Talk 3 继续减免工资税确保经济持续增长
Wors Tips
headwind n.逆风，阻力 inarow 连续
steponthegas踩油门，加速 slamonthebrakes刹车
expire n.期满，到期 stake n.利益关系
whatittakes 成功的必要条件
Listen to the following recording and answer questions 1-3.
1）A.114，000 B.140，000 C.500，000 D.3，000，000
2）A.resuming the work of teachers and firefighters
B.sending construction workers back to work
C.reducing taxes for middle-class families
D.raising taxes on working families and small business owners
3）A.Obama Administration is actively involved in increasing job opportunities.
B.Many job opportunities have been created this year in America.
C.Republicans in Congress is against passing jobs bills.
D.Taxes for middle-class families should be cut to boost economy.
听力原文
This week，we learned that our economy added another 140，000 private sector jobs in November.Despite some strong headwinds this year，America’s economy has now created private sector jobs for the past 21 months in a row—almost three million new jobs in all，more than half a million of them in the past four months alone.
We need to keep this growth going and strengthen it.That’s why we’ve been fighting to pass a series of jobs bills through Congress—bills that independent economists say will create more jobs and grow the economy even faster.Because now is the time to step on the gas，not slam on the brakes.
Unfortunately，too many Republicans in Congress don’t seem to share that same sense of urgency.Over the last few months，they’ve said“no”to most of these jobs bills.“No”to putting teachers and firefighters back to work.“No”to putting construction workers back on the job.And this week，they actually said“no”to cutting taxes for middle-class families.
You see，last year，both parties came together to cut payroll taxes for the typical middle-class family by about $ 1，000.But that tax cut is set to expire at the end of this month.If that happens，that same family will see its taxes go up by $ 1，000.We can’t let that happen.In fact，I think we should cut taxes on working families and small business owners even more.
And we’re going to keep pushing Congress to make this happen.They shouldn’t go home for the holidays until they get this done.And if you agree with me，I could use your help.
We’ve set up a simple tax cut calculator on WhiteHouse.gov so that you can see exactly what the stakes are for your family.Try it out.Then let your members of Congress know where you stand.
Tell them not to vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays.Tell them to put country before party.Put money back in the pockets of working Americans.Pass these tax cuts.We’re all in this together.The more Americans succeed，the more America succeeds.And if we remember that and do what it takes to keep this economy growing and opportunity rising，then I’m confident that we’ll come out of this stronger than before.
Questions：
1.How many job opportunities have been created in the private sector in November？
2.Which of the following is not the bill that Republicans in Congress oppose？
3.What is the speech mainly about？
参考译文
本周，我们得知私营部门在11月又创造出14万个就业岗位。剔除今年遇到的部分严重阻力，美国经济连续21个月在私营部门创造就业岗位，总数达到300万，其中有将近50万是在最近的4个月里实现的。
我们需要保持并巩固这种增长势头。这也是我们持续争取让国会通过一系列就业法案的原因，独立经济学家们都认为这些法案将更快地创造就业并实现经济增长。因为现在正是加油的时刻，而不是刹车的时候。
但不幸的是，太多国会共和党人士并没有这种紧迫感。在过去的几个月里，是他们对这些就业法案说不。对让教师和消防员重返工作岗位说不。对让建筑工人重新找到工作说不。本周，他们又在为中产家庭减税法案上说不。
大家都知道，去年，两党共同合作减免工资税，为普通中产家庭节省了约1000美元的税金。但这些税收减免政策在这个月末就要到期了。如果这样，这些家庭很快就要面对税金上涨1000美元的现实。我们不能让这种事情发生。实际上，我认为我们应该为工薪家庭和中小企业主们提供更多的税收减免。
我们将持续向国会施压来实现这一目标。他们不把这件事办好了就别想回家过节。如果你们同意，我可是需要你们的帮助。
我们在白宫官网上（WhiteHouse.gov）设置了一个简单的税金减免计算器，你们可以很清楚地算出减税对你家庭的好处。试一下。然后让你们的国会代表们知道你们的立场。
告诉他们在节日到来之际不要在向美国工薪人员增税的法案上投赞成票。要让他们把国家利益放在党派利益之上。通过减税法案把钱放进美国民众的口袋里。
我们要团结一致。美国民众取得的成就越多，那么美国所取得的成就也就越多。如果我们能牢记这一点，更多的做有利于经济增长和创造机会的事情，我确信我们将比以前更强大。
参考答案
1.B 2.D 3.D