英语听力精选进阶版 16798

 

New pension advice: 17 Jan 15

Sat, 17 Jan 15

The Government last year announced a Guidance Guarantee, promising¹ free, impartial², face-to-face advice to those now having to make choice about what to do with their pension pots from April. It was rebranded this week as Pension Wise, with its own logo. But how just how "expert" will the face-to-face guidance be? The Economic Secretary, Andrea Leadsom MP, tells Money Box what to expect. Wholesale³ gas prices are now a third lower than their peak, but domestic energy bills remain stubbornly high. Are the Big Six's hedging strategies the cause? Energy UK explain why their member companies are not (yet) passing on price reductions. Thursday saw the launch of the much-anticipated National Savings⁴ & Investments Plus 65 Bonds, paying up to 4% interest. But within minutes the NS&I website had crashed and the telephone helpline was overwhelmed. Are there bonds any left? And if you haven't managed to get hold of any, are there any savings products with comparable rates?

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 impartial   

adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的

参考例句：

• He gave an impartial view of the state of affairs in Ireland.他对爱尔兰的事态发表了公正的看法。
• Careers officers offer impartial advice to all pupils.就业指导员向所有学生提供公正无私的建议。

3 wholesale   

n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售

参考例句：

• The retail dealer buys at wholesale and sells at retail.零售商批发购进货物，以零售价卖出。
• Such shoes usually wholesale for much less.这种鞋批发出售通常要便宜得多。

4 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。