Find out how Europe works together and how Britain's place in it has changed — practising the present perfect and linking words.
Read the text carefully, then answer the comprehension questions using the dropdown menus.
The European Union, or EU, is a partnership of 27 European countries that work closely together. It began after the Second World War, when several countries decided to cooperate so that another war would be less likely. Over the years, more and more countries have joined, and the partnership has grown into one of the largest economies in the world.
Members of the EU trade freely with each other, which means that goods can move across borders without extra taxes. Citizens of EU countries can also live and work in any other member state. Many students, for example, have studied in other European countries thanks to exchange programmes such as Erasmus.
The United Kingdom joined the European Community in 1973. However, the relationship was not always easy, and many British people disagreed about how close the UK should be to the rest of Europe. In 2016, a referendum was held, and a small majority voted to leave. Since then, the UK has left the EU — a process that became known as "Brexit". Although the UK is no longer a member, it still trades with the EU and shares many close ties with its European neighbours.
1 The EU is a partnership of countries.
2 The EU began after .
3 Inside the EU, goods can move across borders without extra .
4 Citizens of EU countries can .
5 The UK joined the European Community in .
6 In 2016, a was held.
7 The process of the UK leaving the EU became known as .
8 Since leaving, the UK .
Use the present perfect for things connected to now (with since, over the years, never) and the past simple for finished actions at a specific time (with dates). Choose the correct form.
1 Since 1957, more and more countries the EU.
2 The UK the European Community in 1973.
3 Many students abroad thanks to exchange programmes.
4 In 2016, the British people in a referendum.
5 Over the years, the EU into a huge economy.
6 The UK the EU in 2020.
7 Since Brexit, the trade rules a lot.
8 I to Brussels, but I would like to go.
Choose the linking word that joins the two ideas correctly — think about whether it shows a reason, a contrast, an addition, an example or a result.
1 The EU was created countries wanted to avoid another war.
2 Goods can move freely; , citizens can live and work in any member state.
3 Many students study abroad, through the Erasmus programme.
4 the UK joined in 1973, the relationship was not always easy.
5 A majority voted to leave; , the UK left the EU.
6 The UK is no longer a member; , it still trades with the EU.
7 The EU has changed a lot it was founded in the 1950s.
8 Countries cooperate they can solve big problems together.
Write a paragraph (80–120 words): what are the advantages and disadvantages of countries working closely together, as they do in the EU? Give your opinion. Use the present perfect at least twice and at least three linking words.
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