夏说英语新闻晨读 第21期:美联储放大招（在线收听）

 本期内容：

As expected, the Federal Reserve raised American interest rates for the first time since 2006. The central bank lifted the target range for its benchmark rate from 0-0.25%, where it has languished since December 2008, to 0.25-0.5%. Even though inflation remains subdued, steady growth and strong labor market with unemployment at just 5% have convinced the Fed that the tightening is due. 

词义解析:

interest rates 利率

benchmark rate 标定利率

languish 萧条

range 范畴

subdued 压制 

unemployment 失业率

tightening 锁紧

due 到来