首页
外语
计算机
考研
公务员
职业资格
财经
工程
司法
医学
专升本
自考
实用职业技能
登录
外语
After three hundred years of union, Scots are to be given the chance to vote for independence. The offer of a legally-binding re
After three hundred years of union, Scots are to be given the chance to vote for independence. The offer of a legally-binding re
admin
2014-07-20
40
问题
After three hundred years of union, Scots are to be given the chance to vote for independence. The offer of a legally-binding referendum, probably in 2014, comes from David Cameron, who is not just prime minister of the United Kingdom but also leader of an organization formally known as the Conservative and Unionist Party. It is more than a remarkable concession. Since the Scots may indeed plump for independence, it is also quite a risk.
Mr. Cameron’s move has not, however, been met with overwhelming gratitude in Scotland. Widely described as a " Westminster Eton toff" north of the border, he is suspected of setting a trap by trying to bounce Scotland into a vote on terms that would tip the balance in the union’s favor.
Mr. Cameron wants a straight in-or-out question. Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), which dominates the legislature in Edinburgh, is not so sure. He has said he favors a simple question. But he also points out there is a powerful view in Scotland that the country ought to be given more powers, taking it just to the brink of independence—"devolution max" , as it is known. Perhaps the referendum should reflect this view by offering three choices. Or perhaps two questions should be asked at the same time; whether Scotland should become independent, and whether it should acquire more powers.
It is easy to see why the nationalists are keen to muddy the clear Scottish waters. Polls suggest that Scots are keener on more power than on outright independence. Give them three options, and the unionist vote could split, possibly producing a plurality for independence. Whatever the result of the vote, Scotland would surely end up with more powers. The SNP would have delivered something to its nationalist supporters.
But anything other than a straight in-or-out question may result in a damaging quarrel. What if, in a three-part question, independence wins—but with only 35% of the vote? What if 51% of Scots vote for independence, but, in a second question, 80% vote for more powers? Nationalists would interpret that as consent for independence. But Westminster could fairly argue that Scots apparently prefer further devolution to outright independence.
A simple question also makes for straightforward campaigning. The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties would have to explain why union is good for Scotland—something they have so far done poorly, which is one reason they are in headlong retreat north of the border. The SNP, for its part, would have to explain the problem to which independence is the solution—which they haven’t done either. And if the Scots turn down independence, they can later be asked if they want more devolution.
Mr. Cameron’s question, then, is the right one. And he should have a say on the referendum’s terms. Divorces affect both partners. Scottish independence would have mighty consequences for Britain, raising questions from how to settle the two nations’ fiscal accounts to where the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines should be parked, if not in Scotland’s deep lochs.
The author implies that Scottish independence would
选项
A、have negative impact on Britain.
B、cause divorces of political parties.
C、provoke lots of heated discussion.
D、intensify the contradiction of both partners.
答案
A
解析
推断题。由Scottish independence定位至末段,第四句可以看出作者认为苏格兰独立会引发重大的后果,造成问题,故A符合文意。
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/QCTK777K
0
专业英语四级
相关试题推荐
Moreandmoreemployersaredemandingthatworkerswhosmokeorareoverweightshoulderagreatershareoftheirhealthcarecos
Ababywho______whenyounghasthebetterchanceofgrowingupsuccessfully.
Somepeoplearefriendlydrunks,whereasothersarehostile,potentiallyposingadangertothemselvesandothers.Thedifferenc
Herearethethreemostcommonmistakeslanguagelearnersmake—andhowtocorrectthem.RigidthinkingLinguistshavefound
Herearethethreemostcommonmistakeslanguagelearnersmake—andhowtocorrectthem.RigidthinkingLinguistshavefound
Noonecanusecellphonesinanyareasatthehospital______equipmentmightbeaffectedbytheinterferencefromcellphones.
Hewouldhavefinishedhiscollegeeducation,buthe______toquitandfindajobtosupporthisfamily.[2007]
The21stcenturyusheredinwhatwassupposedtobepaperlessliving.Thedataofourliveswastoberecordedindigitalclouds
Justmonthsafterenteringpolitics,hefindshehasbeenunder______byadoggedjusticesystem.
Probabilityisthemathematicalstudyofthe______ofanevent’soccurrence.
随机试题
丝极电渣焊引弧造渣时,应采用较高的电压和较慢的送丝速度。()
“十年树木,百年树人”体现了教育的()
中国药典(2000年版)收载的维生素C原料、维生素C片、维生素C泡腾片、维生素C颗粒剂、维生素C钙、维生素C注射液的含量测定方法为
甲企业的机构所在地在北京,2019年发生以下业务:(1)2019年1月1日,甲企业把其A座办公楼租赁给美国的一家公司,租赁金额为9000美元/年,适用的人民币汇率中间价为1:6.5,租赁期限为1年。(2)2019年3月1日,甲企业把其
国家开发银行成立时的主要任务是()。
通常()被认为是一个较为合理的财务管理目标。
对英语初学者讲解冠词的用法是教学的重要内容,下面八个句子分别包含零冠词的不同用法,请简要概述每一例中零冠词的用法规则。(1)Failureisthemotherofsuccess.(2)Physicsisadifficultsub
接受学习理论的提出者是布鲁纳。()
甲持刀抢劫乙,结果搜遍乙的全身,也未找到一分钱。无奈,甲只得将乙放走。甲的行为是()
A、Ahotel.B、Thestudenthostel.C、Anotherfamily.D、AnapartmentD①由对话可知,男士在搬出寄宿家庭之后就和其他两个学生一起租住在一套公寓里,D项正确。②B项有一定迷惑性,需注意对话中提到的
最新回复
(
0
)