VOA慢速英语:President Obama Takes State of the Union Speech to Public

1. The president said he will continue to reach out to Congress to work on long-term issues.

reach out （使）伸出
例句：He had used it to reach out to his adversaries.
拉宾通过它向敌人们伸出了和平之手。

2. The shutdown took place last October.

take place 发生，举行
例句：Elections take place every four years.
选举四年举行一次。

3. It took place because lawmakers failed to pass a spending bill in the required time.

fail to 未能…
例句：All of these interpretations fail to understand the broader importance of the announcement.
所有这些观点都未能理解这一协议更为广泛的重要性。

4. But, the president said it is not enough that more people are working.

not enough 不够的
例句：The phone was not enough.
一台手机远远不够。

5. But intense opposition from conservatives has tied up the bill in the House of Representatives.

tie up 阻碍; 包起来
例句：Will you help me tie up this package?
你能帮我把这个包裹绑起来吗？