“Poverty and disease were the most significant social and economic challenges facing African countries.” Discuss with reference to two countries to 2005.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the chosen countries, or they may emphasize their discussion of one over the other. However, both will be a feature of the response and a comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to the extent to which countries developed new industries, the development of new resources, the level of foreign aid and the existence of trade initiatives. The existence and/or severity of poverty in the two countries may vary substantially and so a range of factual support is likely. While other relevant factors, for example civil unrest may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may agree, partly agree or disagree with the statement.