the enduring complexity of disaster management, and of the many controversies surrounding it, including the causes of and responses to plagues. States respond in different ways, raising questions regarding the relative effectiveness of democratic versus authoritarian states. International health organisations, especially the WHO, have important roles in dealing with epidemics, whether regional or global. Yet their formal powers are limited and their effectiveness depends on state cooperation. Epidemics, and action to control them, do sometimes play a part in increased authoritarianism, but they can also give rise to more positive initiatives of various kinds.

Adapted from: https://www.iiss.org/. Accessed on March 20, 2021.

TEXTO 01

O texto seguinte servirá de base para responder às questões de 01 a 05.

MEG PECKED

Harry WON'T make up with William despite Diana statue unveiling as he 'can't afford to upset Meghan', biographer claims

1§ Despite the brother's united front at the unveiling of the statue honouring their late mother Princess Diana, Harry made a sharp exit after the ceremony.

2§ The pair seemed in sync as they tugged the green curtain draped over the touching artwork but he left just 20 minutes later after raising a glass of bubbly to Di.

3§ He dashed back to the US to be with his wife Meghan Markle, Archie, and newborn daughter Lilibet - which royal commentator Angela Levin suggested is because "he does what he's told."

4§ But the author isn't holding her breath for a reconciliation, as she told The Andrew Pierce Show, "I think whatever Harry decides Meghan will change it."

5§ "She will make it a negative thing to happen, and I don't see that there will be a long-term progress there.

6§ "I think there will be some nasty comments about it, perhaps William pulled the green cloth harder than Harry," Ms Levin joked.

7§ "Seriously, it is a very big thing, what Harry has done, said about William, the Royal Family, and his father, and the Queen."

8§ Prince Harry and Wills have not seen each other since Prince Philip's funeral in April and have been embroiled in a bitter feud about Harry's bombshell comments about the Royal's in interviews with chat show host Oprah.

9§ "You can't just brush over that. You can put a plaster on it for half __ hour but you can't really get rid of that unless there's a huge amount of conversations over a long period of time."

10§ "And Harry does what he's told," Ms Levin continued.

11§ "If Meghan tells him how __ make a statement, he'll make it, and that's it.

12§ "He can't afford now to upset Meghan because he would feel such a failure and a misery and she'd give him what for, really. I think there's no chance __ that."

13§ Diana's sons were seen laughing and joking on Thursday afternoon surrounded by their late mother's family in the Sunken Garden for the unveiling.

14§ The pair even mirrored each other's body language as they strolled in, before being welcomed by Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, their former private secretary, who is godfather to Prince George.

15§ Sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, the mastermind behind the bronze memorial said Diana "was an icon who touched the lives of people right around the world so it has been a privilege to work alongside Prince William and Prince Harry."

16§ Harry and William chose some of Diana's favourite flowers to be planted by the statue, including 100 forget-me-nots, 200 roses, 300 tulips and 500 lavender plants.

Source (adapted): mmaake-uu-wliamm-danna-saaue uupse-mmeghan/ry-wont-make-up-william-diana-statue-upset-meghan/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/15480142/harry-wont-make-up-william-diana-statue-upset-meghan/