LATEST Toefl TEST (ONE)
FILL THE GAPS
PREPOSITIONS AT OR IN
PHRASAL VERB BRING
PHRASAL VERB COME
PHRASAL VERB GET
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Even more missing words
PM hints __ action against US banks
Prime Minister George Papandreou indicated yesterday that Greece might ___ legal action against certain US banks which, he said, bear “great responsibility” ___ the debt crisis engulfing his country.
Asked during an interview ____ CNN whether Greece had been a victim __ US investment banks, Papandreou said: “I hear the words fraud and lack of transparency. So yes, yes, there is great responsibility here.” Questioned further _____ the possibility of Greece taking legal action _______ these banks, Papandreou responded: “I wouldn’t rule ___ that this may be a recourse.”
Papandreou also referred __ an investigation by Greece’s Parliament ____ deals struck by Greek authorities __ 2000, with help from Goldman Sachs, that allowed them to mask the extent __the country’s debts through the use __ complex financial instruments. “We are looking into the past – how things went in the wrong direction and what kind of practices were negative practices,” Papandreou told CNN.
The role of global investment banks __ a debt crisis that has undermined the euro has been criticized __ several European politicians, most prominently German Chancellor Angela Merkel ___ has urged European governments to crack down __ speculators seeking to profit by gambling on the risk of countries defaulting __ their debt.
In a related development over the weekend, Germany’s economics and technology minister lashed out __ the head of Deutsche Bank for questioning Greece’s ability __ repay emergency EU loans.
“I find the declarations strange, surprising and annoying,” Rainer Bruderle said in comments published __ the website of the financial weekly WirtschaftsWoche. “At a time ____ the debate is being carried out so publicly, such a strong statement __ the television is not helpful,” he added.
Some more missing words
Tax crackdown shifts __ other sectors
The Finance Ministry, _____ last week named and shamed dozens of highly-paid Athens doctors believed __ __ guilty of rampant tax evasion, is now turning its attention __ lawyers, nightclub owners, singers and actresses, Kathimerini has learned.
According to sources, the ministry is this week planning to ____ public a list of names __ businesses and individuals thought to __ guilty of dodging their taxes.
First __ the list, the sources say, are the owners of nightclubs __ Athens and Thessaloniki believed to have ____ avoiding issuing receipts.
The next couple of weeks ____ also see the publication of a list of notaries ___, ministry inspections suggest, have been evading tax consistently ___ years.
Next __ the ministry’s hit-list, according to the same sources, are high-earning lawyers ___ have their offices __ expensive parts __ Athens but declare low incomes. Ministry inspectors are also focusing __ celebrities and television presenters ___ have been declaring unrealistically low incomes as well __ owners of offshore companies, farmers ___ have benefited ____ European Union subsidies and local authorities.
Missing words
Major parties losing support
Unimpressed with efforts __ PASOK and ND, half of Greeks would prefer a coalition, poll shows Support ___ the country’s two major political parties, ruling Socialist PASOK and conservative New Democracy, has plummeted over the past month, according __ the results of a new opinion poll _____ shows only one in five Greeks to be happy with the government, less than one in 10 satisfied with the conservatives and half favoring a new coalition administration.
According to the ______ of the survey, carried out by polling firm Public Issue earlier this month on behalf __ Kathimerini, only 22 percent of Greeks think the government has done a good job in tackling the problems faced __ their debt-ridden country, down by 9 percent, and only 8 percent are happy ____ ND’s role as the country’s main opposition party.
Half of the respondents in the survey, which was carried ___ with a sample of 1,006 citizens, indicated that they _____ prefer some kind of coalition government. More ____ a third (35 percent) said they would prefer a two-party coalition while 15 percent said they would like __ see an all-party government. Only 13 percent said they wanted a majority PASOK government and just 3 percent a majority ND administration.
The same survey shows that __ elections were held now, PASOK would garner 45 percent of the vote, only slightly down ____ 46.5 percent last month, with ND amassing 27 percent.
But the popularity of Prime Minister George Papandreou, ___ has led the drive to impose a raft of austerity measures, fell to 53 percent, ____ 68 percent last month.
The survey also noted an increase __ support for leftwing parties, and particularly ___ the Communist Party (KKE), which is seen garnering 10 percent __ the vote if elections were held now. Some 6,000 KKE party members and supporters staged a rally __ central Athens __ Saturday to protest the government’s austerity measures.
Major parties losing support
Unimpressed with efforts by PASOK and ND, half of Greeks would prefer a coalition, poll shows Support for the country’s two major political parties, ruling Socialist PASOK and conservative New Democracy, has plummeted over the past month, according to the results of a new opinion poll which shows only one in five Greeks to be happy with the government, less than one in 10 satisfied with the conservatives and half favoring a new coalition administration.
According to the results of the survey, carried out by polling firm Public Issue earlier this month on behalf of Kathimerini, only 22 percent of Greeks think the government has done a good job in tackling the problems faced by their debt-ridden country, down by 9 percent, and only 8 percent are happy with ND’s role as the country’s main opposition party.
Half of the respondents in the survey, which was carried out with a sample of 1,006 citizens, indicated that they would prefer some kind of coalition government. More than a third (35 percent) said they would prefer a two-party coalition while 15 percent said they would like to see an all-party government. Only 13 percent said they wanted a majority PASOK government and just 3 percent a majority ND administration.
The same survey shows that if elections were held now, PASOK would garner 45 percent of the vote, only slightly down from 46.5 percent last month, with ND amassing 27 percent.
But the popularity of Prime Minister George Papandreou, who has led the drive to impose a raft of austerity measures, fell to 53 percent, from 68 percent last month.
The survey also noted an increase in support for leftwing parties, and particularly for the Communist Party (KKE), which is seen garnering 10 percent of the vote if elections were held now. Some 6,000 KKE party members and supporters staged a rally in central Athens on Saturday to protest the government’s austerity measures.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Advanced English test
Number ONE
Grammar TEST
Adjective and Preposition TEST
Advanced COZY home
Phrasal Verbs 1
Phrasal Verbs 2
To have and to get
To have and to get PART 2
Business English Test
English Grammar Review
Test of conditional
Advanced CLOZE TEST
Advanced IDIOMS
Crossword (not difficult)
Common words crossword
Common words crossword (1)
Prepositions
More prepositions
About BULATS
BULATS SAMPLE
Grammar TEST
Adjective and Preposition TEST
Advanced COZY home
Phrasal Verbs 1
Phrasal Verbs 2
To have and to get
To have and to get PART 2
Business English Test
English Grammar Review
Test of conditional
Advanced CLOZE TEST
Advanced IDIOMS
Crossword (not difficult)
Common words crossword
Common words crossword (1)
Prepositions
More prepositions
About BULATS
BULATS SAMPLE
Monday, May 3, 2010
Deal agreed
Deal agreed, tough steps announced
More tax hikes, spending cuts to hit home 
JOHN KOLESIDIS/REUTERSFinance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou prepares to announce the latest austerity measures to cut Greece’s public deficit and trigger the release of up to 45 billion euros of loans this year from the International Monetary Fund and the other 15 countries in the eurozone. Greece could receive another 65 billion euros over the next two years.
In return for receiving emergency loans of 110 billion euros from the International Monetary Fund and the eurozone over the next three years, Greece yesterday announced that it was adopting the most stringent austerity measures the country has seen in its modern history.
Prime Minister George Papandreou said the agreement would result in “an unprecedented support package for an unprecedented effort by the Greek people.” “These sacrifices will give us breathing space and the time we need to make great changes,” he said in a televised address following an emergency Cabinet meeting.
Shortly after, Finance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou unveiled the measures agreed by the government in order to save 36.4 billion euros by 2014 and reduce Greece’s public deficit from 13.6 percent of gross domestic product in 2009 to 2.6 percent in 2014. Under the plans, it is projected that Greece will not experience any growth until 2012.
Under the key measures in the public sector, public servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplemental pay packages will be cut by a further 8 percent after a 30 percent reduction earlier this year. They will receive a maximum of 1,000 euros combined for Easter, summer vacation and Christmas bonuses. The second installment of a handout to low-income workers, which PASOK set up when it came to power, will be frozen. Also, the Public Investment Program will be reduced by 1.5 billion over the next year. The government decided not to impose a salary cut in the private sector but is introducing legislation that will make it easier and cheaper to fire employees. Each of the three value-added tax rates will rise, from 23 to 25 percent, from 10 to 11 percent and from 5 to 5.5 percent, bringing in 1.8 billion euros by the end of next year. Private and public sector pensioners will receive only 12 monthly payments, as their 13th and 14th installments will also be cut. Changes to the pension system will require people to work longer before they retire.
Main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras criticized the government’s handling of the crisis and reiterated he would not have appealed to the IMF for help. He stopped short of saying whether he would vote against the measures. The Communist Party (KKE) and the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) both encouraged citizens to voice their opposition.
The ADEDY civil servants’ union vowed to block the measures, which it claimed “make the rich richer and the poor poorer.” The union backlash against the measures is due to begin today, when workers at all the country’s municipalities will go on strike to protest reforms in local government that will lead to job cuts. The protesters will gather at Karaiskaki Square at noon before marching to Parliament.
There will be a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday, which will ground airplanes and disrupt public transport, while teachers are staging a 48-hour-strike from tomorrow.
Eurozone and IMF preparing to release funds
The eurozone nations agreed yesterday to provide the bulk of 110 billion euros for Greece’s support package, with the possibility that some European commercial banks may provide the necessary funds.
“We have decided to activate the support plan for Greece,” the head of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, said after a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels.
It now remains for the leaders of the 16 eurozone members to meet in the Belgian capital on Friday to sign off on the transfer of the funds.
Juncker said the 16 eurozone ministers agreed to, where necessary, present the plans to their national parliaments and stressed there was “no question” of the EU leaders reversing the much-awaited decision when they meet.
