Read the text below in order to answer questions 21 to 23:

A QUICK GLANCE AT BRAZIL'S ECONOMY

In January 1999, the real, Brazil's monetary unit, was devalued by approximately 50% against the U.S. dollar, causing many to speculate on the country's economic fate as it moved toward the year 2000. Confidence in the economy waned and predictions of high inflation and deep recession ensued.

However, several factors helped turn things around throughout 1999. Brazil entered into a funding agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $41 billion; President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's administration implemented strong fiscal contraction measures, which generated higher-than-expected revenue collecti... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 24 to 26:

DELIVERING STABILITY

The UK has a history of poor economic performance in comparison with other G7 economies. Much of the blame for this poor performance can be attributed to policy errors made in the past. The Government's macroeconomic framework has been designed to avoid a repeat of mistakes which led to boom and bust cycles and relative underperformance. In the face of the uncertainty and unpredictability of ever more rapid financial flows, the Government believes it is vital to:

. set clear, long-term policy objectives;

. adopt predictable, clear rules for monetary and fiscal policymaking; and

. keep markets properly informed, and ... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 27 to 30:

FINANCIAL ENGINEERS

Financial engineers don't wear white lab coats. They don't experiment on rats or perform gas chromatography. Their raw material – money – isn't as jazzy as what biologists and physicists investigate. But the innovations they produce will contribute just as much to economic growth.

Maybe more, in fact. Because without the science of finance, all other sciences are just a bunch of neat concepts. Ideas begin to contribute to human betterment when they're financed – by venture capital, stock offerings, loans, or buyouts. A smoothly operating system showers money on good ideas. Equally important, it cuts off f... Ver mais

Read the text below in order to answer questions 27 to 30:

FINANCIAL ENGINEERS

Financial engineers don't wear white lab coats. They don't experiment on rats or perform gas chromatography. Their raw material – money – isn't as jazzy as what biologists and physicists investigate. But the innovations they produce will contribute just as much to economic growth.

Maybe more, in fact. Because without the science of finance, all other sciences are just a bunch of neat concepts. Ideas begin to contribute to human betterment when they're financed – by venture capital, stock offerings, loans, or buyouts. A smoothly operating system showers money on good ideas. Equally important, it cuts off f... Ver mais