VOA慢速英语:Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, Mathematician, Astronomer

短语讲解：

1. At the time, the American colonies were heavily engaged in the slave trade from Africa.

engaged in 正忙于，正着手于，正做着
例句：He is engaged in making preparations for the conference on educational work.
他正忙于筹备教育工作会议。

2. He did not regularly go to school because of his work on the family farm.

because of 因为，由于
例句：He is feeling wretched today because of the rain.
因为下雨，他今天情绪很不好。

3. He showed his mechanical abilities by building an accurate clock made of wood, at the age of 22.

at the age of 在…岁时
例句：He learned to ride a horse at the age of nine.
他九岁时学会了骑马。

4. The device continued to run for many years until it was destroyed by fire.

run for 竞选，赶快去请
例句：I'm planning to run for the school board.
我打算竞选联合校董会董事。

5. In addition, Banneker’s almanac gave times for meetings of the courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as essays and other interesting writings.

as well as 也，又
例句：Boys as well as girls are taught cookery in school these days.
现在学校里男女学生都学烹饪。

6. He continued to live on his farm until his death in 1806.

live on 继续活着; 继续存在; 住在…上; 以…为食
例句：He has barely enough money to live on.
他的钱仅够勉强维持生计。