Passage 1 

Britain has always been a neighbor of France, separated only by the 20-mile seaway of the English Channel. And for most of the time that the two countries have existed, the French and the British have been rivals or even enemies. One conflict between the two countries lasted over 100 years,and the British and the French were at war through the 18th century. 

Those were not just local difficulties. When Americans rebelled against British rule, thousands of French soldiers fought alongside them,and paid by France. Without the conflict between Britain and France,there would probably have been no America. 

There is no fighting now, of course. But there is still a strong sense of rivalry between the two nations. That’s why a recent survey in the UK caused a major shock. 

It revealed that one third of the British people would like to live in France. It also showed that 21 per cent of British people would actually prefer to have been born in France. 

Many reasons were given. France has a better climate and a more relaxed lifestyle, with some of the longest holidays in Europe. It is thought to have better public services in every area from health to transport. People in France work shorter hours and enjoy longer vacations. And think of the food! 

Others point to what they call “football diplomacy”. French players like Thierry Henry and managers like Arsene Wenger have revolutionized British attitudes towards France. It’s true that many British people only respect nations that play football well. And that may indicate why so many people want to leave England! 

But this may be part of a more general cultural change. Growing numbers of people in Britain drink wine instead of beer and coffee instead of tea.They pay more attention to the way they dress. In some way,they are becoming more French. 

Estimates of the numbers of Britons living in France range from 100,000 to half a million. But it is not one-way traffic.Around 15 ,000 French people per year come to live in Britain, mainly setting in London. They are attracted by higher pay in Britain, lower taxes, a more dynamic lifestyle. and work in Britain, where there are greater economic opportunities. 

Now the citizens of the European Union are free to move between countries within the EU which have different social systems. Some are more socially conservative. Others offer better public services and a more relaxed lifestyle. Traditionally, debates over these issues have been part of the politics of European nation states. Now it seems that people can go to the place that suits them best. 

So perhaps the British are not becoming more French. Instead,both the French and the British are becoming more European. 

41. The survey caused a shock because it shows that__________.