VOA慢速英语:Migrants Are Dying Trying to Reach Europe

短语讲解：

1. The E.U. officials were reacting to the sinking of a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Libya on April 19 drowning hundreds of people.

hundreds of 好几百，许许多多
例句：Money to the extent of hundreds of thousands was set in motion.
流通的金钱达几十万金元之多。

2. Officials believe at least 800 migrants died when the wooden fishing boat sank.

at least 至少
例句：For that day at least he lost heart.
至少这一天他是垂头丧气的。

3. The International Organization for Migration says 1,727 migrants have died so far this year.

so far 到目前为止
例句：It is merely a hypothesis; so far.
到目前为止，这仅仅是一种假设。

4. Earlier this week, he said, “We will take action now. Europe is declaring war on smugglers.”

take action 采取行动
例句：We have to take action to stop them.
我们得采取行动来制止他们。

5. We have to break up their networks and to undermine their business model," he said.

break up 结束; （使）破碎; 放假
例句：In spring the ice-floes break up.
春天浮冰碎裂了.

6. Last year, the EU ended a search and rescue program because of its cost.

because of 因为，由于
例句：All the planes were socked in yesterday because of the thick mist.
由于雾大，昨天所有的飞机都停飞了。