BBC news 2010-02-28 加文本

1.The earthquake set off a tsunami which has been sweeping across the Pacific Ocean prompting alerts as far away as New Zealand and Japan.

set off(使)开始; 引起

例句：She had stopped crying but his shouting set her off again.
      她已经不哭了, 但是他的大声喊叫使她又哭了起来。

      If uncontrolled, the shortage would set off a new rise in meat prices.
       如果不加控制, 这种短缺会引起肉价再次上涨。

2.Its failure was due mostly to be intense security operation mounted by the authorities.

due to由于，因为

例句：Her absence is due to illness.
       她因病缺席。

      Due to the extreme cold, we were unable to plant the trees.
      由于天气很冷, 所以我们无法去植树。

3.He said Iranians were being subjected to a reckless foreign policy a destructive economic strategy and they needed a change.

subject to遭受,易受,服从,受…的控制

例句：The air bases were subjected to intense air attack.
       这些空军基地曾遭受猛烈空袭。

4. Mr.ElBaradei who led the UN Nuclear Agency for many years, didn't clarify whether he intends to stand in next year's presidential election.

intend to打算(做)..., 想要(做)...

例句：I intend to show up this liar.
       我打算揭发这个说谎者。