雅思阅读精选：法国影星放弃国籍

Depardieus most recent movie role was in Life of Pi.

　　He is prone to more than just the occasionaloutburst but this time Gerard Depardieu is at the centre of an almighty political storm. Last week, the actor announced he had quit Paris for a small town 800 yards from the French border; seemingly to dodge a 75% top rate of tax expected to come into forcenext year.

　　The Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said it was shabby, and suggested he was shirking his patriotic responsibilities. How pathetic is that? writes the actor in todays Journal du Dimanche. I am leaving because you believe success, creation, talent, anything different must besanctioned.

　　The actor claims he has paid 120m in taxes since beginning work as a printer at the age of 14. And people more illustrious than me, he railed, have gone into tax exile. Belgium is an attractive option for French people since it doesnt impose any additional taxes on wealth. And three months ago Frances richest man Bernard Arnault applied for Belgian citizenship. The government might question their loyalties; but what sort of message is being sent to the outside investors France is hoping to attract, when some of the countrys biggest names are heading for self-imposed exile?

　　Glossary 词汇表

　　prone to 易于做某事

　　utburst 爆发

　　almighty 极大的，严重的

　　come into force 开始生效

　　shabby 令人无法接受的

　　shirking 逃避

　　sanctioned 实施制裁，停止

　　illustrious 著名的，杰出的、卓越的

　　railed责骂

　　self-imposed exile 自我放逐