Повторення лексичних і граматичних знань. Підготовка до ЗНО. Population facts

According to the United Nations population figures, the world's population will be heading for 8.9 billion by the year 2050,           [combined, unlike, completed, compared] to 6.7 billion in 2009.

This figure        [brings, has, takes, gives] into account that each woman on the planet will give birth to two children.

Eight billion, nine hundred million people may sound          [as, alike, likewise, like] an astronomical figure, yet statistics           [reveal, give away, describe, speak out] that, throughout the world, the number of children being born is dropping.

In Africa the birth rate has decreased from 6.6 to 5.1, in Asia from 5.1 to 2.6, in Latin America from 5.0 to 2.7 and with            [connection, view, relation, respect]to the European countries, the birth rate is below the replacement level. This means fewer people being born for every elderly person.

For instance, by 2050, Spain risks being the oldest country in the world. The explanation           [given, made, supported, told] for this is the fact that women have become better educated and would rather         [chase, create, pursue, advance]a career than enjoy motherhood.

Therefore, they          [prevent, omit, avoid, prohibit] bringing up many children and being out of work for long periods of time.

                 [All the same, After all, All in all, Once and for all], the world's population will continue to increase             [whereas, although, even though, in spite of] the ageing population. This will happen because of an overall rise in life expectancy, especially in the developed countries.

The main reason for this is that many diseases which were fatal in the past, can be          [healed, cured, defeated, beaten]nowadays. In view of these facts, experts argue that 8.9 billion people is more than our planet will be able to take.

Others who have a more pessimistic outlook on life          [warn, accuse, threaten, advise] that we are already on the point of not being able to sustain the current population.