英语听力精选进阶版 7141（在线收听）

Background: 高盛投资银行英国分部的高层老板决定把去年的工资和奖金额度限定在一百万英镑或一百六十万美元之内。

After a year of strong profits, Goldman Sachs bankers could have been in line for even larger bonuses.

But in Britain the top hundred or so are limiting themselves to $1.6m (6.8m yuan) in total.

The saving to the bank could be worth several hundred million dollars.

Other executives at the bank are not subject to this limit however.

The move suggests the bank is responding to public and political pressure over pay in the financial sector, though to many people the figure will not seem to show very much restraint.

Goldman Sachs did not receive direct support from the British Treasury, though it did receive an investment from the US government which it has now repaid.

Two days ago, it emerged that the British bank Barclays would defer payment of some bonuses, a move intended to reduce the incentive to take excessive risks.

Glossary 词汇表

Goldman Sachs bankers 高盛的银行家们 

executives 高管（高层管理人员） 

restraint 工资限额/约束 

British Treasury 英国财政部 

investment 投资 

defer 推迟 

incentive 动力/刺激/鼓励 

excessive risks 过度风险

Questions and Answers

1. True or False? Goldman Sachs lost more money than they made. 

False. They made strong profits.

2. How many Goldman Sachs bankers are limiting their bonus? 

Around 100.

3. Did the bank receive direct help from the British government? 

No, it was given aid by the US government.

4. What has Barclays bank decided to do? 

Barclays will put off the payment of bonuses to a later date.