2006年VOA标准英语-Wide-Scale Blackout Across Much of Western Euro

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
05 November 2006 

visualization1 picture from NASA shows a view of Europe at night " src="/upimg/allimg/070508/0938560.jpg" width="210" border="0" /> Undated visualization picture from NASA shows a view of Europe at night

Across Western Europe, power cuts temporarily plunged² homes into darkness overnight. Millions of people were affected³ in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain and Italy. 

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When the power went out some people were in elevators, others were cooking and others were watching television. It was late Saturday, when millions were plunged into darkness across Western Europe.

Rail and underground trains were delayed, and thousands of worried citizens called the emergency services. No injuries were reported.

In France, about five million people were left without power, including many in the capital, Paris. Firefighters said about 15 French regions were affected, and many homes were still without electricity early Sunday. Homes in Austria, Belgium, Italy and Spain were also affected, though supplies were quickly restored.

Heavily populated areas of Germany, where the power outage originated, were also plunged into darkness.

Private German company Generator⁴ E.On A.G. said the problems began in the northwest of the country, where its network became overloaded⁵, possibly because it shut down a high-voltage transmission line over a river to allow a ship to pass safely.

The company said it had shut down transmission lines in the past without causing problems, and that it was still trying to discover what happened this time.

In Italy, speaking to reporters in his hometown of Bologna, Prime Minister Romano Prodi said the incident suggested Europe needed to strengthen its coordination⁶ of power supplies.

He said there is a contradiction between having European power links and not having a European power authority. Prodi added that countries depend on each other, but are not able to help each other, and do not have a central authority.

1 visualization   

n.想像，设想

参考例句：

• In 2D visualization and drawing applications, vertical and horizontal scrolling are common. 在二维的可视化及绘图应用中，垂直和水平滚动非常普遍。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Ophthalmoscopy affords the only opportunity for direct visualization of blood vessels. 检眼镜检查法提供直接观察血管的唯一机会。

2 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 generator   

n.发电机，发生器

参考例句：

• All the while the giant generator poured out its power.巨大的发电机一刻不停地发出电力。
• This is an alternating current generator.这是一台交流发电机。

5 overloaded   

a.超载的，超负荷的

参考例句：

• He's overloaded with responsibilities. 他担负的责任过多。
• She has overloaded her schedule with work, study, and family responsibilities. 她的日程表上排满了工作、学习、家务等，使自己负担过重。

6 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。