Prices rise in Spain in December

    MADRID, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The rate of inflation¹（通货膨胀） in Spain climbed to 2.9 percent during the last month of 2010, according to figures published Monday.
    The Harmonized Consumer Price Index（消费者物价指数） (IPCA), published by the National Institute of Statistics² (INE), situates the level of inflation at 2.9 percent, following a steep 0.7 percent rise between November and December and follows on the back of a 0.5 percent climb in prices witnessed in November.
    That means inflation is currently³ at its highest level since October 2008, when it stood at 3.6 percent.
    The reasons for the steep rise in prices are the increases in the price of tobacco, fuel and lubricants.
    Ironically the consecutive⁴ price increases may actually turn out to be good news for most Spaniards given that annual inflation based wage increases are based on the inflation level during the month of December. As a result, Spaniards can expect to find a little extra money in their monthly⁵ pay packet.
    The Spanish government has said that it expects inflation to remain above 2 percent for the next few months, while adding that future changes depend on factors such as the possible change in energy costs.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 inflation   

n.胀大，夸张，通货膨胀

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• The inflation of the airbed took several minutes.给空气床垫充气花了几分钟时间。

2 statistics   

n.统计，统计数字，统计学

参考例句：

• We have statistics for the last year.我们有去年的统计资料。
• Statistics is taught in many colleges.许多大学都教授统计学。

3 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

4 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

5 monthly   

adj.每月的，持续一个月的，每月发生的；adv.每月，按月； n.月刊；(复数）monthlies:月经

参考例句：

• The rent on his apartment was his biggest monthly expense.他的房租是每个月最大的开支。
• The monthly rent is $15,inclusive of light and water.每月租金15美元，包括水电费在内。