CNN Marketplace 2006-04-14

Michelle Wright: As gas prices continue their rise , West Michigan Tourist Association executive director Rick Hert says, a lot of Americans will be revamping their summer vacation plans.

Rick Hert: When you look at, you know, the distances for folks, let’s say with RVs, um…and getting 6 miles to the gallon and traveling great distances, we're just, you know, we're gonna see that, that cut back somewhat.

Michelle Wright: According to government figures we'll be paying 25 cents more a gallon for gas this year than we did last.

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Michelle Wright: Ford¹ Motors today announced that it’s shutting down two plants in Virginia and Minnesota. Hampton Roads Virginia Chamber² of Commerce president John Hornbeck says it won't just be the Ford employees who'll be feeling the sting of those closures.

John Hornbeck: The total direct is somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 employees at the plant. But certainly what has to be taken in consideration are all of the multiplier effect jobs from people who're, you know, very dependent upon Ford for their livelihood³."

Michelle Wright: The plants are closing as a part of Ford's restructuring plan.

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Michelle Wright: Meanwhile, Ford is recalling thousands of their SUVs because of concerns over possible injuries. Reports CNN’s Richard Wybrow.

Rechard Wybrow:: Nearly 135,000 the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner⁴ Sports Utility Vehicles have been recalled to adjust the padding on the driver's side in an effort to prevent injuries during a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says only the 2005 models have been flagged. According to Ford, no injuries or accidents brought on the recall. Richard Wybrow, CNN."

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Michelle Wright: Another recall this one is for Disney's portable DVD players. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokeswoman Patty Davis says the unit's battery packs could overheat while recharging.

Patty Davis: The company Memcorp received about 17 reports of batteries overheating and that includes 3 reports of minor⁵ skin irritations⁶ and 2 reports of minor property damage. So if you have one you need to stop using it immediately."

Michelle Wright: The recall affects about 102,000 players.

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Michelle Wright: And according to the head of the Apple Records, the Beatles are gearing up to sell their music online.

With CNN Radio Marketplace, I'm Michelle Wright.

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WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
to gear up: to get ready
RV: Recreational Vehicle

1 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。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

4 mariner   

n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者

参考例句：

• A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.平静的大海决不能造就熟练的水手。
• A mariner must have his eye upon rocks and sands as well as upon the North Star.海员不仅要盯着北极星，还要注意暗礁和险滩。

5 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

6 irritations   

n.激怒( irritation的名词复数 )；恼怒；生气；令人恼火的事

参考例句：

• For a time I have forgotten the worries and irritations I was nurturing before. 我暂时忘掉了过去积聚的忧愁和烦躁。 来自辞典例句
• Understanding God's big picture can turn irritations into inspirations. 明了神的蓝图，将使你的烦躁转为灵感。 来自互联网