BBC news 2011-07-20 加文本

词汇讲解：

1. tycoon n. 企业巨头；大亨
例句：The tycoon is on the verge of bankruptcy.
那名大亨濒临破产的边缘。

2. defunct adj. 已灭绝的；不再起作用的；不再使用的
例句：The scheme for building an airport seems to be completely defunct now.
建造新机场的计划看来整个完蛋了。

3. ashamed adj. 惭愧的, 羞耻的, 害臊的
例句：Her husband felt ashamed at her behaviour.
她丈夫为她的行为感到害臊。

4. merit vt. 值得; 应获得
例句：I think the suggestion merits consideration.
我认为这个建议值得考虑。

5. rein n. 控制手段
例句：The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods.
政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

6. dissuade vt. 劝(某人)勿做某事;劝阻
例句：I tried to dissuade her from getting married.
我曾劝阻过她别结婚。

7. hearing n. 听证会, 申辩或发言的机会
例句：The financial committee had a hearing yesterday.
昨天经济委员会召开了一个听证会。

8. despicable adj. 可鄙的,卑鄙的
例句：From beginning to end his conduct had been despicable and wicked.
从头到尾他的行为既卑鄙又可恶。

9. deteriorate vi. 恶化, 变坏,退化
例句：Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks.
最近几周那两个国家间的关系严重恶化了。

10. critical adj. 决定性的, 关键性的, 危急的
例句：We are at a critical time in history.
我们正处在历史的危急时刻。

11. wrangle v, 争吵;争论;口角
例句：They wrangled over what to do next.
他们就接下来该干什么而争吵。