1. AULA 05 - PROVA AFRFB 2002
Read the text below in order to answer questions 21 to 23.
Election fears harm Brazilian economy
Brazil’s presidential election does not take place until
October, but investors are already
voting with their feet at the prospect of victory for the
leftwing opposition candidate, Luiz Inácio Lulada Silva.
The presidential contender from the Workers’Party, better
known simply as Lula, holds a
commanding lead over José Serra, the ruling Social
Democratic party candidate. The possibility that Lula, a
former metalworker, will become leader of Latin
America’s most important economy has got the markets –
which consider him a leftwing firebrand – rattled.
Stocks have tumbled and the currency, the real, has
slumped in recent weeks. Last week, credit rating
agencies – which access the ability of borrowers to repay
their debt – downgraded Brazilian debt.
Investors fear that if Brazil goes off the rails, the rest of Latin
America will descend into chaos as the economic
contagion spreads. Although Argentinians are suffering
terribly from economic turmoil and a once-proud country
is reverting to a barter economy, Argentina’s problems
have not spread to the rest of the continent so far.
21- According to the text, Lula’s possible victory in Brazil’s
upcoming presidential election
a) would avoid economic turmoil.

2. b) might relieve the economic pressure.
c) would hardly impact the national economy.
d) already worries the markets.
e) would underpin the national growth.
22- The author says that the Brazilian currency has
slumped in recent weeks, which means it
a) has suddenly fallen.
b) has rallied.
c) has not been hit.
d) could have been depreciated.
e) has reached its highest quotation.
23- Argentina’s present economic situation is referred to
as
a) affluent.
b) harrowing.
c) thriving.
d) smooth.
e) impeccable.
Read the text below in order to answer questions 24 to 26.
High level of protectionism
As a member of the Southern Cone Common Market
(MERCOSUR), Argentina maintains relatively low trade
barriers with Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay but applies a
high tariff on all goods and services coming into
Argentina from countries outside MERCOSUR. This year,
the common external tariff rate for MERCOSUR is 13.5
percent.

3. Because the common external tariff rate is applied to
most of the world’s countries, Argentina’s average tariff
rate is 13.5 percent this year, up from 7.5 percent last
year. As a result, its trade policy score is 1 point worse this
year. In an effort to stimulate the economy, MERCOSUR
has allowed Argentina to raise tariffs on consumer goods,
in some cases up to 35 percent, while eliminating tariffs on
capital goods. Argentina maintains some non-tariff
barriers, such as quotas on automobiles.
According to the U.S. Department of State, “Customs
procedures are opaque and time consuming, thus raising
the cost for importers”.
24- According to the text, Argentina
a) intends to become a member of the MERCOSUR.
b) has exempted Brazil from paying tariffs on its goods.
c) might soon implement some aggressive market
reforms.
d) has been given a lower score in relation to its trade
policy.
e) has kept low trade barriers with the American
countries.
25- Argentina’s customs procedures are considered by
the U.S. Department of State as
a) sluggish and transparent.
b) transparent, but obsolete.c) obscure and sluggish.
d) innovative, but time-consuming.
e) both well-defined and efficient.
26- In the main, the text deals with
a) Argentina’s wages and prices.

4. b) Argentina’s trade policy.
c) Paraguay’s high fiscal deficit.
d) Brazil’s financial institutions.
e) Brazil’s regulation score.
Read the text below in order to answer questions 27 to 30.
US tax evasion probe extends to Singapore
The reach of Uncle Sam’s taxman in pursuit of
unpaid revenue has apparently extended even to
Singapore, despite the banking secrecy laws here in the
U.S..
The Republic has reportedly become involved in an
attempt by the United States tax authorities to identify tax
evaders among an estimated one to two million
American citizens who have opened offshore bank
accounts.
The fact the taxman is going to this extent may seem
astonishing to Singaporeans. But it makes sense when you
realize that all income earned by US citizens is taxable,
whether it is held locally or in other countries.
The information, which the US Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) hopes will stem the loss of
between US$20 billion and US$40 billion each year in tax
revenues, is being sought from MasterCard International.
This is because offshore bank account holders often use
credit cards issued by MasterCard, Visa, American Express
and other payment specialists to gain access to their
funds from the US.

