News English - 230

Britain Votes to Leave the European Union

It was a tight race, and was impossible to predict whether the Leave side or the Remain side would prevail, but the long-awaited results are now in. The citizens of Britain have chosen to leave the European Union (EU). A narrow majority, 52 percent of the voters, voted in favor of the so-called “Brexit” (a combination of Britain and exit). This critical decision brings with it many worries about what the future holds, not only for Britain, but for the rest of the member countries.

European integration is an idea that emerged after World War II. The hope was that a united Europe would be a more stable one, and future conflicts could be avoided through mutual co-operation between countries. Thus, EU member countries can trade goods and services freely with each other and companies can conduct operations across borders with little difficulty. Citizens of EU countries enjoy the right to live and take employment in other ones. There are, in addition, political links between EU member states.

After Britain leaves, there will be twenty-seven countries left in the EU. All the existing pacts about trade, immigration, and other matters between Britain and these nations will have to be negotiated all over again. The process will be a prolonged and complicated one, and working out the countless details is expected to take several years.

In the short term, there are worries about what Brexit will do to Britain’s economy. British currency, the pound, is already at its lowest level in decades. It could go even lower. The concerns go further still, since economies around the world are all closely linked. When a country as strong and important as Britain leaves the EU, it raises a lot of doubts and makes Europe less stable. Other countries may be reluctant to make investments in that country, and decide to play it safe instead.

After the referendum, all eyes will be on Britain to see how the country fares after striking out on its own. If there are perceivable economic, political, and social benefits, other countries are likely to follow Britain’s lead. On the other hand, if Britain struggles “going it alone”, the experience should give other nations reasons to reconsider following the UK out. Only time will tell what the future of Europe will resemble.

Reading Comprehension

(     ) 1. According to the passage, the percentage of British voters who want to leave the EU is ________.

(A) 48%                                (B) 52%                   (C) 27%                   (D) 28%

(     ) 2. According to the passage, citizens of the EU member states have the right to ________ in other EU member states.

(A) negotiate trade agreements                     (B) vote

(C) invest                                                      (D) live and work

(     ) 3. Which of the following statements is true?

(A) The EU comes from an idea that was born after World War II.

(B) A large majority of British citizens votes for Brexit.

(C) The pound had been at its highest level before Britain left the EU.

(D) Some member countries voted for leaving the EU after Brexit.

(     ) 4. It could be inferred from the passage that the economy in Britain can be expected to be ________ in the short term.

(A) very attractive to investors                     (B) more stable

(C) less stable                                                (D) a total disaster

(     ) 5. Which of the following is NOT true about the EU?

(A) There are political links between member countries.

(B) There are economic links between member countries.

(C) Member countries have a common army to fight off enemies.

(D) There are now twenty seven countries in the EU.

Vocabulary and Phrases

1.   predict [prI`dIkt] vt. 預測，預言

In spite of high technology, it is still hard to predict when an earthquake will occur.

2.   prevail [prI`vel] vi. 獲勝

The basketball team prevailed over last year’s champion in the finals of this season.

3.   await [1`wet] vt. 等待，等候

      A lot of fans in the airport eagerly awaited the arrival of the superstar.

4.   favor [`fev2] n. [C] 支持，贊成

      in favor of . . . 支持，贊同

      A great majority of the employees were in favor of the company’s new policy.

5.   combination [&kAmb1`neS1n] n. [C] 結合，組合

The doctor warned the patient not to take medicine in combination with any drinks except water.

6.   critical [`krItIkL] adj. 重大的；決定性的

Reducing pollution and protecting the environment is of critical importance.

7.   emerge [I`m37] vi. 出現

      As the police looks into the case, more and more evidence emerged.

8.   stable [`stebL] adj. 穩定的，穩固的

The government lowered the customs duties on food imports in order to make the prices stable.

9.   conduct [k1n`d^kt] vt. 經營；執行，實施

The company conducted a survey of consumer’s attitude towards cosmetics.

10. pact [p8kt] n. [C] 協定；約定

After the 10-year war, the two countries finally ceased fire and signed a peace pact.

