VOA慢速英语:Shortage of Nurses Is Worldwide, but Worst in Poorer Nations

比例的表达

ratio:一般是指两个数字的比例 例子：水与面粉的比例是1：2;  1杯水：两杯面粉

proportion:是指A part considered in relation to the whole， 一块皮萨是一整个皮萨的八分之一：1/8

rate:A quantity measured with respect to another measured quantity; 一个单位比另一个单位：每小时六十公里： 60km/hr

percentage:百分比: 90% (很多时候，porportion就是用percentage来表达的）

scale:A standard of measurement or judgment; a criterion; 最简单的说法就是比如你看一张地图的时候，地图上会有一个小标志指明一

英寸代表1公立，这里的scale就是说一英寸就是着这样地图的“单位”，整张地图就是按照这个单位来用的。

2.The ratio of nurses to population is about ten times higher in the United States and countries in the European Union.

ten times higher倍数的比较

1) 主语+谓语+ X times + as + adj. + as

这个句型译为：① A…是B的X倍（或净增加X－1倍）.
例如：This pen (A) is twice as expensive as that pen (B).
这只钢笔(A)的价格是那只钢笔(B)的2倍。（即A比B贵一倍）
I have three times as many as you.　我有你三倍那么多。（我的比你的多两倍）
 This box is four times as heavy as that box. 这个盒子比那个盒子重4倍。

2）主语+谓语+ X times+ the size (amount, width, breadth, level, value, velocity, length…) of…
  这个句型表示净增加“1倍，是…的2倍”例如：
 The earth is 49 times the size of the moon.　地球是月球大小的49倍。
 
3）主语+谓语+ X times + 形容词（副词）比较级+ than…
  这个句型表示的数为净增加数。例如：
 The grain output is one time higher this year than that of last year.
　今年比去年粮食产量增加一倍。
 
4）还可以用by+倍数，表示增加多少倍
　The production of grain has been increased by four times this year.
　今年粮食产量增加了4倍。

3.There are concerns in most O.E.C.D. countries that the number of nurses is too small to respond to the demand.

too……to

1）too…to　 太…以至于…
　　He is too excited to speak.
　　他太激动了，说不出话来。
　 ---- Can I help you ? 需要我帮忙吗?
　 ---- Well, I'm afraid the box is too heavy for you to carry it, but thank you all the same.　不用了。这箱子太重，恐怕你搬不动。谢谢您。

2) 如在too前有否定词，则整个句子用否定词表达肯定， too 后那个词表达一种委婉含义，意 为"不太"。
　 It's never too late to mend.　(谚语)
　　　改过不嫌晚。

3)　当too 前面有only, all, but时，意思是：非常… 等于very。
　 I'm only too pleased to be able to help you. 我非常高兴能帮助你。
　 He was but too eager to get home. 他非常想回家。

4.The assembly is made up of countries in the World Health Orgnization. 

made up of由…组成，由…构成

例句：The ocean bottom is made up of smooth plains.
      洋底由平坦的平原构成。

5.As a result,nursing schools are forced to turn away from followed by students.

turn away from抛弃,放弃

例句：To turn away from reality is at the same time to withdraw from the community of man.
      逃避现实也就意味着与世隔绝。

      He made an abrupt turn away from her.
      他猛地转身离她而去。