The Luxembourg prime minister also said that each country would examine whether local banks would want to contribute to the rescue package. “All the ministers agreed to see, together with banking sector representatives of their respective countries, what voluntary contributions the banks could make.”
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund, which will cover roughly a third of the support package, is expected to approve the deal “within the week,” IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said in a statement.
“Our collective effort will contribute to the stability of the euro, will benefit all of Europe and will help promote global financial stability and a secure recovery in the global economy,” Strauss-Kahn said.
Prime Minister George Papandreou also spoke to US President Barack Obama last night to discuss the agreement reached with the IMF and the eurozone members, according to a statement from the premier’s office.
On-line marketing campaign
Online Marketing Campaign
Q1 She was going to discuss the matter ....... with her colleagues or her family.
(a) but (b) yet (c) neither (d) either
Q2 Our project team tried hard to think ....... all the possible alternatives before making a decision.
(a) of (b) at (c) by (d) as
Q3 Timing can be ....... crucial when you're considering launching a new online marketing campaign.
(a) strongly (b) greatly (c) extremely (d) already
Q4 Are you able to ....... our conditions of delivery in line with our recent invoice?
(a) except (b) expect (c) accept (d) access
Q5 Fortunately for us we're finding our new internet division is showing an increased ........
(a) prophet (b) profit (c) profitably (d) profits
Q6 Following some recent research our engineers ....... that our index system has scope for fast improvement.
(a) fined (b) finding (c) found (d) finds
Q7 In our line of business it is vital to host our website on our own server ....... of getting someone else to do it.
(a) except (b) but (c) besides (d) instead
Q8 Before you employ new staff you should carry out a ....... examination of their personal qualities and professional experience.
(a) careful (b) caring (c) carefulness (d) carefully
Q9 Thanks to the high standards of service we offer our customers, we have been able to establish an excellent ........
(a) repute (b) reputable (c) reputation (d) reputedly
Q10 An interactive website can save your organisation ....... amounts of time and money that would otherwise be spent on correspondence.
(a) signify (b) significant (c) significance (d) signification
Q1 She was going to discuss the matter ....... with her colleagues or her family.
(a) but (b) yet (c) neither (d) either
Q2 Our project team tried hard to think ....... all the possible alternatives before making a decision.
(a) of (b) at (c) by (d) as
Q3 Timing can be ....... crucial when you're considering launching a new online marketing campaign.
(a) strongly (b) greatly (c) extremely (d) already
Q4 Are you able to ....... our conditions of delivery in line with our recent invoice?
(a) except (b) expect (c) accept (d) access
Q5 Fortunately for us we're finding our new internet division is showing an increased ........
(a) prophet (b) profit (c) profitably (d) profits
Q6 Following some recent research our engineers ....... that our index system has scope for fast improvement.
(a) fined (b) finding (c) found (d) finds
Q7 In our line of business it is vital to host our website on our own server ....... of getting someone else to do it.
(a) except (b) but (c) besides (d) instead
Q8 Before you employ new staff you should carry out a ....... examination of their personal qualities and professional experience.
(a) careful (b) caring (c) carefulness (d) carefully
Q9 Thanks to the high standards of service we offer our customers, we have been able to establish an excellent ........
(a) repute (b) reputable (c) reputation (d) reputedly
Q10 An interactive website can save your organisation ....... amounts of time and money that would otherwise be spent on correspondence.
(a) signify (b) significant (c) significance (d) signification
To encourage
How to encourage
Q1 Well .......! This is a very good piece of work.
(a) made (b) done (c) finished (d) taken
Q2 I must congratulate you on your efforts. ....... it up!
(a) Continue (b) Take (c) Keep (d) Hold
Q3 Don't give up whatever you do. I'm sure you'll ....... it in the end.
(a) acquire (b) get (c) put (d) make
Q4 I'll ....... by you no matter what happens.
(a) stand (b) keep (c) lean (d) support
Q5 I'm sure if you ......., you'll succeed.
(a) pursue (b) proceed (c) propel (d) persevere
Q6 You've clearly got ....... and it's obvious that you'll get to the top.
(a) control (b) power (c) talent (d) strength
Q7 I've watched a lot of young people try to make a success of it, but you're the only one I really ....... in.
(a) think (b) trust (c) hold (d) believe
Q8 I see no ....... why you shouldn't be accepted as an employee.
(a) cause (b) sense (c) reason (d) doubt
Q9 Never ....... up. That's a good philosophy.
(a) give (b) do (c) take (d) try
Q10 You mustn't ever be ....... off by a few setbacks.
(a) taken (b) held (c) put (d) pushed
51
Answers Index
Q1 Well .......! This is a very good piece of work.
(a) made (b) done (c) finished (d) taken
Q2 I must congratulate you on your efforts. ....... it up!
(a) Continue (b) Take (c) Keep (d) Hold
Q3 Don't give up whatever you do. I'm sure you'll ....... it in the end.
(a) acquire (b) get (c) put (d) make
Q4 I'll ....... by you no matter what happens.
(a) stand (b) keep (c) lean (d) support
Q5 I'm sure if you ......., you'll succeed.
(a) pursue (b) proceed (c) propel (d) persevere
Q6 You've clearly got ....... and it's obvious that you'll get to the top.
(a) control (b) power (c) talent (d) strength
Q7 I've watched a lot of young people try to make a success of it, but you're the only one I really ....... in.
(a) think (b) trust (c) hold (d) believe
Q8 I see no ....... why you shouldn't be accepted as an employee.
(a) cause (b) sense (c) reason (d) doubt
Q9 Never ....... up. That's a good philosophy.
(a) give (b) do (c) take (d) try
Q10 You mustn't ever be ....... off by a few setbacks.
(a) taken (b) held (c) put (d) pushed
51
Answers Index
To disagree
How to disagree
Q1 I'm sorry but I can't ....... your opinion on that.
(a) take (b) share (c) give (d) find
Q2 I very much regret that we must ....... company on that issue.
(a) divide (b) devise (c) part (d) leave
Q3 Let's be honest about it we'll never agree on that because our views are diametrically ........
(a) apposed (b) imposed (c) supposed (d) opposed
Q4 We'll never agree, that's clear so let's ....... to differ.
(a) ask (b) bid (c) beg (d) try
Q5 You can argue with me till the cows come ....... but I can't accept that.
(a) away (b) along (c) back (d) home
Q6 I really see no point in continuing this argument because we have no ....... ground.
(a) basic (b) own (c) common (d) similar
Q7 There's absolutely no way I can ....... you on that matter.
(a) meet (b) hold (c) take (d) find
Q8 Nothing in the world will ever make me change my ....... on that subject.
(a) thought (b) mind (c) idea (d) heart
Q9 I would love to meet you half way but I'm afraid I can't because with me it's a matter of ........
(a) principal (b) principles (c) principally (d) principle
Q10 Let's ....... it, you and I will never see eye to eye on this.
(a) look (b) take (c) face (d) see
Q1 I'm sorry but I can't ....... your opinion on that.
(a) take (b) share (c) give (d) find
Q2 I very much regret that we must ....... company on that issue.
(a) divide (b) devise (c) part (d) leave
Q3 Let's be honest about it we'll never agree on that because our views are diametrically ........
(a) apposed (b) imposed (c) supposed (d) opposed
Q4 We'll never agree, that's clear so let's ....... to differ.
(a) ask (b) bid (c) beg (d) try
Q5 You can argue with me till the cows come ....... but I can't accept that.
(a) away (b) along (c) back (d) home
Q6 I really see no point in continuing this argument because we have no ....... ground.
(a) basic (b) own (c) common (d) similar
Q7 There's absolutely no way I can ....... you on that matter.
(a) meet (b) hold (c) take (d) find
Q8 Nothing in the world will ever make me change my ....... on that subject.
(a) thought (b) mind (c) idea (d) heart
Q9 I would love to meet you half way but I'm afraid I can't because with me it's a matter of ........
(a) principal (b) principles (c) principally (d) principle
Q10 Let's ....... it, you and I will never see eye to eye on this.
(a) look (b) take (c) face (d) see
Business expressions 2
How to complain
Q1 I'm really not satisfied with the way you have ....... the situation.
(a) dealt (b) handled (c) done (d) fingered
Q2 I've really had enough of all your excuses, what I want is some ........
(a) action (b) acting (c) acted (d) active
Q3 You've refused to help me now for six months and so I shall now have to take the matter ........
(a) on (b) longer (c) far (d) further
Q4 I must ....... you do something immediately as I've been patient long enough.
(a) persist (b) desist (c) insist (d) consist
Q5 I now want some kind of compensation for the total ....... of service I've experienced.
(a) lack (b) fail (c) failing (d) missing
Q6 I'm obviously not getting anywhere with my complaint, please let me talk to someone ....... to you.
(a) older (b) above (c) over (d) senior
Q7 I'm very unhappy with the way I've been ........ No one seems at all interested in my case.
(a) considered (b) treated (c) placed (d) pushed
Q8 I believe I have very good ....... for suing your company for negligence.
(a) lands (b) terrains (c) grounds (d) areas
Q9 If you don't do something today, I shall be ....... to take legal action.
(a) held (b) ordered (c) commanded (d) forced
Q10 You're the tenth person I've been put through to and I'm on the point of losing my ........
(a) mood (b) temper (c) state (d) feeling
Q1 I'm really not satisfied with the way you have ....... the situation.
(a) dealt (b) handled (c) done (d) fingered
Q2 I've really had enough of all your excuses, what I want is some ........
(a) action (b) acting (c) acted (d) active
Q3 You've refused to help me now for six months and so I shall now have to take the matter ........
(a) on (b) longer (c) far (d) further
Q4 I must ....... you do something immediately as I've been patient long enough.
(a) persist (b) desist (c) insist (d) consist
Q5 I now want some kind of compensation for the total ....... of service I've experienced.
(a) lack (b) fail (c) failing (d) missing
Q6 I'm obviously not getting anywhere with my complaint, please let me talk to someone ....... to you.
