CNN Marketplace 2006-02-16

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New Fed Chair Ben Bernanke delivered his first report on the economy before congress today, saying we've snapped out of the end of the year low, Bernanke says the Fed will remain vigilant¹ in balancing economic growth .
Ben Bernanke: Gauging² the economy's sustainable potential is difficult, and the Federal Reserve will keep a close eye on all the relevant evidence, and be flexible in making those judgments³.
Bernanke says projections⁴ of inflation running at no more than 2% annually⁵ over the next couple of years seem solid .

Retail⁶ gasoline prices fell almost 6 cents over the last week to a national average of 2. 28 a gallon , which is still 39 cents higher than a year ago . However gas up now analysts⁷ say pump prices will likely rise again when the busy spring driving season gets under way .

Meanwhile Ford⁸ says it plans on building a hybrid⁹ version of two of their crossover SUVs in Canada in the next four years .

Delta¹⁰ has lost one and a quarter billion dollars in the recent quarter, and that actually some of the good news .
That's much less than the 2. 2 billion lost a year ago. Sales gained over 6% to 3. 9 billion. The third largest US carrier has now lost 12. 3 billion dollars since January of 2001. Delta's still trying to reach a deal with its pilots on the second round of pay and benefit cuts , the airline filed for bankruptcy¹¹ in September . CNN's Carrie/ Lee.

And that arctic cold front that's about to hit the west coast has some California almond growers worried about their crops .
Add more than 172 million dollars a year, almond is the No. 3 industry in the San Joaquin Valley behind milk and dormant¹² grapes, generating more than 172 million dollars a year, milk generates about 325 million, but cows are wearing swayed, they're warm. Agriculture Commissioner¹³ Scott Hudson says the extreme temperatures and a lack of bee activity in cold weather could affect the almond crop, farmers are watching this arctic system with concern and ready (to) gain their frost strategies.
Jim Lu , CNN , Los Angeles.


WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
hybrid ：You can use hybrid to refer to anything that is a mixture of other things, especially two other things.
crossover SUV ：混型车，这种车外观很像SUV，但操作起来感觉更像轿车，而且，它比SUV省油。
arctic cold front ：北极冷锋
almond ：[植]杏树，杏仁

1 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

2 gauging   

n.测量[试]，测定，计量v.（用仪器）测量( gauge的现在分词 )；估计；计量；划分

参考例句：

• The method is especially attractive for gauging natural streams. 该方法对于测量天然的流注具有特殊的吸引力。 来自辞典例句
• Incommunicative as he was, some time elapsed before I had an opportunity of gauging his mind. 由于他不爱说话，我过了一些时候才有机会探测他的心灵。 来自辞典例句

3 judgments   

判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判

参考例句：

• A peculiar austerity marked his judgments of modern life. 他对现代生活的批评带着一种特殊的苛刻。
• He is swift with his judgments. 他判断迅速。

4 projections   

预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物

参考例句：

• Their sales projections are a total thumbsuck. 他们的销售量预测纯属估计。
• The council has revised its projections of funding requirements upwards. 地方议会调高了对资金需求的预测。

5 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

6 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。

7 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。

8 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

9 hybrid   

n.(动，植）杂种，混合物

参考例句：

• That is a hybrid perpetual rose.那是一株杂交的四季开花的蔷薇。
• The hybrid was tall,handsome,and intelligent.那混血儿高大、英俊、又聪明。

10 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

11 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

12 dormant   

adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的

参考例句：

• Many animals are in a dormant state during winter.在冬天许多动物都处于睡眠状态。
• This dormant volcano suddenly fired up.这座休眠火山突然爆发了。

13 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。