2021银行校园招聘每日一练1.21(一)
Seeking to end a stalemate in negotiations over her country’s withdrawal from the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain offered Friday substantial payments to the bloc during a two-year transition period immediately after the country’s exit.
Mrs. May’s long-awaited intervention, during a speech in Florence, Italy, was being watched closely in capitals on the Continent and in London， where members of her cabinet have been fiercely divided over Britain’s tortuous divorce from the bloc. The speech aimed to open the way to serious negotiations on what is commonly known as Brexit, and to a broader and more productive discussion about Britain’s relationship with the bloc.
However, while offering some concessions designed to do that, Mrs. May did not give any fresh insight into the type of ties she ultimately wants Britain to have to the bloc a question that divides her cabinet and her Conservative, or Tory, Party.
The European Union’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier issued a cautious response, saying in a statement that, “We look forward to the United Kingdom’s negotiators explaining the concrete implications of Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech. Our ambiton is to find a rapid agreement on the conditions of the United Kingdom’s orderly withdrawal, as well as on a possible transition period.”
Although Britain is scheduled to exit the European Union in 2019, there has been little progress in talks since March, when London formally announced its intention to leave. Brussels is insisting that Britain agree to the terms of the divorce before discussing future trade ties, while the British would like to do both simultaneously.
In light of the continuing standoff, many businesses worry about a “cliff edge” scenario, in which Britain would crash out without a deal, so Mrs. May is under pressure to find a way out of the impasse. Speaking in Florence on Friday, Mrs. May did not say precisely how much money Britain would continue to contribute to the European Union. But she made a significant promise that the British who are big net contributors to the bloc-would not leave a hole in the union’s budget in 2019 and 2020.
“I do not want our partners to fear that they will need to pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave.” Mrs. May said. That would probably mean payments of around 20 billion euros, or about $24 billion, after Britain’s departure. It would also effectively maintain the status quo for the duration of a two-year transition period, meaning that Britain would allow the free movement of European workers and accept rulings from the European Court of Justice. This alone is unlikely to be enough to satisfy the 27 other member nations, but Mrs. May hinted that she would be willing to go further and “honor commitments we have made during the period of our membership.”
In addition, Mrs. May proposed a security partnership with the European Union, stressing Britain’s importance as a defense power, and also offered new legal safeguards to guarantee the rights of European Union citizens in Britain after Brexit.
Over all, Mrs. May sought to stress the common interest London shares with continental European capitals in reaching an agreement and avoiding disruption to trade, wrapping here offer in dialogue that was more positive, and less antagonistic, than that of some previous interventions.
European Union negotiators have refused to talk about post-Brexit ties until they judge that there is “sufficient progress” on the issues they consider a priority: the status of European Union citizens in Britain after it leaves, the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland(which is a part of the United Kingdom) and Britain’s financial commitments to the bloc.
There is little sign yet that the other 27 nations are prepared to grant Britain a bespoke agreement, and officials have warned London on numerous occasions that there would be no “cherry picking” of the parts of European Union membership it likes.
1. What’s the main idea of this passage? ( )
A. Theresa May makes financial commitment to EU for the transition period.
B. Britain insists on leaving EU without any agreement.
C. EU won’t talk to Britain unless Britain makes concession.
D. Theresa May seeks to unlock Brexit talks in her speech.
【答案】D。主旨题。本文从开篇“Seeking to end a stalemate in negotiations over her country’s withdrawal from the European Union.”即表明特蕾莎·梅希望开启脱欧谈判，并且开始表明英国方面的态度和承诺，大段叙述其演讲的内容以及欧盟国家对其演讲的态度。说明本文主旨是特蕾莎·梅尝试通过演讲开启英国脱欧事宜的谈判和磋商。D选项符合题意，ABC不合题意。故本题应选D。
2. What’s the purpose of May’s speech? ( )
A. To demonstrate here resolve to divorce Britain from EU.
B. To pave the way for dialogues and negotiations with EU on Brexit.
C. To comfort the sentiment of British people.
D. To end the division between her cabinet and the Conservative Party.
【答案】B。细节题。由文中第一句“Seeking to end a stalemate in negotiations over her country’s withdrawal from the European Union.”可知特蕾莎·梅是为英国脱欧谈判开辟道路，避免陷入僵局。B选项符合题意，ACD选项错误。故本题应选B。
3. According to the passage, which of the following statement is true? ( )
A. Britain has agreed to discuss the conditions of the exit before discussing the future trade ties.
B. Theresa May has mapped out the blue print of the relations between Britain and EU.
C. EU might not be satisfied with May’s Speech.
D. Britain is fully prepared to withdraw from EU in an orderly way.
【答案】C。细节题。C选项，由文中“European Union negotiators have refused to talk about post-Brexit ties until they judge that there is “sufficient progress” on the issues they consider a priority: the status of European Union citizens in Britain after it leaves, the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland(which is a part of the United Kingdom) and Britain’s financial commitments to the bloc.”可知此次演讲尚未涉及到一些的重要话题，欧盟国家对此表示不满，拒绝进一步谈判英国脱欧的相关事宜。C选项符合文意。A选项，文中“Brussels is insisting that Britain agree to the terms of the divorce before discussing future trade ties, while the British would like to do both simultaneously.”说明英国方面希望脱欧谈判与未来贸易关系问题讨论可以同时进行，A选项描述错误;B选项，特蕾莎·梅对于英国与欧盟关系尚未有一个详细的规划，譬如资金投入方面也仅有一个大致的承诺; D选项“Although Britain is scheduled to exit the European Union in 2019, there has been little progress in talks since March,”说明目前脱欧事宜进展不佳，D选项不符合文意。
4. Theresa May’s speech mentioned the following things except ( ).
A. The rights of EU’s citizens will be protected in Britain after the divorce.
B. Britain would be willing to continue to fulfill the commitment they have during the period of membership.
C. A good trade relation between Britain and the EU is in line with the interests of both sides.
D. Britain will provide 20 billion euros to EU during the transition period.
【答案】D。选非题。D选项，“That would probably mean payments of around 20 billion euros, or about $24 billion, after Britain’s departure.”说明具体金额不确定，并未确切说明是20 billion。A选项，由“It would also effectively maintain the status quo for the duration of a two-year transition period, meaning that Britain would allow the free movement of European workers and accept rulings from the European Court of Justice.”可知欧盟成员国家公民的权利依然可以得到保障，A选项有提及;B选项，由“Mrs. May hinted that she would be willing to go further and “honor commitments we have made during the period of our membership”可知，英国会继续兑现对欧盟成员国的承诺;C选项，由” Over all, Mrs. May sought to stress the common interest London shares with continental European capitals in reaching an agreement and avoiding disruption to trade”可知其强调维持良好的贸易关系的共识;故本题应选D。
5. There’s a stalemate between EU and Britain after Brexit because ( ).
A. The two sides have not reached an agreement on conditions of Britain’s orderly exit.
B. Britain refuses to fill the financial hole of the EU.
C. British People are divided on the issue of Brexit.
D. EU does not want Britain to exit from it.
【答案】A。细节题。文中第一句话“Seeking to end a stalemate in negotiations over her country’s withdrawal from the European Union.”说明特蕾莎·梅演讲的目的也说明了两者陷入僵局的原因“The speech aimed to open the way to serious negotiations on what is commonly known as Brexit, and to a broader and more productive discussion about Britain’s relationship with the bloc.”试图进行谈判进行结局。BCD选项未提及。故本题应选A。
