Oil Problems Because of the Closed Water Way
水路封閉導致的石油問題
Introduction
The United States and Iran are fighting. Now, ships cannot go through the Strait of Hormuz. This changes how the world gets oil.
美國與伊朗正在交戰。目前船隻無法通過霍爾姆茲海峽。這改變了全球獲取石油的方式。
Main Body
Many ships cannot move oil and gas. Now, the US, Canada, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela make more oil. But oil is still expensive. One barrel of oil now costs $95. Before, it cost $70.
許多船隻無法運輸石油與天然氣。目前美國、加拿大、巴西、哈薩克與委內瑞拉產量增加。但石油價格依然昂貴。現在一桶石油價格為 95 美元，先前為 70 美元。
China and South Korea buy oil from Russia and Central Asia. India also buys oil from new places. In the US, gas prices are high. This is because the US cannot make enough oil quickly.
中國與南韓從俄羅斯與中亞購買石油。印度也從新渠道購買石油。在美國，汽油價格高漲。這是因為美國無法快速增加產油量。
Shipping costs are also higher. It is 80% more expensive to move goods. Some stock markets are doing well, but some are doing badly. Gold prices are going down.
運輸成本也提高了。貨物運輸費用增加了 80%。部分股市表現良好，但部分表現不佳。金價正在下跌。
Leaders tried to stop the fighting, but they failed. Some business leaders are worried. They say the world is running out of oil. Prices may go up again in June.
領導人試圖停止戰鬥，但失敗了。部分商業領袖感到擔憂。他們表示世界石油即將耗盡。價格可能會在六月再次上漲。
Conclusion
The world is trying to buy oil from new places. But prices are still high and there is not enough oil.
世界正嘗試從新渠道購買石油。但價格依然高漲且石油供應不足。
Vocabulary Learning
Comparing Then and Now
Look at how the text talks about money. It uses a simple pattern to show a change:
- Now (Present) Before (Past)
Examples from the text:
- "One barrel... now costs $95."
- "Before, it cost $70."
Easy Rule for A2: When you talk about the present, use costs. When you talk about the past, use cost (it stays the same for this word!).
Try this pattern for other things:
- Now: My coffee costs \rightarrow3.
- Now: The ticket costs \rightarrow10.
Vocabulary Spotlight: Movement
- Go through (pass through a place)
- Move (transport things from A to B)
- Running out of (when something is almost finished/gone)