THE EUROPEAN UNION
I. Vocabulary
EU - European political and economic organization established to encourage trade and friendly relations between its member countries
single (European) market - a free market as the basis for trade between member states of EC; a more advanced stage of the Common Market
single European currency - a currency used in many EU countries as a legal tender
single labour market - allows EU citizens to apply for a job in any EU country set up - to organize something new, to begin something, e.g. to set up a
company/a working party treaty - an agreement or contract made by negotiation and signed between
states, e.g. the EC was set up in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome abolish - to put an end to, do away with, annul
trade barriers - factors that restrict free movement of goods, e.g. The EC will
eliminate trade barriers dividing Europe, standard - something used as a test or measure of quality, quantity, value, or
weight, e.g. Goods made to the EU standard will be sold in any EU country, unanimous vote - in complete agreement, e.g. In major issues the vote has to be
unanimous.
amend - to make changes for the better in a proposed law, to correct
pass a law - to approve a law by voting in the Parliament, e.g. Fifty-four votes are
needed for a law to be passed, ultimate - last, the highest
court of appeal - a higher court which can review cases
VAT - value added tax, e.g. The rates of VAT vary greatly from one country to
another.
Economy in English
impose - to place a tax, duty on something, e.g. Britain has imposed no VAT at
all on basic necessities, such as food, expenditure - the amount paid, e.g. an expenditure of £1000 on machines self-sufficient - needing no help from others surplus - more than what is needed or used grant - money given by a government market price - price determined by supply and demand
overrule - to give a legal decision or ruling about something which goes against
a decision or ruling of a lower authority farm produce - any commodity produced by agricultural industry, such as tea,
coffee, sugar, grains, wool, cotton and rubber
II. Vocabulary Practice
1. Select the answer that correctly completes each sentence:
1. In the 1980s there were still many..........between the 12 member
countries.
a) decisions b) trade barriers c) national standards
2. Over 200 Community laws have already been...........
a) taken b) voted c) passed
3. National..........are set by bodies representing the country's
manufacturers.
a) standards b) duties c) costs
4. Shopkeepers have to add..........on to the selling price.
a) surplus b) quotas c) VAT
5. In the past, the vote had to be.........., with everyone agreeing.
a) unanimous b) majority c) marginal
6. The amounts of goods were restricted by..........which laid down how
many goods could be imported each year.
a) directives b) quotas c) grants
2. Give synonyms and use them in sentences:
a) expenditure
b) grant
c) treaty
3. Give a definition or explain in your own words:
a) value added tax
b) market price
c) self-sufficient
d) competition
e) expenditure
f) single labour market
4. Find all names of countries in the following text (Reading) and make adjectives from them.
8
Economy in English
the common external tariff. This would reduce international free trade, which has produced much of the wealth and prosperity since the Second World War.
9. Discuss the following topics from "Reading Plus" orally or in writing:
1. The EU is a danger for the future of Europe.
2. The EU can never win in competition with Japan or the USA.
3. The Common Market is, in my view, the best way of solving Europe's problems.
4. Many things in the Community's policy should be changed.
5. The concept of the EU interferes with the member countries' sovereignty.
10. Complete the information about Europe's mission with the verbs in the box. Mind the form of the verb!
allow, become, combat, cooperate, eliminate, ensure, meet, overcome, propose, promote, provide, represent, share, support, uphold
Europe's mission in the 21st century is to:
t ..........1..........peace, prosperity and stability for its peoples;
i ..........2..........the divisions on the continent;
c ..........3..........that its people can live in safety;
c ..........4..........balanced economic and social development;
t ..........5..........the challenges of globalisation and preserve the diversity of
the peoples of Europe;
t ..........6..........the values that Europeans share, such as sustainable
development and a sound environment, respect for human rights and the
social market economy, t   The single market is one of the European Union's greatest achievements.
Restrictions between member countries on trade and free competition
have gradually been..........7.........., with the result that standards of
living have increased, i    the single market has not yet..........8..........a single economic area.
Some sectors of the economy (public services) are still subject to national
(   The individual EU countries still largely have the responsibility for
taxation and social welfare, e   The single market is..........9..........by a number of related policies
put in place by the EU over the years. They help ensure that market
liberalisation benefits as many businesses and consumers as possible. <   The Council of the European Union, which..........10..........the member
states, is the EU's main decision-taking body. When it meets at Heads of
State or Government level, it becomes the European Council whose role
is to provide the EU with political impetus on key issues, i   '1 he European Parliament, which represents the people,..........11..........
legislative and budgetary power with the Council of the European Union, t   The European Commission, which represents the common interest of
the EU, is the main executive body. It has the right to..........12..........
legislation and ensures that EU policies are properly implemented, t   The opening of internal borders between EU member states is a very
tangible benefit for ordinary people,..........13..........them to travel freely
without being subject to border controls, c   However, this freedom of internal movement must go hand in hand with
increased controls at the EU's external borders so as to..........14..........
effectively the trafficking of people and drugs, organised crime, illegal
immigration and terrorism, t   The EU countries..........15..........in the area of policing and justice so as
to make Europe safer and more secure. (upravenoz http://eumpa.eu/abc/12lessons/index_en.htm)