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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
AS IT IS 2016-06-22 Brexit Vote Is Too Close to Call
Opinion studies in Britain show almost equal support for staying and remaining in the European Union ahead of a vote on the issue Thursday.
British Prime Minister David Cameron made an appeal Tuesday for voters to support staying in the 28-member EU.
“Brits don't quit,” said Cameron in remarks outside his Downing Street office. He especially appealed to older voters who have been less supportive of the campaign to stay in the EU.
“It will just be you in that polling booth. Just you, taking a decision that will affect your future, your children's future, your grandchildren's future.” He added: “They can't undo1 the decision we take. If we vote out, that's it. It's irreversible.”
Cameron also spoke2 to Britons who did not vote for him and may not agree with his policies. “I know that not everyone has been happy with what I’ve done. But of this I am convinced. Indeed, of this, every living prime minister – whether Labor3 or Conservative – is convinced. Britain is better off inside the EU than out on our own.”
Cameron repeated his view that leaving the EU would harm Britain’s economy and national security for many years. He has said the move could eliminate half a million jobs and lead to inflation.
The British leader’s latest comments came as one opinion survey found a small drop in support for EU membership. The poll was carried out by the company Survation. It has the “Remain” campaign leading with 45 percent, while “Leave” got 44 percent.
Brexit vote is too close to call
Other surveys in recent days suggested the race is too close to call. British citizens will participate in the popular vote, or referendum, on Thursday.
The “Remain” campaign got last-minute support Tuesday from a famous couple, David and Victoria Beckham.
In a statement, the international soccer star compared the issue to the importance of a unified4 team in sports. “We live in a vibrant5 and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children, we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.”
Beckham’s wife Victoria is a fashion designer and former singer for the Spice Girls. She voiced her support on Instagram. She did so after the “Leave” campaign used words she spoke in the past to make it seem like she agreed with Britain leaving the EU
“I believe in my country, I believe in a future for my children where we are stronger together and I support the #remain campaign,” Beckham wrote.
The “Leave” campaign says a main reason for Britain to leave the group is increased immigration. It says Britain cannot effectively control the number of immigrants because of current EU rules.
As part of its last-minute effort, the anti-EU Independence Party released a poster showing a traffic jam with the message, “The school over-run.” The party claims immigration has left nearly one-fourth of British primary schools full or overcrowded.
Vote could have economic impact
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen spoke about the issue before the Senate Banking6 Committee. She said if Britain did vote to leave the EU, it “could have significant economic repercussions7.”
Yellen was asked whether she thought Britain’s departure could cause a recession in the United States. “I don't think that is the most likely case, but we just don't really know what will happen and we will have to watch very carefully.”
With voting just days away, betting brokers9 are profiting from the referendum.
Last week, gambling10 bookmaker Skybet gave nearly even odds11 that Britain would leave the E.U. Now most companies are giving 3-1 odds against “Leave.”
Words in This Story
irreversible – adj. not able to be changed or altered
view – n. an opinion or way of thinking
eliminate – v. to remove or get rid of
survey – n. the measuring of public opinion on a given topic
broker8 – n. a person who sells goods or services for others
gambling – n. the playing of games of chance for money
1 undo | |
vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销 | |
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2 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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3 labor | |
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
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4 unified | |
(unify 的过去式和过去分词); 统一的; 统一标准的; 一元化的 | |
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5 vibrant | |
adj.震颤的,响亮的,充满活力的,精力充沛的,(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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6 banking | |
n.银行业,银行学,金融业 | |
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7 repercussions | |
n.后果,反响( repercussion的名词复数 );余波 | |
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8 broker | |
n.中间人,经纪人;v.作为中间人来安排 | |
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9 brokers | |
n.(股票、外币等)经纪人( broker的名词复数 );中间人;代理商;(订合同的)中人v.做掮客(或中人等)( broker的第三人称单数 );作为权力经纪人进行谈判;以中间人等身份安排… | |
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10 gambling | |
n.赌博;投机 | |
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11 odds | |
n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别 | |
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