英语听力精选进阶版 7277

美国最新的“财政悬崖”协议现已被签署。不过人们对该协议中涉及的大幅度增税和削减政府开支问题表示关注。

The big concern about the standoff in Washington is that the economy could go back into recession if the tax increases and spending cuts go through.

Any damage could be moderated if the measures are partly reversed in the next few months, but there are reports suggesting that there has already been some impact on business investment and jobs.

Some differences between President Obama and the Republicans in Congress have narrowed, on income taxes, for example.

But they are not resolved and there remain major divergences¹ over how to stabilise the US government finances.

Quiz 听力测验

True or False? The US economy will go into recession again if the tax increases and government spending cuts proposal go through.

False. There is a concern the US economy will go back into recession, but it is not definite yet.

True or False? President Obama and the Republicans disagree about how to stablise the US government finances.

True.

What could cause the US economy to go into another recession?

Tax increases and government spending cuts.

Can any damage caused by the 'fiscal² cliff' be reversed?

Possibly yes, but reports show there has already been some impact on business investment and jobs.

Glossary 词汇表

standoff 僵局

recession （经济）衰退，不景气

go through （法案、合同等）通过

moderated 减少，节制

measures 措施、办法

reversed 颠倒，推翻

impact 影响

resolved 解决

divergences 分歧

stabilise （使）稳定

1 divergences   

n.分叉( divergence的名词复数 )；分歧；背离；离题

参考例句：

• This overall figure conceals wide divergences between the main industrial countries. 这项综合数据掩盖了主要工业国家间的巨大分歧。 来自辞典例句
• Inform Production Planner of any divergences from production plan. 生产计划有任何差异通知生产计划员。 来自互联网

2 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。