Britain set to become most populous country in EU

(1) Britain will become one of the world’s major destinations for immigrants as the world heats up and populations continue to soar. Statistics from the United Nations show that, on average, every year more than 174,000 people will be added to the numbers in the UK and that this trend will continue for the next four decades. By then, only the United States and Canada will be receiving more overseas settlers, says the UN. This increase in British numbers is likely to put considerable strain on the country’s transport, energy and housing.

(2) However, such increases could also produce benefits for the nation, bringing in immigrants who could provide a vital supply of young workers. Demographers point out that, by 2050, more than a third of the UK population will be aged 60 or over. By then there will be a desperate need for bus drivers, care-workers and others to keep the country running and immigrants could fill this gap. In addition, there is the issue of humanitarian responsibility. Britain is likely to be one of the few nations to survive the worst effects of climate change while other nations, particularly those in the developing world, have their farmland and fishing grounds destroyed. It could be argued that the UK has a moral duty to provide shelter for as many refugees as its shores can support.

(3) At the same time, Britain’s population will rise from its current level of 61 million to 72 million by 2050. The nation will then be the most populous in the European Union, outstripping Germany, whose population will slump from 82 million to 71 million people as its immigration figures plummet. The rise in population indicates that the country is set for some considerable overcrowding. Britain's land area is only two-thirds that of Germany, yet it will soon support the same number of citizens.

(4) But many climatologists believe that by then life on the planet will already have become dangerously unpleasant. Temperature rises will have started to have devastating impacts on farmland, water supplies and sea levels. Humans – increasing both in numbers and dependence on food from devastated landscapes – will then come under increased pressure. The end result will be apocalyptic. By the end of the century, the world’s population will suffer calamitous declines until numbers are reduced to around 1 billion or less. One of the few places to survive the worst impacts will be Britain. Its climate will be one of the least affected by global warming. As a result, everyone will want to live here. Britain will become one of the world’s lifeboats.

(Robin McKie, The Observer, March 2009)

Определите, является ли утверждение:

In the next four decades only the UK will be receiving a great number of immigrants, says the UN.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

28. Определите, является ли утверждение:

Increases of the population can have some advantages as well.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

29. Определите, является ли утверждение:

German population is expected to decrease in the future.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

30. Определите, является ли утверждение:

Global warming won’t modify the British climate.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

31. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4) соответствует следующая информация:

The territory of Britain is smaller than the territory of Germany.

a) 2

b) 3

c) 1

d) 4

32. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4) соответствует следующая информация:

In 40 years there will be lack of young workers in the UK.

a) 3

b) 2

c) 4

d) 1

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30