英语听力：澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2014-01-15

 Carmaker General Motors has announced a four percent rise in global sales. The company sold just over 9.7 million vehicles in 2013. Sales in the US rose seven percent. 

 

There was an 11 per cent increase in China and the UK. And late last year General Motors announced it was to stop making cars in Australia by the end of 2017. 

 

Internet giant Google has announced it's buying firms data maker¹ Nest Labs for 3.5 billion dollars. The California-based company was founded by two former Apple executives. It produces a themostat which works out whether the building is occupied or not using temperature humidity, activity and light sensors². 

 

Google says the cash deal is expected to be completed in the next few months. Former Apple Ipod visionary Tony Fidel will continue to head the company. 

 

Looking at the markets.

 

And the Dow regained³ some of yesterday's losses,trading about half a percent higher. The Nasdaq jumped 1.5 percent and the S&P 500 also rebounded⁴, gaining almost a percent. In London, the FTSE posted modest gains. 

 

To commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 92 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is trading at 113 US dollars a barrel. And gold is 1243 US dollars an ounce.

 

And the Australian dollar is buying 89.6 US cents, 65 Euro cents and 54 pence sterling⁵.

1 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

2 sensors   

n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were more than 2000 sensors here. 这里装有两千多个灵敏元件。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Significant changes have been noted where sensors were exposed to trichloride. 当传感器暴露在三氯化物中时，有很大变化。 来自辞典例句

3 regained   

复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。

4 rebounded   

弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )； 反弹； 产生反作用； 未能奏效

参考例句：

• The ball rebounded from the goalpost and Owen headed it in. 球从门柱弹回，欧文头球将球攻进。
• The ball rebounded from his racket into the net. 球从他的球拍上弹回网中。

5 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。