Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has cleared a major hurdle in his bid to win a second four-year term. But Thursday's Senate Banking Committee executive meeting turned out to be a roller-coaster ride for Bernanke, who was not present, but was subjected to alternating sessions of praise and stinging criticism.

美联储主席本•伯南克为赢得第二任期清除了一个重大障碍.但是周四金融委员会执行会议对于伯南克来说像坐过山车一样惊险.伯南克本人并不在场,但是遭受了人们的高度赞扬和严厉批评.

Roller coaster: a situation that keeps changing very quickly 不断变化的局势

The last few weeks have been a real roller coaster.

过去的几个星期,形势真是变幻莫测.

Hurdle原意: (供人或马跳跃的)栏架,跨栏
a problem or difficulty that must be solved or dealt with before you can achieve something 难关;障碍

The next hurdle will be getting her parents' agreement.

下一个难关是征得她父母的同意.

Well we've cleared the first hurdle; let's see what happens next.

好的,我们已经克服了第一个障碍;让我们看看后面还有什么.