English 124 Academic Reading Module R.

Iskander
Sp. 08

Name: ______________________________________________ Grade:

__________

(To accompany “A ravenous dragon”, The Economist, March 13, 2008)

Directions: Please answer as briefly, as precisely and as thoughtfully as

possible. Whenever possible, use your own words.

1. In this article, the author’s main thesis is that

China’s interference, investment and engagement with different African

nations. Initially, focusing on mistreating and looting other countries natural
resources to sociopolitical effects globally. Eventually, different benefits and
repercussions on African and developing countries’ economy are discussed.
(3 points)

2. Why is China willing to invest heavily in the Congo? How does the
Chinese investment compare with Western aid?
China is striving hard to invest in Congo because Congo is a home to
nearly half of the world's raw materials like cobalt and copper
reserves. Ultimately, China is in great needs for these raw materials to
help its emergent economy.
To Africa, the emergence of China as a major investor presents
a clear advantage. It gives access both to new substantial
resources and to areas to which western donors are less willing
to contribute. It gives Congo and Agrican nations the freedom
to choose the funds/aids and, used wisely, would increase their
ability to pursue their own development agenda. To western
donors aid /investment they represent a challenge to Congo and
interference in their sociopolitical style. Congo finds Chinese
aid is 10 times much better support to their country that
western aid promised.

(2 points)

3. What effect does China’s economic prosperity have on:

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a. African and Latin American economies
Chinese built or refurbished various huge projects in Congo
and Latin Americans countries like railways, roads and
mines, in exchange for the right to mine copper ore of an
equivalent value of these mentioned projects.

b. the price of resources

The price of all manner of fuels, metals and grains to new peaks

c. the shipping industry

The price of shipping raw materials recently reached a record

(3 points)

4. The word burgeoning in par. 5 is closest in meaning to

__________________.
a. growing c. flowering
b. stagnant d. steady
(1 point)

5. Complete the table below to summarize the concerns that certain groups
entertain about China’s growing influence. (10 points)
Concerned Group Anxieties
1. American congressmen Vague national security concerns

2. Residents of China is planning to plunder their oil and timber and

Russia's far east maybe colonize their empty spaces.

3. Non-governmental Chinese firms will ignore basic legal,

organizations environmental and labour standards

4. Western companies a. Chinese state-owned firms have an agenda that is not

just commercial

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 b. Chinese are willing to pay over the odds for
mining or drilling rights to secure access to
physical resources

c. China intervenes unfairly on its companies

d. Increase inflation and imperil (RISK) the

West's access to resources

5. Diplomats and a. China’s growing status will reduce the power of

pundits America, Europe, and other rich democracies

b. The West is “losing” Africa and other

resource-rich regions

c.China encourages African to defy

international norms

d. Corruption, economic mismanagement,

repression and instability will proliferate

e. Competition with a “Beijing consensus

(AGREEMENT) ” of state-led development
and despotism

6. The word boom in par. 5 means the same as _____________________.

a. a loud noise c. a fiery explosion
b. severe shortages d. economic prosperity
(1 point)

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7. The word imperil in par. 7 means the same as ___________________.
a. endanger c. risk
b. jeopardize d. all of the above

(1 point)

8. The word baleful in par. 7 is closest in meaning to ________________.

a. threatening c. friendly
b. resourceful d. prominent

(1 point)

9. We can infer from pars. 9 and 10 that China’s hunger for resources
___________.
a. has encouraged some countries to adopt sound management policies
b. has allowed undemocratic governments to defy the international
community
c. will discourage Western donors from investing in Africa’s
development
d. will be less successful that the West in bringing prosperity to Africa

(3 points)

10. The author contends that the fears about China are exaggerated. Cite
three arguments that he uses to support his contention.
a. China is still just one of many countries looking for raw materials around the
world.

b. It has won most influence in countries where Western governments were

conspicuous (CLEAR) by their absence,

c. Chinese policies are beginning to change. It has promised to co-operate with the
World Bank in its development efforts in Africa.

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(6 points)

11. The word opprobrium in par. 11 is closest in meaning to

_________________.
a. intense fear c. severe disapproval
c. mild criticism d. enthusiastic encouragement
(1 point)
12. Fill in the blanks below based on information in the graph on page 3.
From the graph on page 3, it is clear that the Chinese economy took off
between the years _________ and _________, and that the demand for oil
and soybeans is currently ________ times what it was in _____________.

(4 points)

13. The author mentions the Chinese reaction to Steven Spielberg’s

resignation as adviser to the Beijing Olympics in order to
__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
___________
_____________________________________________________________
__________.

(3 points)

14. One important advantage of a global competition for resources is that

____________
_____________________________________________________________
__________
_____________________________________________________________
__________

(2 points)

15. The pronoun they in par. 13 refers to

________________________________.

(1 point)

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16. What are three environmental consequences of China’s rapid industrial
growth?
a.

b.

c.

(3 points)

17. In the context of par. 14, the words miser and glutton are
_____________________.
a. similar in meaning c. totally unrelated
b. opposite in meaning d. economic terms

(1 point)

18. Overall, the author seems to think that China’s uncontrolled economic
growth ____________.
a. threatens to bring down the Communist regime
b. is greatly to be feared by Western democracies
c. will inevitably result in Chinese monopoly of vital resources
d. has some damaging consequences for the Chinese people

(3 points)

18. In one well-organized and coherent paragraph, summarize, in your own

words, the economic, political, and environmental effects of China’s
dramatic economic growth.

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(6 points)

Total points: 55