(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
House prices in the U.K. are now so high that a third of British people believe they will never buy their own home. This is according to a new report published by the Halifax Bank. Home ownership was once an achievable goal for generations of Britons. However, rising prices now mean the prospects of getting on the property ladder are on the decline. The report says that one in five twentysomethings has no desire to own their own home. Craig McKinlay, mortgages director at Halifax, said: "We may be heading towards the point where the aspiration to own a nice home will be replaced by the aspiration to simply live in one." He added:"It seems that people are now beginning to accept a lifetime of renting."
Britain's Office for National Statistics earlier this week stated that house prices have risen by 10.5% inthe past year. It expressed concern at what it describes as "runaway train" house prices. The average U.K.house was valued at $425,000 in 2013. Things get bleaker for house hunters wishing to buy in London. Prices in the capital have risen by 18 per cent in a year to an average of $610,000. The Halifax report writes about possible long-term social problems arising from, "the division between homeowners and non-homeowners".The report warned that if there are fewer first-time buyers, "the market will come to a standstill". If this happens, prices will have to come down.
中文翻译
英国的房价居高不下，三分之一的英国人认为他们买不起自己的房子。这是哈利法克斯苏格兰银行所发布的最新报告。对于英国人来说，买房曾经是一个可实现的目标。但是，居高不下的房价就意味着买房的希望就此渺茫。报道称5名20多岁的年轻人中就有1人没有购买房产的愿望。哈利法克斯苏格兰银行的信贷总监克雷格·迈克兰说：“我们的想法正在从想住好房子到住上房子上转变。”他还说：“人们似乎开始接受了终身租房的命运。”
英国国家统计局上周早些时候称去年，英国的房价上涨了10.5%。他们担心房价会一路走高。2013年，英国的平均房价是42.5万美金。这让那些想在伦敦买房的人望而却步。伦敦的房价一年内增长了18%，到达了平均61万美金的水平。哈利法克斯银行称这会造成长期的社会问题，造成有房者和无房者之间的分歧。报告还警告说如果首次购房者的数目减少的话，那么市场将处于停滞状态。如果这样的事情发生的话，价格将要下降。
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重点讲解
1.head toward 走向
We use these when protesters head toward soldiers to push them back.
我们只在示威者走向士兵时用这些子弹促使他们退回。
2.on the decline 在衰退中
Is your industry on the decline?
你所在行业是否正在下滑？
3.long-term 长期的
“Going forward, we should look at medium and long-term solutions,” he said.
“对今后来说，我们应该关注中期和长期的解决方案，”他说。
4.arise from 由…引起
This will help avoid the ambiguities that arise from encoded usage.
这将帮助防止由编码使用产生的不确定性。
5.come to a standstill 停滞不前
However, new contributions are required now or the operation will come to a standstill in July.
但现在必须获得新的捐助，否则，救援行动将在7月份陷入停顿。
听力题目
1.What fraction of British people think they'll never own their own home?
a) seven-eighths
b) three-quarters
c) two-fifths
d) a third
2.What was once an achievable goal for Britons?
a) lifelong happiness
b) home ownership
c) owning two cars
d) becoming self-employed
3.What prospects are on the decline?
a) job prospects
b) those of England winning the World
Cup
c) getting on the property ladder
d) living in the city you want to
4.What is Craig McKinlay's job?
a) mortgage director
b) finance director
c) movie director
d) human resources director
5.What are British people starting to accept?
a) the British weather
b) that there are not enough houses
c) a lifetime of renting
d) property taxes
6.By how much did house prices in Britain rise last year?
a) 18%
b) 10.5%
c) 15.5%
d) 15%
7.What did the report compare rising house prices to?
a) a galloping horse
b) a waddling duck
c) a leaping flea
d) a runaway train
8.What is the value of an average home in London?
a) $610,000
b) $601,000
c) $611,000
d) $600,100
9.What will happen to the market if there are fewer first-time buyers?
a) it will come and go
b) it will come to pass
c) it will come to a halt
d) it will come to attention
10.What happens if there is no activity in the market?
a) prices will fluctuate
b) prices will decrease
c) prices will remain the same
d) prices will decrease
听力答案
1.d
2.b
3.c
4.a
5.c
6.b
7.d
8.a
9.c
10.b
