Changing China

Current Events, Feb 11, 2005

China not only produces a lot of goods but also exports them, or sells them overseas. China is now the world's fifth-largest exporter of merchandise. The graph on the left compares the annual growth rate of China's gross domestic product (GDP) to that of India, developing countries, and the world. A nation's GDP is the total output of goods and services it produces and is an indicator of the nation's economic growth. The chart on the right shows China's share of world merchandise exports.

Study the graphs and then answer each of the questions below by circling the letter of the correct response.

1. China's GDP annual growth rate was highest in

A) 1985.

B) 1990.

C) 2001.

2. Between 1985 and 1990, China's economy

A) increased by about 5 percent.

B) decreased by about 10 percent.

C) decreased by about 20 percent.

3. The world's GDP annual growth rate

A) decreased between 1990 and 1995.

B) increased between 2000 and 2001.

C) increased between 2001 and 2002.

4. In 2002, which country was the world's largest exporter of merchandise?

A) United States

B) Germany

C) China

5. The world's six largest exporters account for what percentage of total world merchandise exports?

A) about 15 percent

B) about 41 percent

C) about 75 percent

Share of World
Merchandise Exports 2002

United Kingdom    4.3%
China               5%
France            5.1%
Japan             6.5%
Germany           9.5%
United States    10.7%

Source: World Trade Organization

Note: Table made from pie chart.

1. A, 2. B, 3. C, 4. A, 5. B