7/27/2019 Economic Woes Shrink Spain

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ECONOMIC WOES SHRINK SPAINS POPULATIONSpain's increasing economic problems have led to a shrinking population.

The country's INE (National Statistics Institute) stated that in the present

year, up to February 1st, Spain's total registered population fell by 205,788.

Analysts attribute much of this decline to immigrants fleeing the country amid

high unemployment and the bursting of the property bubble.

There was also a sharp rise in the number of Spaniards leaving thecountry in search of work abroad. This brain drain represents a fall in the

pool of qualified and skilled workers in the event of the economy picking up

pace again. Albert Esteve, a demographics expert, explained why people are

leaving, saying: "Spain is less attractive because there are no jobs."

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of

society. The middle class in particular is suffering badly. The capital,

Madrid, is seeing increasing numbers of university-educated and professional

people sleeping rough. CARITAS, a charity for the homeless, said 25 per cent of

those sleeping on the streets completed some kind of higher education.

It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result

of losing their job. The charity also reports that homelessness has not dented

enterprise. Many of those who lost their regular work are trying to make ends

meet by collecting and selling scrap metal, becoming street artists or putting

their musical skills to good use by busking.

Scrap metal: chatarra

Woe: afliccin, desgracia

To busk: tocar msica en la calle

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22251840

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT, SAY IF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE TRUE OR FALSE.

PROVIDE EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT

( 1 pt)

The only reason for the decline in population is the collapse of the property

market T/F

Many Spaniards with a higher education are leaving the country due to the poor

employment prospects T/F

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ACCORDING TO THE TEXT IN YOUR OWN WORDS( 2 pts)

1.How did the article describe a "brain drain"?

2.Which sector of society in particular is going through hard times? Why?

FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR PHRASES THAT MEAN THE SAME AS ( 1 pt)

1. escaping from ( p. 1)

2. spend the night without home or shelter (p.3)

3.recover its usual rhythm (p.2)

4. weakened (p.4)

7/27/2019 Economic Woes Shrink Spain

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USE OF ENGLISH ( 2pts)

A)Rewrite the sentence using the word in capitals

It also revealed that over 40 per cent of them are homeless as a result of

losing their job THEREFORE

B) Write a question for the underlined words

Analysts attribute much of this decline to immigrants fleeing the country

c) Active to passive

Spain's economic woes are putting a huge social cost on all sectors of society

d) Transform it into Reported Speech

A demographics expert explained: "Spain is less attractive because there has

been little chance to find a job these days."

WRITING (4 pts) 100-120 words

What problems usually arise from high levels of unemployment?