2006年VOA标准英语-Oil Prices Sharply Higher - American Consu

By Mil Arcega
Washington, DC
18 April 2006
 
watch report Rising Gas Prices

Crude oil futures¹ hit $70 a barrel for the first time in seven-and-a-half months Monday, pushed higher by concerns over declining gasoline stocks in the United States, supply disruptions in Nigeria and tension over Iran's nuclear program.

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Cost of gas at the pump   
  

In the U.S., average prices for regular unleaded gas have gone up 11 cents per liter in two months.  And with the government predicting higher prices this summer, it could mean changes in the way Americans live and drive.

The average price for unleaded regular gas hit 67 cents per liter on Monday.  And the U.S. Energy Department predicts prices will go higher this summer, up to 25 percent higher than last year's record -- setting prices in the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina reduced refining capacity.

 
Tom Kloza
  
Tom Kloza is with the Oil Price Information Service. "We'll probably peak on gasoline very close to $3.00  (75 cents a liter) national with some states above that."

It's already close to that level in some states. Gary McIlroy of Austin, Texas says he used to spend $50 to $65 dollars a week on gas.  But now that he is paying $125 dollars a week, and more, he says it's going to have a serious impact on his family's travel plans.

"Particularly with summer coming along, we've began discussing whether we would take a road trip or not to the Texas coast.  And if gas prices reach three dollars a gallon, we probably won't do that."

And Americans, who have grown dependent on a regular supply of cheap, foreign oil, are angry.

Motorist June Harris says, “I think gas prices are ridiculous, completely ridiculous.”

Another motorist, James Peterson, remarks, "Basically, I think they just gouge² it."

Sarah Anderson  
  
Sarah Anderson, at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, has analyzed³ executive benefits and salaries at the top oil companies.

She believes some of the anger over oil profits is justified⁴, especially after revelations that the outgoing chairman of Exxon, Lee Raymond, received a retirement⁵ package worth nearly $400 million dollars.

"I think it'll spark a lot of outrage⁶.  Clearly much of his high level pay is due to the high price of gas."

But some analysts⁷ say most American consumers aren't ready for that.  Some are turning to hybrid⁸ cars that run on gas and electricity, others are buying so-called "green cars" which use alternative fuels. 

Green Eye Auto⁹ Sales in Oregon, reports a brisk business in the green cars. Clark Tippin says his company converts the cars to run on a mixture of vegetable oil and methanol.  "You have a fuel that's usable and very minimally¹⁰ dependent on petroleum¹¹ fuel."

Some marketers are taking advantage of that dependency by targeting motorists who are trying to stretch their gas dollars.  

Joni Lubovitz  
  
Joni Lubovitz, at the Federal Trade Commission, warns people to be wary¹² of fuel additives¹⁴ and gadgets¹⁵ that claim to boost fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. "Those kinds of claims, we have yet to find any kind of device or additive¹³ that can produce that type of result."

But there are things motorists can do that will produce results. According to the government, getting your engine tuned¹⁶ up can cut your gas bill by about 4 cents a liter.  Replacing a dirty air filter can save up to 7 cents and filling tires to the proper air pressure can improve fuel efficiency by up to 2 cents a liter.

Gary McIlroy   
  
Gary McIlroy says that's not enough. "I sent a letter to the White House saying we can't take this anymore.  If prices continue to go up and our paychecks are staying the same, people need some help.  This needs to stop."

There may be some relief this fall.  The Energy Department says fuel prices could be lower by September when U.S. refineries¹⁷ damaged by Hurricane Katrina go back into production.

1 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

2 gouge   

v.凿；挖出；n.半圆凿；凿孔；欺诈

参考例句：

• To make a Halloween lantern,you first have to gouge out the inside of the pumpkin.要做一个万圣节灯笼，你先得挖空这个南瓜。
• In the Middle Ages,a favourite punishment was to gouge out a prisoner's eyes.在中世纪，惩罚犯人最常用的办法是剜眼睛。

3 analyzed   

v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程，因为对他来说，爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

5 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

6 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

7 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

8 hybrid   

n.(动，植）杂种，混合物

参考例句：

• That is a hybrid perpetual rose.那是一株杂交的四季开花的蔷薇。
• The hybrid was tall,handsome,and intelligent.那混血儿高大、英俊、又聪明。

9 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

10 minimally   

最低限度地，最低程度地

参考例句：

• Food spoilage problems occur with minimally processed, concentrated frozen citrus products. 食品的变质也发生在轻微加工的、浓缩冷冻的柑橘制品中。
• So, minimally, they are responsible for such actions and omissions. 所以，至少来说，他们要对这样的行为和忽略负责。

11 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。

12 wary   

adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的

参考例句：

• He is wary of telling secrets to others.他谨防向他人泄露秘密。
• Paula frowned,suddenly wary.宝拉皱了皱眉头，突然警惕起来。

13 additive   

adj.附加的；n.添加剂

参考例句：

• Colour is often an additive in foods.颜料经常是各种食物中的添加物。
• Strict safety tests are carried out on food additives.对食品添加剂进行了严格的安全检测。

14 additives   

n.添加剂( additive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• chemical additives in petrol 汽油中的化学添加剂
• It'says on the packet that these crisps contain no additives. 包装上说这些炸薯片不含添加剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

16 tuned   

adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
• The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 refineries   

精炼厂( refinery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The efforts on closedown and suspension of small sugar refineries, small saccharin refineries and small paper mills are also being carried out in steps. 关停小糖厂、小糖精厂、小造纸厂的工作也已逐步展开。
• Hence the sitting of refineries is at a distance from population centres. 所以，炼油厂的厂址总在远离人口集中的地方。