CNN Marketplace 2006-05-26

Michelle Wright: With the unofficial start to summer beginning this weekend, many folks say they've modified their vacation plans a bit because of gas prices. Bob Mayfield talked with CNN's Allan Chernoff.

Bob Mayfield: This year with the gas prices we're going down to Pennsylvania, just a couple of hours away. (Closer.) A lot closer, a lot closer, a lot less gas.

Michelle Wright: Mayfield and his family usually drive to Maine for Memorial Day. Mayfield and his family aren't the only ones hitting the roads today.

Amy Louis: We anticipate at least 31 million people are gonna be gassing up, packing up their cars, taking the kids, now that they're on holiday and going away to have some fun in the sun.

Michelle Wright: Triple A's (AAA's) Amy Louis.

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Michelle Wright: Meanwhile, summer travel in the skies will be breaking records, reports CNN's Ed McCarthy.

Ed McCarthy: Planes packed with passengers, less elbowroom, and more money to fly, that's the airport situation this year. And along with lots of people, it's the annoyance¹ when the plane lands. Airline expert Terry Trippler says there is the big headache at the carousel².

Terry Trippler: The baggage situation is, is not getting easier, and then we have to be honest, the airlines have laid off a lot of hired help, so there probably are going to be a few less people working in flights that are hauling their baggage to and from the airplanes.

Ed McCarthy: In case that happens Trippler advises travelers to pack an extra carryon bag with a change of clothing. Ed McCarthy CNN.

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Michelle Wright: A new report shows that kids aged³ 3 to 11 are influencing grown-ups to purchase about 18 billion dollars’ worth of stuff last year. During the same time period, families spent more than 115 billion caring for those children.

Michelle Wright: And a barometer⁴ of inflation shows that it was up two tenths (2/10) of a percent last month while consumer sentiment dropped in the University of Michigan's Index. Commerce Bank Chief Economist⁵ Joel Naroff says there is a lot weighing on consumer confidence.

Joel Naroff: People's confidence is always affected⁶ by political things and, and the situation that we have in Iraq, in Washington, it's all affecting the confidence, that's in spite of the fact that the economy still is moving forward.

Michelle Wright: Many will be watching to see if the Fed will continue to raise interest rates at its next meeting.

Michelle Wright: With CNN Radio in the Marketplace, I'm Michelle (Wright).

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WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
carousel: a circular conveyor (行李)传送带

1 annoyance   

n.恼怒，生气，烦恼

参考例句：

• Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气？
• I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。

2 carousel   

n.旋转式行李输送带

参考例句：

• Riding on a carousel makes you feel dizzy.乘旋转木马使你头晕。
• We looked like a bunch of awkward kids riding a slow-moving carousel.我们看起来就像一群骑在旋转木马上的笨拙的孩子。

3 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

4 barometer   

n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标

参考例句：

• The barometer marked a continuing fall in atmospheric pressure.气压表表明气压在继续下降。
• The arrow on the barometer was pointing to"stormy".气压计上的箭头指向“有暴风雨”。

5 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。