BEC写作QUESTION
BEC写作QUESTION(精选12篇)
BEC写作QUESTION 第1篇
BEC写作范文QUESTION1
HEADLINE
Below is a report on the changes in turnover for three kinds of outlet,owed by one company, over a three-year period.The charts below shows sth given by customers in sth
Performance Report 2011-2012
Introduction
The aim of this report is to describe the company’s performance in the years 2011-2012
This report outlines the development of profits in three plants, in London… and describe the staffing situation in each plant.Article
The highest overall sth of number pounds was obtained/reached , on the other hand, the smallest turnover was made in sth.注意按顺序写,否则就是没逻辑
Plummeted to about 1000 in 2012
Almost maintain this position throughout /remained almost unchanged Turnover rose steadily from 2000
-reaching it’s peak in 2012 with 1000(reach a low at 7.5 million)(peaked in the second quarter with earning exceeding the 4 million level.)
A slight increase of 100 in 2012
In conclusion, 把前面的总结一遍
不出数字者死。
Whereas
Said something negative/positive 想不出就用这个
结构上要变换: asked about… looking into… sth is… people say that总之不能一样 否则就是BAND2 OR BAND3
连续下降不需要写所有数据 Bristol employed 600 people and reached profits of 12 million in the first quarter.The profits plummeted steadily to 9 million in the last quarter.Are likely to maintain
换段之后可以直接出现名词,例如:
TV sets, on the other hand
Increase during the time from xx to xx.再次上升soar once again to xx during xx.有波动: are likely to fluctuate starting off at 5000, sakes will increase to 10000 during the time, only to decrease to 5000 during the time.比例: ratio is xx to xx in a time, the first representing the number of women and the latter-men.In the group 44 to 49 the split is slight(29 male to 28 female)
The difference reaches 20 in range 50 to 59, with 39 male directors and 19 female.women hold the position in comparison to 21 men.Ending at 最后一个数据
背诵 higher4 test3
Regarding the passenger revenue during 2005 it started around 280 in the first quarter, and increased slowly to around 300 in the third quarter.Then it fell to around 290 at the end of the year.In 2006 the revenue increased steadily to 330 during the second quarter before falling rapidly to around 230 in the 3rd quarter ending at 225 at the end of the year.The percentage of trains arriving on time stayed stable at around 88% during the 1st and 2nd quarter in 2005 and then decreased to 85% in the 3rd quarter before recovering at around 87% at the end of 2005.Till the 2nd quarter in 2006 the percentage decreased steadily to 85% before falling rapidly to 68%(3rd quarter)and recovering to 75% at the end of 2006.Conclusion
It was concluded that sth will be the company’s core product area in the following year.
BEC写作QUESTION 第2篇
Date: _
To: _
A review of your account indicates a present balance of $_ owed our firm.
Every account is carefully evaluated to establish a credit limit that we believe is consistent not only with our interests, but the interests of the customer as well. We have established $_, as your credit allowance and believe it is appropriate.
Since you are at or near that credit limit, we can ship future orders only on a C.O.D. basis, until your balance is reduced.
We would be pleased to review your account with you if you believe an increased credit line is justified.
We are confident you understand the need for this action.
Very truly,
作文二:DISPUTED BALANCE NOTICE
Date: _
To: _
We are in receipt of your statement dated _, 19_,indicating an account balance of $_.
We dispute said balance for the reason[s] checked.
____ Goods billed for have not been received.
____ Prices are in excess of agreed amount.
____ Prior payment made in the amount of $_ on _, 19_.
____ Goods were unordered.
____ Goods were defective as per prior notice.
____ Goods are available for return as per our right of return and credit.
____ Other [Describe] _
Please adjust our account.
Very truly,
作文三:NOTICE OF CLAIM OF DEFECTIVE GOODS
Date: _
To: _
We have purchased a product sold or manufactured by you described as:_
One of our customers has advised us of a product defect in the following particulars:_
Name of customer: _
Approximate date of purchase: _
Nature of defect: _
Injuries claimed: _
In the event suit is brought against us arising from Breach of Warranty of Merchantability, we shall in a like manner look to you for full reimbursement.
This letter is provided to give you earliest possible notice of a potential claim.
