A PROUD NATION FORCED TO ASK FOR MONEY
Ireland is a proud, independent nation. Historically, it suffered a long and painful struggle for independence from Britain.
This week, however, Ireland’s government had to admit that it’s going broke. Its banks are close to bankruptcy, nearly 200,000 homeowners may lose their homes and more than 13 per cent of its population is unemployed.
The country will have to borrow money—from Britain and other lenders—to stay afloat.
A team of 12 officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrived in Dublin, Ireland last week. They went over the country’s finances to figure out how to get it out of debt.
They decided that many of the countries in Europe would lend Ireland money, to the tune of $110-billion. Ireland will use that money to boost its businesses and kick-start its economy again.
In the meantime, however, having to go cap-in-hand to other countries is something many Irish people will consider shameful. The Irish Prime Minister denies that there is anything to be embarrassed about, but the proud Irish people, who would prefer to stand on their own two feet, feel differently.
In an editorial last week, the newspaper The Irish Times said that after having obtained independence from Britain, “we have now surrendered our sovereignty” to European lenders and the IMF.
This crisis may spell the end for the Irish Prime Minister, who faces an election on Nov. 25.
Source: Based on an article by Doug Saunders, The Globe and Mail.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Writing/Discussion Prompt
This article has tons of them: “stay afloat,” “kick-start its economy,” “cap-in-hand, “ “to the tune of $110-billion,” “stand on their own two feet,” “spell the end,” etc. Why are metaphors used by writers? What impact does a metaphor have on its reader?
Reading Prompt
Retelling, or summarizing, is a really difficult skill. Here’s an effective way to summarize a news article. Using a highlighter, highlight the five most important facts in the article (make sure that your facts are chosen from the beginning, middle, and end). Next, rewrite the facts you’ve highlighted in your own words.
Primary and Junior
Demonstrate understanding of a variety of texts by summarizing important ideas and citing supporting details (OME, Reading: 1.4)
Grammar Feature: “However”
Sentences with the word “however” in the middle must be preceded and followed by a comma, just like in the sentences below.
“This week, however, Ireland’s government had to admit that it’s going broke.”
“In the meantime, however, having to go cap-in-hand to other countries is something many Irish people will consider shameful.”
Write two sentences about money. In each sentence use the word “however” and remember to put commas on either side of it!
