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CELPIP Practice Reading: Reading for Viewpoints ID: #60264 Hard RD21

Read the following article from a website.

Since October 2011, in words, graphs and presentations, we have given an honest fact-based overview of where Bermuda's economy stands. We believe that most people do see the problems and now better understand the key issues. We believe that now is the time to accept the key issues and the changes that are necessary in order to change the direction of Bermuda's economy. 

Bermuda's economy is based on it being a "business platform" and not a "tourist platform" as it was in the past. As the foreign business component of our economy shrinks our 27,000 Bermudian workers find it more difficult to find a job. The foreign currency earned also shrinks. Foreign currency is what we need to pay Government debt, private sector debt and all overseas transactions. Also, if the foreigner leaves they also take with them the need for goods and services. 

"Business Bermuda" works differently than "Tourist Bermuda". Tourist Bermuda was when as many as 491,000 leisure tourists came to enjoy the experience of staying in our Bermuda 'living room' while being hosted by Bermudians. "Business Bermuda" works differently.

The three hourglasses show the outcome if the situation that we currently find ourselves in does not change. These are some of the initial changes that we believe are needed in order to 'flip' over that centre hourglass:

1. Eliminate Term Limits. Accept that Bermuda and Bermudians must reinvite and re-welcome thousands of foreign persons back to Bermuda. These foreign persons must reside in and work from 'platform' Bermuda. Each must see a personal benefit in leaving their countries to come and work here. At the same time, safeguard Bermudians by ensuring that any future grants of Bermuda Status or Permanent Residency are tightly controlled and that the current and future cultural and social values and interests of Bermudians are strongly protected.

2. Nationally, but spearheaded by the private sector, in an open and well-informed public debate, determine what kinds of generic services can operate from Bermuda and then actively and energetically encourage and invite those services to come to Bermuda and operate from Bermuda thus creating new employment, new participation, and new opportunities for Bermudians.

3. Understand and accept that, from now and for decades beyond, for 'Business Bermuda', Bermudians must achieve the same or even higher level of acceptance, engagement, and involvement that Bermudians had with Bermuda's world-class "Tourist Bermuda" that evolved in 1923, peaked in 1980, and clearly began fading in 1994.

4. Start discussing the first change today. Keep discussing it with your family, friends and MPs until a clear national decision is reached and implemented; after which Bermuda can start moving forward again.

Using the drop-down menu (▾), choose the best option according to the information given on the website.

In 2011, the author tried to give a fact-based overview on Bermuda's economy through 1.
.

After a decrease in the Bermuda economy, people found 2.
.

People prefer accommodation which is 3.
.

Every foreign worker should 4.
in coming and working here.

A 5.
is required until Bermuda starts moving forward agai

The following is a comment by a visitor to the website page. Complete the comment by choosing the best option to fill in each blank.

You'll never have a 6.
. Bermuda if you're content to be a "business platform", for the simple reason that all you offer is tax evasion. I know, some folks don't like calling a spade a spade, but a rose by any other name is still a rose, which is easily 7.
. Unless, and until, Bermudians have skills to offer - the islands have no natural resources, nor land, you will devolve further into a two class society. The three classic inputs to 8.
activity being land, labour, and capital; all you've got is labour and some nice beaches. For those in the wealthy class both ex-pat and citizen, that's just fine. Inviting highly paid foreigners does little more than drive up prices for all those living on the islands. Check the data: The cost of living has moved up in lock step with IB. Your islands are far too small. Bermuda is near the top of the most densely populated nations on the Planet to 9.
away from the foreigners, as Jamaica does. IB makes the ruling class who aren't the ones in politics more comfortable, but how about the rest of the population? Sure, if Bermudians can be forced to live 10 to a room, tenement style, then I guess they can work for IB doing 10.
for less. Do you really believe that will assuage IB?

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