英语新闻阅读：美国就业市场稍有改善

英语自学网

　　Economic reports published Thursday show the U.S. housing and job markets
getting a little better. The Labor Department says 5,000 fewer Americans signed
up for unemployment compensation last week, putting the nationwide total at
388,000. While that is the lowest level since last April, it is still above the
level seen in a healthy economy.
        　　The U.S. unemployment rate has fallen to 9 percent and some economists say
it is likely to decline slowly. A separate report from the Commerce Department
shows builders started construction on slightly fewer homes in October, but the
number of building permits issued for future construction surged, particularly
for apartments.