5. But whether the IRS will succeed in obtaining information
such as the names and transaction
records of such account holders is still an open question,
because of the present US banking
secrecy laws.
27- The expression “to stem the loss” means to
a) stop it.
b) bring it about.
c) sum it up.
d) take it over.
e) make it out.
28- The aim of the US tax authorities
a) could have been to pursue tax evaders.
b) has been to restrain the issue of credit cards.
c) is to root out tax evaders.
d) is to target all the tax haven countries.
e) has been to forbid offshore bank accounts.
29- According to the text,
a) one or two million American citizens are, in
fact, tax evaders.
b) deposits made by American citizens abroad
are eligible for tax reductions.
c) there is a set of laws which determine that
bank accounts cannot be surrendered.
d) purchases made by credit card may benefit
from tax exemption.
e) Singaporeans might have their accounts
disclosed by US tax authorities.

6. 30- The main subject of the text is
a) the impact of fiscal adjustments in the United
States.
b) a considerable drop in tax revenues due to
the American recession.
c) a significant increase in tax revenues in the
United States.
d) the unsustainable pension system adopted by
the United States.
e) a procedure adopted by the IRS in order to
identify tax evaders.
Tradução
Read the text below in order to answer questions 21 to 23.
Leia o texto abaixo para responder às questões 21 a 23.
Election fears harm Brazilian economy
Temores eleitorais prejudicam a economia brasileira
Brazil’s presidential election does not take place until
October, but investors are already voting with their feet at
the prospect of victory for the leftwing opposition
candidate, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
A eleição presidencial do Brasil não ocorre até outubro,
mas os investidores já estão votando com seus pés com a
perspectiva (botando fé) de vitória do candidato da
oposição de esquerda, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The presidential contender from the Workers’ Party, better
known simply as Lula, holds a commanding lead over
José Serra, the ruling Social Democratic party candidate.
The possibility that Lula, a former metalworker, will

7. become leader of Latin America’s most important
economy has got the markets – which consider him a
leftwing firebrand – rattled.
O candidato presidencial do Partido dos Trabalhadores,
mais conhecido simplesmente como Lula, tem uma
vantagem sobre José Serra, candidato governista do
partido Social-Democrata. A possibilidade de que Lula,
um antigo metalúrgico, tornar-se-á o líder da economia
mais importante da América Latina deixou os mercados -
que o consideram um agitador de esquerda - agitados.
Stocks have tumbled and the currency, the real, has
slumped in recent weeks. Last week, credit rating
agencies – which access the ability of borrowers to repay
their debt – downgraded Brazilian debt.
Ações caíram e a moeda, o Real, despencou nas últimas
semanas. Na semana passada, as agências de notação
de crédito - que acessam a capacidade de mutuários
para pagar suas dívidas - rebaixou a dívida brasileira.
Investors fear that if Brazil goes off the rails, the rest of Latin
America will descend into chaos as the economic
contagion spreads. Although Argentineans are suffering
terribly from economic turmoil and a once-proud country
is reverting to a barter economy, Argentina’s problems
have not spread to the rest of the continent so far.
Os investidores temem que se o Brasil sair dos trilhos, o
resto da América Latina cairá no caos conforme o
contágio econômico se propaga. Embora os argentinos
estejam sofrendo terrivelmente com a crise econômica e
um país outrora orgulhoso está revertendo a uma
economia de escambo, os problemas da Argentina
ainda não se espalharam para o resto do continente.

8. 21- According to the text, Lula’s possible victory in Brazil’s
upcoming presidential election
Segundo o texto, uma possível vitória de Lula na próxima
eleição presidencial do Brasil
a) would avoid economic turmoil.
evitaria crise econômica.
b) might relieve the economic pressure.
pode aliviar a pressão econômica.
c) would hardly impact the national economy.
dificilmente impactaria na economia nacional.
d) already worries the markets.
já preocupa os mercados.
e) would underpin the national growth.
sustentaria o crescimento nacional.
22- The author says that the Brazilian currency has
slumped in recent weeks, which means it
O autor diz que a moeda brasileira tem caído nas últimas
semanas, o que significa que
a) has suddenly fallen.
de repente caiu.
b) has rallied.
recuperou-se.
c) has not been hit.
não foi atingida.
d) could have been depreciated.
poderia ter sido depreciada.
e) has reached its highest quotation.
atingiu a sua maior cotação.
23- Argentina’s present economic situation is referred to
as
A atual situação econômica argentina é referida como

