2] GCSE 1990 [First Paper-FOR ALL CANDIDATES] First Session

Read the following text, then answer the questions below:

The problem of overpopulation which Egypt faces today is considered one of the problems of the hour. It is considered a fierce challenge that faces our society. Let us examine this serious problem together in some of its aspects.

On the one hand, progress in science and in medical health is an important factor that has contributed to the growth of the problem. In the past, people often died of some diseases because they were ignorant of how they should be cured. Nowadays, progress in medicine provides the remedies, decreasing the rate of death. On the other hand, the birth rate is still increasing. Thus a simple equation would prove that a decrease in death rates plus an increase in birth rates equals an increase in population. This huge increase in population swallows up every increase in production - large as it may be. The problem is endless because one thing leads to another.

Here are some suggestions which may provide solutions to this serious problem. We should start by going to the desert lands and building new homes, new schools and therefore, new communities and cities. The government provides us with this land and we should thank the government for this. Birth control is also one sure solution. The media the television, the radio and the newspapers - provide many advertisements which remind us constantly of the necessity of birth control, and we should be grateful to the government for providing us with such advertisements. Yet, we should not just stop at thanking the government and nothing else. We should go one step beyond by responding to these calls, so as to see Egypt, our dear country, in happiness and prosperity.

Questions:

1.   Why is the problem of overpopulation a serious one?

2.   How does the progress in science and medicine influence the problem of overpopulation?

3.   Mention two ways for solving the problem.

4.  In two sentences of your own, summarise the main idea of the passage.