VOA常速英语2008年-Wheat Prices Surging to Historic Highs

By Mil Arcega
Washington
27 February 2008
 

Wheat futures¹ shot up this week to near the all-time high ($11.6975 a bushel) as foreign buyers scrambled² to lock in supplies. A combination³ of bad weather, increasing global demand and export slowdowns in wheat producing countries has more than doubled the price of wheat since last year. To make matters worse, growing demand for biofuel crops such as corn means farmers are planting less wheat. For consumers it is a recipe for higher food prices. VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

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 scrambled   

v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞

参考例句：

• Each scrambled for the football at the football ground. 足球场上你争我夺。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He scrambled awkwardly to his feet. 他笨拙地爬起身来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 combination   

n.组合，合并，联合；

参考例句：

• He carried on the business in combination with his friends.他与朋友们合伙做生意。
• The materials can be used singly or in combination.这些材料可以单独使用也可以混合用。