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Politics132 words1 min read

Ceuta leader tells Brussels the city is a "pressure cooker"

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Listen to the story

Juan Vivas is the leader of Ceuta. Ceuta is a Spanish city in North Africa. Vivas went to Brussels this week. Brussels is the home of the European Union.

Vivas said Ceuta has become a "pressure cooker". This means the city has a lot of problems. He said the problems are getting worse.

Vivas wants the European Parliament to make a resolution. A resolution is an official statement. He wants Europe to answer Morocco about the problems in Ceuta.

Vivas also talked about Pedro Sánchez. Sánchez is the prime minister of Spain. Vivas said Sánchez does not want to blame Morocco. Vivas called the problems at the border an "invasion".

Vivas thinks Spain's government is not doing enough. He wants more help from Europe for Ceuta.

Vocabulary15 words

European Union
a group of European countries that work together
pressure cooker
a situation with too many problems; very difficult
European Parliament
a group of people who make laws for the European Union
resolution
an official decision or statement
prime minister
the leader of a country's government
invasion
when people enter a place by force, without permission
border
the line between two countries
official
from the government; not private
leader
a person who is in charge of a group
problem
something difficult or bad
government
the group of people who run a country
blame
to say someone did something bad
statement
words that say what someone thinks
answer
to respond to something
city
a big place where many people live

Quiz

1. Who is Juan Vivas?
2. What did Vivas call Ceuta?
3. What does Vivas want the European Parliament to do?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Juan Vivas is the leader of _____. Ceuta is a Spanish city in North Africa. Vivas went to _____ this week. Brussels is the home of the European Union.

Vivas said Ceuta has become a "_____". This means the city has a lot of problems. He said the problems are getting worse.

Vivas wants the European _____ to make a resolution. A resolution is an official statement. He wants Europe to answer _____ about the problems in Ceuta.

Vivas also talked about Pedro _____. Sánchez is the prime minister of Spain. Vivas said Sánchez does not want to blame Morocco. Vivas called the problems at the border an "_____".

Vivas thinks Spain's _____ is not doing enough. He wants more help from Europe for Ceuta.

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