VOA标准英语2009年-Mixed US Economic Data Reported on Jobs, H

By Michael Bowman
Washington
24 September 2009

The U.S. economy continues to generate mixed data that analysts¹ say point to a slow recovery from a deep and prolonged recession.

 
U.S. dollars
U.S. job losses continue, but at a slower pace. The Labor² Department reports the number of newly laid off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell for the third consecutive³ week. Last week's total of 530,000 claimants was down 21,000 from the previous week.

Global Insight Chief Economist⁴ Nariman Behravesh:

"The labor market is improving [but] these numbers are still high. The jobs market always lags the recovery by at least six months, and there is a very simple reason for that. Businesses are reluctant to rehire until they are sure that the recovery is sustainable," Behravesh said.

America's unemployment rate stands at 9.7 percent and is widely expected to top 10 percent by the end of the year, even if economic contraction⁵ ends before then.

Meanwhile, existing home sales in the United States dipped unexpectedly in August, reversing several months of gains in one of the country's most beleaguered⁶ sectors⁷. The National Association of Realtors says home sales fell 2.7 percent to an annual rate of 5.1 million units, down from a 5.24 million unit pace in July.

The group's spokesman, Walter Maloney, says plenty of would-be home buyers exist, but that finalizing⁸ sales is proving difficult.

"We know there has been a lot of contract activity, very strong increases in contracts. But what is happening is that not all of them are closing," Maloney said.

Despite an easing of last year's severe credit crunch⁹, some home buyers continue to report difficulty securing financing. It was the mass issuance of home mortgages to individuals of dubious¹⁰ creditworthiness that led to a rash of defaults and foreclosures beginning in late 2007 and set the stage for last year's financial meltdown. Since then, many banks have tightened¹¹ lending standards.

The median sales price of an American home stands at $177,000, down from $203,000 a year ago.

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

4 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

5 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

6 beleaguered   

adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰

参考例句：

• The beleaguered party leader was forced to resign. 那位饱受指责的政党领导人被迫辞职。
• We are beleaguered by problems. 我们被许多困难所困扰。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 finalizing   

vt.完成（finalize的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• You may edit registered information any time during the finalizing period. 您可以在规定期限内随时编辑修改注册资料。 来自互联网
• Natsun Trimming & Ironing, Finalizing the Perfection. 40南山整烫，完美在此定格。 来自互联网

9 crunch   

n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声

参考例句：

• If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
• People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。

10 dubious   

adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的

参考例句：

• What he said yesterday was dubious.他昨天说的话很含糊。
• He uses some dubious shifts to get money.他用一些可疑的手段去赚钱。

11 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。