SLP 2222 Reading Passage Tasks - Africa
NATO BILC STANAG 6001 SLP 2222 SLP 3333 English Reading Comprehension Passage and Task
Instructions
- This is bi-level English Reading Test. It tests NATO STANAG levels 2 and 3.
- The Reading Test consists of four reading passages and 40 questions in total.
- You have 60 minutes to do the test.
- You are advised to attempt all the questions.
- Instructions are given at the beginning of every task.
- WRITE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE ANSWER SHEET.
Reading Passage 1
Task 1
Task 1 You are going to read a text about a mission in Africa. For questions 1–6, choose from headings A–H the one which best summarizes each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. Write the appropriate letters A–H in boxes 1–6 on the answer sheet. There is an example (0).
- A. Peacemakers, not combatants
- B. A dry and poor region
- C. Unrealistic hopes for fast changes
- D. Lack of upcoming resources
- E. A new figure in the peace keeping force
- F. Facing an unknown road ahead
- G. Rebels supported by the government
- H. The background of the conflict
0 H
Darfur is a semi-arid western province of Sudan–Africa's largest country. Darfur alone is the size of
France. In an Arab-dominated country, Darfur's population is mostly black African. For years, there
have been tensions between the mostly African farmers and the mostly Arab herders, who have
competed for land. Opposition groups in Darfur say the government neglects their province, and
discriminates against black Africans. The conflict began in 2003, when rebel groups began
attacking government targets. The government responded by launching a military and police
campaign in Darfur.
1 _
If General Martin Luther Agwai's name is not yet familiar, it will be soon. He has been given one of
the toughest jobs in Africa, and perhaps the most thankless: Commander of the new combined
United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force for Darfur. General Agwai will lead the biggest
peacekeeping operation in the world with 20,000 troops and 6,000 police under his command. The
general told BBC News that building a peacekeeping force of that size from scratch would take
time, and he warned against high expectations, saying without peace his troops would be "in a very
uncomfortable position". The former head of Nigeria's armed forces is courteous and softly-spoken.
He told me his military heroes are General George Patton and General Ariel Sharon.
2 _
The general is spending a lot of time in the air–it is the only way to get around his new territory. We
joined him on board a small UN helicopter for a tour of AU bases in south Darfur. The general kept
a watch on the terrain below–an endless stretch of parched earth, the size of France. Next month,
the first of the peacekeepers are due to arrive in this harsh environment. We land at a remote base,
surrounded by desert–with no roads, no airport and no water supplies.
3 _
Gen Agwai is well aware of the high expectations, in the international community, and in the camps–
where some of the dispossessed are counting down the days to the arrival of the blue helmets. But
he has a message for all those who wait–do not expect too much too soon. "I'm worried because of
high expectation," he told me. "People will expect us by tomorrow to do something, without
knowing that on the ground not much has changed. And I can't see anything changing much even
up to the end of this year. Many people are basing their judgement on the resolution which has
given us 20,000 men. But you don't have anything on the ground." General Agwai is concerned
about managing the expectations of people who do not know the landscape of Darfur.
4 _
At the base there's a reception committee of tribal elders in flowing white robes, and rebel fighters
in camouflage. When they meet the general, one demand keeps coming up - security. But in the
absence of a peace deal, that won't be in the general's gift. His soldiers will be able to use force to
save lives–unlike the current African Union observers–but according to the general, they are not
coming to Darfur to fight for peace. "We are not here to conquer anybody; we are not here to
impose peace. We are here to work with the Sudanese people–both the government and the parties
to assist them to find peace. We are not here to impose peace. We are not here to fight anybody."
5 _
In the forthcoming months, General Agwai may need to juggle the roles of mediator, diplomat and
military commander. He will be walking an unknown path–leading a 'hybrid' force, though no one
seems quite sure just how hybrid it will be. It will take a year or more before the peacekeeping
mission reaches full strength. And the Sudanese government could create obstacles, as it has done
in the past. In the words of a senior diplomat in the region: "The Sudanese have a way of getting around things".
6 _
But some in the AU mission here believe the biggest problem will be the rebels, not the government
in Khartoum. At last count there were about a dozen rebel groups in Darfur, all trying to call the
shots. Before leaving the base, General Agwai met some of the weary AU observers, whose
operation has all but ground to a standstill. Many feel they have been made scapegoats–left waiting
for equipment and support, and sometimes even for their salaries. The new peacekeeping force
could also be handicapped–if the international community does not keep its word. Enough troops
have been promised–from Africa and elsewhere. But Western nations are not rushing in with
military hardware. So far not a single attack helicopter has been offered.
Source
- MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE
- REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
- NATO STANAG 6001 BI-LEVEL ENGLISH
- READING SAMPLE TEST FOR LEVELS 2 AND 3
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