How societies choose to fail or survive.

I believe that there are five major factors that predispose societies and civilizations to collapse. The first is the damage that
the inhabitants of an environment inflict on it. For example, the Norse settlers in Greenland thought the land resembled the
countryside that they were used to, and expected any trees they chopped down to grow back. But they knew only the heavy
clay soils of Norway.
The second factor is climate change: Sudden, abrupt changes in climatic conditions can push societies that have already
reached the limits of their environmental capacity of resistance. Climate change is a feature of human society, not something
invented by global capitalism. According to archeologists, it is the climate change that might well have been the main cause
behind the collapse of the Maya civilization.
The third factor is hostile neighbours. The hostility of neighbours can precipitate societies into destruction. Like change in
climate, external attacks can push a society into collapse.
Conversely, and fourth, comes the loss of support from friendly neighbors when either direct subvention or mutually
beneficial trade is withdrawn.
The fifth factor is an unhelpful response from the society to its own problems. A number of societies have faced similar
problems. Some have reacted unsuccessfully and have either vanished from earth or are in crisis.
Adapted from The Financial Times, issue of January 22nd 2005, Page: 26)

* The text is: a) a film story. b) a newspaper report. c) an economic report.

* The author writes about: a) historic truths. b) past wars accounts. c) natural catastrophes.
1. Are the following statements 'true' or 'false'? (02 pts)
a- The climate, wars and wrong response to problems may lead a civilization to fall into ruins.
b- It is believed that the Maya civilization disappeared because of war.
c- Norse settlers used to live in the countryside.
d- Neighbouring civilizations are always helpful and good friends.
Answer the following questions according to the text. (3pts)
a) How many factors that can lead to the collapse of a civilization
b) What is the main cause behind the fall of the Maya civilization?
c) Can external attacks push a society into collapse?
4- Find in the text words that are closest in meaning to:
§( =.a) – To decline.= (§1) b) – weather.= (§3) c) – commerce

How societies choose to fail or survive.

I believe that there are five major factors that predispose societies and civilizations to collapse. The first is the damage that
the inhabitants of an environment inflict on it. For example, the Norse settlers in Greenland thought the land resembled the
countryside that they were used to, and expected any trees they chopped down to grow back. But they knew only the heavy
clay soils of Norway.
The second factor is climate change: Sudden, abrupt changes in climatic conditions can push societies that have already
reached the limits of their environmental capacity of resistance. Climate change is a feature of human society, not something
invented by global capitalism. According to archeologists, it is the climate change that might well have been the main cause
behind the collapse of the Maya civilization.
The third factor is hostile neighbours. The hostility of neighbours can precipitate societies into destruction. Like change in
climate, external attacks can push a society into collapse.
Conversely, and fourth, comes the loss of support from friendly neighbors when either direct subvention or mutually
beneficial trade is withdrawn.
The fifth factor is an unhelpful response from the society to its own problems. A number of societies have faced similar
problems. Some have reacted unsuccessfully and have either vanished from earth or are in crisis.
Adapted from The Financial Times, issue of January 22nd 2005, Page: 26)

* The text is: a) a film story. b) a newspaper report. c) an economic report.

* The author writes about: a) historic truths. b) past wars accounts. c) natural catastrophes.
2. Are the following statements 'true' or 'false'? (02 pts)
a- The climate, wars and wrong response to problems may lead a civilization to fall into ruins.
b- It is believed that the Maya civilization disappeared because of war.
c- Norse settlers used to live in the countryside.
d- Neighbouring civilizations are always helpful and good friends.
Answer the following questions according to the text. (3pts)
b) How many factors that can lead to the collapse of a civilization
b) What is the main cause behind the fall of the Maya civilization?
c) Can external attacks push a society into collapse?
4- Find in the text words that are closest in meaning to:
§( =.a) – To decline.= (§1) b) – weather.= (§3) c) – commerce