經濟蕭條將推遲數百萬元修複老舊建築物的計畫。
(sluggish呆滯的，緩慢的；stall拖延；restoration整修)
Many jobs may be gone forever and the weak employment market could linger for years.
許多工作也許永久失去，求職市場不振可能會拖延幾年。
(linger繼續逗留，持續= hang on)
As the economy has worsened, many people are afraid they will be plunged into poverty.
由於經濟每況愈下，許多人擔心會陷入貧窮。
(worsen惡化，更糟；plunge陷入)
We all can see the economy is recovering in fits and starts.
我們都能看到經濟復甦是時作時輟。
(in fits and starts = by fits and starts也就是go and stop)
Some people feel the current economy is likely to limp along.
有些人認為目前經濟可能停滯不前。
(limp蹣珊；limp along = slow down)
What we need right now is a bigger boost in jobs.
我們目前所需要的是大量增加工作機會。
(boost提高，增強)
We cross our fingers to predict that the economic downturn will soon end.
我們祈求走運，期望經濟衰退將結束。
(to cross one's fingers把食指與中指交叉，祈求走運，也就是hope for the best; downturn下降，衰退)
A recession is when my neighbor is out of work while depression is when I am out of work.
當我鄰居失業時，就是經濟蕭條；當我失業時，就是消沉沮喪。
(這是一句old saying; depression沮喪)
The prolonged slump in housing, rising job layoffs, soaring energy costs and a severe credit crisis are taking their toll on consumer confidence.
房地產持久跌落、解聘增加、電費飛漲以及信用危機，對消費者的信心造成損害。
(prolong持久；slump下降；soar升高；toll代價；to take a toll 造成損害，也就是affect badly)
Many people are scratching their heads and asking what happened with our economy.
許多人迷惑不解為何我們的經濟會變成這樣。
(to scratch one's head抓頭皮表示不了解)
We predict (that) our budget will be back on the chopping block.
我們預料預算將會削減。
(chop砍劈；on the chopping block在砧板上，也就是to be cut)
Americans are spending a little more now, but hardly enough to rejuvenate the weakening economy.
老美目前花費稍微增加，但仍不足以使軟弱的經濟回春。
(rejuvenate重新煥發活力，使回春)
Millions of good, hardworking individuals have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
數百萬有本事、努力工作的人失業了，這完全不是他們自身的過失所致。
(through no fault of one's own不是由於某人自身的過失而造成)
The government has vowed to maintain a robust economy and (to) make sure no one is left behind.
政府誓言要維持健全的經濟，並且確保無人被置腦後。
(robust強壯的= strong; no one is left behind = no one is ignored)
Some lawmakers feel that a failing economy may call for a tax hike.
有些立法人員認為衰退的經濟需要增稅。
(call for = require；hike提高，增加)
A foreseeable end to the real estate crisis is far beyond the horizon.
預計房地產危機的結束仍遙遙無期。
(crisis危險，複數是crises；beyond the horizon本是超出眼界= not in the near future)
The financial industry will have to prevent a recurrence of the collapse that has brought the economy to its knees.
金融業必須防止再度發生崩潰而造成經濟跌落不振。
(recurrence 再發生；collapse崩潰，倒坍；to bring something to its knees = to bring something down)
The government is filled with vows to fix the crisis-ridden economy of today.
政府多次鄭重宣稱要修補今日充滿危機的經濟。
(vow 誓言，鄭重宣告；ridden 充斥，是ride的過去分詞)
(下期待續)
