Progress towards prevention or control of the
Alzheimer’s disease is
Read the text below and answer question
Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Are scientists close to finding a cure?
The number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disease, is projected to more than double by 2050, from 5.3 million today to 13.8 million. At the same time, as Baby Boomers age and medical expenses rise, the cost of treating and caring for people with the disease is expected to rise fivefold to $1.1 trillion. No treatment can yet prevent or cure Alzheimer's. However, advances in brain science and diagnostic technologies are creating breakthroughs unimagined even a few years ago. Rapidly expanding knowledge in genetics, neuroscience, biology and computing is leading to clinical trials on potential new drug therapies, research on how to prevent the disease and new tests to help diagnose it — perhaps even before symptoms appear. Scientists are debating whether the main hypothesis of what causes the disease — a buildup of amyloid protein into plaques that kill nerve cells in the brain — is correct. Patient advocates say federal Alzheimer's research is underfunded, but Congress is clearing the way for more research funds.
Disponível em: <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/static.php?page=docnotfound> Acessado em 15 de outubro de 2015.
Read the text below and answer question
Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Are scientists close to finding a cure?
The number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disease, is projected to more than double by 2050, from 5.3 million today to 13.8 million. At the same time, as Baby Boomers age and medical expenses rise, the cost of treating and caring for people with the disease is expected to rise fivefold to $1.1 trillion. No treatment can yet prevent or cure Alzheimer's. However, advances in brain science and diagnostic technologies are creating breakthroughs unimagined even a few years ago. Rapidly expanding knowledge in genetics, neuroscience, biology and computing is leading to clinical trials on potential new drug therapies, research on how to prevent the disease and new tests to help diagnose it — perhaps even before symptoms appear. Scientists are debating whether the main hypothesis of what causes the disease — a buildup of amyloid protein into plaques that kill nerve cells in the brain — is correct. Patient advocates say federal Alzheimer's research is underfunded, but Congress is clearing the way for more research funds.
Disponível em: <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/static.php?page=docnotfound> Acessado em 15 de outubro de 2015.
Gabarito comentado
Tema central: A questão aborda a interpretação do tom e da perspectiva do texto em relação ao progresso no tratamento ou prevenção do Alzheimer. O enunciado exige que o candidato compreenda nuances de vocabulário e a ideia principal apresentada.
Análise e conceito-chave: O texto destaca que, apesar de ainda não haver cura ou tratamento preventivo para o Alzheimer, há avanços significativos em pesquisas e tecnologia, com expectativas de novos testes e ensaios clínicos. Assim, o progresso em direção à prevenção ou controle é visto como algo que está sendo prospectado (esperado, provável).
Justificativa da alternativa correta (A – prospective):
- Prospective significa “esperado” ou “provável de acontecer no futuro”.
- No texto, há menções claras de avanços, novos ensaios clínicos e debates promissores, o que reforça uma perspectiva otimista e de avanço futuro.
- De acordo com os principais dicionários de referência usados em concursos (Cambridge, Collins), prospective reafirma essa ideia de expectativa futura.
Análise das alternativas incorretas:
B) unlikely (improvável): O texto é otimista quanto ao progresso, por isso essa opção não corresponde ao conteúdo apresentado.
C) questionable (questionável): Implica dúvida ou incerteza rigorosa, enquanto o texto aponta para avanços e oportunidades reais.
D) dubious (duvidoso): Similar a "questionable", transmite desconfiança, mas o texto não remete a isso.
E) impossible (impossível): Vai contra o tom realista e esperançoso do texto, já que cita muitos estudos em andamento.
Estratégia para prova: Busque sempre palavras-chave que expressem futuro, expectativa ou tendência (“advances”, “breakthroughs”, “clinical trials”, “research”, “anticipated”, etc.). Atenção para não se confundir com termos negativos, que não condizem com o tom predominante do texto.
Resumo: A alternativa A) prospective reflete a expectativa positiva sobre avanços, alinhada ao texto. As demais opções destoam do contexto.
Gostou do comentário? Deixe sua avaliação aqui embaixo!
