
©AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- disquieting /dis-KAWHY-i-ting/
[adjective] – causing worry and unhappiness
The disquieting news about rising prices made families reduce their weekly spending. - salient /SEY-lee-uhnt/
[adjective] – most noticeable or important
The salient point in the report was the sharp drop in growth. - ameliorative /uh-MEEL-yer-uh-tiv/
[adjective] – making a bad situation better or less harmful
The government introduced ameliorative measures to support workers facing job losses. - tenuous /TEN-yoo-uhs/
[adjective] – weak or slight
The country’s tenuous recovery depended on steady consumer spending. - consequential /kon-si-KWEN-shuhl/
[adjective] – having important results
The new tax law was a consequential change for businesses across the nation.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Congressional Budget Office released an updated report on September 12, 2025, showing that U.S. growth will slow in 2025 due to tariff measures, immigration crackdowns, and a wide-ranging tax and spending law. The nonpartisan office projected that real GDP will decline from 2.5% in 2024 to 1.4% in 2025, compared with the earlier estimate of 1.9%. The slowdown is linked to weaker consumer spending and a smaller workforce. Tariffs are expected to raise costs for households and businesses, while new immigration rules are expected to reduce the labor supply. The report explained that these changes alter the path of the economy, showing weaker short-term performance but suggesting a steadier outlook in future years.
The projections indicate that GDP will rise to 2.2% in 2026 before stabilizing at 1.8% in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment is expected to peak at 4.5% in 2025, slightly above the January forecast, before easing in later years. Inflation is expected to reach 3.1% in 2025 before moderating to 2.4% in 2026. In addition, about 320,000 people could be removed over the next decade under stricter immigration enforcement, with the population projected to be 4.5 million fewer by 2035. White House officials stated that policies of tax cuts, deregulation, and energy expansion will show positive effects, while the CBO emphasized near-term challenges. Analysts described the forecast as disquieting, salient, ameliorative, tenuous, and consequential, reflecting both the immediate risks and the longer-term adjustments in the economy.
The projections indicate that GDP will rise to 2.2% in 2026 before stabilizing at 1.8% in 2027 and 2028. Unemployment is expected to peak at 4.5% in 2025, slightly above the January forecast, before easing in later years. Inflation is expected to reach 3.1% in 2025 before moderating to 2.4% in 2026. In addition, about 320,000 people could be removed over the next decade under stricter immigration enforcement, with the population projected to be 4.5 million fewer by 2035. White House officials stated that policies of tax cuts, deregulation, and energy expansion will show positive effects, while the CBO emphasized near-term challenges. Analysts described the forecast as disquieting, salient, ameliorative, tenuous, and consequential, reflecting both the immediate risks and the longer-term adjustments in the economy.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced higher prices when buying goods? If so, how did it affect your choices? If not, what would you do if prices rose?
- Have you seen news about immigration or workers in your country? If so, what was the situation? If not, which country would you like to know about?
- Do you agree that tariffs make life harder for households and businesses?
- What do you think is the most important factor influencing a country’s growth?
- How might stricter immigration rules change the future workforce and economy of a country?
Summarization:
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- cost
- unemployment
- inflation
- expansion
- immediate