今日长难句：

选自《经济学人》

In the middle of June a closely watched consumer survey by the University of Michigan put expected annual inflation at 3.3% for the next five years; by the end of the month it was down to 3.1%.

6月中旬，密歇根大学一项备受关注的消费者调查估算，未来五年的预期年通胀率为3.3%；到月底时，这一数字降到了3.1%。

这句话的主语非常长，需要大家首先找到最核心的名词是survey，前置定语a closely watched意思是备受关注的，survey之后是介词短语作后置定语，被谁做的调查， by the University of Michigan, 密歇根大学做的调查，survey对应的谓语动词是put at，在这里固定搭配put sb/sth at sth意思是估算、计算…， put expected annual inflation at 3.3% for the next five years;调查估算未来五年的预期年通胀率为3.3%；分号之后是第二个简单句， by the end of the month it was down to 3.1%.其中it指代是annual inflation rate，到月底时，这一数字降到了3.1%。

总结下，这句话由2个简单句组成，由分号可以清晰的做出划分，两个谓语动词分别是put at和was。整句话意思是：6月中旬，密歇根大学一项备受关注的消费者调查估算，未来五年的预期年通胀率为3.3%；到月底时，这一数字降到了3.1%。

核心要点：

1.put sb/sth at sth 估计；计算

例：The damage to the building is put at over $1 million.

对这座建筑物造成的损坏估计超过100万元。

2.closely watched 密切关注

例：They have to earn their slot in the chain, and that success will be closely watched by the rest of the industry.

他们必须在产业链中赢得一席之地，而那一成功将受到业内其他企业的密切关注。

3.survey n. 民意调查，民意测验；考察，调查

例：The survey covers all aspects of the business.

调查包括这家企业的各个方面。

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