BEC报告写作的语域问题研究 第3篇
剑桥商务英语证书 (Business English Certificate, 简称BEC) 是由中国教育部考试中心和英国剑桥大学考试委员会合作举办的一种很具权威性的商务英语证书考试。该证书由于其颁发机构的权威性, 在中国、英国、英联邦各国等一百多个国家和地区的商业部门获得认可, 成为确认证书持有者商务英语能力的首选证书。BEC共有三个级别——初级、中级和高级。每一级别的考试由四部分组成——阅读、写作、听力和口语。每个级别的写作部分试题都包括两个任务——Part One和Part Two。在同一级别的考试中, 两个任务对写作的篇幅、类型和语言考查的侧重点都有明显不同的要求。在不同级别之间, 相同的写作任务要求考生完成的写作篇幅、类型和文体也不相同。写作一向被认为是中国考生的强项, 只要考生具有一定的语法、词汇基础, 熟悉报告的格式和句型模板, 基本就能完成任务。唯有在语域要求方面, 考生很难在短时间内取得突破性进步。
2 语域和BEC写作考试对语域的要求
语域 (Register) 是语言使用的场合或领域的总称。此概念最初是Reid在1956 年研究双语现象时提出来的。1964 年, 韩礼德等人对语域进行了进一步研究。他们认为语言将随着其功能的变化而变化。这种由用途区分的语言变体就是语域。美国语言学家Martin Joos根据言语的正式程度, 在其名著The Five Clocks (1961) 中把语言分为五个层面: (1) 演说体 (oratorical ) 或冷冻体 ( frozen) ; (2) 严谨体 ( deliberate) 或正式体 (formal) ; (3) 商谈体 (consultative) ; (4) 熟稔体 (casual) ; (5) 亲昵体 (intimate) 。后来, 语言学家把这五种体归纳为三层: 冷冻体和正式体归为正式体 (formal style) 、商谈体为中性体 (neutral style) 、熟稔体和亲昵体合为非正式体 (informal style) 。
语域是BEC写作考试所考查内容要点、语法和词汇、组织连贯和格式外的一个方面。总体来讲, BEC中级写作考试第一部分的语域为中性或非正式 (neutral/informal) , 第二部分为中性或正式 (neutral/formal) 。BEC写作评分标准中五个级别对语域的要求如下 (表1) 。
3 BEC报告写作及报告语域简介
BEC中级的Part Two要求考生写一封商务函件、一份报告或一份建议。BEC高级的第一部分为一片短篇报告, 第二部分要求考生三选一 (Report, Letter, Proposal) 。BEC报告就有关具体问题或事件做信息陈述。与报告相比, 虽然建议关注的是将来, 重点在于建议讨论的内容, 但其语域与格式和报告相似。BEC报告大多由下属写给上司, 因而应选用正式的语域 (表2) 表明对上司或上级部门的敬重。在撰写过程中考生应选择能提高语言正式程度的词句。
4 BEC报告的语域分析
4.1 语音层面的语域分析
简称或缩略语在商务英语中司空见惯, 使用频率远远高于普通英语, 它也是商务英语作为专门用途英语的一大特点。但值得一提的是, 商务缩略语和语法缩略语不同, 后者用于非正式语域。为了彰显其正式的语域特征, 商务报告在拼写手段方面要用全称而非简称或缩写。试比较下列句子:
c.f. (1) So, we don’t plan to open new stores in there areas.
(2) Therefore, it is unadvisable to open new stores in these regions.
c.f. (3) They said that it include too much sugar and the flavour doesn’t taste real. What’s more, the percentage of medium preference is 9.
(4) They said that it contained too much sugar and the flavour tasted unauthentic. Moreover, the percentage of medium preference is only nine.
例句 (1) 和 (3) 均出自笔者的学生之手。不难看出, 两句中的缩写词使两句话的语域都不合适商务报告正式的语域。当然, 由于学生的语言综合驾驭能力相对较弱, 非正式语域词的使用也造成句子语域失当问题。至于如何选用恰当语域的词汇, 下文将有更详细的分析。
4.2 词汇层面的语域分析
正式语体在选词方面更倾向于大词、复杂词、名词、名词性词组、分词短语。试比较下列的句子。
c.f. (1) With the technology going on, people get more and more methods to communicate with others.
(2) Due to the development of technology, a great number of communication methods are now available.
c.f. (3) Due to expected increase of prices for billboard advertising it is recommended to give this up.
(4) Due to expected increase of prices for billboard advertising it is recommended that this method be abandoned.
c.f. (5) We are extending our business network.
(6) Our business network is undergoing extension.
