VOA常速英语2008年-Crude Oil Prices Soar to Yet Another Record Hig

By VOA News
06 March 2008
 

Crude oil prices continued their surge Thursday hitting a new record high of nearly $106 a barrel.

Prices for crude for future delivery went as high as $105.97 before easing slightly.

The latest record high for oil follows another record low for the dollar compared to the euro. Dollar-priced raw materials like oil gain from the weak greenback because the fall in the dollar makes them cheaper for buyers using other, stronger currencies.

The price spike¹ is also related to Wednesday's decision by the Organization of Petroleum² Exporting Countries to hold oil production steady rather than raise output as requested by Washington.

Some oil-importing nations say more oil would help ease prices, but OPEC officials say the markets are well-supplied with crude.

1 spike   

n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效

参考例句：

• The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.那个钉子穿过那些收据并使之按顺序排列。
• They'll do anything to spike the guns of the opposition.他们会使出各种手段来挫败对手。

2 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。