美联社新闻一分钟 AP NEWS 2007-11-18

The President of Venezuela warns that if the United States attacks his country or Iran, the price of a barrel of oil could double. Hugo Chávez says if there was an attack, oil could reach 200 dollars a barrel. The remarks came during the opening address of OPEC. That's the Organization of Petroleum¹ Exporting Countries.The 12 member nations are meeting in Saudi Arabia for just a third summit² in OPEC's nearly 50-year existence. Afterwards, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia said OPEC has always acted moderately and wisely. Before the meeting got underway, the king greeted leaders including the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. With oil prices at historic³ high, there is speculation⁴ that OPEC will decide to increase production. Cartel officials have said they would likely wait to make a decision until they meet again next month.

1 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

2 summit   

n.最高点，峰顶；最高级会议；极点

参考例句：

• They climbed up the mountain and reached the summit.他们爬山，最终达到了山顶。
• The summit of the mountain is lost in the cloud and mist.山顶隐没在云雾之中。

3 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

4 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。