通过对比, 我们会发现 (1) 、 (3) 和 (5) 中的go on, get communicate及give up是短语动词和动词。与名词和形容词等静态词相比, 动词和动词词组多用于口语或中性文体的信函中, 使气氛随意轻松, 叙述生动亲切。商务报告要显示规范性和庄重感, 因此改为 (2) 、 (4) 和 (6) 中的单个动词或名词结构以使陈述更客观, 使语域更为恰当。
一般学生对同根词的名词掌握情况尚可, 但如何选择不同语域的同义词却是最大的困惑。笔者在表3 中对比了18 对BEC报告词和同义词的语域以飨读者, 希望能够起到抛砖引玉的作用。
4.3 句法层面的语域分析
英语句子可分为四种类型:简单句、复合句、复杂句和复合-复杂句。长句、复杂句、无主句、被动句, 可使口气客观公正、语域正式, 突出强调事物的客观过程和逻辑性。商务英语报告也是信息性应用文体, 需注重事理和活动的客观陈述, 作者不应带任何感情色彩或个人口吻。因此, 我们经常看到商务报告中有这样的句子:It can be concluded that..., It is recommended that..., On the basis of the analysis, it is reasonable to have the following recommendations...。
试比较下列商务报告句子:
c.f. (1) We feel that the company’s competitors offer higher levels of remuneration (active sentence) .
(2) It is generally felt that the company’s competitors offer higher levels of remuneration (passive sentence) .
c.f. (3) They offer refrigerated shipping service and accept small orders. Their service would be useful for us (short sentences) .
(4) They offer refrigerated shipping service and accept small orders, which would be of use for us (long sentence) .
像新闻报道一样, 商务英语报告多使用被动句, 以使口气客观公正、语域正式。 (2) 中的被动语态使说明不带有任何个人感情色彩且突出强调推理的逻辑性和公正性。 (3) 是笔者在某篇比较型报告中摘录的两句短句, 与 (4) 相比, 在专业性和正式程度上都略差一筹。
4.4 BEC报告语篇语域综合分析
只要报告的每一句都是正式语域, 那么报告在段落和篇章层面上语域也是恰当的, 反之亦然。让我们来分析下面的报告:
Report on staff recruitment
(1) As our company are developing several new products, the department of R & D urgently needs new staff to help design and monitor our products. (2) Thus we need to recruit 35 new staff, including electrical engineers, software engineers, network engineers and product developers. (3) All of them should have at least 2years’experience in relevant field. (4) More specific requirement will finally be decided in a few days. (5) As to recruitment methods, the disadvantage of relying on recruitment agency is that we need more time and procedure than we can afford. (6) So I suggest we turn to a more direct way of Newspaper advertisement, which has been used many times and proved effective.
(7) Compared the two newspapers, Echo and Chronicle, we prefer the former because though it charges $500 more than the latter, the general readers are 400, 000 more, most of whom are highly educated. (8) We’re sure to get reply soon after we launch the recruitment campaign.
以上是来自《剑桥BEC真题集第3辑 (中级) 》的一篇商务报告, 成绩级别为Band 5。但若仔细阅读, 我们不难发现除语法问题外, 语域问题也不少。在拼写手段方面, (8) 中用了缩写, 使该句具有非正式语域。在词汇层面, (1) (2) (8) 中用了大量的小词、简单词及动词词组。试比较原句与修改句: (1) (Revised) Due to the development of a range of new products, the R & D Department is in urgent need of new staff for the design and monitor of our products. (8) (Revised) A timely response can be expected after our launch of the recruitment campaign. 在句法层面, (3) 和 (6) 都不够正式客观。试比较原句与修改句: (3) (Revised) At least two years’experience in the relevant field is required for each candidate. (6) (Revised) Therefore, it is suggested that we employ the method of newspaper advertisement, a more direct way of recruitment. 或将 (2) 和 (3) 合并为一个复杂句“Thus we need to recruit thirty five new staff, including electrical engineers, software engineers, network engineers and product developers, all of whom are required at least two years’experience in the relevant field”.
