The striving of countries in Central Europe to enter the European Union may offer an unprecedented chance to the continent’s Gypsies (or Roman) to be recognized as a nation, albeit one without a defined territory. And if they were to achieve that they might even seek some kind of formal place—at least a total population outnumbers that of many of the Union’s present and future countries. Some experts put the figure at 4m-plus; some proponents of Gypsy rights go as high as 15m.

Unlike Jews, Gypsies have had no known ancestral land to hark back to. Though their language is related to Hindi, their territorial origins are misty. Romanian peasants held them to be born on the moon. Other Europeans (wrongly) thought them migrant Egyptians, hence the derivative Gypsy. Most probably they were itinerant metal workers and entertainers who drifted west from India in the 7th century.

However, since communism in Central Europe collapsed a decade ago, the notion of Romanestan as a landless nation founded on Gypsy culture has gained ground. The International Romany Union, which says it stands for 10m Gypsies in more than 30 countries, is fostering the idea of “self-rallying”. It is trying to promote a standard and written form of the language; it waves a Gypsy flag (green with a wheel) when it lobbies in such places as the United Bations; and in July it held a congress in Prague, The Czech capital. Where President Vaclav Havel said that Gypsies in his own country and elsewhere should have a better deal.

At the congress a Slovak-born lawyer, Emil Scuka, was elected president of the International Tomany Union. Later this month a group of elected Gypsy politicians, including members of parliament, mayors and local councilors from all over Europe (OSCE), to discuss how to persuade more Gypsies to get involved in politics.

The International Romany Union is probably the most representative of the outfits that speak for Gypsies, but that is not saying a lot. Of the several hundred delegates who gathered at its congress, few were democratically elected; oddly, none came from Hungary, whose Gypsies are perhaps the world’s best organized, with some 450 Gypsy bodies advising local councils there. The union did, however, announce its ambition to set up a parliament, but how it would actually be elected was left undecided.

So far, the European Commission is wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation. The might, it is feared, open a Pandora’s box already containing Basques, Corsicans and other awkward peoples. Besides, acknowledging Gypsies as a nation might backfire, just when several countries, particularly Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, are beginning to treat them better, in order to qualify for EU membership. “The EU’s whole premise is to overcome differences, not to highlight them,” says a nervous Eurocrat.

But the idea that the Gypsies should win some kind of special recognition as Europe’s largest continent wide minority, and one with a terrible history of persecution, is catching on . Gypsies have suffered many pogroms over the centuries. In Romania, the country that still has the largest number of them (more than 1m), in the 19th century they were actually enslaved. Hitler tried to wipe them out, along with the Jews.

“Gypsies deserve some space within European structures,” says Jan Marinus Wiersma, a Dutchman in the European Parliament who suggests that one of the current commissioners should be responsible for Gypsy affairs. Some prominent Gypsies say they should be more directly represented, perhaps with a quota in the European Parliament. That, they argue, might give them a boost. There are moves afoot to help them to get money for, among other things, a Gypsy university.

One big snag is that Europe’s Gypsies are, in fact, extremely heterogeneous. They belong to many different, and often antagonistic, clans and tribes, with no common language or religion, Their self-proclaimed leaders have often proved quarrelsome and corrupt. Still, says, Dimitrina Petrova, head of the European Roma Rights Center in Budapest, Gypsies’ shared experience of suffering entitles them to talk of one nation; their potential unity, she says, stems from “being regarded as sub-human by most majorities in Europe.”

And they have begun to be a bit more pragmatic. In Slovakia and Bulgaria, for instance, Gypsy political parties are trying to form electoral blocks that could win seats in parliament. In Macedonia, a Gypsy party already has some—and even runs a municipality. Nicholas Gheorge, an expert on Gypsy affairs at the OSCE, reckons that, spread over Central Europe, there are now about 20 Gypsy MPS and mayors, 400-odd local councilors, and a growing number of businessmen and intellectuals.

That is far from saying that they have the people or the cash to forge a nation. But, with the Gypsy question on the EU’s agenda in Central Europe, they are making ground.

1.    The Best Title of this passage is

[A]. Gypsies Want to Form a Nation.         [B]. Are They a Nation.

[C]. EU Is Afraid of Their Growth.           [C]. They Are a Tribe

2.    Where are the most probable Gypsy territory origins?

[A]. Most probably they drifted west from India in the 7th century.

[B]. They are scattered everywhere in the world.

[C]. Probably, they stemmed from Central Europe.

[D]. They probably came from the International Romany Union.

3.    What does the International Romany lobby for?

[A]. It lobbies for a demand to be accepted by such international organizations as EU and UN.

[B]. It lobbies for a post in any international Romany Union.

