在VOA的英语广播中，如果数字达到或超过了billion，Special English和Standard English 的读法通常都不一样。如：The Chinese News Agency says China’s population has grown to 1,031,882,511 persons. (St.) Standard English的播音员将这一数字读作one billion thirty-one million eight hundred eighty-two thousand five hundred eleven。而Special English的播音员将这一数字读作one thousand thirty-one million。又如：World Bank President A. W. Clausen says the bank will lend China 1,000,000,000 next year. (St.) Standard English的播音员将这一数字读作one billion，而Special English的播音员将这一数字读作one thousand million，这一读法避免了使用billion这一没有被VOA Special English Wordbook收进的难词。

　　数字中的另一难点是带有小数点的百分数，我们常常在经济、金融和其他涉及较精确的百分比的新闻中遇到。这些数字，特别是百分之零点几的数字的读法比较难懂，有的有几种读法，在一般的辞书和语法书中很难找到满意的答案。现根据录音材料，从这摘录一些含有这些数字的典型单句，按一定的规律排列如下，供读者参考：

　　The report noted that the slowdown is less than the four and one half per cent (4.5%) drop in such economic activity during the last three months of 1981.

　　The second largest bank in the United States, the city Bank of New York, has raised its prime interest rates to sixteen and one half per cent (16.5%).

　　He (World Bank President A. W. Claysen) praised China’s economic progress in the last two years, noting the Chinese economy has grown almost seven point five per cent (7.5%) in the time of world recession.

　　The Labor Department said almost 11 million Americans were out of work, about nine point eight per cent (9.8%) of the work force.

　　Almost 10 million persons in the US were unemployed in March. That means nine per cent (9%) of the American labor forces was out of work, and increase of two tenths of one per cent (0.2%) over February’s rate.

　　Consumer prices in the US increased by only two tenths of one per cent (0.2%) in February.

　　Producer prices in the United States increased by one tenth of one per cent (0.1%) in April, the first rise since January. Government economists say producer prices rose at yealy rate of only four tenths of one per cent (0.4%) during the first four months of this year.

　　The Labor Department reports that producer prices increased by only one half of one per cent (0.5%) in October.

　　The Federal Reserve Board says industrial production dropped eight tenths of one per cent (0.8%) in October.

　　The Labor Department reports the prices in the US lowered only six tenths of one per cent (0.6%) last month. Prices has risen one fourth per cent (0.25%) in May and June.

　　The World has a huge supply of fresh water, rivers, rain water, lakes and underground wells. But experts say that only abut one third of one per cent (0.3% or 1/3%) of the world’s total water supply is naturally safe for drinking.

　　总的来说，英语数字的听记是英语学习者的一大难点，除了掌握一定的规律和技巧外，必须通过大量的听说读写训练，才能达到比较迅速而准确的目的。

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