VOA标准英语2011--World Reacts to Announcement of Steve Jo

World Reacts to Announcement of Steve Jobs Death

As news of Steve Jobs' death spreads, many are sharing their feelings about the life and innovations of the Apple Computer co-founder.
From Washington, D.C., to Cupertino, and from Hong Kong to the Blogosphere, news that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away at age 56 came as a jolt¹, especially to Apple users like Mark Ciolli.
"I really couldn't believe that he passed away," he said. "I, sort of, thought that it was a marketing² stunt³, and sure enough it was confirmed..."
Tracy Mathieu-Huffman was equally shaken. Emotional and fresh from bed - her iPhone belting out music - she had to get to Apple store again. But this time it was to commemorate⁴ her long time idol⁵.
"It's about how wonderful he is as an individual. How he can inspire and transform reality almost by a touch!" she said.
Changing things with a touch became the niche⁶ of Jobs. After successfully marketing the computer, which once occupied an entire room, Jobs set his sights on his vision of shrinking the computer to be pocket sized, and vocal⁷.
It is just one day after the newest version of that device was announced that Apple confirmed Jobs' death. Blogger Forrest Kobayashi said the newest Apple product may stand as a tribute to Jobs.
"To be hit with this kind of news today, [is] just entirely⁸ devastating⁹ for the tech community, as well as just people around the world," said Kobayashi. "A lot of people were very critical of the iPhone 4S, because many were expecting the iPhone 5 to come out. I read a very touching¹⁰ and kind of surreal tweet tonight, that said the iPhone was named the iPhone 4S - for Steve. The 4-S really standing¹¹ for Steve."
As the news broke, people flocked to Apple stores, like the one here in Washington, D.C. They've laid flowers, pictures, candles and personalized notes acknowledging what Steve Jobs meant to them, but also the change he brought to the world.
Another scene of emotional outpouring is the blogosphere, where many first learned of Jobs' death. Twitter is experiencing record posts, in a continual online tribute, which at its peak saw nearly 10,000 comments a second.
"It's just a tremendous mix of heartfelt messages, and no matter what form they're in, everyone is feeling a tremendous loss tonight," said Kobayashi.
The White House even released a statement from President Barack Obama on its blog, making a point especially noteworthy to one Apple user, Patrick Smith.
"The greatest testament¹² to this person who just passed, is that most people found out about his passing on a device that he invented, or created, or helped design," said Smith.
"He inspired so many people to not only chase their dreams, but really just live life. And he's a role model for everyone," said Kobayashi.
A role-model, who in one lifetime, changed almost every aspect of technology's role in the world.

1 jolt   

v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸

参考例句：

• We were worried that one tiny jolt could worsen her injuries.我们担心稍微颠簸一下就可能会使她的伤势恶化。
• They were working frantically in the fear that an aftershock would jolt the house again.他们拼命地干着，担心余震可能会使房子再次受到震动。

2 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

3 stunt   

n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长

参考例句：

• Lack of the right food may stunt growth.缺乏适当的食物会阻碍发育。
• Right up there is where the big stunt is taking place.那边将会有惊人的表演。

4 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

5 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

6 niche   

n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等)

参考例句：

• Madeleine placed it carefully in the rocky niche. 玛德琳小心翼翼地把它放在岩石壁龛里。
• The really talented among women would always make their own niche.妇女中真正有才能的人总是各得其所。

7 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

8 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

9 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

10 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

11 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

12 testament   

n.遗嘱；证明

参考例句：

• This is his last will and testament.这是他的遗愿和遗嘱。
• It is a testament to the power of political mythology.这说明，编造政治神话可以产生多大的威力。