1. has / reserves / the country / forest / large.
2. country / now / industrial / is / a highly developed / Belarus.
3. economic activity / today / is / private / flourishing.
4. sale / government / Belarus / purchase / in / controls / of land / and.
5. a world leader / is / the production / the country / of / also / peat / in
Ex. 7. Group the words that follow into six antonymous groups:
cheap high poor rich
employment long private short
expensive low public unemployment
Ex. 8. Match the verbs in column A with the nouns in column B.
A B
to posses business
to manufacture inflation
to cultivate the economy
to start computers
to conduct reserves
to ensure land area
to control manufactures
to stimulate prosperity
to encourage trade
COMPREHENSION
Ex. 9. Select the correct answer.
1. Belarus has vast amounts of
a) most of the minerals used in modern industrial production
b) petroleum and natural gas
c) potassium salts
d) coal
2. The country is a wold leader in the production of
a) peat
b) petroleum
c) gold
d) coal
3. The most highly developed sector of the economy is
a) chemical industry
b) heavy industry
c) food industry
d) textile industry
4. The agricultural sector is dominated by
a) state and private farms
b) collective and private farms
c) state and collective farms
d) private farms
5. What factors make farming difficult?
a) a short growing season
b) a lack of fertile soil
c) soils of only moderate fertility
d) all of the above
6. The transition to private farm is
a) quick
b) easy
c) efficient
d) none of the above
7. A great amount of goods produced by Belarusian industries and agriculture is oriented towards
a) Germany and Italy
b) Great Britain and the United States
c) Russia, Ukraine and Poland
d) China and Austria
8. The Republic of Belarus is forming
a) a mixed economy
b) a command economy
c) an open market- type economy
d) a closed economy
Ex. 10. Do you think the following statements are true or false? Discuss your answers in
Pairs.
1. The national economy of Belarus is well-developed.
2. Belarus has vast amounts of most of the minerals used in modern industrial production.
3. The country has large reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
4. The country is a world leader in the production of peat.
5. Belarus is heavily dependent on oil and gas supplies from Russia.
6. Heavy industry is the least developed sector of the economy.
7. The chief chemical product is potassium fertilizer.
8. Agriculture accounts for about a half of Belarus’ economic output.
9. Belarus has a large amount of farmland.
10. The agricultural sector in Belarus is dominated by private sector.
11. The transition to private farms is slow and difficult.
12. Service industries are well developed in Belarus.
13. Belarus consumes most of the goods produced.
14. Great Britain is the most important trade partner of Belarus.
15. Belarusian government is sure that market economy cannot solve all the economic problems.
QUESTIONS
1. Is Belarus reach in natural resources?
2. Does Belarus have most of the minerals used in modern industrial production?
3. The country is a world leader in the production of peat, isn’t it?
4. Is Belarus a highly developed industrial country?
5. What are the main industries of the country?
6. What does Belarus manufacture?
7. What is the share of agriculture in Belarus’ economic output?
8. What factors make farming difficult in the country?
9. What are country’s principal crops?
10. What are the most important livestock raised in the country?
11. What kind of farms are there in Belarus?
12. Why were service industries underdeveloped in Belarus?
13. Is private economic activity flourishing in the Republic?
14. What are the main trade partners of Belarus?
15. What are the nation’s major exports?
16. What does Belarus import?
17. What should an open market-type economic system ensure?
18. What are the main levers of state regulation?