9. a) affluent.
afluente, muito rica.
b) harrowing.
preocupante.
c) thriving.
próspera.
d) smooth.
suave.
e) impeccable.
impecável.
Read the text below in order to answer questions 24 to 26.
Leia o texto abaixo para responder às questões 24 a 26.
High level of protectionism
Alto nível de protecionismo
As a member of the Southern Cone Common Market
(MERCOSUR), Argentina maintains relatively low trade
barriers with Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay but applies a
high tariff on all goods and services coming into
Argentina from countries outside MERCOSUR. This year,
the common external tariff rate for MERCOSUR is 13.5
percent. Because the common
external tariff rate is applied to most of the world’s
countries, Argentina’s average tariff rate is 13.5 percent
this year, up from 7.5 percent last year.
Como um membro do Mercado Comum do Cone Sul
(MERCOSUL), a Argentina mantém barreiras comerciais
relativamente baixas com o Brasil, Paraguai e Uruguai,
mas aplica uma tarifa elevada sobre todos os bens e
serviços que entram na Argentina de países fora do
MERCOSUL. Este ano, a tarifa externa comum do
MERCOSUL é de 13,5 por cento. Porque a taxa de tarifa

10. externa comum é aplicada à maioria dos países do
mundo, a tarifa média da Argentina é de 13,5 por cento
este ano, acima dos 7,5 por cento no ano passado.
As a result, its trade policy score is 1 point worse this year.
In an effort to stimulate the economy, MERCOSUR has
allowed Argentina to raise tariffs on consumer goods, in
some cases up to 35 percent, while eliminating tariffs on
capital goods. Argentina maintains some non-tariff
barriers, such as quotas on automobiles. According to the
U.S. Department of State, “Customs procedures are
opaque and time-consuming, thus raising the cost for
importers”.
Como resultado, a sua pontuação de política comercial
está um ponto pior este ano. Em um esforço para
estimular a economia, o MERCOSUL tem permitido à
Argentina elevar as tarifas de bens de consumo, em
alguns casos em até 35 por cento, enquanto elimina
tarifas sobre bens de capital. Argentina mantém algumas
barreiras não tarifárias, como quotas sobre automóveis.
Segundo o Departamento de Estado dos EUA, "Os
procedimentos aduaneiros são opacos e demorados,
elevando o custo para os importadores".
24- According to the text, Argentina
Segundo o texto, a Argentina
a) intends to become a member of the MERCOSUR.
pretende se tornar um membro do MERCOSUL.
b) has exempted Brazil from paying tariffs on its goods.
isentou o Brasil de pagar as tarifas sobre seus bens.
c) might soon implement some aggressive market
reforms.
poderá em breve implementar algumas reformas de
mercado agressivas.

11. d) has been given a lower score in relation to its trade
policy.
recebeu uma pontuação mais baixa em relação à sua
política comercial.
e) has kept low trade barriers with the American
countries.
manteve baixas barreiras comerciais com os países
americanos.
25- Argentina’s customs procedures are considered by
the U.S. Department of State as
Procedimentos alfandegários da Argentina são
considerados pelo Departamento de Estado dos EUA
como
a) sluggish and transparent.
lentos e transparentes.
b) transparent, but obsolete.
transparentes, mas obsoletos.
c) obscure and sluggish.
obscuros e lentos.
d) innovative, but time-consuming.
inovadores, mas demorados.
e) both well-defined and efficient.
bem definidos e eficientes.
26- In the main, the text deals with
Em geral, o texto trata
a) Argentina’s wages and prices.
dos salários e preços da Argentina.
b) Argentina’s trade policy.
da política comercial da Argentina.
c) Paraguay’s high fiscal deficit.
do elevado déficit fiscal do Paraguai.

