BBC新闻：约翰逊向欧盟提出建设性建议

燕山大学 刘立军 编写

 TRANSCRIPT

BBC News. Hello, I'm Jerry Smit. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he sent constructive and reasonable proposals to the European Union on Britain's planned withdrawal at the end of the month. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Mr. Johnson gave few details, but warned Brussels that the only alternative to the plans was a no-deal exit. But he insisted that an agreement could be reached in time. We must have a new relationship with the EU, a positive and confident partnership, and we can do it. And today in Brussels, we are taping what I believe are constructive and reasonable proposals, which provide a compromise for both sides. We will under no circumstances have checks at or near the border in Northern Ireland. The potential return of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has been a sticking point in negotiations between the UK and the EU. The BBC's Naomi Grimley says it has led to fears of unrest. If you go and talk to people in the communities along the border, there are real worries that violence there could reemerge. Because if you put in cameras to monitor vehicles very quickly, they could be shot at by paramilitary groups. You might then have to put police in. You might then have to put the army to protect the police. Very quickly, you could see a hard border reemerging in Northern Ireland.

Adapted from http://www.kekenet.com/broadcast/201910/596069.shtml

 VOCABULARY

1. compromise n. (可数名词) compromise (between A and B) a solution to a problem in which two or more things cannot exist together as they are, in which each thing is reduced or changed slightly so that they can exist together 妥协（或折中）方案。例如：This model represents the best compromise between price and quality. 这种型号是价格和质量间的最佳折中方案。

2. in / under no circumstances: used to emphasize that sth. should never happen or be allowed 决不；无论如何不。例如：

 Under no circumstances should you lend Paul any money. 你无论如何都不能借钱给保罗。

 Don't open the door, in any circumstances. 在任何情况下都不要开门。

3. sticking point n. something that people do not agree on and that prevents progress in a discussion 分歧点；症结。例如：This was one of the major sticking points in the negotiations. 这是谈判中主要的难点之一。

4. unrest n. (不可数名词) a political situation in which people are angry and likely to protest or fight 动荡；动乱；骚动。例如：

 Industrial / civil / social / political / popular unrest工业 / 平民 / 社会 / 政治 / 民众动乱

 There is growing unrest in the south of the country. 这个国家的南方日益动荡不安。

5. paramilitary adj. a paramilitary organization is an illegal group that is organized like an army 非法军事组织的。例如：a right-wing paramilitary group一个右翼非法军事集团

 QUESTIONS

Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.

BBC News. Hello, I'm Jerry Smit. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he sent (Q1) _________________________________ to the European Union on Britain's planned withdrawal at the end of the month. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Mr. Johnson gave few details, but warned Brussels that the only (Q2) _______________________ to the plans was a no-deal exit. But he insisted that an agreement could be reached in time. We must have a new relationship with the EU, a (Q3) __________________________________ partnership, and we can do it. And today in Brussels, we are taping what I believe are constructive and reasonable proposals, which provide a (Q4) ______________________ for both sides. We will (Q5) _____________________________ have checks at or near the border in Northern Ireland. The potential return of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has been a (Q6) _________________ in negotiations between the UK and the EU. The BBC's Naomi Grimley says it has led to fears of (Q7) _________. If you go and talk to people in the communities along the border, there are real worries that violence there could (Q8) ________________. Because if you put in cameras to (Q9) __________________ very quickly, they could be shot at by paramilitary groups. You might then have to put police in. You might then have to put the army to protect the police. Very quickly, you could see (Q10) ________________________ reemerging in Northern Ireland.

 KEY 

Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.

BBC News. Hello, I'm Jerry Smit. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he sent (Q1) constructive and reasonable proposals to the European Union on Britain's planned withdrawal at the end of the month. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Mr. Johnson gave few details, but warned Brussels that the only (Q2) alternative to the plans was a no-deal exit. But he insisted that an agreement could be reached in time. We must have a new relationship with the EU, a (Q3) positive and confident partnership, and we can do it. And today in Brussels, we are taping what I believe are constructive and reasonable proposals, which provide a (Q4) compromise for both sides. We will (Q5) under no circumstances have checks at or near the border in Northern Ireland. The potential return of a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has been a (Q6) sticking point in negotiations between the UK and the EU. The BBC's Naomi Grimley says it has led to fears of (Q7) unrest. If you go and talk to people in the communities along the border, there are real worries that violence there could (Q8) reemerge. Because if you put in cameras to (Q9) monitor vehicles very quickly, they could be shot at by paramilitary groups. You might then have to put police in. You might then have to put the army to protect the police. Very quickly, you could see (Q10) a hard border reemerging in Northern Ireland.