On Feb 17 we discovered and read about Scotland and devo max.
What does devo max stand for?
You are going to listen to a BBC radio programme in which the political and economical independence of Scotland is analyzed.
Read the questions and listen once before answering the questions. Then, listen again and stop the recording at your convenience to answer the questions.
Listen to the news.
Questions
- How many interviewers know what "devo max is?
- Who's Michael Moore?
- What does Michael Moore understand by the term "devo max"?
- What are David Cameron's views on devo max?
- Two government powers are excluded from "devo max", which are these?
- ( minute 12: 10).
- Which country is a good example of how "devo max" would works? What exactly does the speaker mention?
- How is the economy in this region described?
- Note down at least 3 advantages in Scotland if "devo max" is put forward.
Submit your answers ( as a comment)
Download the KEYS
4 comments:
Hi, I've already listened to the 28 minutes-radio program and honestly it was a hard job, not for understanding it but for the repetitive thing. I'm not keen on political programs, and this particular one due to the fact that they don't know what they should do with Scotland yet, they just speak about an abstract idea and not something concrete, it was quite a challenge not falling asleep.
To resume I agree with this referendum since I watched two films which talk about this issue, Braveheart and Trainspotting. The Prime Minister David Cameron though don't want the devolution of the military power, just taxes. In my opinion if Scotland's people want the independence the UK government should give them back all the power without any condition, although I understand that they wish no to break the union of the Kingdom.
1. Only one, the last one. (in the answer key says two, but I just only heard one right answer).
2. The Scottish Secretary
3. The devolution of taxes but not the military power.
4. He wants to give Scottish people more control, for example in business. But he expects that Scottish people choose to still belong to UK.
5. Defense and Foreign Affairs.
6. -The “Pais Vasco”.
-The unemployment rate is 10%, the half of the rest of Spain, due that the economy is more diversified, more industrialized and more innovated. The Pais Vasco's economy doesn't depend on the rest of Spain.
7. -First of all if Scotland had more control and the taxes were devolved, the economy would grow much quicker and a lot of business would be created, because they would build a business park in the Northeast with tax breaks (fiscal autonomy), for instance Amazon would invest 2,000 millions pounds in Edinburgh. The main problem with this is the European competition law, so this law isn't allowed reduced taxes.
-A decentralized government, such as Scotland's Parliament, would take best decisions for Scottish because they know what people need. For people to have their own Assembly would be great.
-Finally devo max wouldn't bring as pressure as the completely independence to Scotland, because in that way Scotland would still have financial support to build airports, ports and new roads, to commerce with the Basque country for example and the rest of Europe. With a new currency and a new Central Bank the pressure of the markets could be a disaster for Scotland.
Juan
For me this exercise was hard because there are a lot of political vocabulary, and I know only a few words. I have understood the listening but I have solve only 4 questions:
1- I listen only one person who knows what is devo max, but the solucion says that is two.
2- The Scottish secretary
3- I understand "aditionals taxes"
4- He believes that people need more control, and he believe in devolution.
The rest of the questions are difficult to solve. After I have listened again and whit the keys I can understand all.
It is a good listening.
I found this exercise very difficult, very long and quite tired. I heard it twice and the first time I only understood a few words but in the second time, I tried to focus in answer questions.
I think that my previous knowledge about the issue helped me to understand better, however, I think I didn't understand the most of the listening.
My answer are:
1. I heard only one person who knew what is Devo Max.
2. At first I understood Scotland secrety but in second listening I understood Scottish secrety.
3. Michael Moore thinks Devo Max mean devolution to Scotland more powers especially in economic issues.
4. David Cameron belives in devolution of powers, in give most control to people in their lifes and business, on the other hand he belives that Scotland must remain in UK.
5. I only understood one thing that must exclude from Devo Max: Defence.
6. A good example to Devo Max would works is a region of Spain: Basque country. She explained that it has many powers and fiscal autonomy, nevertheles she explained the diferences between basque country and Scotland so the last one have a most diversity economic, highly industrial and highly innovation while in Spain the economy depende on real state.
7. Growth scottish economy, more financial autonomy and a rise in per capita income.
Congratulations! I'm proud of you!
Yes, it's a very difficult listening indeed, and the topic, as you mentioned, can be boring, but with this try I'm sure you've learnt more words and current issues happening in the world.
Many thanks for your answers.
Elena
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