12. d) Brazil’s financial institutions.
das instituições financeiras do Brasil.
e) Brazil’s regulation score.
da pontuação de regulação do Brasil.
Read the text below in order to answer questions 27 to 30.
Leia o texto abaixo para responder às questões 27 a 30.
US tax evasion probe extends to Singapore
Investigação de evasão fiscal dos EUA estende-se a
Cingapura
The reach of Uncle Sam’s taxman in pursuit of unpaid
revenue has apparently extended even to Singapore,
despite the banking secrecy laws here in the U.S.
O alcance do fisco do Tio Sam em busca de receitas não
pagas aparentemente estendeu-se até a Cingapura,
apesar das leis de sigilo bancário aqui nos EUA.
The Republic has reportedly become involved in an
attempt by the United States tax authorities to identify tax
evaders among an estimated one to two million
American citizens who have opened offshore bank
accounts.
A República já teria se envolvido em uma tentativa por
parte das autoridades fiscais dos Estados Unidos para
identificar sonegadores entre os cerca de um a dois
milhões de cidadãos americanos que abriram contas
bancárias no exterior.
The fact the taxman is going to this extent may seem
astonishing to Singaporeans. But it makes sense when you
realize that all income earned by US citizens is taxable,
whether it is held locally or in other countries.

13. O fato de o Fisco estar indo a este ponto pode parecer
surpreendente para os cingapurianos. Mas faz sentido
quando você percebe que todos os rendimentos
auferidos pelos cidadãos dos EUA são tributáveis, sejam
eles realizados localmente ou em outros países.
The information, which the US Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) hopes will stem the loss of between US$20 billion and
US$40 billion each year in tax revenues, is being sought
from MasterCard International. This is because offshore
bank account holders often use credit cards issued by
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and other payment
specialists to gain access to their funds from the US.
A informação, que a Receita Federal dos EUA (RF) dos
EUA espera conter a perda entre US$ 20 bilhões e US$ 40
bilhões por ano em receitas fiscais, está sendo buscada
pela MasterCard International. Isto porque os titulares de
contas bancárias no exterior usam frequentemente
cartões de crédito emitidos pela MasterCard, Visa,
American Express entre
outros serviços especializados em pagamento para ter
acesso a seus fundos dos EUA.
But whether the IRS will succeed in obtaining information
such as the names and transaction records of such
account holders is still an open question, because of the
present US banking secrecy laws.
Mas, se a RF vai ter sucesso na obtenção de informações
como os nomes e registros de transações de tais
correntistas ainda é uma questão em aberto, por causa
das atuais leis de sigilo bancário dos EUA.
27- The expression “to stem the loss” means to
A expressão “para conter a perda” significa

14. a) stop it.
detê-la.
b) bring it about.
acarretá-la.
c) sum it up.
resumi-la.
d) take it over.
assumir seu comando.
e) make it out.
compreendê-la.
28- The aim of the US tax authorities
O objetivo das autoridades fiscais dos EUA
a) could have been to pursue tax evaders.
poderia ter sido perseguir sonegadores.
b) has been to restrain the issue of credit cards.
tem sido restringir a emissão de cartões de crédito.
c) is to root out tax evaders.
é erradicar a evasão fiscal.
d) is to target all the tax haven countries.
é atingir todos os países que são paraísos fiscais.
e) has been to forbid offshore bank accounts.
tem sido proibir contas bancárias no exterior.
29- According to the text,
Segundo o texto,
a) one or two million American citizens are, in fact, tax
evaders.
um ou dois milhões de cidadãos norte-americanos são,
de fato, sonegadores
de impostos.
b) deposits made by American citizens abroad are
eligible for tax reductions.

15. os depósitos feitos por cidadãos americanos no exterior
são elegíveis para
reduções de impostos.
c) there is a set of laws which determine that bank
accounts cannot
be surrendered.
há um conjunto de leis que determinam que as contas
bancárias não pode
ser entregues.
d) purchases made by credit card may benefit from tax
exemption.
as compras feitas com cartão de crédito podem se
beneficiar de isenção
fiscal.
e) Singaporeans might have their accounts disclosed by
US tax authorities.
cingapureanos podem ter suas contas divulgadas pelas
autoridades fiscais
norte-americanas.
30- The main subject of the text is
O tema principal do texto é
a) the impact of fiscal adjustments in the United States.
o impacto do ajuste fiscal nos Estados Unidos.
b) a considerable drop in tax revenues due to the
American recession.
uma queda considerável das receitas fiscais devido à
recessão norteamericana.
c) a significant increase in tax revenues in the United
States.
um aumento significativo das receitas fiscais nos Estados
Unidos.
d) the unsustainable pension system adopted by the
United States.

16. o sistema de pensões insustentável adotado pelos
Estados Unidos.
e) a procedure adopted by the IRS in order to identify tax
evaders.
um procedimento adotado pela Receita Federal, a fim
de identificar
sonegadores.