voa标准英语2008-European Markets Surge on Stimulus Package Hopes

Following on from Asia, European markets surged on the hope that new stimulus¹ plans will help put the brakes on the economic downturn. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission leader Jose Manuel Barroso to discuss options before a European summit later this week.

For the first time in many months, the European markets got a reminder² of what just a glimmer³ of optimism felt like.

Spurred by plans unveiled over the weekend by President-elect Barack Obama to create up to 2.5 million jobs in the largest U.S. infrastructure⁴ investment plan in half a century the world markets moved up.

Feeding off the upward trend in Asia, European markets all scored big gains at the start of the week.

Energy shares led the rally that also saw banks, automotive and mining stocks advance.

Stimulus packages were the focus of governments in Australia, China, India and in Europe.
　

French President Nicholas Sarkozy, left, looks on, as Britain's PM Gordon Brown, center, makes his introductory speech at a conference in London, 8 Dec. 2008

In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted a meeting at his official residence attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Mr. Brown is a big advocate of using public funds to combat this recession.

"Just as many years ago, investment in road and rail and infrastructure was a powerful stimulus to the economies then, so to in this new age we can invest in the digital infrastructure for the future in telecommunications, in environmentally-related industries and new environmental technologies, in the low carbon industries and services of the future as well as in training and skills," he said. "In other words, to build the technological⁵ and environmental infrastructure of the 21st century as we invest out of the downturn.

Barroso's stimulus plan for Europe would come with a price tag of nearly $260 billion. The money would come from national governments, EU budget funds, and from the European Investment Bank.

French President Sarkozy said after the meeting, that success in beating the tough downturn can only come through nations working together.

"The economic crisis is very serious and in Europe we need to act in strong, speedy and coordinated⁷ terms," he said. "We fully⁸ share the analysis we have just heard of the situation and we are of the view that we need to coordinate⁶ the effort, and our efforts in Europe is indispensable even if each of us individually do not use the same tools from the tool kit⁹."

On Thursday and Friday, the 27 European Union leaders will gather at a summit in Brussels to discuss the specifics of that massive stimulus package.

1 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

2 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。

3 glimmer   

v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光

参考例句：

• I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.我注视她，感到了一线希望。
• A glimmer of amusement showed in her eyes.她的眼中露出一丝笑意。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

6 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

7 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

8 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

9 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。