Development in Brazil
Intermediate 2 Homework Booklet
Intermediate
2
Modern Studies
qmamodernstudies
1
Background to Brazil: Population
Question 1
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below and opposite, then answer the question which follows.
SOURCE 1
Life in Brazil
Brazil is a huge country of over 189 million people. It is divided into five regions. Most people still
live in the South East with 64% of the population, 14.8% live in the South and 28.1% live in the
North East. Only 7.6% of the population lives in the North and 6.9% in Central West. Ethnic
composition also varies in Brazil; Whites make up 54% of the population followed by Mixed Race
at 39% and Black at 6%.
There are many social and economic inequalities in Brazil. In regions with a high percentage of
Whites, living standards and income tend to be higher than in regions with a higher Mixed Race
population. Education and health inequalities are evident between the regions, as well as the
inequalities which exist within regions. Over 50% of children, whose parents have good jobs and
live in the wealthy areas of big cities, go to private schools where they will get a better education.
Where you live in Brazil can have a major impact on your life. There are big differences in levels of
income and poverty between the regions of Brazil and between urban and rural areas. The average
income, per person, in Brazil is 12,437 Real per year. The percentage of Brazilians in poverty is
37.5%. Family incomes tend to be lower in the North than in the South.
Your chance of having good health and good access to health care also depends on how well off you
are and where you live. The big cities in the South and South East regions have more health
services and the wealthy people can use private clinics and hospitals. People who are poor have to
rely on public health services where there is a lack of doctors for basic health care.
SOURCE 2
Social and Economic Information about Life in the Regions of Brazil
North
North
East
Central
West
South
East
South
Average Income per year (Real)
R$7,647
R$5,285
R$16,606
R$14,471
R$13,396
% Living in Poverty
43%
46%
24%
23%
20%
Percentage of Brazil’s University
Students (by Region)
5.9%
16.1%
9.5%
49.3%
19.2%
Literacy Rate (percentage)
86%
79%
91%
96%
95%
Life Expectancy (in years)
69
67
71
72
73
Infant Mortality (per 1000)
41
64
31
27
23
Intermediate > Development in Brazil > Homework > Intermediate 2
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SOURCE 2
Racial and Ethnic Composition of Brazil by Region
Percentage
racial/ ethnic
population
North
North
East
Central
West
South
East
South
White
29.1%
29.7%
46.9%
64.0%
82.0%
Mixed Race
68.1%
64.3%
48.3%
27.5%
13.5%
Black
2.2%
5.5%
3.7%
7.3%
3.0%
Using Sources 1, 2 and 3 above and opposite, what conclusions can be drawn about life in Brazil
and its regions?
You should reach conclusions about at least three of the following:
• race and ethnic composition in different parts of Brazil
• the link between income and health the link between education and poverty
• the best region of Brazil to live in.
You must use information from all the Sources. You should compare information within and
between the Sources
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 1]
Intermediate > Development in Brazil > Homework > Intermediate 2
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2
Political Issues in Brazil
Question 1
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below and opposite, then answer the question which follows.
SOURCE 1
Voters have Faith in Electronic Voting
In 2002, Brazil’s first completely electronic voting system was used for national elections to elect the
President, Senators and State Legislators. The voting machines can run on batteries, which make
them usable in remote parts of the Amazon jungle. Voting machines can be set up in bus and train
stations and banks so Brazilians have easy access to them. Voters no longer have to write out the
candidate’s name which was a problem for many voters who could not read and write.
Results of national elections are known within hours of the polls closing. In the 1998 Presidential
Election, the vote count took nine days. In the 2006 election, the count required less than 5 hours.
Most Brazilians are happy with electronic voting and this is reflected in the high turnout figures and
small number of wasted votes.
Since electronic voting has been introduced no major election result has been challenged. However,
the electronic voting machines can have problems. Human, hardware and software failures led to a
small number of votes not being counted in the 2006 election. For example, once the voter presses
the vote button to make their choice, their vote cannot be changed if they have made a mistake.
A new law will do away with printed voting receipts. Not having printed receipts has made some
people worried. Political parties cannot check the final counts because it is not possible to ask for a
recount. Others have argued that voter trust has increased in recent years and electronic voting has
encouraged greater participation.