(a) older (b) above (c) over (d) senior
Q7 I'm very unhappy with the way I've been ........ No one seems at all interested in my case.
(a) considered (b) treated (c) placed (d) pushed
Q8 I believe I have very good ....... for suing your company for negligence.
(a) lands (b) terrains (c) grounds (d) areas
Q9 If you don't do something today, I shall be ....... to take legal action.
(a) held (b) ordered (c) commanded (d) forced
Q10 You're the tenth person I've been put through to and I'm on the point of losing my ........
(a) mood (b) temper (c) state (d) feeling
Business expressions
Business Expressions (2)
Q1 I've warned you before that you shouldn't get involved in this matter and you have ....... business discussing it.
(a) some (b) little (c) no (d) not
Q2 That's really not my concern at all and I'm certainly not ....... the business of telling others what to do.
(a) in (b) out (c) of (d) by
Q3 She was very enthusiastic about her new job and was making rapid progress ....... nobody's business.
(a) as (b) with (c) similar (d) like
Q4 I really wouldn't joke about it because these people are deadly serious and ....... business.
(a) signify (b) mean (c) require (d) need
Q5 He didn't hesitate to tell me that I wasn't wanted and just told me to ....... my own business.
(a) concern (b) look after (c) tend to (d) mind
Q6 I'm afraid it won't be possible to talk to the boss today because he's away ....... business till Tuesday.
(a) off (b) on (c) for (d) to
Q7 He was very keen that we kept in touch and for that reason he handed me his business .......
.
(a) ticket (b) paper (c) card (d) notice
Q8 This is the really important part of the machine and that's why we call it the business ........
(a) centre (b) end (c) area (d) point
Q9 The whole site has nothing but offices and administration centres and that's why we call it a business ........
(a) place (b) situation (c) field (d) park
Q10 All the famous film stars, actors, directors and writers were at the festival representing the world of ....... business.
(a) play (b) drama (c) show (d) performance
Q1 I've warned you before that you shouldn't get involved in this matter and you have ....... business discussing it.
(a) some (b) little (c) no (d) not
Q2 That's really not my concern at all and I'm certainly not ....... the business of telling others what to do.
(a) in (b) out (c) of (d) by
Q3 She was very enthusiastic about her new job and was making rapid progress ....... nobody's business.
(a) as (b) with (c) similar (d) like
Q4 I really wouldn't joke about it because these people are deadly serious and ....... business.
(a) signify (b) mean (c) require (d) need
Q5 He didn't hesitate to tell me that I wasn't wanted and just told me to ....... my own business.
(a) concern (b) look after (c) tend to (d) mind
Q6 I'm afraid it won't be possible to talk to the boss today because he's away ....... business till Tuesday.
(a) off (b) on (c) for (d) to
Q7 He was very keen that we kept in touch and for that reason he handed me his business .......
.
(a) ticket (b) paper (c) card (d) notice
Q8 This is the really important part of the machine and that's why we call it the business ........
(a) centre (b) end (c) area (d) point
Q9 The whole site has nothing but offices and administration centres and that's why we call it a business ........
(a) place (b) situation (c) field (d) park
Q10 All the famous film stars, actors, directors and writers were at the festival representing the world of ....... business.
(a) play (b) drama (c) show (d) performance
Eurozone support for Greece
Eurozone members and the IMF have agreed a 110bn-euro (£95bn; $146.2bn) three-year bail-out package to rescue Greece's embattled economy.
In return for the loans, Greece will make major austerity cuts which Prime Minister George Papandreou said involved "great sacrifices".
The EU will provide 80bn euros in funding and the rest will come from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The deal is designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its massive debt.
However, it must first be approved by some parliaments in the 15 other eurozone countries.
Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, said up to 30bn euros would be disbursed to Greece in the first year. The first loan tranche will be released before 19 May - the date of Greece's next debt repayment, he said.
The leaders of the 16-nation Eurogroup will hold a summit in Brussels on Friday to "draw initial conclusions from the Greek crisis", he added.
Shoring up confidence
This was a day the European Union never imagined - that what could turn out to be the largest bail-out ever would be needed by a country using the euro.
Rescuing Greece remains very unpopular, especially in Germany, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was the only way to ensure the stability of the single currency.
What persuaded eurozone countries and the IMF to lend Greece such a large sum was the fear that if Greece defaulted other countries like Portugal or even Spain could follow. Plenty of doubts remain, however.
The Greek economy will shrink by 4% this year and today's cuts could deepen the recession.
What the plan does do is to buy time and shelter Greece from the fierce winds of the markets.
The IMF is expected to approve its portion of the loan this week, IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said.
In return for the financial support, the Greek government has unveiled a fresh round of sweeping efficiencies, including further tax rises and deeper cuts in pensions and public service pay.
The Eurogroup is trying to speed up rescue efforts for Greece amid fears its debt crisis could undermine other debt-laden states that use the single currency. Anxiety about contagion has focused on Portugal, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
Germany has been the most reluctant to bail out Greece, but its Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said there was a "good chance" of getting German parliamentary agreement by Friday.
Yet he said Greece had to implement its new austerity programme "quickly" and "to the letter".
'Evident' anger
The Greek economy is still deep in recession and on Sunday the government forecast that GDP would fall by 4% in 2010.
The country's national debt - currently at about 115% of GDP - would rise to 149% by 2013 before falling, it added.
It is not going to be easy on Greek citizens, despite the efforts that have been made and will continue to be made to protect the weakest in society
Mr Papandreou told a televised cabinet meeting that active and retired public sector workers would bear the brunt of the new wave of budget cuts.
"With our decision today our citizens will have to make great sacrifices," he said, describing public anger at the new wave of cutbacks as "evident".
"Our national red line is to avoid bankruptcy," Mr Papandreou said, adding that "no-one could have imagined" the size of the debt that the previous government, which left office last year, had left behind.
The austerity plan aims to achieve fresh budget cuts of 30bn euros over three years - with the goal of cutting Greece's public deficit to less than 3% of GDP by 2014. It currently stands at 13.6%.
Measures include:
* Scrapping bonus payments for public sector workers
* Capping annual holiday bonuses and axing them for higher earners
* Banning increases in public sector salaries and pensions for at least three years
* Increasing VAT from 21% to 23%
* Raising taxes on fuel, alcohol and tobacco by 10%
* Taxing illegal construction
Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said Greece had been called on to make a "basic choice between collapse or salvation".
"It is not going to be easy on Greek citizens, despite the efforts that have been made and will continue to be made to protect the weakest in society."
New emergency legislation authorising the cuts and tax rises is now being drafted and is due to be put before parliament for approval by the end of the week.
However unions have vowed to fight the round of austerity measures. The third nationwide general strike in as many months is scheduled for Wednesday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece's austerity plans were "very ambitious" and would spur other troubled eurozone members to do all they could to avoid the same fate.
"These countries can see that the path taken by Greece with the IMF is not an easy one. As a result they will do all they can to avoid this themselves," Mrs Merkel told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
In return for the loans, Greece will make major austerity cuts which Prime Minister George Papandreou said involved "great sacrifices".
The EU will provide 80bn euros in funding and the rest will come from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The deal is designed to prevent Greece from defaulting on its massive debt.
However, it must first be approved by some parliaments in the 15 other eurozone countries.
Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, said up to 30bn euros would be disbursed to Greece in the first year. The first loan tranche will be released before 19 May - the date of Greece's next debt repayment, he said.
The leaders of the 16-nation Eurogroup will hold a summit in Brussels on Friday to "draw initial conclusions from the Greek crisis", he added.
Shoring up confidence
This was a day the European Union never imagined - that what could turn out to be the largest bail-out ever would be needed by a country using the euro.
Rescuing Greece remains very unpopular, especially in Germany, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was the only way to ensure the stability of the single currency.
What persuaded eurozone countries and the IMF to lend Greece such a large sum was the fear that if Greece defaulted other countries like Portugal or even Spain could follow. Plenty of doubts remain, however.
The Greek economy will shrink by 4% this year and today's cuts could deepen the recession.
What the plan does do is to buy time and shelter Greece from the fierce winds of the markets.
The IMF is expected to approve its portion of the loan this week, IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said.
In return for the financial support, the Greek government has unveiled a fresh round of sweeping efficiencies, including further tax rises and deeper cuts in pensions and public service pay.
The Eurogroup is trying to speed up rescue efforts for Greece amid fears its debt crisis could undermine other debt-laden states that use the single currency. Anxiety about contagion has focused on Portugal, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
Germany has been the most reluctant to bail out Greece, but its Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said there was a "good chance" of getting German parliamentary agreement by Friday.
Yet he said Greece had to implement its new austerity programme "quickly" and "to the letter".
'Evident' anger
The Greek economy is still deep in recession and on Sunday the government forecast that GDP would fall by 4% in 2010.
The country's national debt - currently at about 115% of GDP - would rise to 149% by 2013 before falling, it added.
It is not going to be easy on Greek citizens, despite the efforts that have been made and will continue to be made to protect the weakest in society
Mr Papandreou told a televised cabinet meeting that active and retired public sector workers would bear the brunt of the new wave of budget cuts.
"With our decision today our citizens will have to make great sacrifices," he said, describing public anger at the new wave of cutbacks as "evident".
"Our national red line is to avoid bankruptcy," Mr Papandreou said, adding that "no-one could have imagined" the size of the debt that the previous government, which left office last year, had left behind.
The austerity plan aims to achieve fresh budget cuts of 30bn euros over three years - with the goal of cutting Greece's public deficit to less than 3% of GDP by 2014. It currently stands at 13.6%.
Measures include:
* Scrapping bonus payments for public sector workers
* Capping annual holiday bonuses and axing them for higher earners
* Banning increases in public sector salaries and pensions for at least three years
* Increasing VAT from 21% to 23%
* Raising taxes on fuel, alcohol and tobacco by 10%
* Taxing illegal construction
Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said Greece had been called on to make a "basic choice between collapse or salvation".
