[page]中英文本[/page]

Might not be its official currency, but the United Kingdom is affected by the euro, because so many other countries in the European Union rely on it. 2011, not a good year for the euro or for Europe financially. Huge debt problems for several countries caused shock waves across the continent. Is 2012 going to be any better? Matthew Chance has our preview.

If fireworks were a measure of a country`s prospects, 2012 might be Britain`s year. The spectacular New Year`s display over the river Thames was meant to set the tone to usher in the year that London hosts the Olympics, and Queen Elizabeth celebrates her diamond jubilee.

But even the prime minister acknowledges 2012 won`t be all parties and sparkles.

Of course, I know there will be many people watching this who are worried about what else the year might bring. There are fears about jobs and paying the bills. The search for work has become difficult, particularly for young people. And rising prices have hit household budgets. I get that.

Plagued by financial crisis, spiraling debt and the threat of renewed recession, many Europeans aren`t sorry to see the back of 2011. Celebrations in Paris were euphoric. But President Nicolas Sarkozy`s new year message was less than optimistic. Trailing in opinion polls, ahead of an election battle this year, he did his best to encourage his compatriots.

With what is happening in the world, 2012 will be a year of risks and dangers, but also possibilities full of hope if we know how to meet the challenges, full of dangers if we stand still.

Well, the global financial crisis is just that: global. People all over the world are hoping for better economic times in 2012. In Japan, where Shintoism and Buddhism are the dominant religions, many people are turning to their faith in an effort to help their own finances and their country`s economy. Kyung Lah has the details on this.

At the Condom Yo Jing Shrine in the heart of Tokyo`s business district, the Japanese believe the gods will grace New Year`s pilgrims with prosperity. Perhaps that`s why thousands are here in these tough economic times to offer a heavenly token and to pray -- and pray hard.

There are so many people waiting to get in that the line is spilling out into the street. You have to step through a gate to get to the main shrine area. And it`s only then that you see exactly how many people are here. About 70,000 people will visit the shrine today -- this first week of the new year, about half a million people, all praying for an economically prosperous 2012.
In line, I meet Guillaume Sakuma, who isn`t here for his personal finances, but his country`s.

It was not a nice year last year because of the earthquake and then followed by a European crisis and then so on. So hopefully we`ll have a better year this year.

An optimistic note struck on the year`s opening day of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, surging on positive global news out of Germany and China. Japan`s prime minister was more downbeat. Facing a host of economic challenges in 2012 after the disasters of 2011, Noda quoted Winston Churchill.

Never, never, never, never give up.

The tide will turn around, he says, as long as we don`t give up.

Are you thinking more about the global economy or about the Japanese economy?

"I`m worried about both," says Akiko Matsubara, because Europe affects Japan." She adds that this year will continue to be rough.

It`s complicated. I know. It`s not going to be answered by just our prayers.

But thousands of prayers can`t hurt. While it seems that so much of the global economy is out of our control, maybe, just maybe, a Higher Power is listening -- Kyung Lah, CNN, Tokyo.[qh]

也许不是官方货币,而英国正受欧元影响,因为很多其他欧盟国家依靠它。2011年对于欧元或欧洲的财政不是一个好年头。一些国家巨大的债务问题引起的震荡波穿过大陆。2012会更好吗?请看马修•常思发回的报道。
如果烟花可以衡量一个国家的前景,2012年可能是英国年。壮观的新年景观映照在泰晤士河，注定要定下今年伦敦举办奥运会的鲜明基调,英国女王伊丽莎白庆祝她的钻石婚纪念日。
但即使是首相也承认2012年不会是大放光彩的一年。
当然,我知道会有很多人担心今年可能带来什么。担心工作问题,自己的帐单。找工作变得困难,尤其是对于年轻人来说。上涨的价格超出了家庭的预算。这些我都知道。
饱受金融危机影响,螺旋式上升的债务及新的经济衰退带来的威胁,许多欧洲人不愿看到遗憾的2011年。庆祝活动在巴黎兴高采烈。但是总统尼古拉斯•萨科齐新年的信息还不是很乐观。在民意调查中落后,今年又面临大选,他尽了最大的努力来鼓励他的同胞。
随着这个世界上发生的事情,2012年将危险的一年,但也可能充满希望,如果我们知道如何迎接挑战,否则如果我们静等,只会大难临头。
嗯,全球金融危机就是:全球性的问题。世界上所有的人都希望在2012年有更好的经济时代。在日本,在那里主要信奉神道和佛教等主流宗教,许多人希望他们的信心努力能够帮助他们自己的财政状况及改善他们国家的经济。请看杨的详细报道。
在东京的商业区的这座神社中,日本人相信神会为新年的朝圣者带来繁荣。也许这就是为什么成千上万人在这些经济困难时期,接受上天的指引,那就是祈祷,更努力的祈祷。
有这么多的人在排队等待。你必须走过去到达神社的主要区域。而且唯一在那里你能很清楚地看到,这里聚集了多少人。新年的一周，这一天大约有70000人会参拜神社,大约有50万人祈求2012年经济繁荣。
在队伍中,我遇到了纪,他来到这里不是为了他的个人财产,而是为他的国家祈福。
去年不是一好的一年,地震,而随后是欧洲危机。所以希望我们今年会更好。
东京股票交易所在年初开业带来了乐观情绪。日本首相更加悲观。在2011年的灾害后在2012年还要面对很多经济挑战，诺达如此引用温斯顿•丘吉尔的话。
永远、永远、永远、永远不要放弃。
潮水会犹豫不决,他说,只要我们不放弃。
你在担心全球经济还是日本经济?
“我两个都担心,”他说道,欧洲影响日本。她补充道,今年将会继续。
这很复杂。我知道。只是我们的祈祷不会马上灵验。
但是成千上万的祷告不会有作用。当似乎是全球经济是我们所无法控制的,也许,只是也许,更高的力量。
注：听力文本来源于普特

[page]词语解释[/page]
1. currency n.  货币, 流通

The president proclaimed that a new currency would be issued.

 总统宣布将发行新货币。

 2. spectacular a.  壮观的, 令人惊叹的

We watched a spectacular sunset at the beach.
 我们在海边欣赏了非常壮观的日落。

3. euphoric a.  欣快的, 心满意足的

Laughter is euphoric much more than wine.
 笑是欣快远远超过葡萄酒。

4. pilgrim n.  朝圣者

We met many pilgrims on their way to Mecca.

 我们遇到许多去麦加朝圣的人。
5. prosperous a.  繁荣的, 兴旺的

At no time has the country been more prosperous than at present.

 我国任何时候都没有现在这样繁荣。