VOA常速英语2008年-US Treasury, Central Bank See Weak Economic Gro
时间：2019-02-06 作者：英语课 分类：VOA常速英语2008年（二月）
Washington
14 February 2008
In a rare joint 1 appearance before a congressional committee Thursday, the U.S. treasury 2 secretary and the head of the central bank said the U.S. economy has weakened but will probably avoid recession. VOA's Barry Wood reports.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said the outlook for growth has worsened in recent months and faces a sluggish 3 growth outlook for the near future.
"Growth looks to be weak but still positive during the first half of the year, and with some expectation of strengthening later in the year," he said. "But again, that is a baseline and there are risks to that forecast."
The central bank will issue a revised forecast in the next few days. The International Monetary 4 Fund, in a forecast released last month, marked down its estimate of U.S. growth to 1.5 percent for the year.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was slightly more optimistic in his remarks to the Senate Banking 5 Committee.
"The risks are to the downside," he said. "We're watching it carefully. I think this economic [stimulus] growth package. We're all focused on this. And there are no guarantees. But I continue to believe that this economy is going to keep growing."
Some private sector 6 economists 7 believe the economy has already entered a recession, which is defined as six consecutive 8 months of negative growth.
In their questions, lawmakers were particularly concerned about the prolonged downturn in the housing market and the inability of the credit markets to function smoothly 9. Treasury Secretary Paulson said he is watching the markets closely.
"Our principle here has been how do we prevent a market failure," he said. "How do we prevent those housing foreclosures that are avoidable."
For the first time in decades, U.S. home prices declined nationwide last year. In an effort to boost economic growth the central bank has aggressively cut interest rates, and says it will continue lowering rates as needed.
- I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
- We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。
- The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
- This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
- This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
- Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。
- The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
- Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
- John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
- He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。
- The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
- The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。
- The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
- Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
- The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。