Some voters can be influenced during voting because they do not know how to use the voting
machine, so someone can tell them what to type in. So far no case of election fraud has yet been
uncovered.
SOURCE 2
Presidential Elections before and after Electronic Voting
Year
Voter
Registration
Number of
Voters
Percentage
Turnout
Spoilt Vote
Before
Electronic
Voting
1994
91,803,851
77,971,676
84·9%
18·8%
1998
106,101,067
83,297,773
78·5%
18·7%
After
Electronic
Voting
2002
115,254,113
91,664,259
79·5%
6·0%
2006
125,913,479
104,820,145
83·2%
5·7%
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SOURCE 3
Results of Opinion Poll of Brazilian Voters
Electronic voting has improved elections in Brazil.
View of Brazilian Election Official
Using Sources 1, 2 and 3 above and opposite, give two reasons to support and two reasons to
oppose the view of the Brazilian Election Official.
Your answer must be based entirely on the Sources.
You must use information from each Source in your answer.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 2]
Intermediate > Development in Brazil > Homework > Intermediate 2
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3
Economic Issues in Brazil
Question 1
Recent Government policies have helped the poorest people in Brazil.
Describe, in detail, the ways in which recent Government policies have helped the poorest
people in Brazil.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 3]
4
Social Issues (a) – Housing & Health
Question 1
There are wide differences in lifestyle between different groups of people in Brazil’s
cities.
Describe, in detail, the differences in lifestyle between different groups of people in Brazil’s
cities.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 4]
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5
Social Issues (b) – Education
Question 1
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below and opposite, then answer the question which follows.
SOURCE 1
Percentage enrolment in early childhood education in selected countries
(1990 and 2002)
Current public expenditure on primary education as a percentage of GNP* in
selected countries (1990 and 2002)
*GNP – total value of Goods and Services produced by a country in a year
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SOURCE 2
Literacy* Rates (percentage) in selected Countries
*Literacy – being able to read and write
SOURCE 3
Teacher Training in Developing Countries
A better trained teaching force is an important factor in improving the education of young people
especially in Developing Countries. Most countries require teachers to have an academic
qualification to teach. In Indonesia and China over 95% of Primary teachers have the required level
of qualification. In Brazil 88% and in Mexico 84% of Primary teachers have the required level of
qualification.
The demands placed on teachers especially in Developing Countries are very high. Attracting
skilled individuals and keeping them in the teaching profession is linked to the salaries offered to
them. Salaries vary between countries. In Chile, for example, the mid-career salary for a Primary
teacher is $16 000 and in the Philippines it is $14 000. In Brazil, the figure is $7000 and in
Indonesia it is $3000.
Class size also adds to the demands placed on teachers. Smaller than average class size leads to a
lighter teacher load. Higher than average class size increases the demands on teachers. In
Zimbabwe for example, the average primary class size is 40, in Brazil it is 30 and in China it is 20
pupils.
Brazil’s education record is better than other Developing Countries.
View of Brazilian Education Minister
Using Sources 1, 2 and 3, explain why the Brazilian Education Minister could be accused of being
selective in the use of facts.
Your answer must be based entirely on the sources above.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 5]
Intermediate > Development in Brazil > Homework > Intermediate 2
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6
Social Issues (c) – Amazonia
Question 1
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below and opposite, then answer the question which follows.
SOURCE 1
Development of the Amazon
Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country, with 36% of the land in the Amazon Basin. This Basin is
largely made up of fragile tropical rainforests and is home to millions of plants, insects, birds and
animals.
In an effort to promote economic growth, Government officials have created roads through the
rainforest to improve the links between cities, this stimulates trade and business. It also provides
greater access to developers in extracting rainforest resources.
Native Indians still live in the Amazon rainforests, although virtually all have been affected by the
development of the area. There are only around 350,000 Indians left in Brazil in over 200 tribes.
Years of exposure to disease, violence and forced removal from their land has wiped out the vast
majority of these native people.
One of the main reasons for deforestation is the clearing of huge areas of land for cattle ranches.
The beef exports from these ranches are very important for Brazil’s economy. Logging can also be
very profitable for Brazil with hardwood trees being sold abroad for vast amounts of money. If these
areas are replanted, the unique environment of the Amazon can be protected. In the long term, by
preserving the Amazon, Brazil can earn huge amounts from the growth area of eco-tourism.
