French Protesters Rally Over Pension Refofm

    VOA News 16 October 2010 - Tens of thousands of people are marching in cities across France in the latest protests against（抗议） President Nicolas Sarkozy's efforts to raise the retirement¹ age（退休年龄）.
    Workers marched in dozens of cities Saturday, with the largest crowds assembling in the capital, Paris.
    Saturday is the fifth day of strikes that have cut train services and grounded flights. Walkouts at oil refineries（炼油厂） have cut fuel supplies.
    French officials have given oil companies permission to tap into their own emergency stocks, but have insisted there is no reason for drivers to fear a gas shortage.
    On Friday, French riot police forced through blockades of protesters to reopen fuel depots², while refinery³ workers cut a fuel pipeline⁴ to Paris and its airports.
    Saturday's protests are the latest in a month full of demonstrations⁵ and strikes that have affected⁶ transportation, hospitals and schools across the country.
    Despite the pressure, President Sarkozy's government has refused to change its plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. The French Senate will vote on the proposal Wednesday.
    France's retirement age is among the lowest in Europe.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

2 depots   

仓库( depot的名词复数 )； 火车站； 车库； 军需库

参考例句：

• Public transportation termini and depots are important infrastructures for a city. 公交场站设施是城市重要的基础设施。
• In the coastal cities are equipped with after-sales service and depots. 在各沿海城市均设有服务部及售后维修站。

3 refinery   

n.精炼厂，提炼厂

参考例句：

• They built a sugar refinery.他们建起了一座榨糖厂。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

4 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

5 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。