VOA慢速英语:Mars Was Not Always Bitterly Cold

词汇讲解：

1. threat n. 可能造成威胁的人[事, 想法]
例句：The use of nuclear weapons is a horrible threat to the species.
核武器对人类是一个严重威胁。

2. orbit vt. 在…轨道上运行, 环绕轨道运行
例句：The man-made satellite orbits the earth every 48 hours.
那颗人造卫星每48小时绕地球轨道运行一周。

3. confirm vt.证实, 证明; 肯定, 确认；使巩固, 加强；批准; 认可
例句：His letter confirmed everything.
他的信证实了一切。

4. ban vt.取缔, 查封, 禁止
例句：Swimming is banned in this lake.
这个湖里不准游泳。

5. slaughter vt. 屠杀, 杀戮; 屠宰
例句：The invading army slaughtered a lot of people.
侵略军杀了许多人。

6. endangered adj. 快要绝种的
例句：This island is maintained as a sanctuary for endangered species.
那个岛继续作为濒危物种的保护区。

7. decrease n. 减小, 降低
例句：There has been some decrease in imports.
进口货物有所减少。

8. crowd vt.挤满, 塞满；催逼
例句：Swimmers crowded the beaches.
海滩上挤满了游泳的人。

9. crush v. 压碎, 压坏, 捣碎, 碾成粉末; 挤进, 挤入
例句：The box was crushed when the car ran over it.
汽车辗过箱子时把它给压碎了。

10. opponent n. 对手, 敌手
例句：He beat his opponent in the election.
他在选举中击败了对手。