YPP Written Test Samples 2024
WRITTEN EXAMINATION SAMPLE 1
Instructions
Write clearly and legibly. Illegible papers will not be credited. Double spacing is permitted.
IMPORTANT: Use only black or blue ink for your summary in the designated sections of the answer booklet.
Suggested time: 45 minutes
Maximum score: 150 points
TEXT
Farmers in Ghana surround their chili pepper fields with cassava, and plant banana trees in their cocoa plantations. In India, apple growers hang flower bouquets in their trees. In Brazil, a law mandates farmers to maintain part of their land as natural habitat. These diverse practices are connected by a common goal addressed by FAO and its partners: combating the loss of pollinators like bees, other insects, and birds. These strategies are part of the efforts supported by FAO's Global Pollination Project to reintroduce essential pollinators into agricultural areas.
Pollinators are crucial for the production of many crops; while staples like wheat and maize do not rely on animal pollination, most fruits and vegetables do. Without pollinators, these crops could see yield reductions up to 90%. Considering that 75% of all crops depend somewhat on pollinators, and that pollinated crops are five times more valuable, the economic contribution of pollinators to agriculture is substantial. The French National Institute for Agricultural Research values this contribution at over USD 200 billion annually.
Historically, the significance of pollinators in agriculture was underestimated until a recent decline in their populations due to habitat loss, intensive agriculture, pesticide misuse, and climate change highlighted their importance. Climate change compounds the problem by disrupting the synchronization between crop flowering times and pollinator availability. Although global data is incomplete, evidence from Europe suggests significant declines in both pollinator and dependent plant populations.
In the past, commercial agriculture has relied on domesticated honey bees, which are often less effective than wild pollinators. Recognizing this, agronomists now advocate for integrating diverse wild pollinator species with managed honey bees to optimize pollination.
FAO’s Global Pollination Project collaborates with farming communities, national partners, and policymakers in seven pilot countries to promote pollinator-friendly agricultural practices. This includes raising awareness, developing pollination management plans, and incorporating pollination into agricultural education. Through farmer field schools, traditional techniques are merged with scientific methods, allowing farmers to witness and evaluate the impacts throughout the growing season.
FAO documents and disseminates successful practices and develops a toolkit of best management practices applicable worldwide. Strategies include moderating intensive farming, reducing pesticide use, and enhancing biodiversity with cover crops and hedgerows to support pollinators without sacrificing crop yields. For instance, in India, strategic placement of flower bouquets not only facilitates apple tree cross-pollination but also attracts alternative pollinators like small black flies during colder periods when bees are inactive. Similarly, in Ghana and Brazil, adjustments in crop and land management have significantly boosted productivity by enhancing pollinator presence.
The project's outcomes are shaping international and national policies to ensure the preservation of pollinators, which are indispensable for sustaining global agriculture.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});SAMPLE 2
Summarize the following text
IN YOUR OWN WORDS
. The text should be reduced to approximately one third of its original length; the summary should have between 200 and 300words. Failure to meet these guidelines will result in point loss.
A tree fungus could provide green fuel that can be pumped directly into tanks, scientists say. The organism, found in the Patagonian rainforest, naturally produces a mixture of chemicals that is remarkably similar to diesel. "This is the only organism that has ever been shown to produce suchan important combination of fuel substances," said the plant scientist from Montana State University who led the work. "We were totally surprised to learn that it was making a plethora of hydrocarbons." In principle, biofuels are attractive replacements for liquid fossil fuels used in transport that generate greenhouse gases. The European Union has set biofuel targets of 5.75% by2010 and 10% by 2020. But critics say current biofuels scarcely reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cause food price rises and deforestation. Producing biofuels sustainably is now a target and this latest work has been greeted by experts as an encouraging step. The fungus, called Gliocladium roseum and discovered growing inside the ulmo tree (Eucryphia cordifolia) in northern Patagonia, produces a range of long-chain hydrocarbon molecules that are virtually identical to the fuel-grade compounds in existing fossil fuels. Details of the concoction, which the scientist calls "mycodiesel", will be published in the next issue of the journal Microbiology. "The results were totally unexpected and very exciting and almost every hair on my arms stood on end,"said the researcher. Many simple organisms, such as algae, are already known to make chemicals that are similar to the long-chain hydrocarbons present in transport fuel but none produce the explosive hydrocarbons with the high energy density of those in mycodiesel. The researcher in charge of this project said that the chemical mixture produced by his fungus could be used in a modern diesel engine without any modification. Another advantage of the G. roseum fungus is its ability to eat up cellulose. This is a compound that, along with lignin, makes up the cell walls in plants and is indigestible by most animals. As such, it makes up much of the organic wastecurrently discarded, such as stalks and sawdust. Converting this plant waste into useful fuels is a major goal for the biofuel industry, which currently uses food crops such as corn and has been blamed for high food prices. Normally, cellulosic materials are treated with enzymes that first
convert it to sugar, with microbes then used to ferment the sugar into ethanol fuel. In contrast, G.roseum consumes cellulose directly to produce mycodiesel. Although the fungus makes less mycodiesel when it feeds on cellulose compared to sugars, new developments in fermentation technology and genetic manipulation could help improve the yield. In fact, the genes of the fungusare just as useful as the fungus itself in the development of new biofuels. "Fungi are very important but we often overlook these organisms," a fungus expert at Swansea University, said: "This is the first time that a fungus has been shown to produce hydrocarbons that could potentially be exploited as a source of fuel in the future. Concept-wise, the discovery and its potential applications are fantastic. However, more research is needed, as well as a pilot study to determine the costs and benefits. Even so, another potential supply of renewable fuel allows us to diversify our energysources and is certainly an exciting discovery." The executive director of the National Energy Research Centre also welcomed the discovery but noted it is at its earliest stage of development.
