BBC新闻：土耳其议会批准芬兰加入北约
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
The Turkish parliament has ratified Finland’s membership of the NATO military alliance. Finland ended decades of military non-alignment and decided to join NATO last May following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner reports.
This decision clears the way for one of the most important moments in NATO’s history. Finland, a country with an 800-mile border with Russia, and one of the most powerful arsenals of artillery pieces in western Europe, is ditching its neutrality and joining the alliance. For President Putin, it’s a major strategic setback. He sent his army into Ukraine last year in the expectation it would check NATO’s expansion and weaken the west. In fact, it is achieved the exact opposite. Finland is now set to become the 7th NATO country on the Baltic Sea.
VOCABULARY
1. ratify v. to make an agreement officially valid by voting for or signing it 正式批准；使正式生效。例如：The treaty was ratified by all the member states. 这个条约得到了所有成员国的批准。
2. arsenal n. a building where military weapons and explosives are made or stored 兵工厂；武器库；军火库
3. artillery n. large, heavy guns which are often moved on wheels （统称）火炮。例如：The town is under heavy artillery fire. 该市镇处于密集的炮火之下。
4. neutrality n. the state of not supporting either side in a disagreement, competition or war 中立；中立状态
QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
1. Why did Finland decide to join NATO?
A) Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
B) To check NATO’s expansion.
C) To weaken the west.
D) To remain neutral.
2. What is the outcome of Finland joining NATO for President Putin?
A) A major strategic setback.
B) A major strategic advantage.
C) A major strategic opportunity.
D) A major strategic challenge.
3. How many NATO countries are there on the Baltic Sea after Finland joins the alliance?
A) 6.
B) 7.
C) 8.
D) 9.
KEY
1. Why did Finland decide to join NATO?
A) Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
B) To check NATO’s expansion.
C) To weaken the west.
D) To remain neutral.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。命题出处：The Turkish parliament has ratified Finland’s membership of the NATO military alliance. Finland ended decades of military non-alignment and decided to join NATO last May following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 根据听力内容，芬兰决定加入北约是因为俄罗斯入侵乌克兰。
2. What is the outcome of Finland joining NATO for President Putin?
A) A major strategic challenge.
B) A major strategic advantage.
C) A major strategic opportunity.
D) A major strategic setback.
【答案】D
【解析】细节题。命题出处：Finland, a country with an 800-mile border with Russia, and one of the most powerful arsenals of artillery pieces in western Europe, is ditching its neutrality and joining the alliance. For President Putin, it’s a major strategic setback. 从以上二个句子可以判断，对于普京来说，芬兰加入北约是一个重大战略挫折。
3. How many NATO countries are there on the Baltic Sea after Finland joins the alliance?
A) 6.
B) 7.
C) 8.
D) 9.
【答案】B
【解析】细节题。命题出处：Finland is now set to become the 7th NATO country on the Baltic Sea. 芬兰加入北约后，波罗的海上有7个北约国家。
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