1.Many African countries are worse off than they were at Independence more than forty years
ago because of____________________.
a. rapid population growth and crumbling infrastructure.
b. poor health, welfare and limited agricultural production.
c. world recession and indebtedness.
d. all of the options provided.
e. none of the options provided.
Africa: continuity and change page 28
Many African countries are now relatively worse off than they were at independence more than forty years ago. World recession, indebtedness and a shortage of foreign exchange, coupled with
limited achievements in agricultural development, poor health and welfare, rapid population growth and crumbling infrastructures, have all contributed to the poverty in many African countries
today.
2. Measuring inequality and unemployment in Africa____________________.
a. would be difficult to achieve because of the lack of reliable data.
b. would be easy to achieve because of improved technology.
c. would be difficult to achieve because of a lack of volunteers.
d. would be easy to achieve because of democratic states.
Africa: continuity and change pg 29
measuring inequality and unemployment in most African countries would be difficult without reliable census and other socio-economic data
3. African countries are facing many problems and challenges which are leading
to____________________.
a. soaring oil prices, high food prices and worldwide recession.
b. mounting debt and frequent shortages of basic commodities due to a lack of foreign
exchange.
c. in cities, electrical power cuts occur regularly caused by fuel shortages and inadequate
maintenance of ageing generating plants and power plants.
d. all of the options provided.
e. none of the options provided.
Africa: continuity and change page 27
African countries face many problems and challenges. Most have suffered greatly since the early 1970s with the knock-on effects of the oil price rise in 1974–1975 and the subsequent
world recession. From 2007, African countries in different ways both benefited and suffered from soaring oil prices, high food prices and worldwide recession. Mounting debt and
frequent shortages of basic commodities due to a lack of foreign exchange are commonplace. Non-oil producers experience regular fuel shortages, preventing the movement of goods
and people and further compounding already serious economic problems. In cities, electric power cuts occur regularly, caused by the fuel shortages or inadequate maintenance of ageing
generating plants and power lines. The effects of prolonged power cuts on industry can be devastating.