BBC在线收听下载:爱尔兰宣布将就同性婚姻合法化举行公投

短语讲解：

1. Some opposition leaders say he must step down at some point in the political transition.

step down 退休，辞职
例句：The governor has rejected all calls to step down.
这位州长拒绝了所有要求他下台的呼声。

2. The authorities in Brazil have cancelled a major global football convention Soccerex due to take place in the city of Rio de Janeiro later this month.

due to 由于；因为
例句：Much of the shift is due to economic growth.
这种变化的大部分都是由于经济的增长。
take place 发生，举行
例句：They will now take place on january 15th.
这一切将会在明年1月15日发生。

3. The Brazilian Justice Minister has defended his country spying activities and said they were completely different from those carried out by the United States.

carry out 执行；进行
例句：They should also carry out some fundamental reforms.
这些政府也应该执行一些基础性的改革。

4. The Vatican has taken an unusual step of launching global survey to find out what Roman Catholics really think about church teachings on marriage and family life.

find out 发现
例句：There is always more to find out.
还有很多东西要我们去探索发现。