A. International aid and development
In this unit we focus particularly on collocations (words that are often used together)
European countries have, in recent years, turned their attention to supporting real and sustainable
development1 in Africa. There are many encouraging signs that such projects have taken root2. In the five
years up to 2015, a score of African countries achieved economic growth of more than 4% per year. Foreign
direct investment also rose. Africa’s share in world trade now shows real signs of recovering from a long
decline. From Ghana in the west to Ethiopia in the east and Mozambique in the south, Africa’s economies
have consistently grown more rapidly than those of almost any other region of the world. A dozen countries’
economies have expanded by more than 6% a year over a period of six or more years. But many millions of
people in Africa still live in deep poverty3 and more determined efforts are needed to tackle the problem.
The European Union is committed to supporting and allocating4 funds and development grants5 to those
African governments which are pursuing6 policies to reduce and eradicate7 poverty and improve access
to healthcare, education and clean water supplies.
- 1 development which can continue over a long time
- 2 started to be accepted
- 3 abject poverty is also a collocation
- 4 giving to be used for a particular purpose
- 5 money to help development
- 6 following policies is also a collocation
- 7 completely get rid of something bad
B. Collocations related to the noun debt
Countries often find it impossible to
repay debt; the
debt burden is too great. Easing the
debt burden or
cancelling debt helps debtor countries/nations free themselves from the problem of
incurring debt and more debt.
Alleviating debt /
debt relief for poor countries should be a priority.
C. Trade and cooperation
Free trade agreements often cause disputes between countries, especially when one country thinks the other is engaged in restrictive practices1. Occasionally, trade wars erupt, and sanctions2 or embargoes3 are imposed on countries that may not be lifted for long periods. On the other hand, countries closely related economically and enjoying good relations have the possibility of entering into monetary union and having a single currency.
- 1 the placing of unfair restrictions, e.g. limiting imports
- 2 restrictions on what a country may import/export
- 3 total prohibitions on importing/exporting certain goods
D. Economic difficulties
If an economy is badly affected by war, we may refer
to it as a war-torn economy. Economies in a bad
state are often referred to as ailing economies.
Devaluation/Revaluation of the currency may be
necessary. [reduction/increase in value against other
currencies] Economies may go into recession and
not come out of / emerge from recession for several years. Indeed, countries may even suffer a
double-dip1 recession. A country may suffer from a slump in prices2 for its goods. Lower taxes may
be introduced to boost the economy3 when it is in recession.
- 1 recession which ends and then begins again after a short time
- 2 serious fall/collapse in prices
- 3 give the economy a lift
Common mistakes
The verb meaning to reduce the value of a currency is devalue (NOT devaluate).
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