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PHOTOCOPIABLE CEF Level A2

Area : language
Grammar focus : present simple/present continuous

The European Union

The European Union (EU) is a group of 27 countries, which are all in Europe. Not all countries
in Europe are part of the Union – some do not want to be part of it, e.g. Switzerland and
Sweden, but many others want to join, in particular countries in Eastern Europe.

The EU encourages economic development in the countries who are members (member
states) and promotes good relations with each other.

The EU began as a direct result of the 2nd World War. Six countries signed the Treaty of
Rome to help ensure peace in Europe. This developed into economic co-operation and now
the member states are discussing the possibility of stronger political co-operation, with the idea
of having a President.

The EU has a Parliament where Members of the European Parliament meet in Brussels (with
monthly sessions in Strasbourg) and discuss and debate European issues. There is also the
EU Commission, which acts as the EU’s executive and makes new laws, directives,
regulations and other legislation. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) takes care of legal
matters and makes sure that member states and their citizens act within the law. Sometimes
the Commission takes member states to the ECJ when they do not follow European rules.

Some people complain that there is little benefit from the EU but the EU supports projects all
across Europe, e.g. building roads and bridges, both physically and socially. Students are able
to travel to other European Projects under projects such as Erasmus or Socrates and the EU
contributes to the cost.

The question of sovereignty often comes up because some people feel that the member states
give too much power to the EU. But the EU exists only because the member states want it to
and if they agree to support the EU, it will continue.
 Copyright © Macmillan Education Publishers Ltd 2009- this page has been downloaded from
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1. Comprehension

TRUE / FALSE. Indicate which statements are true (√) and which are false (_).

(i) Switzerland is in the EU.

(ii) The ECJ is responsible for making laws.

(iii) The European Parliament meets in Brussels and Paris.

(iv) The EU started before the Second World War.

(v) At the moment there is no President of the EU.

2. Grammar I. Choose the word with the same meaning as that in the text.

(i) ………such as Erasmus or Socrates and the EU _____________ the cost.

a. pays b. covers c. helps sponsor

(ii) The main aims of the EU are to encourage economic development in the countries
who are members (member states) and ______________ good relations with each
other.
.
a. doing b. suggesting c. ensuring

(iii) The question of sovereignty often ______________ because ……..

a. arises b. happens c. raises

(iv) ………….some people ___________that the member states give too much
power to the EU.

a. thinks b. believe c. know

(v) ………now the member states ________________ the possibility of stronger

political co-operation.

a. are saying b. are talking about c. are consider

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3. Grammar II. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb.

(i) I (live) __________________ in Italy and at the moment as part of my studies, I

(attend) ___________________ a course on European integration. It (last)

_________ for 2 months.

(ii) What (read) _______________________? – This (be) ________is a fantastic

article about the EU; apparently Turkey (want) ____________ to join.

(iii) Usually he (go) ___________________.to school by underground, but there is

strike today so I (take) _________________ him.

(iv) I never (eat) ____________________ desserts, but since it’s your birthday, (give)

______________ me a piece of cake!

(v) (come / you) _____________________ or what? You (be) ______________

always late!

4. Writing task

Look up which EU country currently holds the Presidency of the European

Community and write a brief report about what they are doing.