Time-out from Eurozone possible for Greece(British)
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The economic crisis concerning Greece's future in the Eurozone continues. Greece is struggling to pay back huge loans from European countries that helped keep the nation afloat. The Greek people are tired of austerity measures connected to repayments of the loans. They voted in a national referendum on whether or not to accept the bailout conditions proposed by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund. A majority of 61 per cent rejected the proposal because they thought their living conditions and economy would deteriorate further. The latest plan to be talked about is a temporary Greek exit from the Eurozone. The 'time-out' could happen if Greece cannot agree terms for a bailout.
Greeks are desperate for a return to a normal life. All banks in the country have been closed for two weeks and there is a €60 daily limit on cash machine withdrawals. They are extremely concerned about the value of their savings and their financial future. European leaders seem to be more upbeat. France's President Francois Hollande dismissed any suggestion of a temporary exit for Greece. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also confident a solution would be found. He told reporters: "I'm here ready for an honest compromise... We can reach an agreement…if all parties want it." German leader Angela Merkel was less optimistic. She said: "The most important currency has been lost... trust and reliability."
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a.European countries gave Greece loans that helped keep it afloat.T / F
b.Greek people are fed up with austerity measures.T / F
c.Just under 60% of Greeks voted to reject a bailout from Europe.T / F
d.A time-out for Greece might arise if they do not accept a bailout.T / F
e.There is a daily limit on how much Greeks can withdraw from banks.T / F
f.European leaders are generally optimistic about Greece's future.T / F
g.Greece's leader wasn't so sure that a solution would be found.T / F
h.Angela Merkel said people had lost trust in the Greek currency.T / F
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1.What did the European loans help keep afloat?
2.What are Greeks tired of?
3.What did Greeks reject in a referendum?
4.What percentage of Greeks rejected the proposal?
5.What could happen if Greece does not agree terms for a bailout?
6.What are Greek people desperate for a return of?
7.What is the most people can take out of the bank each day?
8.Who was confident that a solution would be found?
9.What did Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras say he was ready for?
10.What two things did Angela Merkel say had been lost?
ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)
aTbTcFdTeTfTgFhF
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)
1.concerninga.regarding
2strugglingb.battling
3.measuresc.actions
4.latestd.most recent
5.termse.conditions
6.desperatef.in great need of
7.extremelyg.very
8.dismissedh.rejected
9.compromisei.trade-off
10.trustj.confidence
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)
1.Greece
2.Austerity (measures)
3.Bailout conditions
4.61%
5.A time-out
6.A normal life
7.€60
8.Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
9.(An honest) compromise
10.Trust and reliability
