新西兰英语 276 John Key in Afghanistan

　　Prime¹ Minister, John Key, has just ended a 3-day visit to Afghanistan. Helen Clark also visited Afghanistan when she was Prime Minister. We have 70 members of the SAS (Special Air Services) fighting in Kabul and 140 soldiers working in Bamiyan province to help build roads and bridges. The SAS plan to return to New Zealand next March and the soldiers in Bamiyan will finish in September this year.
There are 130,000 soldiers from 46 countries in Afghanistan.
John Key met with the President Karzai and the US general in charge of the war. For his protection², his visit was a secret – we did not learn about it until he had left Afghanistan. However, he wore a helmet³ and body armour⁴ as protection. He said he did not want to send soldiers to a country that he would not visit himself.
The US general said they are very grateful⁵ for New Zealand’s help. Now John Key thinks that about half of the SAS and about 50 other soldiers could stay longer in Afghanistan.
Questions to think about
Do you think NZ should send soldiers to Afghanistan?
How long should NZ continue to support the war in Afghanistan?
Was it safe for John Key to visit?

1 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

2 protection   

n.保护，防卫，保护制度

参考例句：

• The protection of the country is the duty of everyone.保卫国家是每个人的责任。
• The young in our society need care and protection.我们社会的年轻人需要关怀和照顾。

3 helmet   

n.钢盔；头盔；安全帽；vt.给…戴头盔

参考例句：

• The man on the motorcycle wore a helmet.骑摩托车的人戴了一顶头盔。
• Wear your safety helmet when you go down.戴上安全帽再下去。

4 armour   

（=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队

参考例句：

• His body was encased in shining armour.他全身披着明晃晃的甲胄。
• Bulletproof cars sheathed in armour.防弹车护有装甲。

5 grateful   

adj.感谢的，感激的，受欢迎的，表示谢意的

参考例句：

• If you will help us, we shall be very grateful.如果你愿意帮助我们，我们会很感激你。
• He closed his letter with expression of grateful thanks.他在那封信的结尾表达了自己的感激之情。