Reading Comprehension Exercise: Galicia in the United Kingdom

Some months ago we could read a surprising petition by Antonio Formoso Cores (Vigo) at Change.org for Galicia to become part of the United Kingdom in case Scotland voted against staying as part of it. It is addressed at the British Prime Minister, Mr. James Cameron. Read the text and answer the following questions:

TEXT:

We Galicians are aware of the fact that Scotland may become independent in 2014 and that this issue is worrying you. You needn't think of a solution to this challenge because we have found an innovative proposal that you won't be able to refuse:

We propose you to accept Galiza as an integral part of the United Kingdom.

This may come as a surprise to you but Galiza is also a Celtic nation in the northwest of Spain. With us on board you won't miss the following: 

• Scottish pipes: we have our own.
• Celtic of Glasgow: we have Celta Vigo
• An amazing landscape, we have that too
• Scottish clans, we have plenty of them (caciques are included)
• Our people like their drinks as Scots do
• We have a vibrant cultural and music scene
• In Galiza it also rains a lot
• We have a strong identity like Scottish people do.
• We are also an Atlantic country
• Flags of both countries have similar colours
• We also have some stingy people.
• Santiago of Compostela is our Edinburgh

With Galicians as part of the UK, you will gain the following:

• Hard-working people
• Galician people accent (in English) is easier to understand than the Scottish accent
• If you leave us alone, we won't bother you
• Lovely food and drinks (e.g. cozido instead of haggies, licor cafe instead of whisky, etc.)
• We speak the most spoken Roman languages of the world: Portuguese (Galician) and Spanish (Galician). We are able to communicate with both Brazil and Mexico using our two languages.
• Milder weather than in Scotland
• We share a similar sense of humour with British people (“retranca” is the Galician irony)
• British economy will improve with our fishing industry, textile (e.g. Zara), cultural tourism (The Way of St James), best beach of the world (Praia de Rodas, Ilhas Cies ,Vigo).
• Our seafood is worldwide famous (mussels, oysters, lobsters, etc.)

We look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

QUESTIONS:

1. Is this text serious or ironic? Why?
2. Which of the reasons given is the most convicing?
3. If you had to write a reply telling why it is not a good idea to become part of the United Kingdom, which three reasons would you mention?

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