英语俚语天天说 第70期:英国首相卡梅伦2015年新年致辞

 　　It’s a New Year and there’s a lot that is new in our country today: two million new private sector¹ jobs created since 2010; a new spirit in our classrooms with over one million more children learning in schools that are good or outstanding; for over 24 million hard-working people, there’ve been new tax cuts and for three million of the lowest paid, no income tax whatsoever². There are tens of thousands of new homeowners, thanks to our Help to Buy scheme; new security for those retiring after a life of work, with the state pension increased by ￡800 so far and by ￡950 next year. And the world is looking at Britain in a new way, with our economy growing faster than any other major developed nation.

　　None of this happened out of thin air. It’s because we put in place a long-term plan with some clear values at its heart. Ours must be a country where if you put in, you will get out; where if you want to work, there are decent jobs; where if you put the hours in, you keep more of your own money; where if you’re raising your children the best you can, you can expect they’ll get a proper education; and where if you’re willing to save, you can buy a home of your own; and of course where when you retire, you will have dignity and security in old age.

　　Our long-term plan is working. Our country is being turned around. But let us be clear: With this New Year comes new challenges. The global economy remains³ uncertain, and many countries continue to struggle.

　　And against that backdrop, Britain has a choice: between the competence⁴ that has got us this far or the chaos⁵ of giving it up, going backwards⁶ and taking huge risks.

　　So I say this should be our resolution: to stick to the plan, stay on course to prosperity, and keep doing the important, long-term work of securing a better future.

　　2015 can promise to be a great year for our country – if we make the right choices together.

　　And for now, I’d like to wish you, your family and your friends a very Happy New Year.

1 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• 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。

2 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 competence   

n.能力，胜任，称职

参考例句：

• This mess is a poor reflection on his competence.这种混乱情况说明他难当此任。
• These are matters within the competence of the court.这些是法院权限以内的事。

5 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

6 backwards   

adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地

参考例句：

• He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
• All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。