VOA慢速英语:GM to Test Investors' Hunger for Risk With Stock Offering

could表示猜测

could的用法
(1) could表示主语的能力，为can的过去时形式，如：
Daisy couldn't come yesterday because she was ill.
戴西昨天不能来是因为她病了。
They said they could swim. 他们说他们会游泳。
(2) could表示说话人的猜测（即可能性）。如：
He could be right. 他或许是对的。
Could it be Henry? 可能是亨利吗？
At that time we thought the story could not be true.
那时我们认为所说的事不可能是真的。
(3) could表示许可。如：
Father said I could swim in the river.
爸爸说我可以在河里游泳。
Could I help you? 我能帮忙吗？ (比Can I help you?婉转)
The man asked if he could smoke in the hall.
那个人问可不可以在大厅里吸烟。
(4)“could 完成式”用于肯定句时一般表示过去可能完成却未完成的动作。如：
I could have reported you. 我本可以报告你的。
You could have let me know earlier. 你本来该早一些告诉我。

2.The government still owns sixty-one percent of GM as a result of the bailout.

as a result of由于…的结果

例句：He was injured as a result of boiler explosion.
      他因锅炉爆炸而受伤。
 
3.GM plans an IPO, an initial public offering of stock, later this year.

IPO（Initial Public Offering）即是股票对公众的初始出售，也就是我们一般所说的上市。当这些股票最初以报出价格在一级市场发行之后

就在二级市场交易。一级市场由将股票分配给机构或个人投资者的承销商组成。一级市场本质上代表了公司股票在股票市场(NASDAQ, AMEX, NYSE, OTC)正式交易前发生的一切。

4.Many experts believe the Treasury will act slowly over time after the public offering is completed.

over time随着时间的过去,随着时间的推移

例句：the lake shallowed over time.
      随着时间的流逝，那个小湖变浅了。

5.GM believes it can make that happen, in part with a new electric-and-gas hybrid.

in part部分地,有些,在某种程度上