BBC news 2009-11-03 加文本

1.President Obama has been quick to put his administration’s weight behind Hamid Karzai, but with qualifications.

put his administration’s weight behind……从前后文的语境来理解，是表示对卡尔扎伊政府的支持。

2. The proof of the Karzai government, he said, would be in its deeds, not its words.

in its deeds, not its words是靠行动来证明，而不只是嘴上说一说。这让我们联想到一句话：Actions speak louder than words.事实胜于雄辩。

3.He was giving his final report to the UN General Assembly before stepping down.

step down走下,逐步减低,辞职,下台

例句：He is entertaining no thoughts of stepping down.
      他现时没有下台的想法。

      The manager had to step down on account of poor health.
      那位经理由于身体不好, 只能辞职不干。

4.Many had been shot at close range or hacked to death with machetes.

at close range接近地

例句：Our soldiers grappled with the enemy at close range.
      我们的战士和敌人短兵相接地搏斗。