Passage 3
The Norwegian Government is doing its best to keep the growth of the oil industry under control. A new law limits explorationto an area south of the southern end of the long coastline: production limits have been laid down (though these have alreadybeen raised); and oil companies have not been allowed to employ more than a limited number of foreign workers. But the oilindustry has a way of getting over such problems, and few people believe that the Government will be able to hold thingsback for long. As one Norwegian politician said last week：“We will soon be changed beyond all recognition”.
Ever since the year, the Government has been carrying out a program of development in the area north of the Arctic Circle.During the past few years this program has had a great deal of success: Tromso has been built up into a local capital with auniversity, a large hospital and a healthy industry. But the oil industry has already started to draw people south, and within afew years the whole northern policy could be in ruins.
The effects of the development of the oil industry would not be limited to the north, however. With nearly 100 percent
employment, everyone can see a situation developing in which the service industries and the tourist industry will lose most oftheir workers to the oil industry. Some smaller industries might even disappear altogether when it becomes cheaper to buygoods from abroad.
The real argument over oil is its threat to the Norwegian way of life. Farmers and fishermen do not made up the majority ofthe population but they are an important part of it because Norwegians see in them many of the qualities that they regard withpride as essentially Norwegian. And it is the farmers and the fishermen who are most critical of the oil industry because of thedamage that it might cause to the countryside and to the sea.
11. The Norwegian Government would prefer the oil industry to ______.A. slow down its rate of developmentB. provide more jobs for NorwegiansC. look for oil on the southern coastD. develop more quickly than at present
12. What has the Norwegean Government's policy been for the area north of the Arctic Cricle since the war?A. To prevent a growth in population.B. To improve facilities in the area.C. To develop a large tourist industry.D. To discourage industrial development.
13. What might be the effect of the oil industry on northern Norway?A. The development of industry.B. A growth in population.
C. The failure of the development program.D. The development of new towns.
14. In Norway, the effect of the development of the oil industry might be ______.A. a large reduction in unemployment
B. an increase in unemployment in the north
C. a reduction in the number of service industriesD. the development of a number of service industries
15. Why are Norwegian farmers and fishermen important?A. The economy depends on agriculture and fishing.B. They form the majority of the population.C. They are thought of as the real Norwegians.D. They are responsible for prevention pollution.