美國經濟恐陷入衰退
Some experts have warned that oil prices could potentially explode to $200 a barrel. If this becomes a reality, Goldman Sachs believes that the US economy would probably enter a recession.
部分專家警告說，油價可能會飆升至每桶200美元。如果成真，高盛認為美國經濟可能會陷入衰退。
potentially=possibly有可能explode(v.)急劇擴大、激增、突增
“We estimate that it would take a sustained oil price increase to $200 per barrel to produce an income shock similar in magnitude to those that precipitated the 1974 and 1979 recessions — and this would significantly increase the 2022 recession odds,” Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius said.
高盛首席經濟學家海濟斯說：「我們估計，油價必須要有持續的漲幅，像是漲到每桶200美元價位，對收入造成衝擊，類似當年引發1974、1979年經濟衰退的效應，才會大幅提高在2022年發生經濟衰退的機率。」
sustained(adj.)持續的;持久的magnitude(n.)重要性;重大magnifier(n.)放大鏡magnificent(adj.)壯麗的;壯觀的;輝煌的a magnificent view壯麗的景色precipitate(v.)促成;使突如其來地發生;加速…的發生=triggerincrease the odds 增加～的機率
Oil prices have come down from the highs of around $140 a barrel seen at the start of the Russian invasion, though they remain uncomfortably high.
油價已從俄羅斯入侵開始時每桶140美元左右的高位回落，不過仍處於令人不安的高位。
though(conj.)可是、不過、然而
Brent crude oil stood at $122 a barrel on Thursday amid concerns on a new set of sanctions on Russia by the West.
由於擔心西方對俄羅斯實施新的制裁，布倫特原油週四報價每桶122美元。
Brent crude oil布倫特原油refined oil精煉過的石油a set of…=a series of…一連串的;一系列的sanctions(n.)(經濟)制裁
Brent crude oil prices have more than doubled from this time last year.
布倫特原油價格較去年同期已上漲了一倍多。
Meanwhile, the average price for gasoline in the US has risen 71.5 cents from a month ago and is up $1.37 per gallon from a year ago. This has sent consumer confidence plummeting and brought about fears of a consumer spending pullback which would possibly send the economy into a recession.
同時，美國汽油的平均價格比一個月前上漲了71.5美分，相較一年前每加侖上漲了1.37美元。這導致消費者信心暴跌，並引發了對消費者支出回落的擔憂，可能會使經濟陷入衰退。
rise-rose-risen上漲gallon(n.)加侖send O OC 使…plummet(v.)暴跌;急遽下降=fall sharplypullback(n.)撤兵;撤退、(價格等)下降;(需求等)減少a pullback in consumer spending消費者的購買力下滑
While Hatzius is worried about a recession, he does not anticipate one for this year despite rising food and energy costs. He believes that strong payroll and wage growth in 2022 will keep the economy going.
雖然海濟斯擔心會發生經濟衰退，但他預期衰退不會在今年發生，儘管食品和能源價格不斷上漲。他認為，2022年強勁的薪資和工資成長將使經濟繼續成長。
anticipate(v.)預期;期望=expectdespite(prep.)僅管=in spite ofpayroll(n.)薪資=salarywage(n.)時薪;(按小時支付的)工資
Hatzius added that “the $2 trillion-plus of excess savings accumulated during the pandemic and the record-high household wealth-to-income ratio represent additional buffers for consumer spending growth this year.”
海濟斯補充說：「在疫情期間累積超過2兆美元的超額儲蓄，以及破紀錄的家庭財富與收入比為今年的消費者支出增長提供了額外的緩衝。」
excess(adj.)過多的、多餘的、額外的excess savings超額儲蓄accumulate(v.)積累、積聚、積攢=gatheraccumulate a huge fortune累積大筆財富ratio(n.)比率buffer(n.)緩衝