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A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa awarded to persons wishing to travel to one or many of the countries that make of the 26 European country Schengen Area. It grants (授予) each holder entry to all the countries in the area on a single visa. Several new Schengen visa application rules came into force in all countries on February 2, 2020. Check out some of the major changes:
Increased visa fees
The Schengen visa fee has increased from 60 euros to 80 for adults, while children aged between 6 and 12 now need to pay 40 euros instead of 35.
The rise in fees is to increase staff numbers, ensure stronger security screenings, and upgrade IT equipment and software, according to the European Commission.
Electronic application form
The application process has been greatly simplified. Schengen member states now accept electronic applications, and the application form can be signed and submitted electronically.
Longer application submission periods
Schengen visa applicants used to apply as early as three months ahead of their trip. Today applications can be submitted up to six months in advance.
Benefits for frequent travelers
Those who have previously visited the Schengen Area and have a positive visa history will be granted the opportunity to get a multiple-entry visa valid for up to five years. That is, people who have lawfully used their previous visas, have a good economic standing in their home countries, and intend to leave the area before their Schengen visa expires (過期) will now have the chance to get a visa for up to five years with multiple entries.
1. If a couple with a seven-year-old kid apply for Schengen visas, how much should they pay under the new rules?
A. 45 euros. B. 80 euros. C. 155 euros. D. 200 euros.
2. When applying for a Schengen visa now, you can .
A. upgrade your computer software
B. hand in an electronic application form
C. get all your materials ready before February 2
D. turn in your application 9 months in advance
3. To frequent travelers to the Schengen Area, the new rules are more .
A. specific B. complicated C. favourable D. rigid
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. C
【解析】
【分析】這是一篇應(yīng)用文。文章是一則申根簽證的廣告啟事，介紹了簽證價格、電子設(shè)備、頻繁來這里旅行可以享受的好處等。
【1題詳解】
細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)“The Schengen visa fee has increased from 60 euros to 80 for adults, while children aged between 6 and 12 now need to pay 40 euros instead of 35.”申根簽證費成人從60歐元提高到80歐元，而6到12歲的兒童需要支付40歐元，而不是35歐元。可知，如果一對夫婦帶著一個七歲的小孩來申請申根簽證，他們按照新規(guī)要付80*2+40=200歐元。故選D項。
【2題詳解】
細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)“The application process has been greatly simplified. Schengen member states now accept electronic applications, and the application form can be signed and submitted electronically.”申請過程已大大簡化。申根成員國現(xiàn)在接受電子申請，申請表可以通過電子方式簽署和提交？芍，當(dāng)你現(xiàn)在申請申根簽證時，可以上交電子申請表。故選B項。
【3題詳解】
細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)“That is, people who have lawfully used their previous visas, have a good economic standing in their home countries, and intend to leave the area before their Schengen visa expires (過期) will now have the chance to get a visa for up to five years with multiple entries.” 也就是說，那些合法使用之前簽證的人，在本國經(jīng)濟狀況良好，并打算在申根簽證之前離開該地區(qū)的人現(xiàn)在將有機會多次入境，獲得長達五年的簽證？梢钥闯，這些新規(guī)對于頻繁去申根地區(qū)的人更加支持了，故選C項。
【點睛】細節(jié)理解題主要考查考生對某句話或某幾句話的理解，同學(xué)們?nèi)裟芨鶕?jù)題干內(nèi)容從原文中找到相關(guān)的句子，然后進行比較和分析，便可確定最佳答案。多數(shù)情況下，作者不會明確的呈現(xiàn)一個事實，讀者需要根據(jù)已有的信息進行處理，讀出言外之意。還要特別注意文章的時間順序、故事發(fā)生的地點、情節(jié)的發(fā)展和人物之間的關(guān)系。例如，第2題，細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)“The application process has been greatly simplified. Schengen member states now accept electronic applications, and the application form can be signed and submitted electronically.”申請過程已大大簡化。申根成員國現(xiàn)在接受電子申請，申請表可以通過電子方式簽署和提交？芍(dāng)你現(xiàn)在申請申根簽證時，可以上交電子申請表。故選B項。
