英语听力精选进阶版 7276（在线收听）

法国影星杰拉德·德帕迪约说他将交回他的法国护照以抗议社会党领袖、现法国总统弗朗索瓦·奥朗德最新推出的税收政策。这位63岁的法国国宝级演员近日宣布他将移居邻国比利时的一个小镇。

He is prone to more than just the occasional outburst but this time Gerard Depardieu is at the centre of an almighty political storm. Last week, the actor announced he had quit Paris for a small town 800 yards from the French border; seemingly to dodge a 75% top rate of tax expected to come into force next year.

The Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said it was "shabby", and suggested he was shirking his patriotic responsibilities. "How pathetic is that?" writes the actor in today's Journal du Dimanche. "I am leaving because you believe success, creation, talent, anything different must be sanctioned."

The actor claims he has paid ￡120m ($194m) in taxes since beginning work as a printer at the age of 14. "And people more illustrious than me," he railed, "have gone into tax exile." Belgium is an attractive option for French people since it doesn't impose any additional taxes on wealth. And three months ago France's richest man Bernard Arnault applied for Belgian citizenship. The government might question their loyalties; but what sort of message is being sent to the outside investors France is hoping to attract, when some of the country's biggest names are heading for self-imposed exile?

Quiz 听力测验

True or False? Gerard Depardieu is moving to a small town in France.

False. Depardieu is moving to a small town in Belgium.

True or False? It is said that Depardieu has paid ￡120m ($194m) in taxes since the age of 14.

True.

Why does Depardieu want to leave France?

Because the taxes are too high.

When is the new tax policy expected to come into force?

Next year.

Glossary 词汇表

prone to 易于做某事（常指不好的事）

outburst （愤怒等感情的）爆发

almighty 极大的，严重的

come into force 开始生效

shabby 令人无法接受的

shirking 逃避（责任、义务）

sanctioned 实施制裁，停止

illustrious 著名的，杰出的、卓越的

railed （大声）责骂

self-imposed exile 自我放逐