Вариант 4

The economy of Africa

The economy of Africa consists of the trade, industry, and resources of the peoples of Africa. Approximately 887 million people live in 54 different states. Africa is by far the world's poorest inhabited continent, and it is, on average, poorer than it was 25 years ago.

Africa's current poverty is rooted, in part, in its history. The transition from colonialism has been shaky and uncertain. Since mid-20th century the Cold War and increased corruption and despotism have contributed to Africa's poor economy. This poverty has widespread effects, including low life expectancy, violence, and instability, which in turn perpetuate the continent's poverty. Over the decades, attempts to improve the economy of Africa have been met with little success.

National GDP per capita ranges from wealthier states in the north and south to poorer states in the east. The poorest states are engaged in or just emerging from civil wars. These include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and Somalia. There is considerable internal variation within countries. Urban areas, especially capital cities, are generally wealthier than rural zones. Inequality is pronounced in most African countries; an upper class has a much higher income than the majority of the population.

Around sixty percent of African workers are employed by the agricultural sector. In Africa excess capacity is devoted to growing crops for export. Thus, when civil unrest or a bad harvest occurs, there is often very little food saved and many starve.

Africa's most valuable exports are minerals and petroleum. A few countries possess and export the vast majority of these resources. The southern nations have large reserves of gold, diamonds, and copper. Petroleum is concentrated in Nigeria, its neighbours, and Libya.

While mining and drilling are to produce most of Africa's revenues each year, these industries only employ about two million people, a tiny fraction of the continent's population. Profits can go either to large corporations or to the governments.

Africa is the least industrialized continent; only South Africa and North Africa have substantial manufacturing sectors. Despite readily available cheap labour, nearly all of the continent's natural resources are exported for secondary refining and manufacturing. Only about 15% of workers are employed in the industrial sector.

The multinational corporations that control most of the world's major industries and their financiers require political stability before erecting an expensive factory. An educated populace, good infrastructure and a stable source of electricity are needed to investments. These factors are rare in Africa. Other developing regions of the world such as India and China have been more attractive to companies looking to build a new factory or invest in a local enterprise.

Banking in Africa has long been problematic. Governments and industry can’t rely on local banks as they are often unstable and corrupt.

Encouraging foreign investment in Africa has been difficult. Even Africans are reluctant to invest locally; about forty percent of sub-Saharan African savings are invested in other markets. Foreign governments who invest may have ulterior motives not in the best interest of the African economies. The IMF and World Bank only lend money after imposing stringent conditions such as austerity policies.

Notes:

1. Sierra Leone – [si erəli oun] – Сьерра-Леоне

2. Burundi – [burundi] – Бурунди

3. Somalia – [sou ma:liə] – Сомали

4. Nigeria – [naidgiəriə] – Нигерия

5.Libya – [libiə] – Ливия

6. IMF – МВФ, Международный валютный фонд (ООН)

I. Прочитайте текст (без словаря).

II. Перепишите следующие предложения; подчеркните в каждом из них глагол-сказуемое и определите его видо-временную форму и залог. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. The economy of Africa consists of the trade, industry, and resources of the peoples of Africa.

2. Africa's current poverty is rooted, in part, in its history.

3. The poorest states are engaged in or just emerging from civil wars.

4. Both have been known to squander this money on luxuries for the elite or on megaprojects that return little value.

5. Even Africans are reluctant to invest locally; about forty percent of sub-Saharan African savings are invested in other markets.

III. Перепишите следующие предложения; подчеркните Participle I и Participle II и установите функции каждого из них, т.е. укажите, является ли оно определением, обстоятельством или частью глагола-сказуемого. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. Since mid-20th century the Cold War and increased corruption and despotism have contributed to Africa's poor economy.

2. This poverty has widespread effects, including low life expectancy, violence, and instability.

3. These farms, normally operated by large corporations, cover tens of square kilometres and employ large numbers of labourers.

4. Other developing regions of the world such as India and China have been more attractive to companies looking to build a new factory or invest in a local enterprise.

5. Africa is the least industrialized continent; only South Africa and North Africa have substantial manufacturing sectors.

IV. Перепишите следующие предложения; подчеркните в каждом из них модальный глагол или его эквивалент. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. While mining and drilling are to produce most of Africa's revenues each year, these industries only employ about two million people.

2. Profits can go either to large corporations or to the governments.

3. Governments and industry can’t rely on local banks as they are often unstable and corrupt.

4. An educated populace, good infrastructure and a stable source of electricity are needed to investments.

5. Foreign governments who invest may have ulterior motives not in the best interest of the African economies.

V. Прочитайте, перепишите и письменно переведите текст.

VI. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы:

1. What does the economy of Africa comprise?

2. Where does the main cause of the Africa’s poverty lie?

3. What are the Africa’ most valuable exports?

4. In what economic sector is the most part of the population engaged?

5. What is the reason of difficult and problematic banking and foreign investment in Africa?