Prices rise in Spain in December

（单词翻译）

    MADRID, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The rate of inflation¹（通货膨胀） in Spain climbed to 2.9 percent during the last month of 2010, according to figures published Monday.
    The Harmonized Consumer Price Index（消费者物价指数） (IPCA), published by the National Institute of Statistics² (INE), situates the level of inflation at 2.9 percent, following a steep 0.7 percent rise between November and December and follows on the back of a 0.5 percent climb in prices witnessed in November.
    That means inflation is currently³ at its highest level since October 2008, when it stood at 3.6 percent.
    The reasons for the steep rise in prices are the increases in the price of tobacco, fuel and lubricants.
    Ironically the consecutive⁴ price increases may actually turn out to be good news for most Spaniards given that annual inflation based wage increases are based on the inflation level during the month of December. As a result, Spaniards can expect to find a little extra money in their monthly⁵ pay packet.
    The Spanish government has said that it expects inflation to remain above 2 percent for the next few months, while adding that future changes depend on factors such as the possible change in energy costs.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)