"It is not going to be easy on Greek citizens, despite the efforts that have been made and will continue to be made to protect the weakest in society."
New emergency legislation authorising the cuts and tax rises is now being drafted and is due to be put before parliament for approval by the end of the week.
However unions have vowed to fight the round of austerity measures. The third nationwide general strike in as many months is scheduled for Wednesday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Greece's austerity plans were "very ambitious" and would spur other troubled eurozone members to do all they could to avoid the same fate.
"These countries can see that the path taken by Greece with the IMF is not an easy one. As a result they will do all they can to avoid this themselves," Mrs Merkel told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Greece today
I believe Greece is in a very difficult economic situation. The government must take action but this will not be popular. The fact is the country has been spending more than it is earning for many years and as a result we owe a lot of money.
Borrowing funds from the International Monetary Fund is the only choice for Greece as it is too expensive to borrow on the money markets. However, the International Monetary Fund will force the Greek government to make even more savings on public spending.
I believe we can expect a difficult economic climate in the coming years.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Common English Idioms
Idioms
Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms
Common idioms
1 Some of the most common idioms in English are highlighted in the dictionary.
Below on the left are some common idioms. Choose the correct meaning from the
list on the right.
1. be par for the course a find compromises
2. give the game away b make people feel relaxed with each other
3. give and take c do something in a way that will give good results
4 have it in for sb d choose what you want
5. know sth inside out e be determined to hurt or criticize sb
6. break the ice f spoil a secret surprise or joke
7. take your pick g know everything about a subject
8. be on the right track h happen as you would expect
2 Fill gaps in these sentences with the idioms in Exercise 1.
1. A: Which one can I have? B: ......................................
2. The train was half an hour late but I suppose that ............................................., isn’t it?
3. They weren’t very talkative at first, then someone told a joke and that really ..............................
4. You have to ............................ in these situations. There’s always an element of compromise.
5. A: Peter’s going to be there and there’s going to be a band and you’ll never guess …
B: Oh don’t say anything else. You’ll ...................................................................
6. You could ask Emma. She can recite most of the words in the film. She
............................................................
7. We’ve got all the answers right so far so it looks as though we ...............................................
8. My boss ...................................... She’s constantly criticizing my work even when someone
else has praised it.
Grammar
3 Fill in the gaps in these sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1. She bends over backwards ............................... them and they’re not very grateful. (help)
2. I’ve half a mind ......................... her to clean it again. It’s still filthy. (tell)
3. A group of scientists report that they are on the brink of ........................... a cure for cancer.
(discover)
4. He’s very disappointed. He had set his sights on ............................. a pilot. (become)
5. You’d be hard put ........................ a nicer house than the one you’re in now. (find)
6. I’d give my right arm .......................... a holiday at the moment. (have)
7. We did some mountain-biking and I had a stab at .......................... as well. (waterski)
8. The company was at pains ........................... that they had no intention of cutting jobs. (stress)
2
4 The following idioms are missing prepositions. Can you guess which preposition
goes where? Check in the dictionary.
1. He didn’t get any authority to take the action. He went ................. his boss’s head.
2. Don’t say a word to anyone, do you promise? Keep it ................. your hat.
3. Go easy ................. her. She doesn’t understand. She’s only a child.
4. She won’t tell me anything. It’s like trying to get blood ................. a stone.
5. Go on spoil yourselves. Push the boat ................. for a change.
6. She’s got a good ear ................. languages and she’s pretty musical as well.
7. That was quick. You’re ................. the ball this morning.
8. I’ve had it ................. with him and we seem to have resolved most of the problems.
on out on for out out of over under
Opposites
5 The entries for the idioms below all show their opposites too. Use the opposites to
fill in the gaps in the appropriate sentences. Remember to use the correct form of
the verbs.
a on the agenda
b open your eyes to sth
c nothing to write home about
d keep track
e get in my hair
1. We’ve been ...................................... to this problem for far too long.
2. I wish you would ................................ and leave me in peace for 5 minutes.
3. If I won the lottery, now that would be ...........................................................
4. Unfortunately, tennis is .................................... until my leg gets better.
5. Where are you living these days? You move so often I’m always ......................................
Interesting origins
6 Throughout the dictionary you will see a small symbol . This means that you
will find some interesting background information about an idiom. Look at the
dictionary (using the word underlined) and answer true or false to these
statements. What is the idiom connected with each statement?
1. Achilles was a man in Greek mythology who injured his arm.
2. Knights were soldiers in medieval times who rode on horses and helped rescue women in danger.
3. Card players throw in their hand when they know they can win a game.
4. A magic wand is a stick used in magic tricks.
5. A clam is a type of shellfish which is slow to react when it is attacked.
6. A beaver is a small animal which people believe to be hard-working and eager to help.
3
Collocations
7 Common collocations using idioms are highlighted in bold in the example sentences
in the dictionary. Match the beginnings and ends of these collocations.
1. a last ditch a like a headless chicken
2. way b the drain
3. make a clean break c a hasty retreat
4. cheap shot d into your pockets
5. go down e attempt
6. start with f out of line
7. running around g with the past
8. dig deep h a clean slate
9. beat i artist
Choose 4 of these idioms and think of an appropriate context you might use them in.
Different idioms for different situations
8 Where would you expect to hear the following? In American, Australian or British
English?
1. They’ve been coining it in since they opened the shop on the corner.
2. I hear you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush.
3. He’s as daft as a brush. Don’t believe a word he says.
4. I tried to make a cupboard for my bedroom and I made a real dog’s breakfast of it.
5. She said that her job was as easy as rolling off a log.
6. He hemmed and hawed and then agreed to come with us.
9 Some idioms are only used in certain contexts. Tick the correct column for these
verbs.
informal formal literary humorous old-fashioned
get the hell out
pearl of wisdom
a hostage to
fortune
have a ball
be knee-high to
a grasshopper
be that as it may
by the sweat of
your brow
baker’s dozen
4
Comparisons: As + adj + as noun
10 Match the two halves of the idioms
1. as blind a as a cucumber
2. as clear b as mud
3. as cool c as a feather
4. as quick d as a bat
5. as light e as a flash
Can you predict what the idioms containing these adjectives might be? Check your
answers in the dictionary.
cold white dry safe solid hard
Themes
11 Look at the ‘Business’ theme panel at the back of the dictionary and answer these
questions.
How can you describe someone who:
1. is more successful than other people trying to achieve the same things as them?
2. is one of the most important people in a small organization (they would have much less
power and importance if they were part of a larger organization)?
3. is good at their job and soon becomes rich?
4. demands a lot when making an agreement with someone?
5. is practical and determined?
6. is trying to get money or power in a dishonest way?
7. is stealing money from the place where they work?
8. has firm control over the organization they run?
12 Look at the ‘Happiness and Sadness’ theme panel and fill in the gaps in these
sentences. There may be more than one possible answer.
1. Helena was .............................. when she found out her exam results. She couldn’t stop
laughing.
2. It ............................ my mother’s ..................... when my brother came home from Australia.
3. .............................. when I think how many people were killed in that earthquake.
4. He doesn’t stop complaining. He’s such a ..........................................
5. What’s the matter with you today? You look ...................................
6. I wish she’d take that smile off her face. She looks .................................................
5
Other languages used in English idioms
13 Choose one of the phrases from the box to fill in the gaps in the sentences
ad nauseum raison d’être déjà vu pièce de résistance in loco parentis
1. It was the first time I had been there but I had a strange feeling of .............................
2. He talks ................................. about football. I find it very boring sometimes.
3. While children are at school, teachers are ....................................
4. The ..................................... was when the orchestra and the fireworks began.
5. She’ll never give up the theatre. It’s her ..........................................
Idioms from other idioms
14 The dictionary entries for all of the idioms below also show other idioms which
are formed from them. Verbs may be turned into nouns or adjectives, for example
waste your breath a waste of breath, or the verb may be changed with another verb
have the hump get the hump. In other cases nouns become adjectives.
Fill in the gaps using other idioms formed from the idioms in brackets.
1. (stab sb in the back) Finding out that your colleague was lying to your boss about you must
have been ........................................
2. (blue blood) I’m not surprised he’s related to royalty. He does behave like he’s
.........................................
3. (the grass roots) We’ve got the management on our side but we need more
.......................................... support.
4. (have green fingers) Her garden is fantastic. She’s very ........................................
5. (a hang-up) Men don’t tend to .................................... about their weight.
6. (make or break sth) This is ................................. time. If the experiment doesn’t work this time
we’ll have to give it up.
15 A lot of idioms contain parts of the body. Here are just a few with the word ‘head’.
(This diagram is one good way of collecting new idioms when you read or hear
them.)
Write an example sentence for each of these idioms. Now choose another part of
the body or face and draw similar diagrams. Write example sentences for the
idioms you have chosen.
Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms
Common idioms
1 Some of the most common idioms in English are highlighted in the dictionary.
Below on the left are some common idioms. Choose the correct meaning from the
list on the right.
1. be par for the course a find compromises
2. give the game away b make people feel relaxed with each other
3. give and take c do something in a way that will give good results
4 have it in for sb d choose what you want
5. know sth inside out e be determined to hurt or criticize sb
6. break the ice f spoil a secret surprise or joke
7. take your pick g know everything about a subject
8. be on the right track h happen as you would expect
2 Fill gaps in these sentences with the idioms in Exercise 1.
1. A: Which one can I have? B: ......................................
2. The train was half an hour late but I suppose that ............................................., isn’t it?
3. They weren’t very talkative at first, then someone told a joke and that really ..............................
4. You have to ............................ in these situations. There’s always an element of compromise.
5. A: Peter’s going to be there and there’s going to be a band and you’ll never guess …
B: Oh don’t say anything else. You’ll ...................................................................
6. You could ask Emma. She can recite most of the words in the film. She
............................................................
