VOA常速英语2008年-France's President Weds Former Model

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
02 February 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy got married Saturday to former super model Carla Bruni, becoming the first sitting French president in more than 70 years to tie the knot. Lisa Bryant reports on the marriage from Paris.

President Sarkozy's marriage to Italian model-turned-singer Carla Bruni was widely expected, and confirmed by Paris district mayor Francois Lebel who presided over the ceremony.

Lebel told France-Info radio the marriage, at the Elysee Palace, was a family affair with only a few guests present. It lasted just 20 minutes and was celebrated¹ at the end by toasts raised with orange juice. The mayor said he was aware the marriage would take place for the last 10 days. He noted² the event was exceptional, adding the bride wore white.

Mr. Sarkozy, who divorced his second wife Cecilia in October, had been dating Bruni for a few months. Their relationship was highly publicized in the media, apparently³ not to the liking⁴ of the French. Surveys found that while many French did not mind the affair, they did mind the fact it was so public.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sarkozy's poll ratings have been plummeting⁵ in recent weeks, with one survey published this week giving him only 41 percent support among those questioned.

Experts say many French citizens worry about their shrinking purchasing power and feel the French president has failed to deliver on promises to turn around the country's lagging economy.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

4 liking   

n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢

参考例句：

• The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
• I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

5 plummeting   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Prices are rising, falling, going up, going down, shooting up, plummeting, etc. 物价在上涨、下跌、上升、下落、猛然上涨、骤然下跌等。 来自辞典例句
• The enemy plane went plummeting into the sea. 敌机直直掉进海里。 来自辞典例句