VOA慢速英语:How a Promise to Guarantee Bad Debts Came to Haunt Ireland

be to 表示客观安排或受人指示而做某事。
　　 be going to 表示主观的打算或计划。

　I am to play football tomorrow afternoon.　　 (客观安排)
　I'm going to play football tomorrow afternoon. (主观安排)

2.What was different about the Irish approach was that all deposits were guaranteed and bondholders, investors that had bought bonds in these banks, also received the government guarantee.

What was different about the Irish approach是what引导的主语从句。that had bought bonds in these banks是定语从句，修饰investors。

3.Its educated, English-speaking workers and low taxes appealed to foreign companies.

appeal to对…有吸引力

例句：This job rather appeals to me.
      这工作对我有吸引力。

4.They want to be ready in case of more bad news from economies like Greece, Portugal and Spain.

in case of万一, 如果,发生

例句：In case of fire, walk quickly to the nearest door.
      如果失火, 就赶快朝最近的门跑。

防备

例句：The wall was built along the river in case of floods.
      沿河筑了防护墙以防洪水。