Words and Expressions

absolute advantage - абсолютное преимущество calculate the economic benefits - подсчитывать экономиче­скую выгоду

comparative advantage сравнительное преимущество

cost n - стоимость

decrease in self-sufficiency - уменьшение экономической самостоятельности

economic interdependence - экономическая взаимозави­симость

international trade - международная торговля manufactured goods - промышленные товары narrow range of products - ограниченный ассортимент про­дукции

productivity n - производительность specialization n - специализация

unequal distribution of resources - неравномерное распре­деление ресурсов

voluntary exchange of goods - добровольный обмен товара­ми

well-developed means of production for goods - хорошо раз­витая база средств производства товаров

well-tapped natural resources - хорошо разработанные природные ресурсы

|2 Answer the questions.

1. What does the term 'international trade' denote?

2. What concepts are at the basis of international trade? 3 What does absolute advantage mean?

4. What does comparative advantage mean?

5. Can you explain the difference between absolute and comparative advantage?

I J* Say if the statements are true or false. Prove your point.

1. The term international trade denotes the voluntary exchange of goods and services between people in dif­ferent nations.

2. Absolute advantage means that using the same resources one nation can produce a product at a higher cost than can a second nation.

3. At the basis of international trade are the concepts of specialization and economic interdependence.

4. Comparative advantage is the disadvantage that arises from the inability to produce a product at a lower opportunity cost relative to other products.

5. By specializing in the production of the product it can produce most efficiently, each nation is able to make the best use of its available resources.

|4* Complete the following sentences by choosing the one correct variant (a, b or c) that best completes the sen­tence.

1. At the basis of international trade are the concepts of

1. well-developed means of production

2. specialization and economic interdependence

3. well-tapped natural resources

2. A nation's absolute advantage is measured in relation to .

1. natural resources

2. means of production

3. other nations

2. A nation's comparative advantage is measured in rela- tion to .

1. all the goods and services the nation pro­duces

2. voluntary exchange of goods

3. labor force

2. Brazil enjoys an absolute advantage over the United States in .

1. coal production

2. coffee production

3. steel production

5. The United States enjoys an absolute advantage over Brazil in the production of .

1. manufactured foodstuffs

2. convenience goods

3. manufactured goods

_{Unit 4. DISCUSSION}

|5 Study the expressions in the Useful Language box, which are used to express different language func­tions. The list of expressions in each function can be continued. Think of expressions which can be added to each function.

Useful Language

Expressing agreement That's true. I agree. I totally agree. I quite agree with that point of view.	Expressing disagreement I don't agree. I'm afraid I don't agree. Quite the contrary. I can't agree with that point of view.
Expressing certainty It is obvious (that)... I am certain (that)... I am sure (that)...	Expressing doubt I doubt that... It is hardly likely (that)... It's questionable (that)...
Developing the idea There is one more thing to be noted... More than that... In this connection I'd like to add... What is more...	Giving opinions My point is that... It is my belief that... I believe that... I really think...

|5* Match the function in the left column with the appro­priate expression in the right one and complete the Useful Language box with these expressions accord­ingly.

1. giving opinions a. It is clear (that)...

• 2. expressing certainty b. I might as well add that...

3. expressing doubt c. That's right.

4. expressing disagreement d. In my opinion,

5. expressing agreement е. I really can't agree with you

6. developing the idea there.

f. It is most doubtful (that)...

\J Read what famous people said about economy and eco­nomics. Discuss the position of the authors. Support your point of view with reasons and examples from your reading, your observations or your own experience. Use the expressions from the Useful Language box to devel­op your idea and express your opinion.

1. People do not understand what a great revenue econo­my is. _ч

Marcus T. Cicero (c. 106-43 ВС), great Roman orator, politician

2. There can be economy only where there is efficiency.

Benjamin Disraeli (1804- 1881), British statesman, Prime Minister

3. Profit is the ignition system of our economic engine.

Charles Sawyer

4. The economy depends about as much on economists as the weather does on weather forecasters.

Jean Paul Kauffmann

5. In economics the majority is always wrong.

John Kenneth Galbraith, American economist

|g Read what famous people said about job and production. Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated below. Support your point of view with rea­sons and examples from your reading, your observations or your own experience. Use the expressions from the Useful Language box to develop your idea and express your opin­ion.

1. The tougher the job, the greater the reward.

George Allen, American football coach

2. I've met a few people who had to change their jobs in order to change their lives, but I've met many more people who merely had to change their motive to service in order to change their lives.

Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981), American peace acti viet

3. The society based on production is only productive, not creative.

Albert Camus (1913-1960), French existential writer

4. Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.

Jim Manzi, American businessman

5. Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

Jim Rohn, American businessman, philosopher

Chapter TWO

_{DOING BUSINESS}

Unit 1. READING AND TRANSLATION PRACTICE