Britain's Queen|历史性访问　英国女王造访爱尔兰

Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Historic Visit to Ireland

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II traveled to Dublin for a historic visit steeped in symbolism and surrounded by security after a bomb was found, highlighting the lingering hostility of a small minority. The visit, the first by a British monarch since Ireland won independence from London in 1921, was designed to show how warm neighborly relations have replaced centuries of hatred.

The monarch was greeted by Ireland's deputy prime minister Eamon Gilmore upon her arrival at Casement Aerodrome. She met Ireland's President Mary McAleese, a Catholic from Northern Ireland and a champion of better relations between the two countries, for a ceremonial welcome. Standing before the President's house, the Queen reviewed a Guard of Honor and was given a 21-gun salute.

In the capital, the local people shook their heads in disgust at the discovery of a bomb in the luggage compartment of a bus headed for Dublin. Militant nationalists opposed to British control of Northern Ireland are suspected of placing the bomb, which was destroyed by the army in a controlled explosion in Maynooth, 25 kilometers from Dublin, after a telephone warning to the police. Ireland mounted its biggest-ever security operation for the Queen's four-day visit and US President Barack Obama's two days afterwards. Streets across the capital were cordoned off, miles of barriers erected, and some 4,000 police officers, backed up by 2,000 soldiers, patrolled the city center.

1.  According to the article, which of the following statements is true?

(A) The bomb found in Dublin was aimed at killing President Obama.

(B) Britain became independent in 1921.

(C) Some Irish people are still hostile to the Queen after all these years.

(D) Ireland's Presient welcomed Queen Elizabeth II when she arrived at the airport.

2.  What is special about McAleese?

(A) She desires to be the Queen of Ireland.

(B) She wants a closer friendship between Ireland and England.

(C) She used to be the head of security for Ireland.

(D) She is related to the Queen of England.

3.  How did some Irish people feel about the discovery of a bomb?

(A) They still headed down to see the Queen.

(B) They wanted the government to cancel President Obama's visit.

(C) They decided never to take buses again.

(D) They were ashamed that someone would do such a thing.

历史性访问　英国女王造访爱尔兰

　　英国女王伊丽莎白二世造访都柏林，进行充满象征意义的历史性访问，但由于过程中发现 1 枚炸弹，故女王被层层维安人员包围，突显了少数份子长久以来对英国的敌意。这是自 1921 年爱尔兰脱离英国独立以后，首次有英国君主造访该国，显示双方的关系已由和睦共处取代数世纪来的敌视。

　　英国女王在抵达卡斯蒙特军用机场后，由爱尔兰副总理吉尔摩出面迎接。女王与爱尔兰的总统玛丽‧麦卡利斯会面并接受欢迎仪式。麦卡利斯出身北爱尔兰，这位天主教徒致力促进英爱两国的良好关系。英国女王在总统官邸前检阅仪队并接受 21 响礼炮。

　　当有枚炸弹被发现装置在 1 辆开往首都都柏林的公交车行李隔间内时，当地民众闻讯后纷纷摇头显示厌恶。反对英国统治北爱尔兰的激进爱国份子涉嫌放置这枚炸弹，而警方在接获电话警告后，由军方在距离都柏林 25 公里外的梅努斯市，对这枚炸弹进行控制引爆。为了女王此次为期 4 天的来访以及 2 天后的美国总统欧巴马的访问行程，爱尔兰进行前所未有的大规模维安行动。都柏林市区街道全面封锁，并架设好几英里的路障，而且出动 4 千名警力，并增员 2 千名士兵在市中心巡逻。

答案：1. (C)2. (B)3. (D)

今年 5 月美国总统欧巴马造访英国，英国王室在白金汉宫施放 41 响礼炮盛大欢迎。原本依照国际惯例，对于欢迎国家元首或其他相同等级的人士，礼炮的最高等级是 21响（21-gun salute），不过为了对英国王室表示尊重，只要是和王室相关的活动，都会追加 20 响礼炮来表达敬意。施放礼炮这项活动，是 17 世纪由英国海军流传下来的，而礼炮代表的是友好和和平。欧巴马这次英国访问，当地民众举国欢迎，给足了欧巴马面子。（数据源：TVBS新闻）