7. We’ve got all the answers right so far so it looks as though we ...............................................
8. My boss ...................................... She’s constantly criticizing my work even when someone
else has praised it.
Grammar
3 Fill in the gaps in these sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1. She bends over backwards ............................... them and they’re not very grateful. (help)
2. I’ve half a mind ......................... her to clean it again. It’s still filthy. (tell)
3. A group of scientists report that they are on the brink of ........................... a cure for cancer.
(discover)
4. He’s very disappointed. He had set his sights on ............................. a pilot. (become)
5. You’d be hard put ........................ a nicer house than the one you’re in now. (find)
6. I’d give my right arm .......................... a holiday at the moment. (have)
7. We did some mountain-biking and I had a stab at .......................... as well. (waterski)
8. The company was at pains ........................... that they had no intention of cutting jobs. (stress)
2
4 The following idioms are missing prepositions. Can you guess which preposition
goes where? Check in the dictionary.
1. He didn’t get any authority to take the action. He went ................. his boss’s head.
2. Don’t say a word to anyone, do you promise? Keep it ................. your hat.
3. Go easy ................. her. She doesn’t understand. She’s only a child.
4. She won’t tell me anything. It’s like trying to get blood ................. a stone.
5. Go on spoil yourselves. Push the boat ................. for a change.
6. She’s got a good ear ................. languages and she’s pretty musical as well.
7. That was quick. You’re ................. the ball this morning.
8. I’ve had it ................. with him and we seem to have resolved most of the problems.
on out on for out out of over under
Opposites
5 The entries for the idioms below all show their opposites too. Use the opposites to
fill in the gaps in the appropriate sentences. Remember to use the correct form of
the verbs.
a on the agenda
b open your eyes to sth
c nothing to write home about
d keep track
e get in my hair
1. We’ve been ...................................... to this problem for far too long.
2. I wish you would ................................ and leave me in peace for 5 minutes.
3. If I won the lottery, now that would be ...........................................................
4. Unfortunately, tennis is .................................... until my leg gets better.
5. Where are you living these days? You move so often I’m always ......................................
Interesting origins
6 Throughout the dictionary you will see a small symbol . This means that you
will find some interesting background information about an idiom. Look at the
dictionary (using the word underlined) and answer true or false to these
statements. What is the idiom connected with each statement?
1. Achilles was a man in Greek mythology who injured his arm.
2. Knights were soldiers in medieval times who rode on horses and helped rescue women in danger.
3. Card players throw in their hand when they know they can win a game.
4. A magic wand is a stick used in magic tricks.
5. A clam is a type of shellfish which is slow to react when it is attacked.
6. A beaver is a small animal which people believe to be hard-working and eager to help.
3
Collocations
7 Common collocations using idioms are highlighted in bold in the example sentences
in the dictionary. Match the beginnings and ends of these collocations.
1. a last ditch a like a headless chicken
2. way b the drain
3. make a clean break c a hasty retreat
4. cheap shot d into your pockets
5. go down e attempt
6. start with f out of line
7. running around g with the past
8. dig deep h a clean slate
9. beat i artist
Choose 4 of these idioms and think of an appropriate context you might use them in.
Different idioms for different situations
8 Where would you expect to hear the following? In American, Australian or British
English?
1. They’ve been coining it in since they opened the shop on the corner.
2. I hear you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush.
3. He’s as daft as a brush. Don’t believe a word he says.
4. I tried to make a cupboard for my bedroom and I made a real dog’s breakfast of it.
5. She said that her job was as easy as rolling off a log.
6. He hemmed and hawed and then agreed to come with us.
9 Some idioms are only used in certain contexts. Tick the correct column for these
verbs.
informal formal literary humorous old-fashioned
get the hell out
pearl of wisdom
a hostage to
fortune
have a ball
be knee-high to
a grasshopper
be that as it may
by the sweat of
your brow
baker’s dozen
4
Comparisons: As + adj + as noun
10 Match the two halves of the idioms
1. as blind a as a cucumber
2. as clear b as mud
3. as cool c as a feather
4. as quick d as a bat
5. as light e as a flash
Can you predict what the idioms containing these adjectives might be? Check your
answers in the dictionary.
cold white dry safe solid hard
Themes
11 Look at the ‘Business’ theme panel at the back of the dictionary and answer these
questions.
How can you describe someone who:
1. is more successful than other people trying to achieve the same things as them?
2. is one of the most important people in a small organization (they would have much less
power and importance if they were part of a larger organization)?
3. is good at their job and soon becomes rich?
4. demands a lot when making an agreement with someone?
5. is practical and determined?
6. is trying to get money or power in a dishonest way?
7. is stealing money from the place where they work?
8. has firm control over the organization they run?
12 Look at the ‘Happiness and Sadness’ theme panel and fill in the gaps in these
sentences. There may be more than one possible answer.
1. Helena was .............................. when she found out her exam results. She couldn’t stop
laughing.
2. It ............................ my mother’s ..................... when my brother came home from Australia.
3. .............................. when I think how many people were killed in that earthquake.
4. He doesn’t stop complaining. He’s such a ..........................................
5. What’s the matter with you today? You look ...................................
6. I wish she’d take that smile off her face. She looks .................................................
5
Other languages used in English idioms
13 Choose one of the phrases from the box to fill in the gaps in the sentences
ad nauseum raison d’être déjà vu pièce de résistance in loco parentis
1. It was the first time I had been there but I had a strange feeling of .............................
2. He talks ................................. about football. I find it very boring sometimes.
3. While children are at school, teachers are ....................................
4. The ..................................... was when the orchestra and the fireworks began.
5. She’ll never give up the theatre. It’s her ..........................................
Idioms from other idioms
14 The dictionary entries for all of the idioms below also show other idioms which
are formed from them. Verbs may be turned into nouns or adjectives, for example
waste your breath a waste of breath, or the verb may be changed with another verb
have the hump get the hump. In other cases nouns become adjectives.
Fill in the gaps using other idioms formed from the idioms in brackets.
1. (stab sb in the back) Finding out that your colleague was lying to your boss about you must
have been ........................................
2. (blue blood) I’m not surprised he’s related to royalty. He does behave like he’s
.........................................
3. (the grass roots) We’ve got the management on our side but we need more
.......................................... support.
4. (have green fingers) Her garden is fantastic. She’s very ........................................
5. (a hang-up) Men don’t tend to .................................... about their weight.
6. (make or break sth) This is ................................. time. If the experiment doesn’t work this time
we’ll have to give it up.
15 A lot of idioms contain parts of the body. Here are just a few with the word ‘head’.
(This diagram is one good way of collecting new idioms when you read or hear
them.)
Write an example sentence for each of these idioms. Now choose another part of
the body or face and draw similar diagrams. Write example sentences for the
idioms you have chosen.
The date in English
1 January
2 January
3 January
11 January
20 January
21 January
25 January
4 April
7 April
9 April
2 January
3 January
11 January
20 January
21 January
25 January
4 April
7 April
9 April
Telling the time
1.50 a.m.1.55 a. m.
2.05 a.m.
2.10 a.m.
3.15 p.m.
4.30 p.m.
5.45 p.m.
6.50 p.m.
6.55 p.m.
7.20 p.m.
12.p.m.
12 a.m.
Transitions showing cause and effect
accordingly,
and so,
as a consequence,
as a result,
because,
by reason of,
by virtue of,
consequently,
due to,
for that reason,
hence,
it follows that
on account of
since
thanks to,
therefore
this being so,
to that end
and so,
as a consequence,
as a result,
because,
by reason of,
by virtue of,
consequently,
due to,
for that reason,
hence,
it follows that
on account of
since
thanks to,
therefore
this being so,
to that end
Greece fears further economic pain
Greeks fear deeper economic pain
| By Malcolm Brabant BBC News, Athens |
 The announcement comes a day after a strike by Greek civil servants |
This is the most momentous "name day" in the life of Greece's Prime Minister, George Papandreou, and for all the wrong reasons.
Like other Greeks called George, 23 April - Saint George's Day - is more important than their birthdays.
But the prime minister had little cause for celebration as he stood on the waterfront on Kastellorizo, Greece's most distant island, and announced surrender to the forces of international finance.
Until Thursday, his socialist administration was still insisting that it wanted to borrow money from the world's markets to repay Greece's elephantine debt.
But capitulation was inevitable after European statisticians disclosed that Greece's deficit was even worse than first thought.
In addition some banks had been expressing concern that, without the eurozone safety net, Greece might give them what is euphemistically known as a haircut, by either delaying the repayment of debt, or paying less than it owed.
Ruinous interest rates
After Mr Papandreou made the announcement, government sources gave the reasons behind the decision.
 The single currency is facing its biggest credibility test since its launch in 1999 |
One said: "We are asking for the activation of this plan today because we do not want our sacrifices to be in vain - all of our savings to be put towards interest rates. The Greek people deserve a change for their country.
"We are on track with our plan to reduce the deficit by 4% this year and this mechanism will help us achieve our targets.
"With the activation of this mechanism, we will have cast aside all doubts that we will face any difficulties with funding in the foreseeable future.
"We have acted today to bring the calmness necessary - a safe harbour - to lay solid foundations for a new economy, a stronger Greece. There can no longer be any credible talk of default. "
A British banker in Greece told me he thought the rescue package would keep Greece afloat for a year.
But he was doubtful that the European Union would want to keep pouring money into Greece after that.
The great fear of Greeks is that the International Monetary Fund will coerce the government into making even more swingeing cuts than it has dared implement so far.
Kriton Orfanos, a psychologist at a family centre in Athens, estimates that he has lost 10% of his salary and fears that his future pension will be slashed from 1,100 to 650 euros (£953 to £563) a month.
"I have to tell the European people that they have to fight together with us because these [austerity] measures will come to other countries after us, like Italy, Portugal, Spain, even in the UK."
Greek crisis continues
Asian stocks slide amid Greek debt crisis
|
| |||
What went wrong in Greece?
