VOA标准英语2012--US Motorists Fume, Politicians Bicker Over High Fuel Prices

US Motorists Fume¹, Politicians Bicker² Over High Fuel Prices

During the past month, gasoline prices have risen 20 percent or more in some parts of the country, draining drivers’ wallets as they fill up their gas tanks.
“It is very disturbing. It is very disheartening when you have to go to the gas pump now,” said one motorist.
“They are really robbing your pocket,” said another.
“It is absolutely maddening,” said a third motorist.
There is sympathy from gasoline vendors³ like Juan Diaz in Miami, who pass along higher fuel costs to their customers.
“People here complain all the time. And that is direct money that is coming out of the economy to fill your tank,” said Diaz.
Speculators have bid up the price of oil amid tensions surrounding Iran, a major supplier of crude, and signs of a U.S. economic recovery expected to boost demand for energy. U.S. domestic oil production is up, but America’s capacity to convert crude into gasoline is not.
Republicans blame President Barack Obama, who has limited new drilling and rejected an oil pipeline⁴ from Canada. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell weighs in.
“We have now reached the point where gasoline prices are 100 per cent higher than they were when the president came to office. America is an energy-rich country. It is high time we began to exploit the resources we already have,” said McConnell.
The president accuses opponents of election-year political opportunism and a short-sighted fixation on oil drilling.
“We cannot just drill our way to lower gas prices,” said Obama.
He continues to champion greater fuel economy and alternative energy sources.
“We need a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy: oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, biofuels, and more. We need to keep developing technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks,” said Obama.
Not everyone is complaining about higher fuel prices. Car dealerships report a surge in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.
“It has been a great week, almost double and triple in sales just over the past five days,” said Troy Pelz, a Chevrolet dealer⁵ in California.
For everyone else, a somber⁶ reality: Gasoline prices could rise even further in a few months, during the summer-vacation season.

1 fume   

n.(usu pl.)(浓烈或难闻的)烟，气，汽

参考例句：

• The pressure of fume in chimney increases slowly from top to bottom.烟道内压力自上而下逐渐增加，底层住户的排烟最为不利。
• Your harsh words put her in a fume.你那些难听的话使她生气了。

2 bicker   

vi.(为小事)吵嘴，争吵

参考例句：

• The two children used to bicker about who should do the washing-up.这两个小孩子过去常为该由谁洗餐具一事而争吵。
• They always bicker when they meet at school.在学校见面时他们总是争吵。

3 vendors   

n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方

参考例句：

• The vendors were gazundered at the last minute. 卖主在最后一刻被要求降低房价。
• At the same time, interface standards also benefIt'software vendors. 同时，界面标准也有利于软件开发商。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

4 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

5 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

6 somber   

adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• He had a somber expression on his face.他面容忧郁。
• His coat was a somber brown.他的衣服是暗棕色的。