UESB 2016 · Questão 28

Questão de Inglês com gabarito

InglêsN/A

TEXTO:

Downshifting means working towards simple living

by making conscious choices to leave materialism behind

and move on to a more sustainable lifestyle. It does not

mean simply cutting back and trying to live the same life

[5] only with less money. Downshifting requires prioritizing,

an adjustment in values, and a totally different mindset…

not just a change to a more frugal way of living.

People decide to downshift for a variety of reasons.

Many want to get away from “living competitively”… job

[10] stress, consumerism, and feeling they have to live up to

someone else’s expectations. Other people downshift

because of a life changing experience, health reasons,

or a crisis in the family. Often downshifting comes out of

a wish to conserve natural resources. Whatever the

[15] reason, downshifting isn’t limited to any age or income

level.

Once the decision to downshift has been made,

then comes the question of how. Usually the first step is

to create more free time for yourself by working fewer

[20] hours. This may involve something as simple as cutting

down on overtime, or it may involve changing jobs

or deciding to work at home. There is no one solution that

fits every circumstance because everyone’s situation and

needs are different. Taking your time to analyze your

[25] own options will prevent you from making any hasty spur

of the moment decisions that you might later regret.

Hand in hand with a change in the number of hours

worked is the need to consume less and therefore spend

less. As you prioritize your true needs and wants, you

[30] will find that many of the “things” you used to spend

money on no longer seem important.

Here are some downshifting ideas to get you started,

but keep in mind that living a simple life is not about selfdenial…

you should not give up something that is really

[35] important to you.

•Limit the number of services you purchase. Anytime

you can do something for yourself instead of paying

someone to do it for you, you can save considerable

amounts of money.

[40] •Eat out infrequently, if at all. It is easy to get in the

habit of stopping for a quick meal instead of taking the

time to cook dinner, but this is one area where there can

be really big savings, plus the real food you cook at home

is always much healthier.

[45] •Change the way you shop for groceries.

Comparison shopping and buying to restock your pantry

and your refrigerator when items you use regularly are

on sale results in huge savings.

•Live green. Recycle, start composting, and limit

[50] what you throw away. Conserve fuel, electricity and other

resources to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Over the last several years there has been a huge

change in attitudes and values. For many people, personal

growth, an enjoyment of life and feeling a real connection

[55] to family while keeping a healthy balance between work

and free time have become more important than titles

and big incomes.

Disponível em: www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/downshifting-toa-simpler-life/. Acesso em: 12 out. 2015.