英语听力精选进阶版 16974

 

Business Matters: Cuba Open for Business 11 April 15

Sat, 11 Apr 15

President Barack Obama and the Cuban leader Raul Castro meet formally on Saturday in Panama City. The meeting comes after the US announced plans to lift its trade embargo¹ on Cuba after 50 years. General Electric has had fingers in many pies for decades, in fact its lending business GE Capital had grown so large that if it were a bank it would be the second largest in the United Sates, by some estimates. The conglomerate² now says it's going to sell its financial arm - as well as off-load most of its substantial property portfolio³. Also, could another bubble soon be forming along Dubai's skyline? The BBC's Mark Lobel talks to Mohamed Alabbar, the man responsible for the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

1 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

2 conglomerate   

n.综合商社，多元化集团公司

参考例句：

• The firm has been taken over by an American conglomerate.该公司已被美国一企业集团接管。
• An American conglomerate holds a major share in the company.一家美国的大联合企业持有该公司的大部分股份。

3 portfolio   

n.公事包；文件夹；大臣及部长职位

参考例句：

• He remembered her because she was carrying a large portfolio.他因为她带着一个大公文包而记住了她。
• He resigned his portfolio.他辞去了大臣职务。