20多年來最大升幅
In its ongoing fight against stubbornly high inflation, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point after a quarter-point increase in March, the most in more than two decades.
為對抗居高不下的通膨，美國聯準會繼3月升息1碼後，又升息2碼，為20多年來的最大升幅。
stubbornly(adv.)倔強地;頑強地;頑固地the Federal Reserve=the Fed美國聯準會benchmark interest rate 基準利率
Fed chairman Jerome Powell said “Inflation is much too high, and we understand the hardship it is causing. And we’re moving expeditiously to bring it back down.”
聯準會主席鮑爾表示，美國通膨太過高，聯準會理解高通膨對經濟民生造成的困難，正在迅速採取行動抑制通膨。
hardship(n.)艱苦;困難economic hardship經濟困難expeditiously(adv.)迅速有效地=quickly and efficiently
Powell added that the Fed would discuss two additional half-point rate increases during its upcoming meetings in June and July — moves that would raise the stakes even higher for the US economy.
鮑爾補充道，聯準會即將於6月和7月開會研議再各別升息2碼，若再升息，將進一步提高美國經濟的風險。
additional=extra額外的;另外的raise the stakes提高賭注;增加風險
According to the Fed, consumer prices in March were 6.6% higher year-on-year, experiencing the sharpest increase in 40 years.
根據聯準會的數據，3月份消費者物價相較於去年同期上漲了6.6％，創40年來最大漲幅。
year-on-year=year-over-year與上年同期數字相比的sharp(adj.)急遽的;大幅度的
Without taking into account volatile food and energy costs, prices were up 5.2%.
在不考慮波動的食品和能源價格的情況下，物價上漲了5.2％。
take sth. into account=take into account sth.=consider sth.=factor in sth.=take into consideration sth.考慮到;考量到volatile(adj.)不穩定的、容易波動的volatile chemicals易揮發的化學物質
Strong consumer demand for both goods and services has been the main driver of inflation, and businesses are struggling to deliver.
消費者對商品和服務的強勁需求一直是通膨的主要驅動力，而企業正在努力滿足需求。
driver(n.)驅動因素
The central bank is hoping it can cool off demand by making it more expensive for people to borrow money.
央行希望透過提高藉貸成本以讓需求冷卻。
cool off (使)變涼;(使)涼快下來cool off demand 冷卻需求
Increasing interest rates cause all types of credit to become pricier, from auto loans to home mortgages.
利率上升導致所有類型的信貸，包括車貸到房貸的借款成本變高。
credit(n.)信用貸款pricey(adj.)價格高的;貴重的mortgage(n.)(尤指購房的)抵押貸款;房貸
Some analysts are concerned that the Fed is risking causing a recession, but Powell is optimistic that they can curb inflation without impacting economic growth.
一些分析師擔心，聯準會此舉恐將引發衰退，但鮑爾樂觀認為可以在不影響經濟成長的情況下抑制通膨。
risk(v.)冒…風險recession(n.)(經濟)衰退期curb(v.)控制、限制、約束、抑制curb the spread of COVID控制新冠肺炎的傳播curb inflation抑制通膨
He noted that Americans have accumulated a significant amount of savings throughout the pandemic.
他指出，美國人在疫情期間積累了大量儲蓄。
accumulate(v.)積累、積聚、積攢=gatheraccumulate wealth積累財富
From his observation, “Businesses are in good financial shape. The labor market is very, very strong. And so it doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to a downturn.”
據他觀察，「企業的財務狀況良好。勞動力市場非常、非常強勁。因此，美國經濟看來並沒有接近衰退。」
in good financial shape 財務狀況良好downturn(n.)(經濟等的)衰退;下降趨勢