Asian stock markets have suffered big falls amid further signs that the Greek debt crisis is intensifying. Shortly before the close, the Tokyo market was down more than 2.6% after falling almost 3% in early trading. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1.3%, while Singapore has seen a 1.5% drop so far. Global shares have tumbled after the credit rating agency Standard and Poor's downgraded Greek debt to "junk" on Tuesday. European markets suffered bigger falls on Tuesday, with London's FTSE 100 down 2.6% and France's Cac 40 index falling 3.8%. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index fell nearly 2%. The head of the International Monetary Fund will later urge German MPs to agree to a rescue of the Greek economy. Dominique Strauss-Kahn will travel to Berlin along with the president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, to persuade politicians that giving Greece billions of euros in aid is a "last resort". Progress on a deal to bail out Greece may also help to steady investors' nerves. 'No restructure' During a visit to Tokyo on Wednesday, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy announced a meeting of eurozone heads of state and government would be held on 10 May to discuss the Greek crisis.
He insisted negotiations on the aid were "well on track" and that there was "no question about restructuring" Greek debt. Meanwhile, the Financial Times newspaper in the UK reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is considering raising its contribution to the bail-out by 10bn euros ($13.3bn; £8.7bn) to 25bn euros. Correspondents say the idea of a bail-out is unpopular with the German public, which doubts it will save Greece from going bankrupt. The Greek government has acknowledged it can no longer afford to raise money on international markets. It has urged the European Union and the IMF to release the bail-out package so it can make debt repayments due next month. In Greece itself, demonstrators called for the country to default on its debts, so that foreign banks would pay the price for the crisis. Greece has become the first eurozone member to have its debt downgraded to "junk" status. When ratings agencies demote a country's credit rating it means they think it is now a riskier place to invest. Some financial institutions have rules prohibiting them from investing in "junk" bonds. Portugal's credit rating was also cut by two-notches to A-minus, further fuelling concern that the crisis was about to spread across Europe, forcing a number of countries to default on their debts, hurting the euro, and sparking a new crisis. 'Down to the wire' Some investors have expressed concern that the current market jitters could turn into something much bigger.
"We have the makings of a market crisis here," Neil Mackinnon, a global macro strategist at VTB Capital, told the Associated Press news agency. Correspondents say the markets are not convinced that governments in the eurozone will have the political will to reach an agreement on a bail-out for Greece, especially in Germany. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated that Greece had to first outline further steps to reduce its budget deficit before her government would endorse the release of funds from a 45bn-euro rescue package. "You have to economise, you have to become fair, you have to be honest; if not, nobody can help you," she warned the Greek people. Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said the downgrade of its debt did "not reflect the real state of our economy, nor the fiscal situation, nor the ongoing negotiations which have the very realistic prospects that they will be completed successfully in the next few days". "One wishes that Europe had acted a little differently. Three and four months ago we were saying that the mechanism must be ready and it must be detailed, that the markets must know what exactly is going on. "Unfortunately, for a series of political reasons, we are down to the wire," he added. | |||
You have to be honest; if not, nobody can help you 
Monday, April 26, 2010
Conditional tense 2
Complete the sentences
1.
Liz is tired all the time. She shouldn't go to bed so late.
If ________________________.
2.
It's rather late. I don't think Ann will come to see us now.
I'd be surprised if Ann ________________________.
3.
I'm sorry I disturbed you. I didn't know you were busy.
If I'd known you were busy, I ________________________.
4.
The dog attacked you, but only because you provoked it.
If ________________________.
5.
I don't want them to be upset, so I've decided not to tell them what happened.
They __________________ if __________________.
6.
Unfortunately, I didn't have an umbrella and so I got very wet in the rain.
I ________________________.
7.
Martin failed his driving test last week. He was very nervous and that's why he failed.
If he ________________________.
Conditional Tenses
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example : If the weather is fine, we will hike up the hill. ( hike )
1. If I go to Kuala Lumpur, I ______ in touch with you. ( get )
2. We ______ the meeting if there is not enough quorum. ( postpone )
3. You ______ as soon as the job is done. ( pay )
4. If the notice came out earlier, more of us ______ for the treasure hunt. ( register )
5. The authorities ______ their search as soon as the weather improves. ( intensify )
6. No one _____ you anymore if you are still stubborn. ( advise )
7. If David had been luckier, he ______ the contest. ( win )
8. If you had lost your temper, you ______ a good friend. ( lose )
9. You ______ if you had worked harder than the others. ( promote )
10. The workers' demonstration ______ if the manager had listened to their complaints. ( avoid )
1.
Liz is tired all the time. She shouldn't go to bed so late.
If ________________________.
2.
It's rather late. I don't think Ann will come to see us now.
I'd be surprised if Ann ________________________.
3.
I'm sorry I disturbed you. I didn't know you were busy.
If I'd known you were busy, I ________________________.
4.
The dog attacked you, but only because you provoked it.
If ________________________.
5.
I don't want them to be upset, so I've decided not to tell them what happened.
They __________________ if __________________.
6.
Unfortunately, I didn't have an umbrella and so I got very wet in the rain.
I ________________________.
7.
Martin failed his driving test last week. He was very nervous and that's why he failed.
If he ________________________.
Conditional Tenses
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Example : If the weather is fine, we will hike up the hill. ( hike )
1. If I go to Kuala Lumpur, I ______ in touch with you. ( get )
2. We ______ the meeting if there is not enough quorum. ( postpone )
3. You ______ as soon as the job is done. ( pay )
4. If the notice came out earlier, more of us ______ for the treasure hunt. ( register )
5. The authorities ______ their search as soon as the weather improves. ( intensify )
6. No one _____ you anymore if you are still stubborn. ( advise )
7. If David had been luckier, he ______ the contest. ( win )
8. If you had lost your temper, you ______ a good friend. ( lose )
9. You ______ if you had worked harder than the others. ( promote )
10. The workers' demonstration ______ if the manager had listened to their complaints. ( avoid )
Conditional tense
Conditional Tenses ( Use the right form of the verbs in the brackets )
1. If you listen carefully to the tape, you _____ ( hear ) the sound of a child crying.
2. If I _____ ( see ) a tiger, I would run for my life.
3. _____ you _____ ( buy ) the shares if the price had been lower ?
4. We _____ ( play ) football on the field if it doesn't rain.
5. You will strain yourself if you _____ ( try ) to lift that box all by yourself.
6. If there _____ ( not be ) so much publicity about the show, it would not have been so successful.
7. If I _____ ( be ) your mother, I would not let you go.
8. Many people _____ ( be injured ) if the stage collapses.
9. If you _____ ( drive ) carefully round the bend, there wouldn't have been an accident.
10. _____ she _____ ( wade ) across the river if the bridge had collapsed ?
1.
We ______ last night, but we went to the concert instead.
(A) must have studied
(B) might study
(C)
should have studied
(D) would study
2. I'm not tired enough to go to bed yet. I wouldn't sleep if I ______ to bed now.
(A) go
(B) went
(C) had gone
(D) would go
3. If I were you, I ______ that coat. It's much too expensive.
(A) won't buy
(B) don't buy
(C) am not going to buy
(D)wouldn't buy
4. I decided to stay at home last night. I would have gone out if I ______ so tired.
(A) wasn't
(B) weren't
(C) wouldn't have been
(D) hadn't been
5. I wish I ______ a car. It would make life so much easier.
(A) have
(B) had
(C) would have
(D) should have
1. If you listen carefully to the tape, you _____ ( hear ) the sound of a child crying.
2. If I _____ ( see ) a tiger, I would run for my life.
3. _____ you _____ ( buy ) the shares if the price had been lower ?
4. We _____ ( play ) football on the field if it doesn't rain.
5. You will strain yourself if you _____ ( try ) to lift that box all by yourself.
6. If there _____ ( not be ) so much publicity about the show, it would not have been so successful.
7. If I _____ ( be ) your mother, I would not let you go.
8. Many people _____ ( be injured ) if the stage collapses.
9. If you _____ ( drive ) carefully round the bend, there wouldn't have been an accident.
10. _____ she _____ ( wade ) across the river if the bridge had collapsed ?
1.
We ______ last night, but we went to the concert instead.
(A) must have studied
(B) might study
(C)
should have studied
(D) would study
2. I'm not tired enough to go to bed yet. I wouldn't sleep if I ______ to bed now.
(A) go
(B) went
(C) had gone
(D) would go
3. If I were you, I ______ that coat. It's much too expensive.
(A) won't buy
(B) don't buy
(C) am not going to buy
(D)wouldn't buy
4. I decided to stay at home last night. I would have gone out if I ______ so tired.
(A) wasn't
(B) weren't
(C) wouldn't have been
(D) hadn't been
5. I wish I ______ a car. It would make life so much easier.
(A) have
(B) had
(C) would have
(D) should have
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What do you think of the current situation in Greece?
Obviously our country is facing major economic problems in much the same way as the rest of Europe has been witnessing recently. I believe it is the result of bad management of funds by government for many years. In addition, our public administration must be modernised and streamlined to work more efficiently.
I think that the government has to put more effort into catching tax evaders and making them pay what they owe. I saw recently that in Greece there are less than 5 000 people who declare incomes over Euro 100 000. This is obviously not the reality in Greece and something must be done about it.
The current economic crisis and the resulting austerity measures, i.e. the rise in VAT, in income tax and the tax on other products, will really hit the economy. I am afraid we can expect rising prices and greater unemployment in the coming months. I personally see no option to the measures the government has taken. The fact is as a country we have been spending and borrowing too much. This had to end some time. All we can do is try and save funds through government cuts and through creating a more efficient and prosperous economy.
To conclude, in my opinion, the whole crisis in Greece has done nothing to strengthen European cohesion. It has obviously damaged relations between Greece and Germany and has created a picture of a European Union which only speaks of mutual support but when one country is in trouble the others think they should sort out their own problems and not rely on help from other European union members.
