本文选自吴应时主编的《大学英语六级阅读真题精读——晨读伴侣》。本书对历年国家大学英语六级考试（CET-6）的仔细阅读部分进行了详尽而精准的分析、翻译和注释，对四六级考生有着事半功倍的效果，对提升整体英语能力也很有帮助。
学习导读：
汇率问题不单单是国际经济贸易类的热门话题，更重要的是，该问题与学生的出国留学其实是息息相关的。很多同学毕业之后都会选择出国留学，选择此文进入六级考试顺理成章。文章讲的是近年来美元持续贬值给美国人带来的烦恼，快去看看吧。
Imagine waking up and finding the value of your assets has been halved. No, you’re not an investor [in one of those hedge 1 funds] (that failed [completely].) [With the dollar slumping 2 to a 26-year low against the pound], (already-expensive) London has become [quite] unaffordable. A coffee at Starbucks, [just as unavoidable in England as it is in the United States], runs about $8.
设想一下这种情况：某一天你醒来后，发现自己的资产贬值了一半。不，你并没有因为投资对冲基金而彻底失利。随着美元兑换英镑的比率跌至26年来的最低水平，本来就很昂贵的伦敦更是去不起了。在美国和英国都要喝的星巴克咖啡，价格涨到8美元了。
注：1. hedge n. 篱笆，障碍物。例：
The nest in the hedge is empty.
树篱中的鸟巢空了。
In a quiet, Wiltshire lane, a group of young people are planting a hedge.
在一条安静的威尔特郡小道上，一群年轻人正在种植篱笆。
[选自：BBC: NEWS | UK | England | South: Hoodies and anoraks]
vt. 用树篱围住。例：
Peter has hedged his garden.
彼得用篱笆围住了自己的花园。
2. slump v. 猛地掉下；倒塌。例：
Net profits slumped by 41%.
净利润暴跌了41%。
Who will rescue America from a similar trap now that the whole world is slumping at the same time?
而当整个世界都在同一时间衰退时，现在谁又能将美国从相似的先进中拯救出来？
If the economy continues to slump, they may just help you keep your job.
如果经济持续低迷，他们可能只是帮你保住你的工作而已。
[选自：FORBES: Ten Ways To Get More Done At Work]
slumping sales 销售额暴跌
slumping backwards 仰身倒下去
loess slumping 黄土滑塌
The once all-powerful dollar isn’t doing a Titanic [against just the pound 1]. It is sitting at a record low [against the euro] and at a 30-year low [against the Canadian dollar]. Even the Argentine peso 2 and Brazilian real 3 are thriving [against the dollar].
曾经万能的美元并不仅在兑换英镑时才贬值得如同泰坦尼克号。美元兑换欧元的比率已跌至最低记录，兑换加元的比率也达到30年来的新低。甚至阿根廷的比索和巴西的雷亚尔兑换美元也势头强劲。
注：1. pound n. 英镑；重击，重击声；兽栏；拘留所 vt. 捣烂；敲打；监禁，拘留 vi. 连续重击，猛击 例：
Her weight was under 80 pounds.
她的体重不足80磅。
He pounded the table with his fist.
他用拳头猛扎桌子。
I’m sweating, my heart is pounding. I can’t breathe.
我在流汗，心脏也怦怦跳，透不过气来。
In contrast, Sturrock was like a man who had lost a penny but found a pound.
相比之下，斯特罗克就像弄丢了一便士却找到了一英镑的人。
[选自：BBC: Houllier must make own luck]
2. peso n.比索（拉丁美洲一些国家和菲律宾的货币单位）
3. real n.雷亚尔（巴西的货币单位）
The weak dollar is a source of humiliation, [for a nation’s self-esteem 1 rests [in part] on the strength (of its currency).] It’s [also] a potential economic problem, [since a declining dollar makes imported food and exerts upward pressure .] And yet there are substantial 2 sectors (of the vast U.S. economy) – ^from giant companies like Coca-Cola to mom-and-pop 3 restaurant operators 4 in Miami^ – (for which the weak dollar is most excellent news.)
疲软的美元带来了屈辱，因为一个国家的自尊感有一部分取决于其货币的实力。这也是个潜在的经济问题，因为日益贬值的美元使得进口食品更加昂贵，同时使利率迫于上涨的压力。不过，对于广阔的美国经济领域中大部分经营者来说——从可口可乐之类的巨头公司到迈阿密的夫妻餐馆——美元疲软无疑是最令人兴奋的好消息。
注：1. self-esteem n. 自负，自大，自尊。例：
Why do people often have self-esteem problems?
为什么人们总有自大的毛病？
But dads are critical in helping kids to develop self-esteem and constructive habits of behavior.