[C]. It lobbies for the right as a nation.

[D]. It lobbies for a place in such international organizations as the EU or UN.

4.    Why is the Europe Commission wary of encouraging Gypsies to present themselves as a nation?

[A]. It may open a Pandora’s Box.

[B]. Encouragement may lead to some unexpected results.

[C]. It fears that the Basgnes, Corsicans and other nations seeking separation may raise the same demand.

[D]. Gyspsies’ demand may highlight the difference in the EU.

5.    The big problem lies in the fact that

[A]. Gypsies belong to different and antagonistic clans and tribes without a common language or religion.

[B]. Their leaders prove corrupt.

[C]. Their potential unity stems from “being regarded as sub-human”.

[D]. They are a bit more pragmatic.


E
Language is a major problem for the European Union (EU) . The argument or treaty (条约) which created the organization that finally became the EU, the Treaty of Rome, stated that each country’s language must be treated equally. The original six countries had only three languages between them: French, German and Dutch/Flemish. However, there are now 15 countries in the EU, with a total of 12 languages. EU documents must be translated into all these languages, and at official meetings the speeches must be translated into all the languages by interpreters.
All this translating is very expensive and time-consuming. It is said that nearly half of all employees of the EU are engaged in translating documents and speeches and nearly half of the EU’s administrative (管理方面的) costs are spent on this task. In the near future it is probable that several more countries, most of them having their own languages, will join the EU, thus making the situation even worse.
The problem is just cost; there are practical difficulties as well. With 12 languages, there are 132 possible “translation situations” that might be needed. It is often difficult to find people in the right place at the right time who can translate from, for example, Danish into Greek, or Dutch into Portuguese, at a high professional standard.
In practice the problem has been less serious by the use of English in many contacts between EU officials , since almost all of them speak some English. However, any move to reduce the number of official languages (perhaps to four or five) would be a blow to the pride of the smaller countries. Another commonly suggested solution is to make English the official language for all EU business. However, this is strongly resisted by powerful member countries like France and Germany .
77.What’s the main purpose of this passage?_____________.
A. To give a solution to a problem.  
B. To find out a problem and show how serious it is.
C. To criticize (批评) the European Union for inefficiency.
D. To show that the problem cannot be solved.
78. According to the writer, the use of English in contacts among EU officials has_________.
A. angered the officials who don’t speak English
B. reduced the number of official languages.
C. lessened the effect of the problem.  
D. been opposed by powerful member countries.
79. The writer mentions “Danish into Greek” as an example of ______________.
A . a situation that might be difficult to deal with.         B. a situation that occurs often.
C. one of the 12 situations that requires an interpreter.       D. languages easily being interpreted
80.The writer suggests that if the number of official languages was reduced, _____________.
A. the EU would not know which official languages to choose.
B. countries whose languages were not used officially would be unhappy.
C. only languages which are easy to translate would be used officially.
D. the smaller member countries would be pleased.

Language is a major problem for the European Union (EU). The agreement or treaty (条约) which created the organization that eventually became the EU, the Treaty of Rome, stated that each country's language must be treated equally. The original six countries had only three languages between them: French. German and Dutch/Flemish. However, there are now 15 countries in the EU, with a total of 12 languages. EU documents must be translated into all these languages, and at official meetings the speeches must be translated into all the languages by interpreters.

All this translating is very expensive and time-consuming (费时的). it is said that nearly half of all employees of the EU are engaged in translating documents and speeches, and nearly half of the EU's administrative(管理方面的) costs are spent on this task. In the near future it is probably that several more countries, most of them having their own languages, will join the EU, thus making the situation even worse.

The problem is not just cost: there are practical difficulties as well. With 12 languages, there are 132 possible "translation situations" that might be needed. It is often' difficult to find people in the right place at the right time who can translate from (for example) Danish into Greek, or Dutch into Portuguese, at a high professional standard.

In practice the problem has been made less serious by the use of English in many contacts between EU officials, since almost all of them speak some English. However, any move to reduce the number of official languages (perhaps to four or five) would be a blow to the pride of the smaller countries. Another commonly suggested solution is to make English the official language for all EU business. However, powerful member countries like France and Germany are strongly against it.

1.What's the main purpose of this passage?

A. To give a solution to a problem.                       

B. To discuss a problem and show how serious it is.

C. To criticize the European Union for inefficiency(效率低).

D. To show that the problem cannot be solved.

2.According to the writer, the use of English in contacts among EU officials has ________.

A. angered the officials who don't speak English                 

B. reduced the number of official languages

C. made the problem less serious                        

D. been opposed by powerful member countries

3.In paragraph three, the writer mentions "Danish into Greek" as an example of ________.