I think that the government has to put more effort into catching tax evaders and making them pay what they owe. I saw recently that in Greece there are less than 5 000 people who declare incomes over Euro 100 000. This is obviously not the reality in Greece and something must be done about it.
The current economic crisis and the resulting austerity measures, i.e. the rise in VAT, in income tax and the tax on other products, will really hit the economy. I am afraid we can expect rising prices and greater unemployment in the coming months. I personally see no option to the measures the government has taken. The fact is as a country we have been spending and borrowing too much. This had to end some time. All we can do is try and save funds through government cuts and through creating a more efficient and prosperous economy.
To conclude, in my opinion, the whole crisis in Greece has done nothing to strengthen European cohesion. It has obviously damaged relations between Greece and Germany and has created a picture of a European Union which only speaks of mutual support but when one country is in trouble the others think they should sort out their own problems and not rely on help from other European union members.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Illegal immigration in Greece
Illegal immigrants ignored by Athenians
A job fit for an immigrant (Photo: Zotosi/ Flickr)
At the crossroads of East and West, Athens has become the terminus of many migration routes. The Albanian community, the most numerous, is also the most stigmatised in Greece. It all stems from a misunderstanding
In the Omonia square, banners and small groups of people gather together. The Athenians, used to seeing such demonstrations, no longer pay them any attention. Gazmend Elezi, an Albanian who has come from the ‘cool’ student area of Exarchia, remains determined nonetheless. Ten years ago he decided to come to Greece, crossing the mountains on foot, whilst his brother chose Italy. ‘It was closer and cheaper,’ says the 30=year-old. ‘There was no need to pay someone to smuggle me in. I just had to get across the mountains.’
Today he is protesting, like other Albanians who have come to Omonia Square, against the ‘state theft which demands 150 Euros for a residence permit, and then delivers them when they are no longer valid. It’s a problem for me to remain without the proper documents. I can’t go back to Albania to see my family, I wouldn’t be able to return to Greek soil afterwards.’ Weary, Gazmend has given up illegal work contracts in order to sign up at university.
‘The extreme complexity of procedure and the slow pace of bureaucracy discourages people when it comes to sorting out their situation,’ accuses Vassilis Chronopoulos, a member of the ‘Socrates’ association which works to help immigrants lost in the maze of Greek administration. ‘Another problem is illegal, cash-in-hand work which is very widespread in Greece, and creates more illegal immigration. Most illegal immigrants can’t prove they have a declared income and so are not covered by social security. Or it is impossible for them to prove that they have worked and therefore to renew their residence permit.’
600, 000 Albanians currently live in Greece, making up two-thirds of the total number of immigrants in the country. Most moved there following the fall of the Communist regime and after the collapse of the pyramid loans scheme in operation in Albania in the 1990s.
Matilda Kouramano, 19, is also Albanian but has Greek nationality. She comes from Sarandë, in the ‘Northern Epirus’, the name given by the Greeks to this southern region of Albania which is populated by Greek communities. An orthodox cross around her neck, Matilda admits that she has not come across the same difficulties as her former countrymen have. ‘I left in 1997, during the civil war. In my home town, all the young people want to leave,’ she confides. ‘Thanks to my mother and father’s Greek origins, I have quickly integrated into society here.’
Co-existing migrations
In fact, immigration into Greece is split into two co-existing situations. Firstly, there is that of immigrants of Greek origin, coming from Albania, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan. Secondly, there is that of non-Greeks, also coming from Albania, as well as Bulgaria, Pakistan and Nigeria. ‘There is positive discrimination towards Greeks because the country continues to favour blood ties, making integration and relationships between different communities more difficult,’ says Anna Triandafyllidou, a researcher on immigration at the Eliamep Institute.
The rules for non-Greek immigrants are still very strict: ‘children of non-Greek origin, for example, have to ask for a residence permit when they reach 18, regardless of the fact that they were born in Greece’, Triandafyllidou explains. ‘Then the problem is renewing the permit, since to do so you have to have worked 400 days in a two-year period’.
Another difficulty: Greece, traditionally a country of emigration, is badly prepared for tackling the opposite problem of immigration. ‘In 1992, Greece invited its nationals living abroad to return. The government quickly realised that that was not a good idea, because it sparked large-scale population movement and a competition over who could be the most ‘Greek’,’ the researcher adds.
These immigrant influxes were before long portrayed by the media as an invasion. Later, they were viewed as a breeding ground for organised crime, because certain detainees released from Albanian prisons crossed the border into Greece. Then it was said that Albanian workers were pushing wages down. Finally, the recent scandal surrounding a film showing two Albanians who were mistreated by Greek police officers has brought the Albanian question back into the spotlight.
‘We can no longer work like this’
‘We can no longer work according to waves of regularisation of immigrants, as has happened in 1998, 2001, 2005,’ says Triandafyllidou, in a frank and unambiguous response to the question of immigration policy. ‘Each time they have to renew their residence permits, we fall back into the same vicious cycle. It is time to react - immigration into Greece has been going on for 20 years now.’
Ilias Bellou, an Albanian from Voskopolje who also arrived in Greece on foot, is now a lawyer working to defend the rights of Albanian immigrants. He is pleading for an ‘immigration policy for the next two decades’. For him, making life hard for immigrants leads only to injustice and poverty, and others seek to take advantage of these conditions.
‘Illegal, cash-in-hand work continues, making Greece more competitive but causing the state to lose large sums of money. Albanians or Bulgarians will no longer work for low wages and are demanding their rights. All these people work, create wealth in Greece but do not benefit from social security. The solution is to get immigration organised.’
Liliana Tsourdi is of the same opinion. Fighting to defend the rights of asylum seekers in Greece, she has ideals: ‘A few years ago, Greece was one of the worst countries in which to seek asylum. We were not even considered a safe country under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) criteria’, she reminds us.
‘Today we have a proper programme, thanks to the adaptation of European directives. Civil servants and police officers still need further training to make sure these rights are granted. But I am convinced that, as for the right to asylum, the European Union must have a common policy on the issue of immigration’.
More newcomers are settling in in the Sophocleous Road area in Athens. Chinese, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Africans have ended up in Greece whilst en route for western Europe and set up their businesses in the street, to be replaced after nightfall by Nigerian prostitutes. ‘Would you like a bow? Or a quiver?’ offer the statuesque Africans in Monastiraki square, right in the centre of Athens. Others sell clearly more useful items, like pirated films.
But just like the Albanians working illegally on building sites or farms, or the Bulgarians in the tourist industry, these illegal immigrants keep the unofficial economy turning, an economy which, according to the ILO, makes up between 30 and 35% of Greece’s GDP. It’s the highest level in the EU, and a real problem for Greece.
The Schengen Agreement
15 Years of the Schengen Agreement
Europe Without Internal Borders Continues to Expand
Share Article |
Mar 30, 2010 Aleksandar Kocic
Travelling without a passport and stopping at borders has been a reality in Europe for 15 years. Suite 101 takes a look at the pros and cons of borderless Europe.
The Schengen Agreement, which came into force on March 26th, 1995, began as a practical move towards the European Union’s goal of ‘free movement of persons’. Initially signed by only five European Union members - Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - the Agreement now includes 25 countries. It got its name after a town in Luxembourg, where it was signed in 1985, although the actual signing took place on a boat in the middle of the Moselle River, which forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany. The negotiations on the convention applying the Agreement took five years, and then further five years passed before the convention was implemented.
What Is Schengen and Who is in
Although it is an EU Agreement, Schengen does not include all EU members - Ireland and the UK decided to stay out and retain complete control of their borders, while some of the newest EU members, such as Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria, will have to wait longer before joining, since they are not yet deemed to have met the necessary security criteria. On the other hand, non-EU members such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are part of the Agreement.
Schengen’s main feature is the creation of a single external border, with a single set of rules for policing that border. That means people living inside the Schengen area are guaranteed freedom to travel without passports and border controls. This in turn led to tighter rules regulating the external border, which is why the Schengen area has been dubbed by some ‘Fortress Europe’.
Other main features of Schengen are common rules on asylum, common list of countries whose nationals require visas, creation of a single information system which allows for a shared database of wanted or undesirable people, and joint efforts to fight drug-related crime. The treaty allows signatories to reimpose border controls for short periods of time if necessary for reasons of national security. A few countries have done this so far, namely France, Portugal, Finland and Germany during major sporting or national events.
Pros and Cons of Schengen
In addition to making citizen’s life easier by abolishing border controls, among the biggest benefits of Schengen has been its effect on European integration, according to Daniela Kietz of the German Institute for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, she said that lifting internal borders has made EU-wide measures in areas like migration, asylum, and police cooperation absolutely necessary. “[A]fter the agreement took effect, Schengen member states couldn't control migration or asylum flows into their countries anymore. In order to balance this, EU-wide measures as part of an all-encompassing migration policy had to be installed."
Read more at Suite101: 15 Years of the Schengen Agreement: Europe Without Internal Borders Continues to Expand http://eeuropeanrussianaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/15-years-of-passport-free-travel-for-europe#ixzz0lX3H0Zim
Europe Without Internal Borders Continues to Expand
Share Article |
Mar 30, 2010 Aleksandar Kocic
Travelling without a passport and stopping at borders has been a reality in Europe for 15 years. Suite 101 takes a look at the pros and cons of borderless Europe.
The Schengen Agreement, which came into force on March 26th, 1995, began as a practical move towards the European Union’s goal of ‘free movement of persons’. Initially signed by only five European Union members - Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - the Agreement now includes 25 countries. It got its name after a town in Luxembourg, where it was signed in 1985, although the actual signing took place on a boat in the middle of the Moselle River, which forms the border between Luxembourg and Germany. The negotiations on the convention applying the Agreement took five years, and then further five years passed before the convention was implemented.
What Is Schengen and Who is in
Although it is an EU Agreement, Schengen does not include all EU members - Ireland and the UK decided to stay out and retain complete control of their borders, while some of the newest EU members, such as Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria, will have to wait longer before joining, since they are not yet deemed to have met the necessary security criteria. On the other hand, non-EU members such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are part of the Agreement.
