英语听力精选进阶版 7326（在线收听）

爱尔兰曾因欧元区债务危机面临经济崩盘。欧盟和国际货币基金组织先后三年向其提供了近675亿欧元财政缓助。从本周开始，爱尔兰将恢复其金融自主，与其他国家一样在资本市场集资。

It is being called Ireland's exit from the bailout. If all goes to plan Ireland will receive no more financial assistance. It does not mean that the money has been repaid - that will take until 2042.

Ireland will still need to borrow - and all the signs are that it will be able to do so in the financial markets at an affordable cost. The country's economy has shown signs of stabilisation. It has grown, though erratically, and unemployment is down from its highs. But living standards have been hit - the economy is still 9% smaller than it was six years ago.

This is an important stage in the Eurozone's financial repair effort. Ireland is the first country to be bailed out to get to this stage. Portugal is due to do it next year, though there are concerns that it might need more financial help.

Greece and Cyprus are further away from getting back on their feet financially. It certainly helps that the recession in the Eurozone has ended - that the economy of the region as a whole has started to grow again. But it is still feeble growth.

Europe needs stronger performance to generate the tax revenue that could really help struggling governments get control of their borrowing needs.

Quiz 听力测验

True or false? Living standards in Ireland have improved.

False. Living standards have been hit.

When will Ireland pay off all the money it got from the bailout?

2042.

True or false? Cyprus will not be ready to pay off its bailout loans next year.

True. Cyprus is further away from getting back on their feet financially.

How will a stronger performance in Europe help governments control their borrowing needs?

A stronger performance will generate the tax revenue that could really help struggling governments get control of their borrowing needs.

Glossary 词汇表

affordable 负担得起的

stabilisation 稳定

erratically 不规律的，难以预测的

getting back on their feet 恢复

feeble 微弱的，无力的

revenue (公司、组织的)收入，收益;（政府的）财政收入，税收