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The Portuguese began to enter Angola in the 16 th century,
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13 Feb 2025, 00:54
13 Feb 2025, 00:54
Expert Reply
The Portuguese began to enter Angola in the 16 th century, and over the next three hundred years slowly pushed into the interior of the sizable nation located in Southern Africa, finally achieving complete occupation by the 1920s. Following Angolan independence in 1975, and despite a bloody civil war that lasted until 2002, the Angolan economy has grown at a double-digit pace since the 1990s, due largely to expansive mineral and petroleum reserves. Conversely, Portugal is now broke and in debt, its economy shrinking by full percentage points every year. In a grand stroke of irony, Portugal's Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho in 2011 suggested to Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos that "We should take advantage of this moment ... to strengthen our bilateral relations." President dos Santos replied, "We are aware of Portugal's difficulties and we are open and available to help." This "help" will likely come in the form of Angola's investment in Portuguese industries that the International Monetary Fund has ordered be privatized as a condition of a 78 billion dollar bailout. Already, the country that once mined Angola for slaves and raw material is now virtually helpless as Angola purchases Lisbon's prime real estate, using much of it to build luxury resorts where Angolan officials go for holidays.
Question 1
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Question Stats:
40% (01:49) correct
60% (02:18) wrong based on 5 sessions
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Which of the following is not stated as a component of Portugal and Angola's historical relationship?
(A) Portuguese traders sold Angolan slaves.
(B) Raw material was taken from Angola by the Portuguese.
(C) The two nations were at war.
(D) The Portuguese increasingly dominated Angola over a period of several hundred years.
(E) Angola achieved independence from Portugal in the 20th century.
Question 2
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Question Stats:
100% (00:23) correct
0% (00:00) wrong based on 4 sessions
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The "grand stroke of irony" is best described as
(A) two countries dedicated to strengthening bilateral relations share economic problems
(B) a former colonial possession is now being called upon to assist its former possessor
(C) slavery has ended, and yet people still live in poverty
(D) the cost of living in Luanda is very high, and yet most people are poor
(E) the Portuguese economy was once thriving and is now dwindling
Re: The Portuguese began to enter Angola in the 16 th century,
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09 Mar 2025, 10:40
09 Mar 2025, 10:40
Expert Reply
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION QUESTION #1
(C).
This question asks for the choice not mentioned in the passage. The final sentence states that Portugal "once mined Angola for slaves and raw material," so choices (A) and (B) are out. The beginning of the passage concerns Portugal taking over Angola over a period beginning in the 16 th century and culminating in the 1920s, so eliminate choice (D). The passage refers to "Angolan independence in 1975 "-since that date is during the 20th century, choice ( E ) is out. The passage says that a "civil war" in Angola lasted until 2002, not a war against the Portuguese, so choice (C) is the answer.
(C).
This question asks for the choice not mentioned in the passage. The final sentence states that Portugal "once mined Angola for slaves and raw material," so choices (A) and (B) are out. The beginning of the passage concerns Portugal taking over Angola over a period beginning in the 16 th century and culminating in the 1920s, so eliminate choice (D). The passage refers to "Angolan independence in 1975 "-since that date is during the 20th century, choice ( E ) is out. The passage says that a "civil war" in Angola lasted until 2002, not a war against the Portuguese, so choice (C) is the answer.
Re: The Portuguese began to enter Angola in the 16 th century,
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09 Mar 2025, 10:41
09 Mar 2025, 10:41
Expert Reply
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION QUESTION #2
(B)
The "grand stroke of irony" the author refers to is Angola helping Portugal. Why is this ironic? Because, as stated in the final sentence, "The country that once mined Angola for slaves and raw material is now virtually helpless." Choice (B) is the best match. Choices (A) and (E) are not ironic. While choices (C) and (D) do present some kind of contrast, they are not the "stroke of irony" to which the author refers.
(B)
The "grand stroke of irony" the author refers to is Angola helping Portugal. Why is this ironic? Because, as stated in the final sentence, "The country that once mined Angola for slaves and raw material is now virtually helpless." Choice (B) is the best match. Choices (A) and (E) are not ironic. While choices (C) and (D) do present some kind of contrast, they are not the "stroke of irony" to which the author refers.