Schengen’s main feature is the creation of a single external border, with a single set of rules for policing that border. That means people living inside the Schengen area are guaranteed freedom to travel without passports and border controls. This in turn led to tighter rules regulating the external border, which is why the Schengen area has been dubbed by some ‘Fortress Europe’.
Other main features of Schengen are common rules on asylum, common list of countries whose nationals require visas, creation of a single information system which allows for a shared database of wanted or undesirable people, and joint efforts to fight drug-related crime. The treaty allows signatories to reimpose border controls for short periods of time if necessary for reasons of national security. A few countries have done this so far, namely France, Portugal, Finland and Germany during major sporting or national events.
Pros and Cons of Schengen
In addition to making citizen’s life easier by abolishing border controls, among the biggest benefits of Schengen has been its effect on European integration, according to Daniela Kietz of the German Institute for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, she said that lifting internal borders has made EU-wide measures in areas like migration, asylum, and police cooperation absolutely necessary. “[A]fter the agreement took effect, Schengen member states couldn't control migration or asylum flows into their countries anymore. In order to balance this, EU-wide measures as part of an all-encompassing migration policy had to be installed."
Read more at Suite101: 15 Years of the Schengen Agreement: Europe Without Internal Borders Continues to Expand http://eeuropeanrussianaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/15-years-of-passport-free-travel-for-europe#ixzz0lX3H0Zim
Immigrants - pros and cons
Immigration is a hot topic in the U.S. When we speak about immigration, it is usually about illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants come to the U.S. looking for better life. These immigrants usually are running away from poverty, oppression, and unemployment that is widespread in their own countries.
However, there are pros and cons on immigrants entering the U.S. and we should take both sides into account before passing a judgment.
However, there are pros and cons on immigrants entering the U.S. and we should take both sides into account before passing a judgment.
Pros On Immigrants:
- Immigrants help to keep the economy of a country going by ensuring that the lower paid jobs are filled
- Immigration creates a new pool of consumers for a vast number of goods and services
- Contributions to social security are often not claimed by illegal immigrants
- Immigrants pay sales taxes
- Immigrants who end up owning property pay real estate taxes
- Farmers use services of immigrants to be able to plant and harvest crops less expensively
- Many illegal immigrants open bank accounts that give interest and dividends to banks
- Most illegal immigrants end up renting properties in depressed areas where otherwise it would be hard to find renters
- As immigrants buy properties, commission is generated for real estate agents and brokers
Cons On Immigrants
- Immigrants end up costing tax payers billions of dollars
- It is difficult to prosecute illegal immigrants if they flee the country
- There is a disparity between legal and illegal immigrants
- Illegal immigrants who succeed in the entering the country are constantly inspiring others to do the same
- Immigrants propagate the demand for cheap labor and low wages
Besides these listed, there are many other pros and cons on immigrants. Whether having immigrants in the country is good or bad is a debatable topic.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Opening a bank account
1. What sort of bank account can I open?
current account/chequing account
saving account
Can I have cheques?
rate of interest
debit card
credit card
standing order (for my rent)
proof of residence
proof of employment
accounts in a foreign currency
exchange rate for the dollar
do you offer web banking/ebanking
make a payment
make a withdrawal
transfer money - domestic transfer - international transfer - what does it cost? how long does it take?
previous account
Do you offer mortgages?
Do you offer personal loans?
current account/chequing account
saving account
Can I have cheques?
rate of interest
debit card
credit card
standing order (for my rent)
proof of residence
proof of employment
accounts in a foreign currency
exchange rate for the dollar
do you offer web banking/ebanking
make a payment
make a withdrawal
transfer money - domestic transfer - international transfer - what does it cost? how long does it take?
previous account
Do you offer mortgages?
Do you offer personal loans?
Emigration returns to Ireland and Greece
Emigration returns to crisis-hit Greece and Ireland
In the places worst affected by Europe's economic crisis, unemployment and cuts in pay and public services are hitting the headlines. But the crisis is also having another effect with profound long-term consequences - the return of emigration.
Places like Greece and Ireland thought the good times of the last decade or two had finally ended the cycle of emigration, with the brightest and best youngsters no longer feeling they had to move away.
No-one believes that any more.
In the fish market in Athens is Filippos Katampouris, one of the best-qualified assistant fishmongers you'll ever meet.
He has a degree from a Greek university, and a masters degree in technology management from the UK.
When he gave up his British job to return to Greece a few years ago, he could have been a symbol of a newly prosperous country offering good prospects to young professionals.
"I wanted to live in my country, didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a foreign country," he said.
With hindsight, he thinks he made "a horrible mistake" coming back. As the economic crisis began to hit Greece he lost his job in a market research agency. All he can do now is join his father and "work in the fish market to make ends meet".
"It's a very dark future for me," he adds gloomily. "I'm thinking of going back to the UK, but my wife won't come with me so I'm going to stay here and hope for the best."
Austerity
Thousands of Greeks are facing this dilemma - do they stay and suffer austerity and unemployment, or become the next generation of large exiled Greek communities in Australia, Britain or the US?
Passport office queue
Future emigrants are among those queuing for passports in Dublin
In Ireland, the resumption of emigration is already well underway.
During the Celtic Tiger boom, there was Irish huge pride in the fact that jobs in new industries were keeping locals at home. Ireland was even attracting its own immigrants in large numbers from elsewhere in Europe to work in everything from building to financial services.
But that boom - which became a property bubble - has come to a catastrophic end. Unemployment has risen sharply, and the Irish government has had to introduce harsh austerity measures.
Among the public sector workers taking industrial action against the measures are the staff at the main passport office in Dublin.
Angry queues form outside each morning as people hope to obtain their passports despite the action, some for holidays, but others for possible emigration.
Dream over
"I've an offer now to go to the States and I'm thinking of just getting out of here," one man in the queue told me.
"I definitely don't want to leave the country. But it's a case of being driven out of it at the minute. It's just pay cut after pay cut. And if I do go, I won't be back."
A short walk away is the campus of Trinity College Dublin, where the president of the students' union, Conan O'Broin, is equally despondent.
"I've said goodbye to five or six very close friends over the last few months, some of whom at least I don't think are going to come back," he said.
"The dreamland is over, we're back to reality with a bang," he adds. It is "the same cycle which hit Ireland in the 1950s and the 1980s, high levels of emigration, used as a safety valve because we can't get our act together to develop a sustainable economy".
He is, he admits, seriously considering leaving himself.
There has always been international movement in search of work. And the European single currency was supposed to help create a continent in which people could either enjoy their own country's new prosperity, or move freely around if they felt like a spell abroad.
But now many young Greek and Irish emigrants, despairing at the state of their home economies, feel forced to head for the exit, just as their parents and grandparents might have done.
Europe is no longer the newly happy and prosperous economic family they hoped their countries had joined.
In the places worst affected by Europe's economic crisis, unemployment and cuts in pay and public services are hitting the headlines. But the crisis is also having another effect with profound long-term consequences - the return of emigration.
Places like Greece and Ireland thought the good times of the last decade or two had finally ended the cycle of emigration, with the brightest and best youngsters no longer feeling they had to move away.
No-one believes that any more.
In the fish market in Athens is Filippos Katampouris, one of the best-qualified assistant fishmongers you'll ever meet.
He has a degree from a Greek university, and a masters degree in technology management from the UK.
When he gave up his British job to return to Greece a few years ago, he could have been a symbol of a newly prosperous country offering good prospects to young professionals.
"I wanted to live in my country, didn't want to spend the rest of my life in a foreign country," he said.
With hindsight, he thinks he made "a horrible mistake" coming back. As the economic crisis began to hit Greece he lost his job in a market research agency. All he can do now is join his father and "work in the fish market to make ends meet".
"It's a very dark future for me," he adds gloomily. "I'm thinking of going back to the UK, but my wife won't come with me so I'm going to stay here and hope for the best."
Austerity
Thousands of Greeks are facing this dilemma - do they stay and suffer austerity and unemployment, or become the next generation of large exiled Greek communities in Australia, Britain or the US?
Passport office queue
Future emigrants are among those queuing for passports in Dublin
In Ireland, the resumption of emigration is already well underway.
During the Celtic Tiger boom, there was Irish huge pride in the fact that jobs in new industries were keeping locals at home. Ireland was even attracting its own immigrants in large numbers from elsewhere in Europe to work in everything from building to financial services.
But that boom - which became a property bubble - has come to a catastrophic end. Unemployment has risen sharply, and the Irish government has had to introduce harsh austerity measures.
Among the public sector workers taking industrial action against the measures are the staff at the main passport office in Dublin.
Angry queues form outside each morning as people hope to obtain their passports despite the action, some for holidays, but others for possible emigration.
Dream over
"I've an offer now to go to the States and I'm thinking of just getting out of here," one man in the queue told me.
"I definitely don't want to leave the country. But it's a case of being driven out of it at the minute. It's just pay cut after pay cut. And if I do go, I won't be back."
A short walk away is the campus of Trinity College Dublin, where the president of the students' union, Conan O'Broin, is equally despondent.
"I've said goodbye to five or six very close friends over the last few months, some of whom at least I don't think are going to come back," he said.
"The dreamland is over, we're back to reality with a bang," he adds. It is "the same cycle which hit Ireland in the 1950s and the 1980s, high levels of emigration, used as a safety valve because we can't get our act together to develop a sustainable economy".
He is, he admits, seriously considering leaving himself.
There has always been international movement in search of work. And the European single currency was supposed to help create a continent in which people could either enjoy their own country's new prosperity, or move freely around if they felt like a spell abroad.
But now many young Greek and Irish emigrants, despairing at the state of their home economies, feel forced to head for the exit, just as their parents and grandparents might have done.
Europe is no longer the newly happy and prosperous economic family they hoped their countries had joined.
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