VOA标准英语2010年-Britain in Shock After Lone Gunman Kil

Relatives of shooting victim Darren Rewcastle gather to lay flowers in Whitehaven, England where Rewcastle was killed during a shooting spree yesterday, 3 June 2010

Britain is in shock and police are looking for answers a day after police say a lone¹ gunman killed 12 people and injured at least 11 others in one of the country's most peaceful and picturesque² regions, Cumbria in northwestern England.

 

Like most any country, Britain has its share of crime - murder, robberies, rape³.  But Wednesday's rampage, by suspected gunman Derrick Bird, shocked the nation.

Speaking before parliament a day after the killings⁴, Home Secretary Theresa May said a full investigation⁵ is underway.

"More than 100 detectives have been assigned to the task," said May.  "Their investigation will look into Derrick Bird's history, his access to firearms and to the motivations for his action."

During a three-hour shooting spree, the suspected gunman turned on former colleagues, acquaintances and total strangers as he drove through the towns and villages of coastal⁶ Cumbria, one of Britain's most picturesque areas.  Bird's body was later found in a densely⁷ wooded area nearby.  Police say he shot himself.

Bird, a 52-year-old taxi driver, was described by colleagues and neighbors as a normal, friendly but quiet person - someone who enjoyed having a beer with colleagues at the local pub.  Police said they recovered a shotgun and a .22 caliber⁸ rifle with a telescopic sight.  Bird had a license⁹ to own such firearms.

Even though Britain has very tight gun control laws, there are some calls to tighten¹⁰ them further.

Home Secretary Theresa May said that issue should be discussed after the police investigation is completed.

"Undoubtedly¹¹, yesterday's killings will prompt a debate about our country's gun laws," added May.  "That is understandable and indeed it is right and proper.  But it would be wrong to react before we know the full facts."

The rampage in Cumbria is the worst such incident since 1996 when a gunman walked into a school in the town of Dunblane in Scotland and killed 17 people.

 

1 lone   

adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的

参考例句：

• A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。
• She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

2 picturesque   

adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的

参考例句：

• You can see the picturesque shores beside the river.在河边你可以看到景色如画的两岸。
• That was a picturesque phrase.那是一个形象化的说法。

3 rape   

n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸

参考例句：

• The rape of the countryside had a profound ravage on them.对乡村的掠夺给他们造成严重创伤。
• He was brought to court and charged with rape.他被带到法庭并被指控犯有强奸罪。

4 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

7 densely   

ad.密集地；浓厚地

参考例句：

• A grove of trees shadowed the house densely. 树丛把这幢房子遮蔽得很密实。
• We passed through miles of densely wooded country. 我们穿过好几英里茂密的林地。

8 caliber   

n.能力；水准

参考例句：

• They ought to win with players of such high caliber.他们选手的能力这样高,应该获胜。
• We are always trying to improve the caliber of our schools.我们一直在想方设法提高我们学校的水平。

9 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

10 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

11 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。