Michael Martin: what are the allegations?

Worksheet

  Explain (in English) the following expressions:

a. A taxpayer: a person who pays taxes (contribuable)

b. Evidence (give a synonym for “evidence”): proof (nb evidence takes no "s": there is a lot of evidence / a piece of evidence / a scrap of evidence)

c. Expenses: costs incurred in the performance of a job

d. To step down: to resign

e. A bias: partisanship, one-sidedness, unfairness (to be biased / to be prejudiced)

f. To stand against someone: to compete with someone

g. Sleaze: immoral, sordid or corrupt behaviour

h. A peerage: the title and rank of peer. ("The peerage" refers to peers collectively)

Find equivalents in the text for:

Pratiquement: virtually

Actuellement: currently

Exceptionnel: outstanding

Président (d’une commission): a chairman

Succéder à quelqu’un: to succeed someone (Martin succeeded Betty Boothroyd)

Tromper, faire croire à quelqu’un, induire en erreur : to mislead someone( / passive structure: to be misled by someone)

The case is all the more serious that Martin is the Speaker of the House of Commons. As such he has to defend its reputation. 

All the more that

Not only does Matin stand accused of financial irregularities, but on top of this, some people argue that he is incompetent. 

Not only + aux + S + v

Grammar Points:

A.

Dozens of MPs: (des douzaines de députés) cf: There were thousands of people at the concert (des millions de)

≠

Jim owes Tom three thousand pounds. (= £ 3000)

Betty bought three dozen eggs. (= 3 x 12)

Two hundred people attended the conference (= 200 people)

B. Hypothèse:

-If + présent é …

-If + Prétérit é Conditionnel présent

Ex: cf. text “If he were, then the allegations against him would probably attract less attention.”

-If + “past perfect”  é ....

Expressions from the text to be remembered:

To run a series of critical stories about something..

To claim £ (…) in expenses

There is no evidence that …

It was reported that … (his wife is reportedly keen for him to step down)

To set an example

As a result

To be accused of something

Regardless of something

Attacks on him seem to be fuelled by …

To stand accused of something

To stand accused of having done something / (He has been accused of using public money)

To use public money for personal purposes...