新西兰英语 366 MPs to lose travel perks

　　Now the Speaker of the House, Dr Lockwood Smith, has decided¹ that all MPs and their partners will lose the right to have cheap international holidays. This is called a perk². Most workers do not get perks³ as part of their job. Most workers do not get cheap holidays or a free car. Of course MPs will still have free trips overseas if they are on parliamentary business but not for personal business or a holiday. MPs have had this perk since the 1970s.
Most MPs live outside Wellington. All MPs and their partners have free trips within New Zealand; children of MPs can travel to Wellington four times a year for free, and children under five years of age have no limit on travel to Wellington.
There may be an increase in MPs salary instead at some later date.
Questions
1. Why have MPs had this perk?
2. Why do MPs need to travel around the country if they live in Wellington?
3. Do you think husbands or wives of MPs should have free travel within New Zealand?
4. Travel perks were OK in the 1970s but not today. What has changed?

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 perk   

n.额外津贴；赏钱；小费；

参考例句：

• His perks include a car provided by the firm.他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
• And the money is,of course,a perk.当然钱是额外津贴。

3 perks   

额外津贴，附带福利，外快( perk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Perks offered by the firm include a car and free health insurance. 公司给予的额外待遇包括一辆汽车和免费健康保险。
• Are there any perks that go with your job? 你的工作有什么津贴吗？