万花筒 2010-01-28&01-29 经济衰退期结束？

The longest recession in UK history is expected to be officially declared over today. Experts predict the beleaguered¹ economy grew by 0.4% between October and December. The period of growth comes after a record six straight quarters of contraction³. During the 18 month of recession brought on by the credit crunch⁴, and then the financial crisis, public borrowing ballooned to an estimated 178 billion pounds. While output has slumped⁶ 6%. This far exceeds the recession of the early 1990s is the worst slump⁵ since Margaret Thatcher⁷ took office 30 years ago. New data should reflect the slow recovery among services firms, while manufacturing is also likely to have seen tentative growth. Despite disappointing retail⁸ sales figures for December. Official confirmation⁹ of recovery will mean the UK, the last of the major G7 economies to leave recession. The green shoots may ease the political pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown who faces a general election within a month but not all small business owners believe the economy really is out of the woods yet.

 

-It's not over yet, actually, and still lots of people are under lots of pressure. There are lots of people who couldn't even find a job yet.

-Do you buy the idea that the recession is now over?

-No, not at all. I think it's one big con². Because they just try to tell you something to keep you sweep, to stop you, you know, campaigning against them. Obviously they wanna stay and play on this government, so they could, can pull in all the tricks under the sun. There is situation when the banks ever think, just undermines everyone's confidence in anything, and they just depleted¹⁰ my butcher's business overnight basically.

 

-Actually we just shut our beauty salon¹¹ at moment ,because most of people can't afford to have beauty sessions even when it comes to hair,I'm thinking to drop down my prices,it's gonna be done so soon, people find it so expensive now. It's a big luxury to them even to do their hair.
 

1 beleaguered   

adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰

参考例句：

• The beleaguered party leader was forced to resign. 那位饱受指责的政党领导人被迫辞职。
• We are beleaguered by problems. 我们被许多困难所困扰。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 con   

n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的

参考例句：

• We must be fair and consider the reason pro and con.我们必须公平考虑赞成和反对的理由。
• The motion is adopted non con.因无人投反对票，协议被通过。

3 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

4 crunch   

n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声

参考例句：

• If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
• People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。

5 slump   

n.暴跌，意气消沉，（土地）下沉；vi.猛然掉落，坍塌，大幅度下跌

参考例句：

• She is in a slump in her career.她处在事业的低谷。
• Economists are forecasting a slump.经济学家们预言将发生经济衰退。

6 slumped   

大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]

参考例句：

• Sales have slumped this year. 今年销售量锐减。
• The driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. 司机伏在方向盘上，疲惫得睡着了。

7 thatcher   

n.茅屋匠

参考例句：

• Tom Sawyer was in the skiff that bore Judge Thatcher. 汤姆 - 索亚和撒切尔法官同乘一条小艇。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
• Mrs. Thatcher was almost crazed; and Aunt Polly, also. 撒切尔夫人几乎神经失常，还有波莉姨妈也是。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

8 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。

9 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

10 depleted   

adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Food supplies were severely depleted. 食物供应已严重不足。
• Both teams were severely depleted by injuries. 两个队都因队员受伤而实力大减。

11 salon   

n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室

参考例句：

• Do you go to the hairdresser or beauty salon more than twice a week?你每周去美容院或美容沙龙多过两次吗？
• You can hear a lot of dirt at a salon.你在沙龙上会听到很多流言蜚语。