The Native Indian way of life is threatened by Amazon development. Land invasions of Native
Indian reservations by loggers and miners have risen since the mid-1990s. Clashes between native
peoples and loggers, miners, and oil developers received some publicity in the Western press,
notably the long running dispute between the native Yanomani and thousands of small-scale
miners, who often illegally mine on the natives’ lands.
SOURCE 2
Causes of Deforestation in the Amazon, 2000 – 2005
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SOURCE 3
Factfile on Amazon Development
•
The rise in cattle production has led to a huge rise in beef exports making Brazil the world’s
biggest beef exporter.
•
Soya bean production has grown quickly and is now a major export for Brazil resulting in more
pressure on land and high profits for farmers.
•
Some Soya farmers have been accused of invading native people’s land and paying poor wages
to the people who work for them.
•
By 2050, it is estimated, agricultural expansion will eliminate a total of 40% of Amazon forests.
•
Eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry and Brazil is well placed
to benefit from this if it can protect the environment of the Amazon Basin.
•
Deforestation is threatening the future of the Amazon, hundreds of tree and plant species, as
well as animals, face extinction.
•
Brazil is a major producer of bio-fuels. With uncertainty over the supply of oil, Brazil is well
placed to benefit from the growing demand for this renewable energy source.
•
Large-scale deforestation could contribute to global warming.
Using Sources 1, 2 and 3 above and opposite, what conclusions can be drawn about the effects of
development of the Amazon?
You should reach conclusions about at least three of the following:
•
•
•
•
the impact of development on Native Indians
the economic impact
the environmental impact
the overall impact of Amazon development.
You must use information from all the Sources. You should compare information within and
between the Sources.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 6]
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7
Human Rights Issues (a)
Question 1
Human rights issues in Brazil are still a concern for some groups in Brazil.
Explain, in detail, why human rights issues are still a concern for some groups in Brazil.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 7]
8
Human Rights Issues (b) - Prisons
Question 1
Study Sources 1, 2 and 3 below and opposite, then answer the question which follows.
SOURCE 1
Prisons in Brazil
Brazil does not have a national prison system. All prisons are run by the different states, so there are
27 prison systems. However, there is one single prison law for the whole country. This says clearly
how prisons should be run and the rights and duties of the prisoners. Despite this, the rights of
prisoners in many prisons in Brazil are ignored. Many prisons have high levels of overcrowding and
violence and corruption are widespread. The levels of overcrowding are so bad that in one police
station in Rio de Janeiro, 65 prisoners were held in a cell measuring 12 square metres.
Action has been taken to address the problem of overcrowding in prisons. From 1995 to 2003, great
efforts were made to build new prisons. Dozens of new prisons were built throughout the country.
Efforts have also been made to reduce the number of people going to prison in some states. Some
states in Brazil are beginning to look at alternatives to prison for some people convicted of a crime,
such as community service, in order to tackle the overcrowding problem.
Youth Detention Centres have also had problems with overcrowding. In some centres, youths often
share beds or sleep on the floor. Cells are filthy, dark and infested with rats. At times, youths wear
the same clothes for a week. Youths do not always have access to soap and toothpaste. Some cities,
such as Rio de Janeiro, have made attempts to improve the conditions in their youth detention
centres and reduce the level of overcrowding.
Intermediate > Development in Brazil > Homework > Intermediate 2
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SOURCE 2
Brazil: Prison Population, Capacity and Overcrowding (1995 to 2003)
SOURCE 3
Youth Detention Centres – Rio de Janerio (2005)
Name of Detention
Centre
Number of Youths
in Detention
Level of
Overcrowding
CAI-Baixada
120
95
CTR
37
0
Joao Luiz Alves
108
0
Padre Severino
160
98
Santo Expedito
166
35
Santos Dumont
36
0
Progress has been made to reduce overcrowding in prisons and youth detention centres in Brazil.
View of Government Official
Using Sources 1, 2 and 3, explain why the Government Official is being selective in the use of
facts.
Your answer must be based entirely on the sources above.
(8 marks)
[END OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT 8]
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