Brexit, Again...

What is going on in London?

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• to reject - to refuse to accept
• in deadlock - in a situation in which nothing happens because all sides cannot come to an agreement
• to stick to your guns - to continue to have a particular opinion, plan, etc., even when other people criticize you and say that you are wrong
• perilously close - dangerously close
• extension - extra time allowed for doing something
• to extend - to make something longer or greater

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

1. Fill in the missing words:
   Brexit means ..... and we’re going to make a ..... of it.
   We will leave the EU on the ....


2. Did things go exactly as planned?


3. What did Theresa May write in her letter to Donald Tusk?

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?

2016 Word of the Year

“Brexit” has been named word of the year by the dictionary publisher Collins. Rupert Evelyn of ITV News asks people their opinion on this.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• ginger - a light reddish or reddish-brown color
• ponder - think about something carefully
• plethora - a very large amount or number
• remorse - a feeling of being sorry for doing something bad or wrong in the past
• spot-on - completely correct

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

1. How does “Brexit” sound according to the girl with the black hat?


2. Why is it useful to have the word “Brexit” according to the ginger-haired guy?


3. What does “Bremorse” mean?


4. How is “Brexit” similar to “Watergate”?

Bregrets?

Last Thursday, Britain voted to leave the European Union. This video was shot the next day.

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

Note: The original video for this assignment is no longer online.
Watch the new one instead.

1. For each interviewed person state if they voted for against Brexit.


2. Then state how they feel about their vote after the referendum.


3. Some people changed their mind. Note three or more arguments these people give for rethinking their choice.

Brexit

The British people have voted to leave the European Union. A reporter asked British travellers in a Paris train station how they felt about this.
Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• bail out someone or something: help them solve a problem or leave a difficult situation; help (a business, an organization, etc.) by giving or lending money
• forced the resignation of Cameron - made it necessary for Cameron to resign
• flourish - be very successful; do very well
• go at something - make an effort to do or deal with something

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

Assignment

1. Listing carefully to all the reactions.
2. For each one, note if they are happy or unhappy about the result.
3. For each response, repeat at least one explanation they give why the result is a good thing or not.

Read My Lips

On Thursday, 23 June there will be a referendum in the UK to decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union. Would it make a big difference to be in the EU or not? Actually, the European Union affects our everyday lives. For example if we buy lipstick. Matthew Price explains this in the video.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• red tape - a series of actions or complicated tasks that seem unnecessary but that you must do to get something
• binding - obligatory, required
• ban - forbid things so that you may not do or use them
• harmful - causing or capable of causing damage or injury
• have the same level of protection - be just as safe as (e.g. other products)

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

1. In what year was the European cosmetics directive first written?
   
   
2. Matthew Price says: “Now beauty of course is big business.”
   “big business” has two meanings:
   1: big large companies considered together as a powerful group
   2: an activity or product that makes a large amount of money
   Which definition is meant here? Explain your answer.


3. What is the difference between cosmetics you buy in a shop and cosmetics you buy online?

Extra listening exercise

1. Watch these two other videos in the The EU in 10 Objects series.
   First the one that takes a look at sausages.
   Next the one on beaches.
2. Which one gives people in the UK good reason to leave the EU (Brexit)?
   And which one is more in favour of remaining in the EU (Bremain)?
3. Explain your answer.