A. a situation that might be difficult to deal with                           

B. a situation that occurs often

C. one of the 12 situations that requires an interpreter             

D.languages that are easy to translate

4.The writer suggests that if the number of official languages was reduced _______.

A. the EU would not know which official languages to choose

B. countries whose languages were not used officially would be unhappy

C. only languages that are easy to translate would be used officially

D. the smaller member countries would be pleased 

 

Ever since news of widespread food recalls caused by a carcinogenic dye broke, there has been confusion(混淆) over possible links to the country of the same name, but Sudan officials say there is no connection whatever.

Sudan 1 is a red industrial dye(颜料) that has been found in some chilli powder, but was banned in food products across the European Union (EU) in July 2003.

Since the ban was put in place, EU officials have been trying to remove some food products from the shelves.So far 580 products have been recalled.

Last week Sudan’s Embassy in the United Kingdom asked the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for clarification(澄清) of the origin of the dye’s name.

Omaima Mahmoud Al Sharief, a press official at Sudan’s Embassy in China, explained the purpose of the inquiry was to clear up any misunderstanding over links between the country and the poisonous dye.

  "We want to keep an eye on every detail and avoid any misunderstanding there," she said."Our embassy to Britain asked them how the dye got that name and whether the dye had something to do with our country.But they told us there was no relationship."

The FSA, an independent food security watchdog in Britain, received a letter from the Sudanese embassy last week.

 "They asked us why the dye is named Sudan, however, we also do not know how it got the name," she said."People found the dye in 1883 and gave it the name.Nobody knows the reason, and we cannot give any explanation before we find out."

Sudan dyes, which include Sudan 1 to 4, are red dyesused for colouring oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polishes.They are classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

1.What does the underlined word “carcinogenic” mean in paragraph one?

A.Causing cancer.                       B.Having side effect.

C.Containing poison.                     D.Poisonous.

2.How did the Sudan 1 get its name?

A.The dye is often produced in Sudan.

B.The dye has something to do with the country named Sudan.

C.Nobody is sure of the origin of the name.

D.Many foods produced in Sudan contain the dye.

3.We can infer from the passage that.

A.the Sudan government is paying much attention to the food safety

B.Sudan 1 is often used to be added to the food

C.people didn’t realize the danger of Sudan1 until 2003

D.many food shops will be closed down

4.Which of the following is the best title?

A.Keep away from Sudan1

B.No Sudan 1 dye links to the country

C.How Sudan1 dye got its name?

D.Pay attention to the food safety

 

 

Language is a major problem for the European Union(EU) . The argument or treaty(条约) which created the organization that finally became the EU, the Treaty of Rome, stated that each country’s language must be treated equally. The original six countries had only three languages between them: French, German and Dutch/Flemish. However, there are now 15 countries in the EU, with a total of 12 languages. EU documents(文件)must be translated into all these languages, and at official meetings the speeches must be translated into all the languages by interpreters (口译者).

   All this translating is very expensive and time-consuming(花时间的). It is said that nearly half of all employees of the EU are involved in translating documents and speeches and nearly half of the EU’s administrative(管理方面的)costs are spent on this task. In the near future it is probable that several more countries, most of them having their own languages, will join the EU, thus making the situation even worse.

   The problem is just cost; there are practical difficulties as well. With 12 languages, there are 132 possible “translation situations” that might be needed. It is often difficult to find people in the right place at the right time who can translate from, for example, Danish into Greek, or Dutch into Portuguese, at a high professional standard.

   As a matter of fact, the problem has been less serious by the use of English in many contacts between EU officials, since almost all of them speak some English. However, any move to reduce the number of official languages (perhaps to four or five) would be a blow to the pride of the smaller countries. Another commonly suggested solution is to make English the official language for all EU business. However, this is strongly resisted by powerful member countries like France and Germany.

1. What’s the main purpose of this passage? _____________.

A. To give a solution to a problem.

B. To find out a problem and show how serious it is.

C. To criticize(批评)the European Union for inefficiency.

D. To show that the problem cannot be solved.

2. According to the writer, the use of English in contacts among EU officials has_________.

A. angered the officials who don’t speak English.

B. reduced the number of official languages.

C. lessened the effect of the problem.

D. been opposed(反对)by powerful member countries.

3.The writer mentions “Danish into Greek” as an example of ______________.

A . a situation that might be difficult to deal with.             B. a situation that occurs often.

C. one of the 12 situations that requires an interpreter.  D. languages easily being interpreted.

4.The writer suggests that if the number of official languages was reduced, _____________.

A. the EU would not know which official languages to choose.

B. countries whose languages were not used officially would be unhappy.

C. only languages which are easy to translate would be used officially.

D. the smaller member countries would be pleased.

 

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