ACADEMIC LISTENING TEST PRACTICE
TAIWAN
TAIWAN
For Students Preparing for Academic Tests / IELTS and TOEFL
Listen as you read the script.
Playing Time: 3 minutes 4 seconds
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. The island was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, who were later joined by Chinese settlers in the 17th century. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Taiwan was colonized by Japan, which greatly influenced the island's culture and economy. After World War II, the Republic of China (ROC) took control of Taiwan and ruled the island.
The indigenous peoples of Taiwan have a long history on the island, with some evidence of human habitation dating back 30,000 years. These peoples developed unique cultures, languages, and traditions, which have largely been preserved to this day. In the 17th century, Chinese settlers began to arrive on the island, and over time the two groups intermarried and merged their cultures.
In 1895, Japan took control of Taiwan as part of its expanding empire. The Japanese ruled Taiwan with a firm hand, suppressing local cultures and promoting Japanese language and customs. During this time, Taiwan's economy was modernized and the island became a major agricultural and industrial center.
After World War II, the ROC took control of Taiwan and has ruled the island up to the present day. For much of this time, the ROC government was dominated by the Kuomintang (KMT), a political party that had ruled China prior to the communist revolution in 1949. In 1949, the KMT was forced to flee to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Taiwan underwent a period of democratization, with increasing political and economic liberalization. This led to the emergence of new political parties, a growing middle class, and an increasingly vibrant civil society. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan's political system stabilized, and the island emerged as a prosperous democracy with a thriving economy.
Today, Taiwan is a thriving democracy with a dynamic economy and a rich culture. The island is home to a vibrant tech industry, a thriving film and entertainment industry, and a growing tourism sector. Despite its success, however, Taiwan continues to face challenges, including political tensions with China and limited international recognition.
The indigenous peoples of Taiwan have a long history on the island, with some evidence of human habitation dating back 30,000 years. These peoples developed unique cultures, languages, and traditions, which have largely been preserved to this day. In the 17th century, Chinese settlers began to arrive on the island, and over time the two groups intermarried and merged their cultures.
In 1895, Japan took control of Taiwan as part of its expanding empire. The Japanese ruled Taiwan with a firm hand, suppressing local cultures and promoting Japanese language and customs. During this time, Taiwan's economy was modernized and the island became a major agricultural and industrial center.
After World War II, the ROC took control of Taiwan and has ruled the island up to the present day. For much of this time, the ROC government was dominated by the Kuomintang (KMT), a political party that had ruled China prior to the communist revolution in 1949. In 1949, the KMT was forced to flee to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Taiwan underwent a period of democratization, with increasing political and economic liberalization. This led to the emergence of new political parties, a growing middle class, and an increasingly vibrant civil society. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan's political system stabilized, and the island emerged as a prosperous democracy with a thriving economy.
Today, Taiwan is a thriving democracy with a dynamic economy and a rich culture. The island is home to a vibrant tech industry, a thriving film and entertainment industry, and a growing tourism sector. Despite its success, however, Taiwan continues to face challenges, including political tensions with China and limited international recognition.
high speed trains at a railway station in Taiwan
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