BBC news 2010-10-23 加文本

sign up跟…签订合同

例句：They manage to sign up all the best performers.
      他们设法跟所有最佳演员签订合同。

2.The outbreak has been blamed on the Artibonite river, which is the main source of water for thousands of people.

blame on把责任推给…

例句：They blamed the failure on John.
      他们把失败的责任推给约翰。

3.However, trade unions say they'll continue their opposition to what they regard as an unfair measure.

regard as把...认作

例句：We regard dandelion as an emblem of hope.
      我们把蒲公英看作希望的象征。

4.The vote in the Senate was always a formality, so much so that a large number of the senators had already left for the half-term break and voted on this bill by proxy.

so much so that到这种程度以致

例句：He was clever so much so that he can solve it in a few minutes.
      他聪明到可以在几分钟内解决它的地步。

leave for出发去(某地)

例句：We'll leave for Guangzhou by plane.
      我们将乘飞机去广州。

      We're leaving for Rome next week.
      我们下星期要到罗马去。

5.The US is stepping up its military aid to Pakistan, with a $2 billion package over five years to help in the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

step up(使)增加, (使)加快速度

例句：The girl stepped up to school.
      女孩子加快步伐去上学。

      He has stepped up into the management of the firm.
      他已升入公司的管理部门。