第 17 題至第 20 題為篇章結構,各題請依文意,從四個選項中選出最合適者,各題答案內容不重複
When the Doha global trade negotiations collapsed in July, 2008, many countries shared the blame. __17__ Indian
consumers have suffered during the recent food crisis, with inflation over 12 percent for some commodities. Removing
agricultural trade barriers would surely have helped get cheaper food to India’s many millions of poor citizens. Yet Indian
trade minister Kamal Nath declined to open India further to farm imports. __18__
Essentially, India’s politicians fear that liberalizing agriculture will expose their farmers to catastrophe if food prices
collapse in the future. India has some efficient farmers who would gain from a boost in trade. __19__ Land holdings are small,
productivity is low, mechanization is minimal, and big business faces restrictions in consolidating farming. __20__ Over 100,000 Indian farmers have committed suicide in the past decade. Many reasons are cited for this: crop failure, bad monsoons,
mounting debts, and alcoholism. The government’s response has been to award 100,000 rupees compensation to the families of
farmers who have taken their own lives, a policy which has been criticized for creating a perverse incentive to suicides or
murders. 【題組】
17 (A) But one of the more surprising culprits was India.
(B) What was behind this decision?
(C) But vast areas of the agricultural sector are hugely inefficient.
(D) By refusing to move on from its outdated approach to agriculture, India is condemning farmers to misery.