VOA慢速英语:Study Shows Loneliness Can Be Infectious

1.The New York Times newspaper reports that, on average, people experience feelings of loneliness about forty-eight days a year.

on average平均，按平均数计算

例句：On average the battery will last between 2-3 hours.
      平均来说，电池可以持续供电2-3小时。

2.The study suggests that people can take steps to stop the spread of loneliness.

take steps采取步骤,采取措施

例句：He is taking preliminary steps to solve the problem.
      他正采取初步的步骤来解决问题。

3.1.Economic losses from the disease amount to an estimated one percent of the African economy each year.

amount to共计

例句：The bill amounts to $500.
      这张账单共计500美元。

意味着

例句：His words amounted to a threat.
      他的话实际上是威胁。