BBC news 2009-10-29 加文本

1. But given that the government only controls the few districts of the capital, Mogadishu, it is difficult to imagine how it will deal with the pirates, who operate in areas outside government control.

参考翻译：但是由于政府现在仅控制了首都摩加迪沙的少量地区，实在难以想象政府怎样应对在政府控制区域以外大范围活动的海盗。

语法学习：given引导条件句

given与provided意思一样,表示“如果有……,则……”,
但两者的区别是provided后面只能跟that引导从句,而不能跟名词或名词性短语。而given后既可跟从句,又可跟名词性短语。

2.In June, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta announced in his budget that government cars would have their engine sizes capped at 1,800 cc, a measure designed to more than halve fuel and maintenance costs.

参考翻译：六月份，财政部长Uhuru Kenyatta宣布将政府车辆引擎的大小控制在1,800cc，燃料和维修成本将下降一半。

语法学习：have sth. done，have sb. do sth 与 have sb./sth. doing 三种结构进行简单的分析和归纳。

　　一、 have sth. done

　　“have + sth. （宾语）+ 过去分词（宾语补足语）”意为“让/叫/使/请别人做某事”。宾语sth.后面用过去分词作宾语补足语，说明sth.与过去分词表示的动作之间是被动关系。例如：

　　We had the machine mended just now.

　　我们刚才请人把机器修好了。

　　He has had his hair cut.

　　他（请人给他）理发了。

　　The patient is going to have his temperature taken.

　　这个病人准备请/叫/让人量体温。

　　二、 have sb. do sth.

　　“have + sb.（宾语）+ do sth.（宾语补足语）”意为“让/ 叫/使某人做某事”。此结构中的 have 是使役动词，sb. 作宾语，其后的 do sth.是省去 to 的动词不定式作宾语补足语。例如：

　　The boss often has them work for 14 hours a day.

　　老板经常要他们一天工作14 个小时。

　　I'll have someone repair the bike for you.

　　我会让人为你修理自行车的。

　　三、 have sb./sth. doing

　　“ have +sb./sth. （宾语）+ 现在分词（宾语补足语）”意为“叫/让/使某人做某事或让某种情况发生”。宾语 sb./sth .后面用现在分词作宾语补足语，表示宾语与现在分词表示的动作之间为主动关系，且动作正在进行。例如：

　　Don't have the baby crying！ 不要让婴儿啼哭！

　　Don't have the dog barking much，Lilin. 李林，别让狗狂吠不停。

　　You'd better have your car running slowly. 你最好把车子开慢点。

3. But despite a deadline of Wednesday for the trade down, ministers appear to be in no hurry to comply.

参考翻译：但是，尽管政府规定必须在周三之前进行更话，然而，部长们似乎并不急着遵守该新的规定。

语法学习：despite

Despite用作介词时，与 in spite of同义，都表示“尽管”、“虽然”、“不顾”之意，但程度有所不同。

一般说来，in spite of的语气较强，使用范围也较广； despite的语气较弱，多用于诗歌或正式的文体中。Despite可以写作despite of，也可以写作 in despite of；in spite of则可以写作 spite of，但这些写法已少用了。例：

Despite his advanced years，he is learning to drive．

虽然年事已高，他现在在学驾驶汽车。

Despite the drought，we expect a good crop．

尽管天旱，丰收依然在望。

In spite of the police brandishing their clubs and pistols，people showed not the slightest fear．

尽管警方挥动着短棍及手枪，但人们毫不畏惧。

We arrived at the station in spite of the storm．

虽然有暴风雨，我们依旧准点到达火车站。