"This appears another encouraging discovery that natural processes are more capable of producing materials of real value to mankind than we had previously known. It's another piece of evidence that there is real potential to adapt such processes to provide energy sources that can help reduce our need for, and dependence on, fossil fuels." The next stage for this breakthrough research will be to refine the extraction of mycodiesel from the fungus. This requires more laboratory work to identify the most efficient ways to grow the organism and, perhaps, genetic modification of the fungus to improve yields. If successful, this new technology will then need to be tested in a large-scale demonstration plant to solve any problems in scaling up to commercial production. This discovery also raises questions abouthow fossil fuelswere made in the first place. The accepted theory is that crude oil, which is used to make diesel, is formed from the remains of dead plants and animals that have been exposed to heat and pressure for millions of years. But if fungi like this are producing mycodiesel all over the rainforest, they may have contributed to the formation of fossil fuels.
Specialized paper (650 points):
The Specialized Paper tests your substantive knowledge and analytical thinking. It is specific to the exam subject you are taking the exam in. This part of the written examination can be answered in any of the six official UN languages. You can score a maximum of 650 points in the Specialised paper.
part 1: Multiple choice items (- 50 Multiple Choice)
Part I of the Specialized Paper consists of up to 50 multiple choice questions relevant to the exam subject you are applying for. Each question is worth 3 points; no points are deducted for a wrong answer. The answers to the multiple choice items need to be indicated in the Answer Booklet by filling in the circle corresponding to the correct answer from the Questions Booklet.
Samples:
This one for Administration exam
Multiple Choice Items
1. A company can choose from four mutually exclusive projects. The forecasted net cash inflow
for each of the possible outcomes is:
|
Market Condition |
Poor |
Average |
Good |
|
Project A |
440 |
470 |
560 |
|
Project B |
400 |
550 |
580 |
|
Project C |
360 |
400 |
480 |
|
Project D |
320 |
380 |
420 |
If the company applies the MAXI-MIN criterion, the project chosen would be?
a. Project A
b. Project B
c. Project C
d. Project D
What is PRINCE2?
a. Method of integrating constraints into core project phases to maximize
opportunity
b. Method of planning and managing a project execution, designed to deal with
constraints
c. Methodology for managing projects within a clearly defined framework
d. Methodology for repetitive, functional activities to produce products or services
Which of the following circumstances justifies sole source procurement?
a. Only one vendor at the location of the requirement can meet the requirement
b. Only one vendor is registered for this requirement in the vendor register
c. The buyer met with one vendor who demonstrated his capability of meeting
perfectly the requirement
d. There is no competitive marketplace for the requirement needed
Part II: Constructed response items
Part II of the Specialised Paper consists of up to 13 items where candidates need to produce a longer text, speech, analysis or a similar answer. Candidates are expected to write a longer response (up to 4 pages) to the first three questions and a shorter text to questions 4 to13 (up to two pages). Please note that not every exam will have three longer and ten shorter questions. Sometimes an exam may have fewer questions as well.
SAMPLE.
Constructed Response Items
1.
a) The United Nations is responding to increasingly challenging issues around the world, while going through a period of unprecedented economic constraints. These two conflicting forces demand that the Organization rethinks its operating model by looking for ways to improve efficiency without impacting effectiveness in delivering our core mission.
b) The deployment of Umoja, the Enterprise Resource Planning initiative that commenced in 2013, marks one of the foremost transformative processes currently underway in the United Nations Secretariat. The harmonization, integration and automation of business processes globally will facilitate a new way of working and will change the way the Organization does business. As a result, the UN will strengthen oversight and accountability, gain additional opportunities for consolidation and significantly improve the efficiency of its operations.
c) With this objective in mind, the Organization will re-engineer its back-office processes as performed by the different United Nations Secretariat departments. The goal is to migrate from the current, mostly compartmentalized model of operation to one which will allow the United Nations Secretariat globally to share resources and harmonize back-office processes, including the alignment and rationalization of our many information and communications technology efforts.
d) In the coming years, the Organization will migrate from multiple operating models to a common operating model that will be applied across the global Secretariat. According to the Secretary-General, this change will affect every workplace and will require a major collective effort to come to fruition.
