澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-01-01

 Major European indexes have posted their deepest annual fall in three years. In 2011, European markets were hit by a major debt crisis and sluggish¹ US economy. British shares finished the year 5.6% weaker. Germany's DAX recorded a 14.7% decline and CAC-40 in France has ended the year around 17% lower. Euro zone banks which have the greatest exposure to that crisis were the worst performance. They have lost nearly 40% of their value. 

 

Markets in the United States have also finished 2011 lower. The Dow Jones closed 69 points, at 12,218. And the S&P 500 finished at 1258. 

 

Back home, the local share market lost 14.5% this year. The debt crisis in Europe political turmoil² and natural disasters bat volatile³ trade. Leading the losses was the retail⁴ sector⁵, which plunged⁶ up to 64%. Out on top was the telecommunications sector, up nearly 19%. 

 

Spain's new centre-right government has announced new austerity measures to improve the country's fortunes. The government will cut public spending by 11 billion dollars next year in an effort to cut its budget deficit⁷. It's also set to raise some taxes temporarily and freeze regulated electricity tarries for three months.

1 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

2 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

3 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

4 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

5 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

6 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

7 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。