The author of the book painted a dismal picture of the future.

本书的作者描述了未来的凄凉情景。

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Any minor shift in outlook -- including a little vicarious creek jumping -- can make a dismal picture less dispiriting.

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That ended in a hurry on Wednesday, as a leading index of manufacturing activity fell to a 19-month low and the ADP Employment report painted a dismal picture for jobs.

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Something must be good, which sounds a very dismal picture there, there must be some good sides to this?

BBC: News Online