5 结束语
BEC写作QUESTION 第4篇
BEC考试的显著特点就是把商业实际和英语运用结合起来,分成初、中、高三级(BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage, BEC Higher),其中BEC中级最符合广大考生的求职需求。BEC中级考试分成听、说、读、写四项考查,各占总成绩1/4,其中写作部分与听、说、读相比,因其考查形式固定,内容要求有限,因而最易得高分。写作部分包含两个部分:Part One, 备忘录或电子邮件(Memo or Email),占写作成绩的1/3;Part Two, 商务信件、报告或提议(Letter, Report or Proposal),占写作成绩的2/3。两部分相比,Part One要求简单,较之Part Two更容易提高,本文以《剑桥BEC真题集(中级) 第二辑》的Test Two, Part One为例,详细分析Part One的写作流程,并在最后给出BEC写作的复习资料。
样题
You are the Managing Director of a company whose profits have recently increased and you would like to reward staff for this.
Write a memo to all staff:
Thanking them for their contribution
Explaining why profits increased
Telling them what their reward will be.
Write 40~50 words
题目解读
BEC中级写作考试总时长为45分钟,根据词数要求和分值,通常小作文写作不超过15分钟。应试创作可分成以下三步:1.审题构思Read & Plan (3 mins);2.写作Write (10 mins);3.检查Check (2 mins)。
Part One的题目背景通常是一事、两人、三要点。本题中,最近公司利润增长,“你”作为公司的董事总经理(Managing Director)将对全体员工(all staff)进行奖励,备忘录的内容需包括三个要点:感谢员工的贡献,解释利润增长原因,并告之奖励内容。正文词数要求为40~50个词,因为商务英语要求简洁,词数要求有上限,这和四、六级以及考研写作只规定词数下限有所区别,但实际考试时允许少量超标,比如接近60词。
内容、结构、语言和形式
内容
首先可根据各要点的逻辑关系调整写作顺序,比如在本题中,先解释利润增长的原因,再感谢员工,最后宣布奖励。其次应针对要点简要展开论述,比如利润增长的原因可能是销售量增加(the increase of sales)、成本降低(the reduction of cost)或推出新产品(the launch of the new product);而奖励的内容经常是集体旅行(a company trip)、涨工资(an increase of salary)或发放奖金(bonus)。要点扩展应注意两点:其一,商务交流要求具体,比如利润的增长比去年同时段增加10%;其二,扩展内容应符合商务实际,如全体员工工资上浮50%、增加带薪假期(paid leave)、开派对(a party)或唱卡拉OK(Karaoke)等奖励都是不符合商务实际的。如果确实对商务实务不熟悉,可用简单的理由以避免出错,比如公司业绩增长的原因可以宽泛地写成是员工的努力工作和加班(hard work and long working hours)。
结构
因为文章内容很少,总词数只有50个词左右,写作时应写成一个整体,不应出现每句一段的散文诗文章,而且不要刻意使用first和second之类的过渡词语。
语言
Part One题目中的要点通常以三个现在分词形式给出,写作时通常是三句话,即针对每个现在分词写一句话,平均句长在15个词左右。备考时应针对题目中常见的分词动词准备相应的表达方式,尽量避免重复使用题目中的词句即可。比如,
解释原因:
连词:because, since, for, so;短语:because of, due to, owing to
表示感谢:
Thank you very much for...; I would like to thank you for...; I am very grateful for...; It was very kind of you to ...
奖励:
A rise in salary of X%; A bonus of X% of your monthly salary; A trip to Hawaii/Athens/Maldives
需要注意的是,商务英语要求正式文体,较之非正式文体,其有以下常见特点:
形式
最后需要考虑的就是备忘录的形式。正式考试时,文字题目下方会模拟商务实际,附上备忘录开头片段,包括To, From, Date, Subject等细节,但是考生不必直接在片段后书写,应该在试题纸背面写作,写作时不要求必须有From, To等内容,但若能准确而符合商务习惯地写出备忘录细节,无疑会增加文章的印象分,这里简单介绍一下备忘录细节的注意事项。
To: 备忘录对象
如果具体到人,最好写出全名,不要写自己的真实姓名,有作弊嫌疑,尤其不能“重名”,如Bill Tom,Bill和Tom都是名(Given name),而不是姓(Family name),一个简单的处理方法就是use others?name,比如男名Bill Gates, Michael Scofield, Jay Chou或女名Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston等;若显示关系亲密,还可以把名字缩写,比如B. Gates, M. Scofield, J. Chou, B. Spears, J. Aniston等;如果写给上级,还应该加上尊称甚至职位,比如Mr. Bill Gates — Managing Director, Mr. Jay Chou — Art Director等;现代商务写作中流行开放标点(Open Punctuation),即标点不影响理解的时候可以不用,所以Mr./Ms./Mrs.后面的省略点也可以省去,简单写成Mr/Ms/Mrs;最好不要省去名字。
From: 备忘录作者
要点同上,一般不用尊称,只有对方不知道自己身份的时候才后缀职位名称。
Date: 日期
BEC属于英联邦国家的考试,日期的写法一般为日、月、年,比如7 December 2002,注意月份用英文而不是数字,以免和日期混淆,可以缩写,比如将一月写作Jan(也可以用开放标点)。
范文示例
To: All Staff
From: Bill Gates
Date: 7 December 2002
Subject: Staff Reward
The profits of our company this month went up 10% compared with the same period last year, due to your hard work and long working hours. I would like to thank you for your long devoted service. A trip to Hawaii has been arranged next month as a prize. Enjoy!
