VOA慢速英语:A Credit Downgrade for Japan, but Some Signs of Hope

短语讲解：

1. Finance Minster Yoshihiko Noda said trust in the economy "will not be shaken" by Wednesday's action.

trust in相信; 信任
例句：You must trust in your own judgment.
你必须相信自己的判断。

2. Moody’s said it acted because of Japan’s large budget deficits and buildup in government debt since the two thousand nine global recession.

because of因为, 由于
例句：It was because of the job that he had taken the flat.
他因为工作的原因租了那套公寓。

3. The current prime minister, Naoto Kan, is expected to resign soon.

be expected to预计
例句：The death toll is expected to rise.
预计死亡人数还会增加。

4. It was the third quarter of shrinkage in a row.

in a row成一行
例句：They were standing neatly in a row.
他们整齐地站成一行。

5. Shortages of parts led to a big drop in sales and profit for Toyota, the world's top selling carmaker.

lead to导致, 引起
例句：An ordinary cold can soon lead to a fever.
一场普通的感冒很快便会引起高烧。

6. Earlier this month, another credit rating agency downgraded United States government debt for the first time.

for the first time第一次
例句：They tasted defeat for the first time.
他们第一次体验到失败的滋味。

7. Mr. Biden visited Japan at the end of a trip to Asia.

at the end of在…结尾,在…末端
例句：The audience clapped at the end of the play .
剧终时观众鼓掌。