linkage migration obvious pace scope inflation despite

moving to another place to live and work there although extent; range price increases speed; rate clear; observable association; relationship; link

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Globalization is the result of progress in communication, transportation, and information technologies. It describes the growing economic, political, technological, and cultural linkages that connect individuals, communities, businesses, and governments around the world. Globalization also involves the growth of multinational corporations (businesses that have operations or investments in many countries) and transnational corporations (businesses that see themselves functioning in a global marketplace).

Items common to our everyday lives—such as the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the cars we drive—are the products of globalization.

Globalization has both negative and positive sides. Among the negative are the rapid spread of diseases, illegal drugs, crime, terrorism, and uncontrolled migration. Among globalization’s benefits are a sharing of basic knowledge, technology, investments, resources, and ethical values.

Perhaps the most obvious sign of globalization is in the economic area. The logos of corporate giants such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Shell and Mercedes are common in cities on every continent.

Globalization is not new, but is a product of the industrial revolution. Britain grew rich in the 19^th century as the first global economic superpower, because of its better manufacturing technology and improved global communications such as steamships and railroads.

But the pace, scope and scale of globalization have increased greatly since World War II, and especially in the last 25 years.

The rapid spread of information technology (IT) and the Internet is changing the way companies organize production, and allowing services as well as manufacturing to be globalised.

Trade has been the driving force of globalization. World trade in manufactured goods increased more than 100 times since 1955. Since 1960, increased trade has been made easier by international agreements to lower taxes on the export of manufactured goods, especially to rich countries.

Multinational companies have become more global, locating manufacturing plants overseas because of cheaper labour costs or to be closer to their markets. Some multinationals like Apple have become "virtual firms" outsourcing most of their production to other companies, mainly in Asia.

Many economists believe globalization may be the explanation for key trends in the world economy such as:

• Lower wages for workers, and higher profits, in Western economies
• The flood of migrants to cities in poor countries
• Low inflation and low interest rates despite strong growth

One of the dangers of economic globalization is the further concentration of power in those who are already rich. The gap between rich and poor nations has widened in recent years, despite the catch-up success of a few countries such as the Asian ‘tigers’.

Choose the correct answer.

1. Globalization connects

A. individuals                                                

B. communities

C. governments                                              

D. all of the above

 2. Disadvantages of globalization include

A. spread of disease and drug abuse             

B. increase in crime and terrorism

C. uncontrolled migration                              

D. all of the above 

 3. Globalization has led to

A. higher profits                                             

B. higher interest rates

C. lower  migration rates                                

D. lower growth

 4. Globalization is due to advancements in

A. communication technology                       

B. transport

C. information technology                             

D. all of the above

 5. Multinational companies have become global due to

A. cheaper labour costs                                  

B. overseas manufacturing plants

C. closed markets                                           

D. virtual firms

 6. Multinational corporations are businesses that

A. operate in many countries                         

B. invest in many countries

C. both (A) and (B)                                       

D. neither (A) nor (B)

 7. Trade in manufactured goods increased more than 100 times

A. since 1955                                                 

B. since 1960

C. since the 19^th century                                

D. since WW II

 Answer the following questions.

8. Do you think globalization is a good thing? Give reasons for your answer.

9. What are the factors that have led to globalization?

10. Write down the names of some multinational companies that operate in Oman.

Ecotourism

• Name some places of natural beauty and interest in Oman that are popular with tourists.
• Do you think tourists have a responsibility not to damage the environment?
• How should tourists behave?

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Imagine the scene. You're sitting beside the swimming pool of an international luxury hotel. In front of you is the beach, reserved for hotel guests with motor boats for hire. Behind you is an 18-hole golf course which is kept green by hundreds of water sprinklers. Around the hotel are familiar international restaurant chains and the same shops that you have at home. You've seen some local people - some of them sell local handicrafts outside the hotel. You bought a small wooden statue and after arguing for half an hour you only paid a quarter of what the man was asking. Really cheap!

Is this your idea of a perfect holiday or would you prefer something different?

Nowadays, many of us try to live in a way that will damage the environment as little as possible. We recycle our newspapers and bottles, we take public transport to get to work, we try to buy locally produced fruit and vegetables and we stopped using aerosol sprays years ago. This is why alternative forms of tourism are becoming more popular all over the world.

There are lots of names for these new forms of tourism: responsible tourism, alternative tourism, sustainable tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, educational tourism and more. Everyone has a different definition but most people agree that ecotourism must:

• conserve the wildlife and culture of the area.
• benefit the local people and involve the local community
• make a profit without destroying natural resources
• provide an experience that tourists want to pay for

So for example, in a true ecotourism project, a nature reserve allows a small number of tourists to visit its rare animals and uses the money that is earned to continue with important conservation work. The local people have jobs in the nature reserve as guides and wardens, but also have a voice in how the project develops. Tourists stay in local houses with local people, not in specially built hotels. So they experience the local culture and do not take precious energy and water away from the local population. They travel on foot, by boat, bicycle or elephant so that there is no pollution. And they have a special experience that they will remember all of their lives.

This type of tourism can only involve small numbers of people so it can be expensive. But you can apply the principles of ecotourism wherever you go for your holiday. Just remember these basic rules.

Be prepared. Learn about the place that you're going to visit. Find out about its culture and history. Learn a little of the native language, at least basics like 'Please', 'Thank you', and 'Good Morning'. Think of your holiday as an opportunity to learn something.

Have respect for local culture. Wear clothes that will not offend people. Always ask permission before you take a photograph. Remember that you are a visitor.

Don't waste resources. If the area doesn't have much water, don't take two showers every day.

Remember the phrase "Leave nothing behind you except footprints and take nothing away except photographs." Take as much care of the places that you visit as you take of your own home. Don't buy souvenirs made from endangered animals or plants.

Walk or use other non-polluting forms of transport whenever you can. Stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants. Buy local products whenever possible and pay a fair price for what you buy.

But think about how you are going to get to your dream 'eco' paradise. Flying is one of the biggest man-made sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. So don't forget that you don't have to fly to exotic locations for your 'eco' holiday. There are probably places of natural beauty and interest in your own country that you've never visited.

1. Complete the following table using information from the text.

	Tourism	Ecotourism
Accomodation	luxury hotel
Transportation
Food	international restaurant chains
Objectives		conserve wildlife benefit local people

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