用书推荐
《剑桥标准商务英语教程》(Cambridge Business Benchmark)剑桥大学出版社出版,新东方独家引进。
《剑桥BEC真题集(中级) 第二辑》,剑桥大学考试委员会编
Cambridge BEC Vantage 2 (Student’s Book with Answers)
《剑桥BEC真题集(中级) 第三辑》,剑桥大学考试委员会编
Cambridge BEC Vantage 3 (Student’s Book with Answers)
《新编剑桥商务英语(中级) 学生用书》,经济科学出版社出版
Pass Cambridge BEC Vantage (Student Book)
输入决定输出,阅读决定写作,复习BEC写作时,首先应系统学习《新编剑桥商务英语》,补充商务常识和商务词汇,此书分为10个双单元,共涉及20个商务场景,每个场景中最易于自学的就是阅读部分,同学们可以先朗读文章,熟悉商务背景,然后学习每个双单元后自学部分总结的词汇和特定语法现象,为写作积累素材,最后做每个双单元后面配备的和考试技能相关的各种练习。而写作复习的冲刺阶段,则要围绕《剑桥BEC真题集(中级) 》,进行真题训练。
BEC高级写作 第5篇
Attached is an accepted copy of your Purchase Security Agreement for the [specify equipment].
There are [number] remaining quarterly payments. Your first quarterly payment will be due on [date] ,and we will mail you an invoice for it approximately one month prior to that date. Please return the remittance portion of the invoice with your check.
Under the Agreement,this contract is non-cancellable during the term of the contract. The balance,however,can be paid off at any time prior to the expiration of the contract.
BEC高级写作 第6篇
It is with deep regret, that we accept your resignation as [position] of the [organization]
We can appreciate the demands that this position has placed on you,and appreciate all of the fine contributions you have made as [position]
Dear
Thank you for your comments. A copy of your letter has been forwarded to the author for his response. I am sure you will be hearing from him in the near future.
I am pleased that you found our article informative and hope that you will continue to read our publication. Should you have any comments or questions in the future,please do not hesitate to write to this office.
bec中级写作句子 第7篇
1. Your telegram just received is quite unintelligible.
2. Please repeat your wire on receipt of this, stating your meaning more clearly.
3. Your telegram is not clear; explain the third and fourth words.
4. Your telegram is unintelligible; repeat more fully in plain language.
5. Your cable is not clear, repeat, using the codes agreed upon (on).
6. We cannot understand your telegram; state the code used and which edition.
7. Your telegram is not signed with cipher as agreed on; confirm if correct.
8. We cannot trace the code you used; please repeat the telegram in plain words.
9. Your telegram is too short to be understood. Please repeat it more fully.
BEC写作QUESTION 第8篇
BEC初级写作精选 第9篇
766 HIGHLAND AVENUE
ORLANDO,FLORIDA 32802
WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS
If you’re looking for the chance to be your own bossor earn extra income in your spare timeor a way to achieve independence when you retireSMALL-ENGINE REPAIR could be the answer.
CCI can quickly train youin your spare time at hometo service and repair mowers,tillers chain saws,outboards,garden ctors,mopeds,motorcycles,snowmobiles,and dozens of other types of small-engine equipment.It’s a great way to get your own business,full or part-time,with a minimum investment.And it’s a field with growing opportunities for qualified people.
CCI’s Small-Engine Course contains forty-five lessons,each easy to read and understand.Every lesson is short and fully illustrated with step-by-step diagrams and photographs.It’s“hands-on”training-you actually build a 31/2 -horsepower four-cycle engine.You also perform experiments that show you how every part of an engine works.And we supply you with professional toolsa complete set of wrenches,electrical system tools,inductive tachometer,engine overhaul tools,voltmeter,and others.Everything you need!