但是爸爸在帮助孩子从小形成自尊、养成行为习惯方面起着关键性作用。
[选自：WSJ: The Divorce Generation]
2. substantial adj. 实质上的，有内容的，物质的。例：
At present, most analysts do not believe there is a substantial shortage of crude oil worldwide.
目前，多数分析师不认为世界范围内原油大幅短缺。
[选自：BBC: Iraqi oil worker at an installation at West Quma]
substantial connection 密切联系，实质联系
substantial saving 巨额存款
n.本质，重要材料
3. mom-and-pop n. 夫妻店。例：
“Mom-and-pop stores can use their small size to their advantage by making it easier for people,” he said.
他还说：“家庭经营式的小规模商店可以利用他们规模小作为优势，为人们带来便利。”
4. operator n. 经营者，操作者；[计算机]运算符。例：
She staff five computer operators in her firm.
她在公司里雇佣了五名电脑操作人员。
The plant's operator said radiation levels outside the reactor were still within legal limits.
工厂的经营者说，反应器外的辐射水平仍然在法律限度内。
[选自：MSN: Japan accident dims odds of U.S. nuclear revival]
Many Europeans may view the U.S. 1 superpower> {that has become hostile 2 [to foreigners].} But nothing makes people . [Through April], the total number (of visitors from abroad) was up 6.8 percent [from last year]. Should the trend continue, the number of tourists [this year] will [finally] top the 2000 peak 3? Many Europeans [now] [apparently] view the U.S. (many Americans view Mexico) – [as a cheap place to vacation, shop and party], all [while ignoring the fact] {that the poorer locals can’t afford to join the merrymaking 4.}
许多欧洲人可能把美国看作是个傲慢的、对外国人充满敌意的超级大国。但是只有疲软的美元最能使人们对美国产生好感。今年四月，外国游客总量比去年同期增长了6.8%。如果该趋势继续保持下去的话，今年全年的游客总量将超过2000年的峰值。现在许多欧洲人显然把美国看成一个度假、购物、开派对的便宜去处，正如许多美国人也这样看待墨西哥。不过他们都没有注意到，比较贫穷的当地人没钱参加这样的狂欢活动。
注：1. arrogant adj. 傲慢的，自大的。例：
It’s arrogant for you to say that.
你竟然这样说，未免太自大了。
“I was blind to how arrogant and self-centered that I had become,” Ensign said in his farewell speech.
“我也不知道自己已经变得多么傲慢，多么以自我为中心了”，少尉在他的告别演讲中说。
[选自：NPR: Analysis: Another Sex Scandal Last Thing DC Needs]
2. hostile n. 敌对；adj. 敌对的，怀敌意的。例：
Foxes, even those raised in captivity, are very hostile to humans and difficult to handle.
狐狸，即使是圈养的，也非常敌视人类，难以应对。
[选自：FORBES: The Fossils in Our Genes]
【同】adverse 不利的；contrary 相反的，截然不同的
【反】agreeable 一致的，欣然同意的；friendly；peaceful
3. peak n. 山峰，最高点，顶点；vt. 使达到最高点，使竖起；vi.消瘦；到达最高点；adj.最高的，最大值的。例：
Its shares have steadily lost value since their peak more than five years ago.
该公司的股票自从五年多前达到峰值后就一直在贬值。
[选自：FORBES: The Rise and Fall of Silvio Berlusconi's Fortune]
The firm has slashed its workforce from a peak of 150,000 in 2000.
2000年那家公司把他的员工从15万峰值进行了大裁剪。
Temperatures have peaked at over 90 degrees.
温度已经达到峰值，超过了90度。
Today’s price is 60%lower than the peak level of $1.2 million.
今天的价格比120万美元的峰值水平降低了60%。
4. merrymaking n. 狂欢者，寻欢作乐
adj. 狂欢的，快乐的
vi. 寻欢作乐（merrymake的ing形式）。例：
Christmas Eve, people dance and sing around Christmas tree merrymaking.
圣诞之夜，人们围着圣诞树唱歌跳舞，尽情欢乐。
The money (tourists spend) helps decrease our chronic 1 trade deficit. So do exports, (which thanks [in part] to the weak dollar,) soared 2 11 percent [between May 2006 and May 2007]. [For first five months of 2007], the trade deficit [actually] fell 7 percent [from 2006].
外国游客在美国的消费有助于减少长期的贸易逆差。出口量也一样受益：2006年5月至2007年5月间出口额急剧上升了11%，部分原因就在于疲软的美元。2007年前五个月，贸易逆差实际上比2006年降低了七个百分点。
注：1. chronic adj. 慢性的，长期的，疾病经久难治的。例：
The strength of traditional Chinese medicine appears to be in treating chronic illnesses, says Mr. Poon.
