(A)

During the communist era, a diversified industry was established in Moldova, agriculture was modernized, and transport and the building industry were reconditioned. Following independence, the government gradually transformed from a state-planned to a market economy, establishing a program to privatize many state firms, primarily by distributing ownership vouchers to the public. The change has been slow and uneven because of corruption, lack of foreign investment, and other economic pressures.

(B)

More than half of the country’s land is cultivable, and most of that land is used to grow temporary crops (sown and gathered in the same year). About one-tenth of the land is used to grow permanent crops. Agriculture has become highly mechanized, and machines perform almost all agricultural jobs. Virtually all landowners have access to electricity, and chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers are widely used. Most Moldovan farmers dedicate large shares of land for export crops.

(C)

There was no large-scale private farming during the Soviet period, but collective farmers did have small plots for their own use. Private land ownership was initiated in 1990. The amount of privately-owned land grew slowly but increased after the advent of a government program of large-scale privatization in 1995. In contrast, collective farms (mainly cultivating grain) and state farms (usually specializing in the cultivation and processing of a particular crop) began to be less important. By the early 21st century, those who worked privatelyowned farms outnumbered those who worked on collective and state farms 10 to 1.

(D)

Since 1940, the area used for vegetables, orchards, berries, and vineyards has undergone significant expansion. Grapes are Moldova’s most important industrial crop, with the largest vineyards in the southern and central regions. Most orchards are situated in northern and south-eastern Moldova. Sunflower seeds are grown throughout the republic, though the south-eastern areas have the most extensive plantations. Sugar beet, a relatively new crop in Moldova, is cultivated in the north. The chief grain crops are winter wheat and corn. Wheat is used for the republic’s needs, and corn is exported as a seed crop.

(E)

High rates of deforestation have greatly affected Moldova’s forestry sector. About two-thirds of the country’s forests are intended for wood supply, while the rest is protected in national nature reserves. Still, there is a shortage of forest resources, and Moldova has to import some wood from Russia. More than one-half of the trees cut down from the country’s forests are used for fuel. The rest of the wood supply is used for construction, the production of furniture and other consumer goods, and packaging.

Elephants are the largest land mammal and can be found in both Asia and Africa. African elephants live in areas south of the Sahara Desert, while Asian elephants are found mainly in India. Elephants are exciting animals because of the way they travel together and care for their young. They’re also attractive to many people in Asia and Africa because of their size and how they can contribute to the economy.
 African elephants wander either forests or open African plains. Elephants need an extensive range of land to drift to find enough food and water to survive. They often follow elephant trails to get from one area to another to look for more food. Elephants eat grasses, bark, twigs, and leaves from trees and drop seeds in their dung, making them act as gardeners as they travel.
 The elephant has several adaptations that help it survive in its natural surroundings. An elephant can flap its ears and create a cooling effect to stay comfortable in the heat. An elephant’s trunk has many uses, including picking up food, drinking water, and communicating with other elephants. Elephants also have very low-pitched sounds that allow them to communicate.
 Elephants are an essential part of the ecosystems they inhabit, and not only by creating new plant life by dropping seeds with their dung. Their large bodies can also knock down small trees and other obstacles so that smaller animals can get through to find food. If there is a drought, elephants will dig to find water deep beneath the ground surface.
 Elephants are very family-centred animals. They travel together under the supervision of a female called a matriarch. The herd’s matriarch has knowledge of food and water sources and is responsible for helping her sisters, cousins, and other family members stay safe and healthy. When it’s time to reproduce, the female elephants mate with bull elephants after a period of courtship. The female is pregnant for 22 months. During birthing, the pregnant elephant is given help by another female elephant. Once a baby elephant is born, it may drink its mother’s milk for up to four years and be cared for by all those in its herd.
 Elephants have had several key places in society. Asian elephants have been used as work animals for many years and often pull heavy loads from one place to another. They have also been used as a transportation method in Asian and African countries. Some elephants are taken from Asia and Africa to travel with the circus and provide entertainment. Members of the society have respected elephants and worked to protect them from harm.