美联社新闻一分钟 2008-05-15_在线英语听力室

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1. Rescue teams have reached the epicenter of China's massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake. Chinese media report fewer than 100 people have been saved in Sichuan Province. Nearly 15, 000 have died and the number is expected to go even higher.

2. Authorities in Florida plan to question a man accused of throwing a glass bottle filled with accelerant and sparking a small blaze. Meanwhile Interstate 95 in Brevard County is open again. That's almost a full day after authorities said flames from nearby wildfires were crossing the highway.

3. At least 14 people are hurt, three seriously, after a rocket fired from Gaza exploded in an Israeli shopping center. The blast comes as President Bush is visiting the region to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary. He says the milestone¹ is a good sign for democratic change throughout the Middle East.

4. And the rumors² are true. Angelina Jolie is expecting twins. It was fellow actor Jack³ Black who let the news slip. The twins will be the fifth and sixth children for Jolie and boyfriend Brad Pitt.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. epicenter: n. 震中

the place on the surface of the Earth that is right above the point where an earthquake begins inside the Earth

2. accelerant: n. 促进剂

A substance, such as a petroleum⁴ distillate, that is used as a catalyst⁵, as in spreading an intentionally⁶ set fire.

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收听单词发音

1 milestone
n.里程碑；划时代的事件
参考例句：
The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。 I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

2 rumors
n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷
参考例句：
Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。来自《简明英汉词典》 Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。来自《简明英汉词典》

3 jack
n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克
参考例句：
I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。 He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

4 petroleum
n.原油，石油
参考例句：
The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。 The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

5 catalyst
n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事
参考例句：
A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。 The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

6 intentionally
ad.故意地，有意地
参考例句：
I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。 The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所，因此没有资格再获得提供住房。

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美联社新闻一分钟 2008-05-15