潘先生说，传统中医的优势似乎是在治疗慢性疾病方面。
[选自：WSJ: Putting Traditional Chinese Medicine to the Test]
chronic disease 慢性病，顽疾
chronic poisoning 慢性中毒
n. 患慢性病的人；大麻
【近】inveterate 根深蒂固的；deeply rooted 积习的，成癖的
2. soar v. 飙升，骤然上升。例：
The beef and pork industries, in contrast, have seen global exports soar over the past year.
相比之下，过去的一年见证了牛肉和猪肉行业全球出口量的飙升。
[选自：WSJ: Locke Urges China to Open to U.S. Firms]
They put down their tools when the price of gasoline fertilizer and pesticides soared.
由于汽油、肥料和农药价格飙升，他们放下了工具。
price soared 价格飙升
unemployment soared 失业率上升
[If you own shares [in large American corporations],] you’re a winner [in the weak-dollar 1 gamble]. [Last week] Coca-Cola’s stock bubbled 2 to a five-year high [after it reported a fantastic quarter.] Foreign sales accounted for 65 percent (of Coke’s beverage 3 business). Other American companies (profiting from this trend include McDonald’s and IBM 4).
如果你持有大型美国公司的股票，那么你就是这场美元疲软的博弈中的赢家。上周，可口可乐公司在其精彩的季报之后，股价升至五年来最高点。海外销售额占据可口可乐公司饮料市场的65%。其他从美元疲软中获益的公司还包括麦当劳和IBM。
注：1. weak-dollar 美元疲软
2. bubble n. 气泡，泡沫；圆形顶；透明圆形罩
vi. 沸腾，冒泡；发出气泡声
vt. 使冒泡；滔滔不绝地说。例：
Emotions tend to bubble just under the surface of the most banal of interactions.
在最平庸的互动的表面之下，情绪趋于高涨。
[选自：CNN: Mayor to New York: Get back to business of life]
With soap and water, bubbles and boats, children love bath.
因为有肥皂、水、肥皂泡和小船，孩子们都喜欢洗澡。
Heat the seasoned stock until it is bubbling.
把这些调了味的汤汁加热到沸腾为止。
bubble economic 泡沫经济
burst your bubble 煞风景，打破人的幻想
3. beverage n.饮料，酒水，饮品类。例：
Alcoholic beverages are served in the hotel lounge.
宾馆的休息室供应酒类饮料。
alcoholic beverage 酒精饮料
beverage crop 饮料作物
food and beverage industry 饮食业
4. IBM 美国国际商用机器公司（International Business Machine）
American tourists, [however], shouldn’t expect any relief 1 [soon]. The dollar lost strength (the way many marriages break up – [slowly, and then all at once 2 ].) And currencies don’t turn on a dime 3. So [if you want to avoid the pain inflicted 4 [by the increasingly pathetic5 dollar],] cancel that summer vacation [to England] and look to New England. [There], the dollar is [still] treated [with a little respect].
然而，美国游客近期不应该期待有什么缓解。美元疲软就像许多婚姻破裂一样——慢慢进行，然后突然一下子结束。货币不会很快产生变化，因此，美元越来越让人感到悲伤，如果想避免这种痛楚的话，请取消去英国的暑期度假计划，改去新英格兰吧。至少在那里人们对美元还有一点点敬意。
注：1. relief n. 救济（金）；减轻，解除；安慰；浮雕。例：
Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief.
此外，无线电在应急通信和救灾强大而特殊的作用。
[选自：UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES]
Relief agencies are stepping up efforts to provide food.
救济机构正在加紧努力提供食物。
in relief 显著地；鲜明地
relief valve 安全阀
disaster relief 赈灾
2. all at once 同时；突然，出乎意料，同时一起
3. dime n. 一角硬币，十美分硬币
turn on a dime 事情很快有变化
dime store 折扣店，廉价杂货店
a dime a dozen 多得很，不稀罕，不值钱
on a dime 在极小的空间
4. inflict vt. 造成；使遭受（痛苦、损伤等）；给予（打击等）。例：
Unlike other sports the aim of boxing is to inflict bodily harm on an opponent.
与其他体育项目不同，拳击的目的是为了给对手造成人身伤害。
[选自：BBC: Women's boxing gains Olympic spot]
Whether you inflict pain on another human or to an animal, the great accountability is the same.
无论你们给另一个人或者一个动物造成伤害，其巨大的责任都是一样的。
【短】inflict on 使承担（痛苦等）；给予（打击等）
Inflict punishment 处以刑罚
5. pathetic adj. 可怜的；伤感的，悲哀的。例：
Ok, I'll ignore your pathetic attempt to be funny here as just a lack of capability.
好吧，我就忽略掉你想装得有趣一些的可怜的企图，那只是缺乏能力的表现。
[选自：ENGADGET: Microsoft's budget 720p HD-5000 LifeCam reviewed (video)]
Who’s pathetic now?
现在该谁可怜了?
【派】pathetically adv.可怜地，伤感地
【同】poor, sad, melting 可怜的，悲哀的