Arguing the case for the euro.

Ex.1. Read the dialog.

Two work colleagues are having a drink in the pub when one of them spots a newspaper headline: “Britain to join euro?”

Luke: It would a terrible thing for Britain to join!

Heather: Why do you say that? I think it would bring great benefits. We are in Europe after all, and it would open up all kinds of business options.

Luke: Name one!

Heather: An enlarged European market would lead to tougher competition. There would be more transparency in business and reduced costs…

Luke: You cant count the small saving on currency transactions as reduced costs. Imagine the cost to the country if we had to bail out Germany or Spain!

Heather: I don’t think that’s likely to happen

Luke: Who’s to say? Anyway, we are psychologically closer to the States and we shouldn’t forget it. Our ties to the dollar have always served us well.

Heather: I think our ties to Europe are much stronger than you imagine and I don’t just mean geographically.

Luke: Well, you could say we are tied to Brussels! Every new law that comes along means more regulation for Britain. Do this, don’t do that. Monetary union would just compound that.

Heather: Can you not see any of the advantages that have come out of our links with Europe?

Luke: Not really, no.

Heather: Greater stability, economic growth. We couldn’t have created the Airbus on our own. We wouldn’t have freedom to move around Europe. If we hadn’t joined, we would be very isolated by now…

Luke: I bet you’re also in favour of a single European state!

Heather: Actually no, I think it’s important for each member state to retain its identity.

Luke: But don’t you see – a single currency means a single state! We would lose control of our economic sovereignty.

Heather: I think that’s a huge exaggeration.

Luke: If Europe got hold of the pound, what would we have? I’ll tell you what: higher taxes, more regulations and an interest rate decided in…

Heather: … which of course would be far worse than an interest rate decided by the Bank of England! I’m going to the bar before they call time. Same again?

Ex.2. Suggest the English equivalents of the Russian words in brackets.

1. There has been a lot of arguing the (доводы)………….. both for and against the euro.

2. Some people believe an (расширенный) ……………… market would bring great benefits, such as tougher competition.

3. Some also maintain that the (преимущества)……………. That have come out of Britain’s links with Europe are greater stability and economic growth.

4. Others, however, claim that (валютный союз) …………… may mean being tied to Brussels and any new rules and regulations.

☻ Pound or euro?

A country currency is an emotional subject! It is now unclear whether the UK public, left to its own devices, would have had any strong objection to monetary union. Political parties have used it as a tool in their campaigns and the press have been zealous in whipping up support for the pound as a symbol of national identity. Logical arguments for and against are lost in wave of hysteria.

Ex.3. Match to form collocations.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 924