BBC news 2011-04-07 加文本

短语讲解：

1. Portugal has asked the European Union for emergency financial aid to help it deal with its debts.

emergency financial aid 紧急财政援助
deal with 处理，对付
例句：He had no capability to deal with the matter. 
他没有能力处理那件事。

2. The European Commission said Lisbon's request would be dealt with as quickly as possible.

as quickly as possible 尽快
例句：Everyone wanted to get away now as quickly as possible. 
现在谁都想尽快地离开。 

3. For weeks now, the financial markets have expected Portugal to need rescue loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

expect sb to do 期望/希望某人做某事
例句：We expect writers to produce more and better works.
我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。

4. Trapped in his bunker, he had seen on the brink of a negotiated surrender, but this morning, the talks collapsed, French mediators accusing Mr Gbagbo of impossible stubbornness.

on the brink of 在…的边缘，濒临
例句：Natalie is living on the brink of panic. 
娜塔丽正生活在痛苦的边缘。

5. The former Congressman Curt Weldon is visiting in a personal capacity but with the knowledge of President Obama.

in a personal capacity 以个人身份，以个人名义
例句：Denham, the policeman, might have written to the paper in a personal capacity. 
也许是那个警长邓南以私人名义写了稿，投到报纸上去的。

6. But a spokesman reiterated the refusal of the opposition to engage in any negotiations whatsoever with Colonel Gaddafi's government.

engage in 参加，从事，忙于
例句：They engage in the study of music. 
他们从事音乐研究。

7. A group of former Israeli defence and security chiefs has put forward proposals to restart peace talks with the Palestinians.

put forward 提出
例句：Who put forward the suggestion?
这个建议是谁提的？

8. They have the potential to become any specialised type of cell from brain to heart to skin.

have the potential to do 有潜力做…，有做…的潜力
例句：Users say that universal browser interfaces have the potential to better integrate network management. 
用户们说，通用浏览器接口具有更好地结合网络管理的潜力。

9. The archaeologists were preparing the way for construction of a new underground rail link.

prepare for 为…而准备
例句：The teacher instructed the class to prepare for a test. 
教师通知这一班学生准备测验。