Breaking News English

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People in Britain will soon vote on whether or not to stay in or leave the European Union (EU). Newspapers have called it 'Brexit', which means Britain's, or British, exit. It is one of the biggest issues for Europe in decades. British people have very strong feelings about leaving and staying in the EU. A group of scientists has come together in support of staying in Europe. All of the 13 scientists are Nobel Prize winners. The group says leaving the EU would be a "key risk" to British science. A spokesman explained how important it was for science that Britain remained in Europe. He said: "Inside the EU, Britain helps steer the biggest scientific powerhouse in the world."

Another top British scientist, Professor Stephen Hawking, said Brexit would be, "a disaster for UK science". Many other scientists agree, saying Britain would receive less money from the EU for research. They add that British scientists could no longer work as often or as closely with colleagues in European countries. Professor Hawking said many young European scientists come to Britain to work. He said this could slow down after a Brexit. However, many other scientists say Brexit would be better for British science. The campaign group Scientists For Britain says that the UK would not suffer financially from Brexit. It says the top two countries funded by an 80-billion-euro EU science programme are not EU members.

Comprehension questions

1. Where has Britain's vote been one of the biggest issues in decades?
2. What kind of feelings do British people have?
3. How many Nobel Prize winners formed a group to support staying?
4. What did Nobel Prize winners say leaving the EU would be a key risk to?
5. What kind of powerhouse did a spokesperson talk about?
6. What did Professor Stephen Hawking say Brexit would be for UK science?
7. What did scientists say Britain would receive less of?
8. Who did Professor Hawking say came to Britain to work?
9. What is 'Scientists For Britain'?
10. How much money is in an EU fund for a science programme?

Back to the Brexit lesson.