11. immigration [&Im1`GreSN] n. [U] (自他國) 移入，移居

Illegal immigration problem has caused a lot of conflicts and problems in Europe.  

12. negotiate [nI`goSI&et] vt. 商議，協商

Kevin wants to negotiate his promotion with the boss, for he has worked for the company for over ten years.

13. prolonged [pr1`lO9d] adj. 長期的，拖很久的

Mandy looks weak because she has suffered from a prolonged illness.

14. complicated [`kAmpl1&ketId] adj. 複雜的

   Lisa is so intelligent that she can easily solve complicated math questions.

15. countless [`kauntl1s] adj. 無數的

Daisy always keeps the ticket after watching a movie. She has owned countless tickets in her tin boxes.

16. currency [`k31nsI] n. [U][C] 通貨，貨幣

Tina went to the bank to exchange foreign currency before she went to Europe.

17. reluctant [rI`l^kt1nt] adj. 不情願的，無可奈何的

Ken’s mom asked him to take care of his little brother though he was reluctant to do so.

18. resemble [rI`zEmbL] vt. 與…相似

Tammy doesn’t resemble her sister in appearance. No wonder few people believe they are sisters.

Words for Recognition

1.   Britain [`brItN] n. 大不列顛；英國 (= Great Britain)

不列顛(Britain)或聯合王國(United Kingdom; UK)為大不列顛及北愛爾蘭聯合王國(United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)的簡稱，中文通稱英國。由英格蘭(England)、北愛爾蘭(Northern Ireland)、蘇格蘭(Scotland)、威爾斯(Wales)四個構成國組成。首都為倫敦。

2.   European Union [&jur1`pi1n `junj1n] n. 歐洲聯盟

   簡稱歐盟，於1993年「馬斯垂克條約」生效後正式成立，目前有27個成員國。官方貨幣是歐元。

3.   Brexit 英國脫歐

4.   integration [&int1`greS1n] n. [U] 整合

5.   pound [paUnd] n. [C] 英鎊

英國使用的貨幣名稱。符號是£。

6.   referendum [&rEf1`rEnd1m] n. [C] 公民投票

7.   strike out on one’s own 獨立，開始自謀生路

8.   perceivable [p2`siv1bL] adj. 感覺得到的；可理解的，可注意到的

Translation

英國公投脫離歐盟

這是一場勢均力敵的拉鋸戰，很難預測到底脫歐派或是留歐派會勝出。經過漫長的等待，結果已經揭曉：英國選擇離開歐盟。達百分之五十二的些微多數的投票人贊成所謂「英國脫歐」(“Brexit”即「英國(Britain)」與「退出(exit)」結合的字)。這個重大的決定讓各界對英國以及歐盟其他國家的未來感到擔憂。

歐洲整合的想法在第二次世界大戰後出現。他們的願景是團結歐洲各國讓歐洲更穩定，並透過國家間的合作來避免未來的衝突。因此，歐盟成員國彼此可以自由交易商品及服務，公司也能輕易地跨國營運。歐盟成員國的公民享有到其他成員國居住和工作的權利。此外，成員國之間也有著政治的連結。

英國退出後，歐盟內就剩下二十七個國家。英國與這些國家間，所有關於貿易、居住以及其他相關的條款都要重新再協商，這會是個長期且複雜的流程，加上還有數不清的細節得花上好幾年解決。

短期內很多人擔心英國脫歐後對國內經濟的影響。英國的貨幣，也就是英鎊，已達近幾十年來最低點，甚至還可能更低。他們的擔心還不僅只於此，因為世界各國的經濟都緊密連結著。當一個像英國一樣強大且重要的國家離開歐盟都，會引來許多質疑，並讓歐洲的情勢更加不穩定。其他國可能會不願意在那國投資，只採取保守的態度觀望。

公投過後，所有的目光都將聚焦在英國獨立後該如何發展。假如他們在經濟、政治和社會上有明顯的利益，其他國家有可能會步入英國後塵。另一方面，如果英國在脫歐後陷入掙扎，他們的經驗也許能讓其他國家去重新思考仿效英國離開歐盟的念頭。時間將會證明歐洲未來的模樣。

閱讀測驗解答：1. B  2. D  3. A  4. C  5. C