From VOA Learning English, this is
the Economics Report in Special English. The World Economic Forum1 says the most likely risk2 facing3 the world over the next 10 years4
is a big difference between rich5
and poor6.
The estimate7 was made8 in a new report9 called10
the World Economic Forum's Global Risks 2013. Food availability12 and the spread of terrorism12 are noted every year. But
new risks, especially technological and economic ones, are getting more attention13.
The report was based on surveys14 of more than 1,000 experts from around the world15.
They considered the likelihood16
and impact of risks should they
become reality17. Sharp18
income disparity19
was considered the most likely problem to take
place20 in the next 10 years.
This is the second straight year21 that a wealth22 gap23 was named. Next24 was what the
report called "chronic fiscal imbalances25,"
or the failure26
of governments to deal with27
heavy debt28 over time29.
The risk said to have30 the biggest possible impact was a major31 failure in
the world financial system, like the collapse32
of a top institution or currency33.
But experts rated34
a water supply crisis35
as second on the list of high-impact36
risks.
How the experts change37 their opinions is also something to note38. This year, the mismanagement39 of
the aging population40
moved from the 18th to the fifth most
likely threat41. The failure to deal with the costs42 and social issues43 involved
with an aging population is now considered a risk with much greater44 potential impact.
There
were45
also extreme possibilities46.
The report called these "X Factors." They include the likelihood of
our climate47 going out of control48,
and even49 the discovery50 of alien life51. For VOA
Learning English, I'm Laurel Bowman. (Adapted from a radio program broadcast
18Jan2013)
Vocabulary
01. World Economic Forum = Forum Economico Mundial
02. most likely risk = risco mais provável
03. facing = enfrentando
04. over the next 10 years = ao longo dos proximos 10 anos
05. rich = ricos
06. poor = pobres
07. estimate = estimative
08. made = feito(a)
09. report = relatório
10. called = chamado
11. availability = disponibilidade
12. spread of terrorism = disseminação do terrorismo
13. getting more attention = obtendo maior atenção
14. based on surveys = baseado em pesquisas
15. experts from around the world = peritos de todo o mundo
16. likelihood = probabilidade
17. should they become reality = caso eles se tornem realidade
18. Sharp = agudo, forte
19. income disparity = disparidade de renda
20. take place = acontecer
21. the second straight year = o Segundo ano consecutivo
22. wealth = riqueza
23. gap = lacuna, espaço
24. Next = próximo(a)
25. Imbalances = desequilibrios
26. Failure = falha, fracasso
27. deal with = lidar com
28. heavy debt = divida pesada
29. over time = ao longo do tempo
30. said to have = que dizem ter
31. major = importante, grande
32. collapse = colapso, ruina
33. currency = moeda corrente
34. rated = classificaram
35. water supply crisis = crise de fornecimento de água
36. high-impact = de alto impacto
37. change = mudam
38. is also something to note = é também algo a observer
39. mismanagement = má administração
40. aging population = envelhecimento da população
41. most likely threat = ameaça mais provavel
42. costs = custos
43. social issues = questões sociais
44. much greater = muito maior
45. There were = houve (plural)
46. extreme possibilities = possibilidades extremas
47. climate = clima
48. going out of control = saindo fora de controle
49. even = até mesmo
50. Discovery = descoberta
51. alien life = vida alienígena
