The Clock is Ticking

There's been a lot of talk in the news about Brexit recently. What does it all mean?

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• backstop - something that is kept so that it can give good support or protection if it is needed
• to vote in favour - to make an official choice for something
• single market - a group of countries that have an agreement which allows goods to be moved, bought, or sold between them very easily
• checks and regulations - inspections and rules
• to travel freely - to go from one place to another without all sorts of checks (visa) and regulations
• trade rules - rules for buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services
• limited use of the single market - not all, but only some possibilities to use the single market
  to sort something out - to find an answer or solution for (something)
• the Irish border - the border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (an independent country and member of the European Union)

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. What does the word “Brexit” mean?


2. What does the single market mean for stuff made in Ireland?


3. Listen closely to the explanation of the EU’s deals with Norway, Switzerland and Canada.
   For each of these deals, explain what Britain likes or doesn’t like about it.


4. What is it presently like when you cross the Irish border?


5. What does the Irish government want regarding the Irish border?