Our big catalog tells you all you need to know.It describes the content of each lesson(and there are sample pages of the actual study materials),and contains illustrations and descriptions of the equipment you will use.The instructor you will be assigned to has been a professsional small-engine mechanic.He will be your“partner”in your studies.
Just fill in and mail the enclosed postcard for your free catalog today.It needs no postage.
Sincerely,
Director of studies
bec写作部分总结 第10篇
1.单词拼写,如“installment 分期付款的摊付金,(经常被误用)“installation 安装,设置,军事设备”;”available“误写成availble 2.介词或短语但配用错,多见于固定搭配的介词用错,如”be satisfied with“,有的同学掉动词be,有的人介词搭配错误。“report on…”,“proposal for…”, 3.介词后面接名词或动名词,而不是不定时或动词原形。如“for to do(x)for do(x)” 应为“for doing“;“aim at doing sth.”,“aim to do sth.”“due to+名词”“because +从句”“because of(owing to)()名词”等。
4.句型冗杂,注意从句不要漏了先行词“that”“which”“where”等。例:“I have heard about there was a.....“(x)应为” I have heard about that there was a...“ 5.单词词义和词性变化。”produce“ ”product“ ”production“的区别等。6.主谓一致问题。
7.时态一致。如“last year.....”有明确表明过去时,用一般过去时,而不是用完成时或现在时;recently, already, since等词经常和完成时搭配。格式错误:
1.信函称呼后用逗号,用冒号或不加标点都是错误的。2.信函写完一定记得署名。
3.写report 或proposal时一定要记得左对齐,每一个部分写完要空一格。写作内容:
1.不要漏些信息点,这样扣分很严重!
2.条理要清晰,不要东一句西一句。一般情况下采用“总-分”的形式;每段的第一句是中心句,表明自己的观点,立场,或想法,然后根据中心句展开。内容太多可分成几段,如果是report 或proposal,必要时用序列号罗列,但不可千篇一律都罗列。3.写作中要写明具体事件,理由和实例,不要用“something“ ”somebody“ ”some problems“的含糊不清字眼。(实例和实践可以多参考范文)。
bec中级写作句子 第11篇
1. In accordance with the instructions given (contained) in your favour of the 10th May
2. According to the directions contained in yours of the 6th May
3. According to the instructions given in your letter under date of the 10th of last month
4. In conformity with (to) your instructions of the l0th ult.
BEC写作QUESTION 第12篇
Though Russian President Vladimir Putins approval ratings still hover around 80 percent, Russians are nonetheless worried about the countrys economy. A poll conducted in February shows that more than half of the respondents were dissatisfied with the domestic economic performance.
How to overcome these troubles and modernize—or transition from—the traditional industries that have historically propped up the economy has thus become a major task for the nations policymakers. Moreover, which direction Russia will look to for economic coordination and partnership remains a key question. With its troop withdrawal from Syria that began on March 15, will Russia redirect its efforts on restoring relations with Europe; or will efforts to expand economic cooperation with China and other developing countries continue even after Western sanctions are lifted?
Severe economic loss
Statistics from the Russian Federal Statistics Service show the Russian economy in 2015 was worth about 80.4 trillion rubles ($1.1 trillion), a 3.7-percent decrease from the previous year. Other figures are even more shocking: Foreign trade decreased by almost a third and the total trade surplus was $145.6 billion, a 23.2-percent decrease year on year.
Meanwhile, the Russian currency, the ruble, suffered a depreciation of 24 percent against the U.S. dollar, with the exchange rate fell to a record low of 80 ruble per dollar on January 20 this year.
Today, Russias financial deficit stands at about 1.95 trillion rubles ($26 billion), which accounts for 2.6 percent of its GDP. Residents real incomes fell for the second year in a row by 4 percent, with 20.3 million people now living below the poverty line. The only things to go up were the price of commodities, with the consumer price index (CPI) increasing by 12.9 percent, and food prices up by 14 percent.
Unfortunately, the overall 2016 outlook was just as gloomy. The World Bank forecast that Russias economic strength will continue to fall 0.7 percent this year. According to Russian Economic Development Until 2030, a report issued by the nations own Finance Ministry, Russia could possibly endure a 15-year-long stagnation period.
