The National Bank of Belgium
Economic Crisis/EU Economy
Reported Speech
Modals
Semi-Auxiliaries
100

Which organization controls money supplies and price stability in the Eurozone?
a) The National Bank of Belgium
b) The European Central Bank (ECB)
c) The European Commission
d) The United Nations

b) The European Central Bank (ECB)

100

What are the two types of borrowers that banks give loans to, and what is the difference between them?

prime and subprime borrowers; prime borrowers have a solid financial record and are more likely to be able to pay back the loan, while subprime borrowers are more risky because they do not have a steady or dependable income.

100

Change this direct quote to reported speech:

"I am tired," said Teresa May.

Teresa May said that she was tired.

100

Your best friend is exhausted. (S)he stayed up all night preparing for a presentation.

Give her/him some advice using a modal.

You should go to bed early tonight.

You should take a nap today.

etc.

100

The next European Council meeting (hold) on 9 May. (official arrangement)

The next European Council meeting is to be held on 9 May.

200

True or False: The NBB is only responsible for managing the economy of Belgium, not for other European countries.

False.

200

What does  'to bail out' mean?  Give an example from the real world.

When one company or country is facing financial ruin, the government may step in to help the unstable company or country pay off its debts, or 'bail them out.' (Example: the EU bailed out Greece during the 2010 financial crisis.

200

Change this direct quote to reported speech:


"We reserved the room last week."

They said that they had reserved the room the week before/the previous week.

200

Your mother called an hour ago to say she was leaving her office to go home. She has a 30-minute commute. Make a logical deduction.

She must be home by now.

200

The package (deliver) this morning, but it is now 3:00 pm and it still hasn't arrived. (expectation because of an arrangement)

The package was supposed to be delivered this morning, but it is now 3;00 pm and it still hasn't arrived.

300

What is the main objective of the NBB?

To safeguard price stability.

300

What were the two shocks to the Eurozone due to the global financial crisis 2008?

It negatively impacted European countries (especially the PIIGS countries: Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain)


Banks sold toxic assets (subprime loans primarily in the form of mortgaged properties in the U.S.) 

It slowed down growth within the Eurozone, and the Euro lost its competitiveness for trade

300

Change this direct quote to reported speech:


"I will have the full report ready for you by tomorrow," promised the assistant.

The assistant promised that he would have the full report ready by the following/next day.

300

You arrive at your friend's party, and everyone there is dressed up except you. You feel uncomfortable. (Reproach your friend for not telling you in advance that it is a formal event.)

You could have told me that I needed to dress up!

300

The Smiths (new house, build) on the property they inherited.

The Smiths are having a new house built on the property they inherited.

400

What is the significance of the Treaty of Maastricht for the Eurozone?

The Treaty of Maastricht, signed in 1992, established the framework for the creation of the Eurozone and the introduction of the euro currency.

400

What are the convergence criteria?

Set out in the Maastricht Treaty of 1991, these are the criteria that European Union member states are required to meet to enter the third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and adopt the euro as their currency.

400

Change this direct quote to reported speech. Change said to a more appropriate verb.

"If the U.K.  leaves the E.U. without a deal next week, it will have disastrous effects on the economy," said the economist.

The economist warned that if the U.K. left without a deal the following week, it would have disastrous effects on the economy.

400

You bring six 2-litre bottles of coca cola to the birthday party. When you arrive, you see that there are already five on the table. (Your friend points out the 'absence of necessity.' Express it in two ways.)

You needn't have brought so much coca cola. We already have plenty!

You didn't have to bring so much coca cola. We already have enough.

400

You see a woman slip and fall on the sidewalk. Her arm is swelling and she is in great pain. Make a strong recommendation.

Your arm looks like it is broken. You (go to the hospital), and (arm, examine) (arrange for someone else to do it).

You had better go to the hospital and have your arm examined.

500

Explain the concept of the "Eurosystem."

The Eurosystem is made up of the European Central Bank and the national banks of Eurozone countries, which are responsible for managing monetary policy in the Eurozone.

500

What are the two key benefits of Europe becoming energy dependent?

It makes Europe less vulnerable and dependent on foreign powers such as Russia, the United States, and the Middle East.

It reduces Europe's impact on the climate by increasing our use of renewable energy.

500

Change this direct quote to reported speech. Do not use plane or car in your answer.  Replace 'said' with an appropriate verb.

"Why don't you take a plane? It's so much faster than going by car," said my brother.

My brother suggested that I fly instead of driving because it is much faster.

My brother advised me to fly rather than drive because it is much faster.

500

On your recent vacation, you packed all the wrong clothes: you took clothes for hot weather, and it was very cold.  (Express regrets about this past situation and how it might have been different.) 

- use the verb 'know'

- use the verb 'pack'

- use the verb phrase 'check the weather'

I wish I had known that it was going to be so cold. I would have taken warmer clothes.

I wish I had packed warmer clothes, then I wouldn't have been so cold!

I wish I had checked the weather report before packing. Then I would have been better prepared.

500

Susan (watch horror series alone, habitually in the past) until one day, she (at any moment, past) to turn on "The Walking Dead" when she (hear) a strange noise at her door. She decided she (hide, felt threatened) because she was terrified.

Susan used to watch horror series alone until one day, she was about to turn on "The Walking Dead" when she heard a strange noise at her door. She decided she had better hide because she was terrified.