Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• What is the European Union (E.U.)? What are its goals? (Central Ideas)
The European Union is a political and economic partnership of 27 countries across Europe. It makes laws, has its own money, and shares free trade. Some of its goals are to encourage peace and stability and to protect human rights and the environment.
• What is Brexit? How has it affected Europe? (Cause and Effect)
Brexit is a name for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the E.U. The U.K. is the first country to ever leave the alliance. The U.K. and the E.U. had to negotiate new rules about how they would trade and interact with each other. Additionally, U.K. citizens no longer have the right to live or work in any E.U. country.
• What does German leader Angela Merkel mean when she says “Exceptional situations require exceptional measures”? (Making Meaning)
Merkel means that the Covid-19 pandemic is an exceptional situation because it has devastated many people’s lives and economies. The E.U. is taking “exceptional measures” to respond by working to raise $850 billion to help its member nations.