常春藤生活英语【105】FARC人质救援行动

In May of 2001, Ingrid Betancourt launched her campaign1 to become president of Columbia. She took a bus all around Columbia to talk to the people and figure out what their needs were. Nearly a year later, she wanted to meet with the people of the Revolutionary2 Armed Forces3 in Columbia, which is also known as the FARC. This group was considered very dangerous and had been responsible for hundreds of kidnappings4 over the years.

　　The president at the time appealed to her not to go to this dangerous area of the country. Betancourt was stubborn, and she went ahead with her trip to talk to the rebels5. As soon as she entered the FARC-controlled area, she was kidnapped and held for a large sum of money. Officials tried desperately¹ to negotiate with the FARC but it didn't work. For the next six and a half years, Betancourt was kept in places all over the countryside of Columbia. Join National Geographic² Channel this month to hear the amazing story of her rescue6 on Inside: FARC Hostage7 Rescue.

2001年五月，英格丽德?贝当古展开角逐哥伦比亚总统的竞选活动。她搭乘巴士跑遍哥伦比亚和人民对谈，藉此了解他们的需求。近一年后，她想和哥伦比亚革命武装部队里的人士会晤，此部队又名FARC。这个组织被视为是一个极其危险的团体，在过去几年来，他们策动了上百桩的绑架案件。

当时的哥国总统恳求她不要前往境内如此危险的地区。贝当古却执意展开她的旅程，以便和叛军对谈。她一踏进FARC的地盘就遭到绑架，并被扣留以要求高额的赎金。政府官员急欲和FARC谈判，却徒劳无功。在接下来的六年半里，贝当古被关的地方遍及哥伦比亚各地的乡间。本月份请收看国家地理频道的《透视内幕：FARC人质救援行动》，一探她那令人惊叹的救援故事。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. launch　vt. 开始进行，发动
The angry workers launched a protest.
愤怒的劳工们发起了抗议活动。
2. stubborn　a. 固执的，顽固的
Grant is too stubborn to accept my advice.
葛兰特顽固到不肯接受我的劝告。
3. hold　vt. 扣押，扣留
The police have held that suspect for days.
警方已经扣押那名嫌犯好几天了。
4. desperately　adv. 拚命地；不顾一切地
Sam desperately tried to make money.
山姆拚命地想要赚钱。

Phrases for Learning

1. at the time　　当时
Jolin was the most famous singer at the time I was in college.
乔琳是我念大学时最有名的歌手。
2. appeal to + 人 + to + 原形动词　　恳求某人做……
The beggar appealed to me to give him some money.
那名乞丐乞求我施舍他一点钱。

Extra Words

1. campaign　n.（竞选，宣传）活动
2. revolutionary　a. 革命的
3. armed forces　n. 武装部队
4. kidnapping　n. 绑架；劫持
kidnap　vt. 绑架；劫持
5. rebel　n. 反叛者，造反者
6. rescue　n. & vt. 解救，救援
7. hostage　n. 人质（本文中亦作形容词用）

Tips In Use

This group was considered very dangerous...
（这个组织被视为是一个极其危险的团体……）
be considered (to be )...　　被认为（是）……
= be regarded as...
= be viewed as...
= be seen as...
= be thought of as...
= be looked upon as...
Marcus is regarded as a great DJ.
= Marcus is viewed as a great DJ.
= Marcus is looked upon as a great DJ.
（马克思被视为是个很棒的DJ。）

1 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

2 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法