美联社新闻一分钟 2006-12-23

1. New Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates has wrapped up his visit to Iraq. He says he hopes to update President Bush over the weekend on what he leaned there. He isn't saying whether he'll recommend increasing US troop levels.

2. Thousands of travelers are still stuck in Denver. The airport was closed on Wednesday causing hundreds of flight cancellations. The governor² is urging motorists to stay home, so road crews can push tons of snow from area roads. Retailers³ hope last-minute shoppers will fill stores to help recoup their losses.

3. Experts expect millions of Americans to head out of town for Christmas. That means roads, train stations and airports will be crowded today and right through the weekend. The best advice if you are on the road--pack plenty of patience.

4. Here is a little Christmas riddle--where does a jumbo-sized Santa's helper keep his gifts? For these helpers in Thailand, it's obviously⁴ in their trunks. The elephants visit school kids every year and they don't just pass out gifts; they also do tricks

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. update: verb
If you update someone on a situation, you tell them the latest developments in that situation.

2. recoup: verb
If you recoup a sum of money that you have spent or lost, you get it back.

3. jumbo: adj.
Jumbo means very large; used mainly in advertising⁵ and in the name of products.

4. trunk: n-count
An elephant's trunk is its very long nose that it uses to lift food and water to its mouth

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 governor   

n.统治者，地方长官(如省长，州长，总督等)

参考例句：

• The governor was an expert at fencing with reporters.这位州长是搪塞新闻记者的能手。
• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。

3 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

4 obviously   

adv.显然；明白地

参考例句：

• Obviously they were putting him to a severe test.显然他们是在给他以严峻的考验。
• Obviously he was lying.显然他是在撒谎。

5 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。