Post-reading Exercises

Ex. 1. Which of the following ideas agree with what the text says?

1. The national economy of Belarus is well-developed.

2. Belarus is heavily dependent on oil and gas supplies from Russia.

3. Heavy industry is the least developed sector of the economy.

4. The chief chemical product is potassium fertilizer.

5. Agriculture accounts for about a half of Belarus’ economic output.

6. The agricultural sector in Belarus is dominated by private sector.

7. The transition to private farms is slow and difficult.

8. Service industries are well developed in Belarus.

9. Belarus consumes most of the goods produced.

10. Belarusian government is sure that market economy can solve all the economic problems.

Ex. 2. Check yourself. If you are ready to answer all these questions, you know the basic notions and ideas of the topic “The Belarusian Economy”.

1. Is Belarus rich 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. What do you know about the reserves of potassium salts in Belarus?

5. What other minerals do we have in Belarus?

6. What is the share of agriculture in Belarus’ economic output?

7. What factors make farming difficult in the country?

8. What are country’s principal crops?

9. What are the most important livestock raised in the country?

10. What is the agricultural sector in Belarus dominated by?

11. Is Belarus a highly developed industrial country?

12. What are the main industries of the country?

13. What does Belarus manufacture?

14. What is the most highly developed sector of the economy?

15. What does machine-building industry produce?

16. What are the products of chemical industry?

17. What can you say about service industries in Belarus?

18. Is private economic activity flourishing in this sector of the economy?

19. What part of the goods produced does Belarus consume?

20. What are the main trade partners of Belarus?

21. What are the nation’s major exports?

22. What does Belarus import?

23. What is a long-term development goal for Belarusian economy?

24. What should an open market-type economic system ensure?

25. Can market economy solve all the economic problems?

26. What is the economic course of Belarus?

Discussion

Discuss the following points in your group.

1. Belarus has gained economic stability that must contribute to moving forward, reaching the way out of the economic crisis and the growth of the Belarusian people’s well-being.

2. Belarus is now performing three most difficult transitions: from dictatorship to democracy, from a planned economy to a socially oriented economy, from a satellite state to a sovereign state.

3. The Republic of Belarus has enough potential for independent development, enough internal opportunities, enough potential for making the economy healthy.

4. Reforming industrial enterprises and their re-orientation to increasing production efficiency and production competitiveness is one of the main tasks of today.

5. We cannot do today without new foreign technologies and direct investments, the solution of our problems may take many years.