In this context, please discuss what you see as the opportunities and challenges of such an organizational transformation initiative. In your response, please address impact on People, Processes, Technology and any other areas you deem relevant.
2. In a situation of a mandatory reassignment from one duty station to another, outline the components of a fair compensation package.
3. Identify and briefly discuss three major advantages of introducing electronic data processing equipment to assist in management functions.
4. What is budgetary control? What is the difference between budgetary control and management control?
SAMPLE 2
Social Affairs.
A. How do the various aspects of rural development contribute to poverty eradication in developing countries? Explain.
B. Economic growth, while necessary, is alone not sufficient to ensure comprehensive social development. Discuss.
C. Full employment and decent work are considered important to social development.
a) Explain the meaning of "full employment" and "decent work".
b) Explain why they are important.
c) Discuss how governments and the private sector can achieve full employment and decent work.
Migration plays a key role in development. Give one example each of:
a) Its benefits to sending and receiving countries.
b) lis costs to sending and receiv ing countries.
2. Define social integration and explain its significance for economic and social development.
3. Name one cost and benefit each of the public versus private provision of social services (healthcare, education____).
4. Describe, using an example, the human rights-based approach to development.
5. What is the role of the United Nations in helping to prevent the supply and use of drugs? Give one example each.
SAMPLE 3. Public information.
ESSAYS;
A. Several influential media have been criticising the United Nations for being ineffective in addressing crucial issues of importance to the international community, such as terrorism, human rights, democracy, peacekeeping and UN reform, including financial control and management. As a result, the image of the United Nations has suffered. You have been tasked to formulate a public information strategy in order to counter the criticisms in one of the areas above and to help improve the image of the Organisation. Explain your strategy and how your strategy can be implemented.
B. The Security Council held a high-level meeting on "Mediation and Settlement of Disputes". The United Nations News Centre, an on-line news service, wants to highlight the debate on its news website. Using the press release issued on the debate (see Annex), draft an appropriate news article for the website. Start with a heading.
C. The Secretary-General wants to publish an op-ed article on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in an international newspaper. MDGs are listed below. 2009 marks the first year after the half point was reached between the agreement on the MDGs and the planned date for the accomplishments of the MDGs. Draft an op-ed article under the name of the Secretary-General on the state of affairs on this important milestone. Take into account the fact that an op-ed article is relatively short and. should be well structured and convey key messages. Discuss where we stand now and what remains to be accomplished. You may decide to address future challenges as a whole or focus on no more that 4 goals.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});QUESTIONS;
1. 2009 is the international year of biodiversity. The UN would like to set up a website to promote the year and you have been asked to design it. Briefly present with bullet points the design: decide on 3 key messages and your strategy to promote them.
2. You have been assigned to produce a three-minute news video for United Nations Television, which will be aired on an international satellite television station. The topic is violence against women". Describe your video production proposal. What elements would you choose for the proposal?
3. United Nations Radio is preparing a 5-minute feature story on climate change and the role of the United Nations in it. How would you go about preparing the story? Describe the essential steps you would take and how you would structure the radio presentation.
4. A civil society group active in genocide prevention wants to organize an exhibition at United Nations Headquarters or at a United Nations office in the field. List three (3) criteria that the United Nations should consider in order to approve the proposal.
5. The next soccer World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010. The Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace wants to use this event as a platform to highlight the role of sports for African development. What activities would you recommend to the Special Adviser? List three (3) and explain how these activities can be most effectively carried out.
6. You have been tasked to prepare events for the International Day of Non-Violence. What events would you undertake? Describe your activ ities in three (3) key media.
7. A new peacekeeping mission is being established in a buffer zone between two countries with poor communications and transport infrastructure. The mission's mandate is to monitor a ceasefire in the buffer zone, to undertake de-mining and to provide social serv ices to the war- affected population. Your task is to set up a public information unit for the new mission. Briefly describe:
a. The structure of the Public Information Unit:
b. Three (3) key activities it should undertake:
c. Target audience(s);
d. How to reach this/these audience(s)?
In case you have any questions please feedback me to feedback@uncareer.net or check FAQ about UN recruitment
Steven White, CEO Uncareer.net
TOP 100 the most popular interview questions
If you're gearing up for an interview with the United Nations, a UN agency, or an international NGO, being well-prepared to tackle some of the most common interview questions .
Real UN test samples for UN Security Officer FS-4, FS-5, FS-6
Below are sample scenarios and questions for the YPP written test to give you an idea of what to expect in 2024.
Sample of Assistant Interview UNDP
Below, you'll find a sample of potential interview questions for UNDP and IOM and how you might approach answering them effectively.