【明報專訊】A country in Northern Europe with breathtaking scenery, Sweden is famous for the Nobel prize and its acclaimed social welfare system.

◆Flag's tale

You might have noticed that many Northern European flags have a similar horizontal cross, and that they only vary in colour. There is a story behind the differences. The flag of Sweden has its origins in the Union Jack (聯合旗), which once represented — and was shared by — Sweden and Norway during the 19th century. The blue and white stripes and the red triangles were removed after Norway declared its independence.

Sightseeing

Many people go to Sweden to see the amazing Auroras Borealis(北極光). Also named northern lights, it is an atmospheric phenomenon (大氣現象) which can be observed around the Artic. The photo below shows a town near ?re and ?stersund with the auroras.

◆World Cup titbit

Zlatan Ibrahimovi(伊巴謙莫域)is a forward (前鋒) playing for Manchester United. Soccer fans are concerned about whether he will play in this year's World Cup. Saying that "The door isn't closed for anything" to the Swedish media, he did not rule out the possibility of going back to the national team. However, Janne Andersson, the coach of the team, seemed satisfied with the current line-up of what he called "a good team". (photo.3)

■English highway﹕rule out

To state that something is not possible or that somebody/something is not suitable.

e.g. The solution he suggested was ruled out as not feasible.

(Sources: BBC, Independent, FIFA)

■Quiz

1. The coach of the Swedish team thought that the team was not good enough. (True/False)(photo.4)

2. Ibrahimovi is a retired footballer. (True/False)

3. Shade the parts that represented Sweden in the Union Jack.

■Glossary

acclaimed (adj) 受讚揚的

welfare(n) 福利

vary (v) 相異

feasible (adj) 可行的

[Smarties' Power English 第212期]