VOA标准英语2013--Gas Shortages Highlight Pakistan's Energy Crisis

 

Gas Shortages Highlight Pakistan's Energy Crisis

 

At Islamabad gas stations, this is what it looks like on Wednesdays. People are stocking up, because on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, stations close and there is no gas.

In recent years, when gasoline prices rose, millions of drivers converted their cars to run on Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. But now that's in short supply.

Law lecturer Syed Shabat Ali says the problem is getting worse. "This is affecting the lives of people very badly. For example, I come on the days when CNG is available and I get in the queue and then I have to wait two or three hours. I am sorry to say it is also disturbing the psyche¹ of the people," he said. "People are losing confidence in our governments, because government is taking no interest towards a very serious problem that people are facing."

Government officials say they are trying to ease the energy shortages and are considering gas imports from neighboring Iran and more hydropower dams for electricity.

The pledges do not mean much to women like Rukhshanda Abdul Rehman. "The gas stops at 5:30 in the morning. We keep checking for gas at night in order to cook. All day long we use cold water, and everyone knows how cold it is in Islamabad," she noted². "Our government and policy makers³ are not aware of what they should provide to the people. In summers we can't sleep because of the lack of electricity, and in winter we get sick because there is no gas."

Struggles like Rehman’s are repeated millions of times across the country, and these daily frustrations⁴ are symptoms of the bigger drag on Pakistan’s struggling economy.

Lawmakers were unavailable to discuss how they are planning to fix the problem, one the Petroleum⁵ Institute of Pakistan calls a crisis that is slowing down the country’s social and economic development.

1 psyche   

n.精神；灵魂

参考例句：

• His exploration of the myth brings insight into the American psyche.他对这个神话的探讨揭示了美国人的心理。
• She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche.她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 frustrations   

挫折( frustration的名词复数 )； 失败； 挫败； 失意

参考例句：

• The temptation would grow to take out our frustrations on Saigon. 由于我们遭到挫折而要同西贡算帐的引诱力会增加。
• Aspirations will be raised, but so will frustrations. 人们会产生种种憧憬，但是种种挫折也会随之而来。

5 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。