進入英語學習論壇下載音頻

Former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel has died at the age of 75 after a lengthy illness, the country's media reported on Sunday.

Havel died in his sleep at his home, the Czech News Agency said, quoting his secretary Sabina Tancevova.

According to the report, Havel had serious health problems and due to trouble with his breathing he spent most of his time at his home in Hradecek, east Bohemia.

Havel became president of Czechoslovakia in December 1989 and served as Czech president from 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He led the Czech Republic until 2003.

"In his last moment, his wife Dagmar was with him, together with one of the nuns who have been taking care of him in recent months," Tancevova said.

He had grappled with breathing problems since he had part of his right lung removed in December 1996 after cancer was detected.

The former chain smoker had suffered repeated lung and heart problems and underwent surgery for a pulmonary inflammation in 2009.

Earlier this year, Havel was taken to hospital with acute bronchitis, from which he had never seemed to fully recover.

Havel married actress Dagmar Veskrnova, 20 years his junior, in 1997, following the death of his first wife Olga a year earlier. He had no children.

Questions:

1. How old was Havel?

2. When did Havel first become president?

3. When did Havel undergo surgery for a pulmonary inflammation?

Answers:

1. 75

2. 1989

3. 2009

（中國日報網英語點津 Rosy 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.