BBC news 2010-08-23 加文本

1.Most of them were so-called “express kidnappings”, where the victim was released after less than a day once a ransom had been paid.

参考翻译：大多数都是所谓的“快速绑架”，一旦缴纳了赎金，受害者则在一天之内获得释放。

语法学习：where在这里修饰的是前面的“express kidnappings”这种situation。where可以引导定语从句，修饰下面几个抽象名词：

一、where定语从句修饰抽象名词point

You reach a point where medicine can’t help. 你已到了药物无法治疗的地步。

The crisis has reached a point where the receiver will have to be called in. 危机已达到非把破产管理人叫来不可的地步。

We have reached a point where a change is needed. 我们到了必须改一改的地步。

注：有时point也可以是具体的地点：

Let the point where AB cuts CD be called E. 设AB线与CD线的相交点为E。

The accident happened at the point where the A15 joins the M1. 事故发生在A15与M1交叉的十字路口。

二、where定语从句修饰抽象名词case

There are cases where the word “mighty” is used as an adverb. 在一些情况下，mighty一词可用作副词。

Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases where beginners of English fail to use the language properly. 今天，我们将讨论一些英语初学者对英语使用不当的问题。

三、where定语从句修饰抽象名词activity

Those successful deaf dancers think that dancing is an activity where sight matters more than hearing. 那些失聪的成功舞蹈演员们认为，舞蹈是一种让人看胜过让人听的活动。

四、where定语从句修饰抽象名词situation

He got into a situation where it is hard to decide what is right and wrong. 他陷入一种难以分辨是非的局面。

If you risk something important, you cause it to be in a dangerous situation where you might lose it. 你如果拿重要的东西去冒险，那你就是将它置于一种可能会失去它的危险境地。

五、where定语从句修饰抽象名词position

It’s put me in a position where I can’t afford to take the job. 这使我陷入一种不能接受此工作的境地。

六、where定语从句修饰抽象名词job

She wants a job where her management skills can be put to good use. 她想找一份能将她的管理技能派上用场的工作。

I don’t want a job where I’m chained to a desk all day. 我不想找一份整天坐在办公桌前的工作。

2.American researchers funded by the defence budget say they’ve made significant progress in devising a drug to treat the deadly virus Ebola, which is seen as a potential biological weapon.

参考翻译：由国防预算提供资金的美国研究人员表示，他们在研制治疗致命的埃博拉病毒方面取得了重大进展。埃博拉病毒被视为一种潜在的生化武器。

结构分析：这句话的主干是：American researchers say they’ve made significant progress。funded by the defence budget是过去分词作后置定语，修饰researchers。which is seen as a potential biological weapon是定语从句，修饰virus Ebola。

3.Egyptian officials investigating the theft of a painting by Vincent van Gogh from a museum in Cairo say none of the alarms was working when the thieves struck on Saturday, and only seven of its 43 security cameras were operational.

参考翻译：调查梵高油画在开罗博物馆被盗事件的埃及官员表示，周六盗贼行窃时，所有警报器都出现故障。43个摄像头中只有7个是正常运作的。

结构分析：这句话的主干是：Egyptian officials say none of the alarms was working and only seven...investigating the theft是现在分词作后置定语，修饰officials。when the thieves struck on Saturday是时间状语从句。