Rescue measures in place
Russia has adopted a series of policies to maintain domestic market stability and shift exports from resource-based sectors to other industries. Meanwhile, the Russian Government is trying to pursue the lifting of Western-imposed sanctions, and enhance cooperation with non-Western countries.
There are also some bright spots in the Russian economy despite the large, dark shadow. For example, Russia is coordinating with other prominent oil producers to put a brake on the increasing pace of oil production, which is an important step toward stopping the endless slide of the price of oil. On February 16, Russia and some member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela, agreed to freeze oil production on the basis of the January level at a ministerial meeting in Doha.
Russias foreign exchange reserves also remain sufficient. The Russian Government has chosen not to gamble by saving exchange rates. Instead, Russias financial watchdog allowed exchange rates to float freely, which helped avoid a sharp decline of its foreign currency reserves. Sufficient reserves are important in helping to keep society stable and making people confident in the face of economic hardship. Russias gold reserve totaled $357.8 billion on August 6, 2015. By February 18 this year, the figure recovered to $382.4 billion. The Western forecast, which predicted Russias reserves would soon be exhausted, failed to occur. The well-known financial baron George Soros has even said that he believes Russias foreign exchange reserves would last for “a couple of years.”
Along with growing confidence, the outflow of capital has been effectively curbed. In 2014, as much as $153 billion in capital fled out of the country, while in 2015, the figure shrank to $56.9 billion. Russias balance of international payments has been further consolidated, and it shows the investors have regained confidence in Russias economy.
Russia has also achieved successful agricultural harvests in recent years. Its annual grain output in the past two years was above 100 million tons; the figure is expected to reach 104.9 million tons this year. In the agricultural year of 2015-16, Russias grain export could reach 32.8 million tons. If it meets those expectations, Russia will surpass the United States to become the largest grain exporter in the world. As a Chinese saying goes, with food in hands, there is no need to be panic.
Banking has also been stable. Unlike previously, more and more people across Russia have started to save money in banks in recent years. In 2015, there was a 25-percent growth in bank deposits from locals, most of whom opened new accounts using the domestic currency.
In February, the Russian Government announced a new “action plan for the stable development of the society and the economy.” Russia plans to invest $12 billion to help the development of agriculture, automobiles, the light industry and machinery manufacturing. Russias endeavor to find domestic substitutions for imported goods has shown some positive results: In 2015, Russias food imports dropped 35 percent. The same achievement is likely to be seen in its automobile industry in the next few years.
In spite of the governments bold actions to take countermeasures and save its economy from Western sanctions, the real way out is to find a development path that is suited to its national conditions and can bring longterm prosperity. An economic restructuring and transformation is much needed in order to cure its long-standing woes.
Dealing with the West
Russias diplomacy remains focused on the lifting of sanctions against it. So far, Russia has made some headway in getting rid of its current dilemma, but serious work remains.
A major milestone is Russias agreement to talks with the EU on the Ukraine issue. In February last year, Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine reached the Minsk Agreement through the four-party talks. Without U.S. involvement, the Ukraine crisis has cooled down and a final solution is expected. Solving the Ukraine crisis peacefully is the first step toward removal of Western sanctions.
As early as December 2014, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had expressed that it was impossible to use economic measures to subdue Russia and economic isolation could backfire. The German Chamber of Commerce has also repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
In January, French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said that France would lift the sanctions against Russia as early as the summer if the Minsk Agreement could be implemented effectively. As a whole, the EU is expected to gradually lift the sanctions against Russia mid-year. While attending the Davos Forum in January, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also stated the possibility of sanction removal provided that the Minsk Agreement can be observed.
The direction of its compass
In July 2015, Russia hosted two summits in Ufa: the summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries and that of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In recent years, Russia has been working to enhance its partnership with emerging economies through both bilateral and multilateral means.
Among all of Russias partners, Chinas importance is growing rapidly and there is vast potential for increased economic cooperation between the two. China is the worlds second-largest economy and its overseas investments are escalating each year. Russia is also pivoting toward its eastern territories for economic expansion. Last year, Russia held the first Oriental Economic Forum in Vladivostok, a harbor city in east Russia, where it announced it will build a free port.
Although the trade volume between China and Russia decreased dramatically in 2015 to $63.6 billion, down 28.1 percent year on year, China remains Russias largest trading partner and Chinas proportion of Russias foreign trade increased.
BEC写作QUESTION
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