VOA标准英语2012--Realtors' Association Welcomes GOP Debate on Housing Market

Realtors' Association Welcomes GOP Debate on Housing Market

More than four years after the housing bubble burst, the U.S. housing market is still struggling to recover. Among the hardest hit states are California, Nevada and Florida, where foreclosure rates have been the highest.
"I've seen ups and downs, but never anything that had the challenges that exist today," said Florida realtor Moe Veissi, president of the National Association of Realtors.
Despite a very uneven¹ recovery, Viessi sees light at the end of the tunnel.
"We're really on the cusp of what is perceived to be a real recovery and most of the economists² will tell you that they see Florida, especially the southeast end of Florida, in that recovery mode for the next 2-3-4-5 years," said Viessi.
But it is a guarded optimism. Millions of Americans struggle to pay mortgages worth more than the value of their homes. Veissi said government needs to help overextended homeowners even as Republican presidential candidates take a largely hands-off approach. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt³ Romney thinks government should simply get out of the way.
"My own view is you recognize the distress⁴, you take the loss and people reset⁵, let people start over again, you let the banks start over again," said Romney.
Veissi disagrees. He welcomes the spotlight⁶ on housing as the remaining Republican presidential candidates compete for primary election votes in Florida.
"They should be talking about the ability for a new homeowner to get financing if they want it, they should be talking about the ability to streamline⁷ the foreclosure process in America, and we'll push housing as an important issue in this election," said Veissi.
Despite the drop in new home sales in December, Veissi said overall trends are positive. Sales of previously⁸ owned homes are rising, the pace of construction is picking up, and interest rates have never been lower.
"Frankly⁹, I think that the American dream is probably more attainable¹⁰ now than it ever has been," said Veissi.

1 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。

2 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 mitt   

n.棒球手套，拳击手套，无指手套；vt.铐住，握手

参考例句：

• I gave him a baseball mitt for his birthday.为祝贺他的生日，我送给他一只棒球手套。
• Tom squeezed a mitt and a glove into the bag.汤姆把棒球手套和手套都塞进袋子里。

4 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

5 reset   

v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物

参考例句：

• As soon as you arrive at your destination,step out of the aircraft and reset your wristwatch.你一到达目的地，就走出飞机并重新设置手表时间。
• He is recovering from an operation to reset his arm.他做了一个手臂复位手术，正在恢复。

6 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

7 streamline   

vt.使成流线型；使简化；使现代化

参考例句：

• We must streamline our methods.我们必须简化方法。
• Any liquid or gas passing it will have streamline flow.任何通过它的液体或气体将呈流线型的流动。

8 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

9 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

10 attainable   

a.可达到的，可获得的

参考例句：

• They set the limits of performance attainable. 它们确定着可达到的运行限度。
• If objectives are to be meaningful to people, they must be clear, attainable, actionable, and verifiable. 如果目标对人们是具有意义的，则目标必须是清晰的，能达到的，可以行动的，以及可供检验的。