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Politics137 words1 min read

Court Case Over Former Spanish Leader's Jewels and Company Money Continues

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Listen to the story

A Spanish judge is looking at money and jewels linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. He was the Prime Minister of Spain before.

Zapatero said two months ago that he would explain about some expensive jewels. People are still waiting for his answer.

A man says he is Zapatero's testaferro. This means the man holds money or things for Zapatero. This man has received more money.

The judge found money transfers from a company called Plus Ultra. This money went to Zapatero's bank accounts.

Plus Ultra is an airline. The government gave the company a big rescue loan during hard times.

Now, directors from Plus Ultra must give a statement to the judge. They must talk about the company's money.

People want to know why money from the rescue went to Zapatero. The investigation continues.

Vocabulary15 words

jewels
expensive things like rings or necklaces
testaferro
a person who holds money for someone else
transfers
money moved from one place to another
rescue
help given to save something in trouble
statement
words a person says to explain something
investigation
a careful look to find the truth
judge
a person who decides about the law
accounts
places where people keep their money in a bank
company
a business that sells things or services
airline
a company that flies planes
loan
money you must pay back later
directors
people who lead a company
court
a place where judges work
government
the group that runs a country
explain
to tell why something happened

Quiz

1. What did Zapatero promise to explain two months ago?
2. What did the judge find?
3. Plus Ultra is a type of airline company. True or false?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

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

A Spanish judge is looking at money and _____ linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Zapatero said two months ago that he would _____ about some expensive jewels.

A man says he is Zapatero's _____. This man has received more money.

The judge found money _____ from a company called Plus Ultra.

This money went to Zapatero's bank _____.

Plus Ultra is an _____. The government gave the company a big rescue loan.

Now, directors from Plus Ultra must give a _____ to the judge.

People want to know why money from the _____ went to Zapatero.

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