VOA慢速英语:Puerto Ricans Vote to Become 51st US State

referendum – n. an event in which the people of a county, state, etc., vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue : a public vote on a particular issue

emigration – n. to leave a country to live somewhere else

participate – v. to be involved with others in doing something: to take part in an activity or event with others

prevail – v. to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest

midst – n. the period of time when something is happening or being done

status – n. the official position of a person or thing according to the law

zone – n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way

bonds – n. debt securities in which creditors agree to provide money to a company or government in exchange for regular interest payments and full repayment after a set amount of time