VOA慢速英语:Low Coal Prices Mean Heavy Smog in China

短语讲解：

1. Beijing started the New Year with heavy smog hanging over the city.

hang over 挂在…之上，悬浮在…之上; 威胁
例句：A great danger will hang over him.
他大难临头了。

2. The skies seemed darker than usual, resulting from the thick clouds mixing with smoke and air pollution.

mix with （使） 与…混[结]合; 与（某人）交往
例句：He doesn't mix with the rabble here.
他不与这里的下等人交往。

3. The smog has led to delays of airline flights, problems involving shipping and port operations, and school closings in the north and center of the country.

lead to 导致; 把…带到; 领到
例句：Economic models often lead to the study of systems of equations.
经济模型经常导致对方程组的研究。

4. In early January, more than 2,000 people were forced to stay on a cruise ship for two days because of smog.

because of 因为，由于
例句：John's jacket got out of shape because of the heavy rain.
约翰的夹克因为大雨而变形。

5. Coal-burning power plants in both China and the United States are responsible for about 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions.

be responsible for 为…负责，形成…的原因
例句：I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.
我有时觉得背负这笔抵押贷款很有压力。

6. Today many Chinese still depend on it for heating.

depend on 依赖; 相信; 信赖
例句：I can always depend on you, Sam.
我知道我可以依靠你 ，Sam。

7. Its officers will deal with environmental crimes as part of efforts to clean up the air and punish repeat polluters.

clean up 打扫
例句: We should clean up the past-due bills.
我们应该清理逾期票据。

8. The government has invested billions in clean energy — to cut back on the need for imported oil and gas, as well as coal.

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。

9. At the same time, China has promised to build a number of new coal plants.

at the same time 同时; 一起; 但是; 然而
例句：At the same time we are great swells.
我们同时还是上等人物。

10. As long as coal remains the cheapest way to stay warm, China will have to continue to work for cleaner air.

as long as 只要; 如果
例句：You may borrow this book as long as you keep it clean.
只要你不把书弄脏，就可以借给你。