VOA慢速英语:联合国考虑对朝鲜实施石油禁运

adj. 关键的; 批评的，爱挑剔的; 严重的; 极重要的;
[例句]The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign
该事件发生在竞选活动的关键时期。

2.leverage

n. 杠杆作用; 影响力; 优势，力量; 举债经营;
v. 举债经营; 借贷收购;
[例句]His function as a Mayor affords him the leverage to get things done through attending committee meetings.
他的市长身份使他有能力通过出席委员会会议来达成一些事情。

3.alienate

vt. 使疏远，离间; 使转移，放弃; [法]转让，让渡（财产或权利）;
[例句]The government cannot afford to alienate either group.
疏远两个团体中的任何一方都是政府承受不起的。

4.walk a fine line

小心行事

5.flexibility

n. 柔度; 柔韧性，机动性，灵活性; 伸缩性; 可塑度;
[例句]Women have lost out in this new pay flexibility
在这一新的薪资弹性化政策中吃亏的是女性。

6.exception

n. 例外，除外; 反对，批评; [法律] 异议，反对;
[例句]Few guitarists can sing as well as they can play; Eddie, however, is an exception
很少有吉他手唱歌像弹吉他那么好，然而埃迪是个例外。