英语听力精选进阶版 7291

瑞士准备对来自欧盟成员国的移民和劳工进行入境限制。新的规定不仅对移民人数进行定额限制，而且同时会收紧欧盟成员国公民可持的长期工作签证数量。瑞士虽不是欧盟成员国，但此举引来了众多欧盟官员的强烈不满。

Switzerland’s high salaries, low unemployment, and stable currency are a magnet to Eurozone countries. Since the Swiss agreed to free movement of people, immigration from EU members has risen sharply, especially from Spain and Portugal, where unemployment is at crisis levels.

In Switzerland, there is tension. The right wing People’s Party claims Swiss jobseekers are losing out; the Green Party says immigration is putting too much pressure on housing and public transport. Now the Swiss government has called a halt: being outside the EU means Switzerland has some flexibility¹, and from next month permanent work permits for EU citizens will be strictly² limited.

Brussels has reacted angrily: EU officials have always told Switzerland it cannot cherry pick only those parts of European policy it likes best. Now, it’s possible other deals the Swiss really need with Europe, on trade perhaps, could be in danger. Meanwhile, sceptical members of the European Union, like Britain, where many would like a less rigid³ relationship with the EU, will be watching Switzerland’s move with interest.

Quiz 听力测验

True or False? Switzerland's economic situation and job market are attractive to European workers.

True.

True or False? Many Swiss people are moving to Spain and Portugal to look for work.

False. Many Spanish and Portuguese⁴ are moving to Switzerland to look for work.

Which phrase means to select only the things you like?

To cherry pick.

Why might Britain be watching developments in Switzerland?

Because many in Britain want a more flexible relationship with the EU which is more similar to Switzerland's.

Glossary 词汇表

stable 稳定的

magnet 非常有吸引力

Eurozone countries 欧元区国家

immigration 移民

at crisis levels 处于危机水平

called a halt 叫停

work permits 工作许可

cherry pick 指选出自己喜欢的

sceptical (US: skeptical) 持怀疑态度的

rigid 刻板的，不灵活的

1 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

2 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

3 rigid   

adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的

参考例句：

• She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。
• The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。

4 Portuguese   

n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语

参考例句：

• They styled their house in the Portuguese manner.他们仿照葡萄牙的风格设计自己的房子。
• Her family is Portuguese in origin.她的家族是葡萄牙血统。