English Workout. Venezuela Faces Economic Trouble. 1) What s Venezuela s main economic problem? Answer: 2) Where do dollars cost much more?

Transcripción

1 1) What s Venezuela s main economic problem? 2) Where do dollars cost much more? 3) What does the country mainly export? 4) When did Maduro win the election? 5) What does Capriles do? What s his job? 6) What did he promise? Answer 1 Answer 2 Answer 3 Answer 4 Answer 5 Answer 6 Inflation. In the black market. Oil. April 14th. He s a lawyer. He promised to open the economy to foreign investment.

2 FILL IN THE GAPS Venezuela is facing a number of economic problems. Inflation is putting on many businesses. Rotzen Villabon owns a gift store. But his business needs American dollars to import from China. He is unable to exchange Venezuelan money for dollars at the official exchange rate of about 6.5 bolivares to the dollar. He says the supply of dollars is even limited in the black market, where the dollars cost much more. He says that is why at his store is down. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in South America. In February, Venezuela reduced the value of its by one third which has made imports more costly. The economic troubles have resulted in shortages of products - from necessities like food to products. Venezuela is a major oil exporter. The nation s oil paid for many social programs during the 14-year-rule of former president Hugo Chavez. But Venezuela s recent presidential election showed there are divisions in the country. Nicolas Maduro was declared the of a close election over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles on April 14th. Mr. Caprile disputed the vote and called for a. Henrique Capriles is a lawyer. He promised to open the economy to foreign investment. Nicolas Maduro is a former leader. He served as vice president to Mr. Chavez before the president died of cancer last month. Mr. Maduro promised to continue the social policies and programs of Mr. Chavez. For, the election was about saving programs for free housing, health care and education.

3 TRANSCRIPT Venezuela is facing a number of economic problems. Inflation is putting pressure on many businesses. Rotzen Villabon owns a gift store. But his business needs American dollars to import products from China. He is unable to exchange Venezuelan money for dollars at the official exchange rate of about 6.5 bolivares to the dollar. He says the supply of dollars is even limited in the black market, where the dollars cost much more. He says that is why business at his store is down. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in South America. In February, Venezuela reduced the value of its currency by one third which has made imports more costly. The economic troubles have resulted in shortages of products - from necessities like food to beauty products. Venezuela is a major oil exporter. The nation s oil wealth paid for many social programs during the 14-year-rule of former president Hugo Chavez. But Venezuela s recent presidential election showed there are divisions in the country. Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of a close election over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles on April 14th. Mr. Caprile disputed the vote and called for a recount. Henrique Capriles is a lawyer. He promised to open the economy to foreign investment. Nicolas Maduro is a former union leader. He served as vice president to Mr. Chavez before the president died of cancer last month. Mr. Maduro promised to continue the social policies and programs of Mr. Chavez. For supporters, the election was about saving programs for free housing, health care and education.

4 TRANSLATION Venezuela se está enfrentando a una serie de problemas económicos. La inflación está metiendo presión a muchos negocios. Rotzen Villabon tiene una tienda de regalos / souvenirs. Pero su negocio necesita dólares americanos para importar productos de China. Él es incapaz de cambiar el dinero venezolano por dólares al tipo de cambio oficial de unos 6.5 bolívares respecto al dólar. Él dice que la oferta de dólares está incluso limitada en el mercado negro, donde los dólares cuestan mucho más. Dice que esa es la razón por la que el negocio en su tienda está a la baja. Venezuela tiene la tasa de inflación más alta de América del Sur. En Febrero, Venezuelo redujo el valor de su divisa en un tercio lo cual ha hecho que las importaciones sean más costosas. Los problemas económicos también han llevado a la escasez de productos - desde artículos de primera necesidad como la comida hasta productos de belleza. Venezuela es un importante exportador de petróleo. La riqueza en petróleo del país pagó muchos programas sociales durante el gobierno de 14 años del anterior presidente Hugo Chavez. Pero las recientes elecciones de Venezuela mostraron que hay divisiones en el país. Nicolas Maduro fue declarado ganador en unas elecciones reñidas ante el candidato de la oposición Henrique Capriles el 14 de Abril. El Sr. Caprile puso en duda la votación y exigió un recuento. H.C. es abogado. Prometió abrir la economía a la inversión extranjera. N.M. fue líder sindical. Sirvió como vicepresidente de Chavez antes de que el presidente muriera de cáncer el mes pasado. El Sr. Maduro prometió continuar con los programas y políticas sociales del Sr. Chavez. Para los seguidores, las elecciones trataban de salvar programas para la vivienda libre, la sanidad y la educación.

5 VOCABULARY to exchange: to own: ser intercambiar propietario supply: as well oferta as: (economía) así como rate: to tasabe away: estar fuera beauty to look products: like: parecerse productos de belleza rule: as mandato many...as...: (de un gobierno) tantas... como... major: to principal make up: constituir close: monthly apretado (resultado) payment: pago mensual investment: to develop: inversión desarrollar policies: store políticas owners: propietarios de tiendas healthcare: to report: sanidad informar NOTES