US Economy Growing More Slowly Than Expected

     The head of the U.S. central bank says the economy is growing more slowly than expected.

    U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Wednesday that the slower growth is due to temporary problems such as the disruptions caused by Japan's earthquake and an increase in gasoline prices.

    The Fed's experts now expect around 2.8 percent growth this year, which is about four-tenths of a percentage points lower than earlier estimates.

    In a meeting with journalists, Bernanke also said unemployment is declining from its current 9.1 percent, but at a "frustratingly¹" slow pace.  The Fed predicts the jobless rate will fall as low as 7 percent in 2013.

    The economic assessment² comes after two days of consultations³ among top bank officials and follows several disappointing economic reports.

    Fed officials voted to keep interest rates steady in the ultra-low range of zero to 0.25 percent where they have been for some time.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 frustratingly   

参考例句：

• Some programs set this limit too close, resulting in frustratingly temperamental scroll behavior. 一些程序将这种限制设置得太窄，导致滚屏的行为变幻无常，令人沮丧。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• But the process is frustratingly slow. 但这过程慢得让人郁闷。 来自互联网

2 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

3 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》