Prime Time 7, Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks

1 Britain and Europe Before you read a) Write the word “EUROPE” in a column in your notebook and match each letter with a term that represents the European ideal for you. b) Do you personally see yourself as a European, or not? Give reasons. Reading: The Brexit dilemma: What British people are thinking about the divorce Read the text about Britain and its relationship to Europe. Some parts are missing. Choose the correct part (A–H) for each gap (1–6). There is one extra part that you should not use. Write your answers in the boxes provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. 1  2  Ever since the final months of the referendum campaign that culminated in the 23 June 2016 vote to leave the European Union, …  0  . It is important to remember that the Leave campaigners built their political success aiming initially at a small and very specific group of voters that ultimately served as the mobilised core of an anti-establishment revolt. In fact, even though the Leave vote passed with a 52% majority, one can easily argue that Brexit meant different things to different people. The chaos in public opinion is a result of events both in Downing Street and in Westminster. The main argument for the Remain supporters was …  1   . The frustration towards Brussels was balanced by the argument that leaving the European Union would have deepened the economic crisis and anxiety about the future. There was a sense that the government, then led by David Cameron, could win even more room to manoeuvre from Brussels …  2   . It is not surprising that Remain supporters were mostly middle class and geographically stronger in regions with a more international profile, particularly the London area and those parts of the country that host large academic communities. To these people the EU is less of an abstract concept than it is to the residents of the “rust belt” stretching from parts of Wales to Northern England. …  3   as seen from London: free movement of people, goods and services. Remainers were also less frustrated with the Eaton-educated ruling class that has run the show in recent decades and that is clearly the great loser in this affaire (although the former Mayor of London and Leave leader, Boris Johnson, …  4   ). Remainers also had the support of the financial world and key players in the economic sector, the luxury industry and the arts, as well as that of most intellectuals. Cosmopolitan Britain clearly wanted to stay because it saw the European Union as good business combined with the chance to easily have romantic holidays in the EU. …  5   and everything it represents: from the free movement of people to diminished sovereignty for Britain. Yet, they too have been deceived in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum. Apart from the many who stated that they voted against the government and did not understand the full political consequences of the vote, Leave supporters were troubled by the news that leaving the EU would not equal more money for the National Health System, …  6   – who admitted lying about it. Tabloids are still doing their part to fuel anti-EU sentiment but this has proven to be an easy job. Above all, Leave supporters are the least interested in what financial London wants and fear that a soft Brexit would strip them of the key objective of their vote: control over immigration. (Paola Di Fraia, Old Continent , 14 November 2016; adapted and abridged) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 16 The British today Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv