2014英语四级听力练习:慢速英语8.15(4)

　　From Learning English, this is the Economics Report.

　　International economists say they are hopeful about Africas economy. They say economic growth on the continent will increase by as much as five or six percent over the next two years. That would be the continents highest growth rate since the worldwide economic recession in .

　　Economic experts say the growth is partly because governments have established policies inviting to foreign investors. They say increased trade among African nations is also growing the continents economy. And the experts say the growth is widespread. They made the observations in the African Economic Outlook report.

　　The African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program and the OECD Development Center produced the report together. Angela Lusigi is a U. N. Development Program economist and policy adviser for Africa.

　　A lot of people think growth in Africa, they think the only driven by mineral wealth or oil-exporting countries, but we find now the report that even countries that are not resource rich are still growing effectively. This is mainly because of their agricultural sector but also growth in services [including tourism] and a little in manufacturing, said Lusigi.

　　The report says Africas top foreign trade partner is Europe. About 40 percent of African trade is with European nations. 25 percent is with Asian countries and about 12 percent is with North America.

　　The report says African countries traded $81 million worth of goods among themselves in . Much of it is in the making of clothing, leather, building material, farm tools and wood products like furniture.

　　Angela Lusigi says theres strong demand in Africa for manufactured goods. These include television sets, telephones and other mobile technology. She says many of these products can be made in Africa.

　　The report says East and West Africa are leading the economic expansion. The report says low inflation especially in energy and food prices is helping economic growth in Africa. And it says African nations have put in place careful economic policies to cut spending and improve tax collection.

　　However, the report notes that official development assistance remains an important support for poor countries that lack enough foreign direct investment. Total official development assistance is estimated to be $55 billion.

　　And thats the Learning English Economics Report. You can find more stories about economics and other subjects online on our website as well. Im Mario Ritter.

　　词汇讲解：

　　1. recession n.经济衰退，不景气

　　例句：An economic recession now seems more than likely.

　　现在看来，经济衰退的可能性相当大。

　　2. increase vt. 增加，增大

　　例句：He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.

　　他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。

　　3. observation n.观察; 观察力

　　例句：Another effective strategy is close observation.

　　仔细的观察也是另一个好办法。

　　4. include vt.包括; 包含

　　例句：Safety features include a switch.

　　安全设施包括一个开关。

　　5. expansion n.扩大; 扩张

　　例句：Continued expansion of this production is expected.

　　生产的不断扩大是预料中的事。

　　6. estimate vt.估计，估算

　　例句：You estimate his intellect too highly.

　　你把他的智力评估得太高。

　　短语讲解：

　　1. They say economic growth on the continent will increase by as much as five or six percent over the next two years.

　　as much as 差不多

　　例句：Hell know as much as she does, right?

　　他知道的内幕和她一样多对不对?

　　2. A lot of people think growth in Africa, they think the only driven by mineral wealth or oil-exporting countries, but we find now the report that even countries that are not resource rich are still growing effectively.

　　a lot of 许多的; 诸多

　　例句：A lot of whats changing now is subtle.

　　许多变化都非常微妙。

　　3. This is mainly because of their agricultural sector but also growth in services [including tourism] and a little in manufacturing, said Lusigi.

　　because of 因为，由于

　　例句：He had to wear sunglasses because of the glare of the sun.

　　因为阳光耀眼,他只好戴墨镜。

　　4. She says many of these products can be made in Africa.

　　be made in 在地方制造;在生产或制造

　　例句：Cotton cloth is made in a cotton mill.

　　棉布是由棉纺厂生产的。