In Company Pre-intermediate Resource materials

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10b Velvet revolution Jeremy Taylor & Jon Wright

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1 There has been a velvet revolution in a developing country. The new leader of the country is
your teacher’s old university friend, Harold. Harold has sent an e-mail asking for advice about the
development of his country. Read the e-mail. Which is the most important problem that Harold
has to deal with? Which is the least urgent? Work in groups and put the problems in order
of importance. Do you think there are any other problems which Harold should deal with?

Hello, my old friend!

the old
you. As you know, my father was
I hope things are going well for the Uni ted
old government lost power,
leader of my country. After the you believe it,
person to lead the country. Can
Nations wanted to find a good now I’m
iness selling shoes to Europe, but
they chose me! I had a nice bus ’t slee p at
a lot of responsibilities! I can
the leader of a huge country with . Here
new job. I really hope you can help
night because of the stress of my think I should
n in my country. Which do you
are some details of the situatio d to
w they are all important but I nee
look at first? second? etc. I kno
prioritise!
one day.
give. You must come and visit us
Thank you for any advice you can
Harold
cation.
of children receive primary edu
• Primary schools: Only 75% t to other
university. Some students are sen
• Universities: There is only one
countries. ly equipped,
ernment’s police force was bad
• Police force: The former gov
ruption.
badly paid and famous for its cor government
rently no taxation system. The
• Taxation system: There is cur
and natural gas.
gets its money from sales of oil amounts of
oil and gas are exported. Large
• Trading links: Currently, only er
uld I make trading links with oth
food are imported every year. Sho
countries? the
last government did nothing for
• Environmental protection: The the oil fields are
lions in the country and
environment. There are no more
st.
polluting the rivers near the coa
pro ble m in some areas.
• Hospitals: Malaria is a big lti-national
I encourage investment from mu
• Overseas investment: Should
panies in the country are the oil
companies? The only foreign com
nufacturer.
companies and a soft drinks ma help local
as investment? That way I can
• Or should I discourage overse
ition.
businesses grow without compet
the population have running water.
• Safe drinking water: Only half first year.
n and many children die in their
Diseases like cholera are commo

2 Work with a partner. Write an e-mail to Harold telling him which three problems he should
deal with first, and why.

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