和谐英语

六级阅读真题精读Passage21:汇率与出国留学

2016-06-15来源:和谐英语


汇率问题不单单是国际经济贸易类的热门话题,更重要的是,该问题与学生的出国留学其实是息息相关的。很多同学毕业之后都会选择出国留学,选择此文进入六级考试顺理成章。文章讲的是近年来美元持续贬值给美国人带来的烦恼,快去看看吧。

Imagine waking up and finding the value of your assets has been halved. No, you’re not an investor [in one of those hedge 1  funds] (that failed [completely].) [With the dollar slumping 2 to a 26-year low against the pound], (already-expensive) London has become [quite] unaffordable. A coffee at Starbucks, [just as unavoidable in England as it is in the United States], runs about $8.
设想一下这种情况:某一天你醒来后,发现自己的资产贬值了一半。不,你并没有因为投资对冲基金而彻底失利。随着美元兑换英镑的比率跌至26年来的最低水平,本来就很昂贵的伦敦更是去不起了。在美国和英国都要喝的星巴克咖啡,价格涨到8美元了。
注:1. hedge n. 篱笆,障碍物。例:

The nest in the hedge is empty.
树篱中的鸟巢空了。
In a quiet, Wiltshire lane, a group of young people are planting a hedge.
在一条安静的威尔特郡小道上,一群年轻人正在种植篱笆。
[选自:BBC: NEWS | UK | England | South: Hoodies and anoraks]

vt. 用树篱围住。例:

Peter has hedged his garden.
彼得用篱笆围住了自己的花园。
2. slump v. 猛地掉下;倒塌。例:

Net profits slumped by 41%.
净利润暴跌了41%。
Who will rescue America from a similar trap now that the whole world is slumping at the same time?
而当整个世界都在同一时间衰退时,现在谁又能将美国从相似的先进中拯救出来?
If the economy continues to slump, they may just help you keep your job.
如果经济持续低迷,他们可能只是帮你保住你的工作而已。
[选自:FORBES: Ten Ways To Get More Done At Work]

slumping sales 销售额暴跌

slumping backwards 仰身倒下去

loess slumping  黄土滑塌

The once all-powerful dollar isn’t doing a Titanic [against just the pound 1]. It is sitting at a record low [against the euro] and at a 30-year low [against the Canadian dollar]. Even the Argentine peso 2 and Brazilian real 3 are thriving [against the dollar].
曾经万能的美元并不仅在兑换英镑时才贬值得如同泰坦尼克号。美元兑换欧元的比率已跌至最低记录,兑换加元的比率也达到30年来的新低。甚至阿根廷的比索和巴西的雷亚尔兑换美元也势头强劲。
注:1. pound n. 英镑;重击,重击声;兽栏;拘留所 vt. 捣烂;敲打;监禁,拘留  vi. 连续重击,猛击  例:

Her weight was under 80 pounds.
她的体重不足80磅。
He pounded the table with his fist.
他用拳头猛扎桌子。
I’m sweating, my heart is pounding. I can’t breathe.
我在流汗,心脏也怦怦跳,透不过气来。
In contrast, Sturrock was like a man who had lost a penny but found a pound.
相比之下,斯特罗克就像弄丢了一便士却找到了一英镑的人。
[选自:BBC: Houllier must make own luck]

2. peso n.比索(拉丁美洲一些国家和菲律宾的货币单位)

3. real n.雷亚尔(巴西的货币单位)

The weak dollar is a source of humiliation, [for a nation’s self-esteem 1 rests [in part] on the strength (of its currency).] It’s [also] a potential economic problem, [since a declining dollar makes imported food <more expensive> and exerts upward pressure <on interest rates>.] And yet there are substantial  2 sectors (of the vast U.S. economy) – ^from giant companies like Coca-Cola to mom-and-pop 3 restaurant operators 4 in Miami^ – (for which the weak dollar is most excellent news.)
疲软的美元带来了屈辱,因为一个国家的自尊感有一部分取决于其货币的实力。这也是个潜在的经济问题,因为日益贬值的美元使得进口食品更加昂贵,同时使利率迫于上涨的压力。不过,对于广阔的美国经济领域中大部分经营者来说——从可口可乐之类的巨头公司到迈阿密的夫妻餐馆——美元疲软无疑是最令人兴奋的好消息。
注:1. self-esteem n. 自负,自大,自尊。例:

Why do people often have self-esteem problems?
为什么人们总有自大的毛病?
But dads are critical in helping kids to develop self-esteem and constructive habits of behavior.
但是爸爸在帮助孩子从小形成自尊、养成行为习惯方面起着关键性作用。
[选自:WSJ: The Divorce Generation]

2. substantial adj. 实质上的,有内容的,物质的。例:

At present, most analysts do not believe there is a substantial shortage of crude oil worldwide.
目前,多数分析师不认为世界范围内原油大幅短缺。
[选自:BBC: Iraqi oil worker at an installation at West Quma]

substantial connection 密切联系,实质联系

substantial saving 巨额存款

n.本质,重要材料

3. mom-and-pop n. 夫妻店。例:

“Mom-and-pop stores can use their small size to their advantage by making it easier for people,” he said.
他还说:“家庭经营式的小规模商店可以利用他们规模小作为优势,为人们带来便利。”
4. operator n. 经营者,操作者;[计算机]运算符。例:

She staff five computer operators in her firm.
她在公司里雇佣了五名电脑操作人员。
The plant's operator said radiation levels outside the reactor were still within legal limits.
工厂的经营者说,反应器外的辐射水平仍然在法律限度内。
[选自:MSN: Japan accident dims odds of U.S. nuclear revival]

Many Europeans may view the U.S. <as an arrogant 1 superpower> {that has become hostile 2 [to foreigners].} But nothing makes people <think more warmly of the U.S. than a weak dollar>. [Through April], the total number (of visitors from abroad) was up 6.8 percent [from last year]. Should the trend continue, the number of tourists [this year] will [finally] top the 2000 peak 3? Many Europeans [now] [apparently] view the U.S. <the way> (many Americans view Mexico) – [as a cheap place to vacation, shop and party], all [while ignoring the fact] {that the poorer locals can’t afford to join the merrymaking 4.}
许多欧洲人可能把美国看作是个傲慢的、对外国人充满敌意的超级大国。但是只有疲软的美元最能使人们对美国产生好感。今年四月,外国游客总量比去年同期增长了6.8%。如果该趋势继续保持下去的话,今年全年的游客总量将超过2000年的峰值。现在许多欧洲人显然把美国看成一个度假、购物、开派对的便宜去处,正如许多美国人也这样看待墨西哥。不过他们都没有注意到,比较贫穷的当地人没钱参加这样的狂欢活动。
注:1. arrogant adj. 傲慢的,自大的。例:

It’s arrogant for you to say that.
你竟然这样说,未免太自大了。
“I was blind to how arrogant and self-centered that I had become,” Ensign said in his farewell speech.
“我也不知道自己已经变得多么傲慢,多么以自我为中心了”,少尉在他的告别演讲中说。
[选自:NPR: Analysis: Another Sex Scandal Last Thing DC Needs]

2. hostile n. 敌对;adj. 敌对的,怀敌意的。例:

Foxes, even those raised in captivity, are very hostile to humans and difficult to handle.
狐狸,即使是圈养的,也非常敌视人类,难以应对。
[选自:FORBES: The Fossils in Our Genes]

【同】adverse  不利的;contrary  相反的,截然不同的

【反】agreeable 一致的,欣然同意的;friendly;peaceful

3. peak n. 山峰,最高点,顶点;vt. 使达到最高点,使竖起;vi.消瘦;到达最高点;adj.最高的,最大值的。例:

Its shares have steadily lost value since their peak more than five years ago.
该公司的股票自从五年多前达到峰值后就一直在贬值。
[选自:FORBES: The Rise and Fall of Silvio Berlusconi's Fortune]

The firm has slashed its workforce from a peak of 150,000 in 2000.
2000年那家公司把他的员工从15万峰值进行了大裁剪。
Temperatures have peaked at over 90 degrees.
温度已经达到峰值,超过了90度。
Today’s price is 60%lower than the peak level of $1.2 million.
今天的价格比120万美元的峰值水平降低了60%。
4. merrymaking n. 狂欢者,寻欢作乐

adj. 狂欢的,快乐的

vi. 寻欢作乐(merrymake的ing形式)。例:

Christmas Eve, people dance and sing around Christmas tree merrymaking.
圣诞之夜,人们围着圣诞树唱歌跳舞,尽情欢乐。
The money (tourists spend) helps decrease our chronic 1 trade deficit. So do exports, (which thanks [in part] to the weak dollar,) soared 2 11 percent [between May 2006 and May 2007]. [For first five months of 2007], the trade deficit [actually] fell 7 percent [from 2006].
外国游客在美国的消费有助于减少长期的贸易逆差。出口量也一样受益:2006年5月至2007年5月间出口额急剧上升了11%,部分原因就在于疲软的美元。2007年前五个月,贸易逆差实际上比2006年降低了七个百分点。
注:1. chronic adj. 慢性的,长期的,疾病经久难治的。例:

The strength of traditional Chinese medicine appears to be in treating chronic illnesses, says Mr. Poon.
潘先生说,传统中医的优势似乎是在治疗慢性疾病方面。
[选自:WSJ: Putting Traditional Chinese Medicine to the Test]

chronic disease 慢性病,顽疾

chronic poisoning 慢性中毒

n. 患慢性病的人;大麻

【近】inveterate  根深蒂固的;deeply rooted 积习的,成癖的

2. soar v. 飙升,骤然上升。例:

The beef and pork industries, in contrast, have seen global exports soar over the past year.
相比之下,过去的一年见证了牛肉和猪肉行业全球出口量的飙升。
[选自:WSJ: Locke Urges China to Open to U.S. Firms]

They put down their tools when the price of gasoline fertilizer and pesticides soared.
由于汽油、肥料和农药价格飙升,他们放下了工具。
price soared 价格飙升

unemployment soared 失业率上升

[If you own shares [in large American corporations],] you’re a winner [in the weak-dollar 1 gamble]. [Last week] Coca-Cola’s stock bubbled 2 to a five-year high [after it reported a fantastic quarter.] Foreign sales accounted for 65 percent (of Coke’s beverage 3 business). Other American companies (profiting from this trend include McDonald’s and IBM 4).
如果你持有大型美国公司的股票,那么你就是这场美元疲软的博弈中的赢家。上周,可口可乐公司在其精彩的季报之后,股价升至五年来最高点。海外销售额占据可口可乐公司饮料市场的65%。其他从美元疲软中获益的公司还包括麦当劳和IBM。
注:1. weak-dollar 美元疲软

2. bubble n. 气泡,泡沫;圆形顶;透明圆形罩

vi. 沸腾,冒泡;发出气泡声

vt. 使冒泡;滔滔不绝地说。例:

Emotions tend to bubble just under the surface of the most banal of interactions.
在最平庸的互动的表面之下,情绪趋于高涨。
[选自:cnn: Mayor to New York: Get back to business of life]

With soap and water, bubbles and boats, children love bath.
因为有肥皂、水、肥皂泡和小船,孩子们都喜欢洗澡。
Heat the seasoned stock until it is bubbling.
把这些调了味的汤汁加热到沸腾为止。
bubble economic 泡沫经济

burst your bubble  煞风景,打破人的幻想

3. beverage n.饮料,酒水,饮品类。例:

Alcoholic beverages are served in the hotel lounge.
宾馆的休息室供应酒类饮料。
alcoholic beverage 酒精饮料

beverage crop 饮料作物

food and beverage industry 饮食业

4. IBM 美国国际商用机器公司(International Business Machine)

American tourists, [however], shouldn’t expect any relief 1 [soon]. The dollar lost strength (the way many marriages break up – [slowly, and then all at once 2  ].) And currencies don’t turn on a dime 3. So [if you want to avoid the pain inflicted 4 [by the increasingly pathetic5 dollar],] cancel that summer vacation [to England] and look to New England. [There], the dollar is [still] treated [with a little respect].
然而,美国游客近期不应该期待有什么缓解。美元疲软就像许多婚姻破裂一样——慢慢进行,然后突然一下子结束。货币不会很快产生变化,因此,美元越来越让人感到悲伤,如果想避免这种痛楚的话,请取消去英国的暑期度假计划,改去新英格兰吧。至少在那里人们对美元还有一点点敬意。
注:1. relief n. 救济(金);减轻,解除;安慰;浮雕。例:

Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.
此外,无线电在应急通信和救灾强大而特殊的作用。
[选自:UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES]

Relief agencies are stepping up efforts to provide food.
救济机构正在加紧努力提供食物。
in relief 显著地;鲜明地

relief valve 安全阀

disaster relief 赈灾

2. all at once 同时;突然,出乎意料,同时一起

3. dime n. 一角硬币,十美分硬币

turn on a dime 事情很快有变化

dime store 折扣店,廉价杂货店

a dime a dozen 多得很,不稀罕,不值钱

on a dime 在极小的空间

4. inflict vt. 造成;使遭受(痛苦、损伤等);给予(打击等)。例:

Unlike other sports the aim of boxing is to inflict bodily harm on an opponent.
与其他体育项目不同,拳击的目的是为了给对手造成人身伤害。
[选自:BBC: Women's boxing gains Olympic spot]

Whether you inflict pain on another human or to an animal, the great accountability is the same.
无论你们给另一个人或者一个动物造成伤害,其巨大的责任都是一样的。
【短】inflict on 使承担(痛苦等);给予(打击等)

Inflict punishment  处以刑罚

5. pathetic adj. 可怜的;伤感的,悲哀的。例:

Ok, I'll ignore your pathetic attempt to be funny here as just a lack of capability.
好吧,我就忽略掉你想装得有趣一些的可怜的企图,那只是缺乏能力的表现。
[选自:ENGADGET: Microsoft's budget 720p HD-5000 LifeCam reviewed (video)]

Who’s pathetic now?
现在该谁可怜了?
【派】pathetically adv.可怜地,伤感地

【同】poor, sad, melting 可怜的,悲哀的