VOA慢速英语:Record-Breaking Storm Floods ‘Music City’

by surprise出其不意

例句：The announcement took the public by surprise.
      这一通告使大家大吃一惊。

2.At least twenty-nine people were killed in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky, either by floodwaters or tornadoes.

either or不是...就是..., ...或...

例句：Flat roofs are basically either shed or lean-to roofs.
      平屋顶基本上是单坡屋顶和单斜屋顶。

3.Ben Jumper, the owner of the storage business, said he expected his losses would amount to tens of millions of dollars.

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。

4.It all adds up and it all goes to a good cause. Keep Nashville, Tennessee, in your prayers.

add up加起来, 总计, 积少成多

例句：At the exits polite assistants will take the goods and add up the cost.
       在出口处, 客气的服务员把你的商品接过去, 把价钱加在一起。