VOA标准英语 Italy Continues Quake Rescue Effort

Rescuers in central Italy continue to search for possible survivors¹ in the rubble² of Monday's earthquake as funerals begin for the victims of the disaster. So far, the death toll³ is 279, which includes at least 20 children. Local and government authorities have introduced anti-looting patrols in the quake-stricken area to protect the belongings⁴ of displaced residents.
　
Forestry⁵ department officer stands by rubble of collapsed⁶ house, in devastated⁷ village of Onna, central Italy, 09 Apr 2009

The earth continues to shake in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, already devastated by Monday's early morning earthquake. Every new aftershock terrifies the thousands living in the many tent cities set up by Italy's civil protection department.

Rescue workers continue to work tirelessly in an effort to find any possible survivors, which may be trapped in the rubble. But no one has been pulled out alive since Tuesday night.

Heavy machinery⁸ and sniffer dogs are being used. One firefighter explains how useful the dogs can be.

He says that in an emergency dogs are really man's best friend. They run dangers that man cannot run. They can reach places which man cannot. Dogs have 6,000 receptors in their nose and manage to smell odors that we do not even suspect.

The whole of the historic center of l'Aquila has been closed to the public following the most recent after-shocks for fear of new collapses⁹. Government and local authorities have introduced anti-looting patrols in the area to protect the belonging of displaced residents.

One woman says she left behind her whole life. She says that when it ends, if God wishes, she will return to her home. What else can one do?

Some families have already started holding private funeral services for the victims of the quake. A mass funeral for between 100 and 150 of those who were killed will be held Friday in l'Aquila.

Cardinal¹⁰ Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, will preside over the mass, which required a special dispensation because mass is not usually celebrated¹¹ on Good Friday.

Meanwhile at the Vatican, Pope Benedict celebrated a Holy Thursday Mass that included the traditional blessing¹² of holy oils, some of which the church will send to the earthquake zone. The pope has said he plans to tour the quake-stricken area after Easter Sunday.

1 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

2 rubble   

n.（一堆）碎石，瓦砾

参考例句：

• After the earthquake,it took months to clean up the rubble.地震后，花了数月才清理完瓦砾。
• After the war many cities were full of rubble.战后许多城市到处可见颓垣残壁。

3 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

4 belongings   

n.私人物品，私人财物

参考例句：

• I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
• Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。

5 forestry   

n.森林学；林业

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese forestry is being at a significant transforming period. 当前, 我国的林业正处于一个重大的转折时期。
• Anhua is one of the key forestry counties in Hunan province. 安化县是湖南省重点林区县之一。

6 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

7 devastated   

v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的

参考例句：

• The bomb devastated much of the old part of the city. 这颗炸弹炸毁了旧城的一大片地方。
• His family is absolutely devastated. 他的一家感到极为震惊。

8 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

9 collapses   

折叠( collapse的第三人称单数 )； 倒塌； 崩溃； （尤指工作劳累后）坐下

参考例句：

• This bridge table collapses. 这张桥牌桌子能折叠。
• Once Russia collapses, the last chance to stop Hitler will be gone. 一旦俄国垮台，抑止希特勒的最后机会就没有了。

10 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

11 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。

12 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。