Reference: The Economist
Following a proposed ceasefire deal, the U.S. is considering easing sanctions on Russia. However, Europe remains reluctant. Experts warn that without Europe’s （1）, lifting American sanctions would have little effect. For instance, Russia’s pre-war trade with the EU reached $305bn, far its $35bn trade with the U.S. Even if the U.S. allows international payments, most Russian banks would still be blocked from using SWIFT, （2） is based in Belgium. European regulators could also penalize foreign banks handling Russia-linked transfers. Meanwhile, Europe may （3） oil-related restrictions, such as banning Russian tankers from its ports. （4）, unless both the U.S. and Europe act together, sanctions relief is （5） to significantly improve Russia’s economy.
Cloze test
- (A)cooperation (B) condiction (C) operation (D) concentration
- (A) what (B) which (C),that (D),which
- (A) broaden (B)tighten (C) open (D) lossen
- (A) Instead (B) Furthermore (C) As a result (D) Nevertheless
- (A) unlikely (B) able (C) committed (D) used
Answer: ADBAA
Reading comprehension test
1. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) Russia didn't care about the EU's trade sanction.
(B) Even though the US. lifted the sanctions, it has little effect to improve Russia's economy.
(C) Both the US and the EU are going to work together to fight Russia.
(D) Snactions relief is likely to improve both the US and the EU.
2. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
(A) The EU doesn't want to lift the sanction on Russia.
(B) The SWIFT bank is based in the EU.
(C) Russia's pre-ward trade with the US is more than the EU.
(D) The EU will limit Russia's oil trade.
3. Which section can this article be seen on a news website?
(A) Politics
(B) Business
(C) Health
(D) Environment
4. Please fill in the blank with the most appropriate words from the paragraph, and make grammatical changes if necessary. (There should be only one word in each blank.)
Russia's bank is ______ in the EU. People can not use SWIFT. What' more, _______ Russia's tanker from their ports is also a method that the EU leaders use.
5. Which noun in the text means "an official order, such as the stopping of trade"?
Answer: 1. B. 2. C 3. B 4 blocked/ banning. 5. sanction
