2006年VOA标准英语-Bush Calls Higher Oil Prices Wake-Up Call

By Barry Wood
Washington
28 April 2006

President Bush Friday said that the tripling of the price of oil since he became president in 2001 is a wake-up call that should hasten the development of alternative sources of energy.

-------------------------------------------------------

George Bush talks about US economy in the White House Rose Garden, April 28, 2006  
  

At a White House news conference, President Bush said he saw no evidence that oil companies are manipulating prices. But he called on U.S.-based multinationals¹ to pump their multi-billion-dollar profits back into new investment to help bring down gasoline prices.

He also said higher gasoline prices should spur the demand for new technologies that would lessen² America's dependence³ on imported oil.

"The American people have got to understand that we're living in a global economy," he said. "So when China and India demand more oil, it affects the price of gasoline at the pump."
 

Motorists drive by Sunoco Philadelphia Refinery⁴, April 28, 2006  
  
Despite record high gasoline prices, the U.S. economy registered impressive four point eight percent growth in the first three months of this year. It's the best performance in over two years. Mr. Bush also called attention to recent data showing that consumer confidence has reached its highest level since 2002.

"This confidence is largely driven by the many jobs being created in our country, 5.1 million since August 2003," he said. "This good news cannot be taken for granted. With gas prices on the minds of Americans, we need to keep our foot on the pedal of this strong economy."

While U.S. growth rebounded⁵ sharply from the more subdued⁶ level of less than two percent in the fourth quarter, economists⁷ expect growth to moderate to a three percent pace later this year. Higher gasoline prices depress economic activity since consumers have less disposable income to spend. The doubling of gasoline prices over the past three years has also boosted inflationary pressure, which the central bank seeks to contain through higher interest rates.

1 multinationals   

跨国公司( multinational的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These local companies are only small fry compared with the huge multinationals. 同那些跨国公司比，这些当地的公司不过是小鱼小虾。
• Some people believe that the multinationals have too much power. 有人认为跨国公司的权力太大了。

2 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

3 dependence   

n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属

参考例句：

• Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
• He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。

4 refinery   

n.精炼厂，提炼厂

参考例句：

• They built a sugar refinery.他们建起了一座榨糖厂。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

5 rebounded   

弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )； 反弹； 产生反作用； 未能奏效

参考例句：

• The ball rebounded from the goalpost and Owen headed it in. 球从门柱弹回，欧文头球将球攻进。
• The ball rebounded from his racket into the net. 球从他的球拍上弹回网中。

6 subdued   

adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He seemed a bit subdued to me. 我觉得他当时有点闷闷不乐。
• I felt strangely subdued when it was all over. 一切都结束的时候，我却有一种奇怪的压抑感。

7 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》