AP 2011-08-29_在线英语听力室_免费在线英语听力学习网站

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1. Forecasters say Hurricane Irene is getting a little stronger as it turns over the Bahamas, heading toward the East Coast. The storm is expected to grow over warmer waters. Now, vacationers are leaving parts of North Carolina.

2. Earthquake damage to the National Cathedral in Washington could reach into the millions of dollars. Three of four spires¹ broke off on the central tower, and there are major cracks in flying buttresses².

3. It's not clear what has become of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. His former headquarters in Tripoli is now a staging area for rebels. Still, there are clashes between rebels and Gadhafi loyalists.

4. Luxury homes belonging to Gadhafi's children in Libya are now in the hands of rebels. With neighbors stopping by for a look, the villas³ have been ransacked⁴ of pricey cars, clothes and liquor.

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1 spires
n.（教堂的）塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Her masts leveled with the spires of churches. 船的桅杆和教堂的塔尖一样高。来自《简明英汉词典》 White church spires lift above green valleys. 教堂的白色尖顶耸立在绿色山谷中。来自《简明英汉词典》

2 buttresses
n.扶壁，扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
Flying buttresses were constructed of vertical masonry piers with arches curving out from them like fingers. 飞梁结构，灵感来自于带拱形的垂直石质桥墩，外形像弯曲的手指。来自互联网 GOTHIC_BUTTRESSES_DESC;Gothic construction, particularly in its later phase, is characterized by lightness and soaring spaces. 哥特式建筑，尤其是其发展的后期，以轻灵和高耸的尖顶为标志。来自互联网

3 villas
别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )；（城郊）住宅
参考例句：
Magnificent villas are found throughout Italy. 在意大利到处可看到豪华的别墅。 Rich men came down from wealthy Rome to build sea-side villas. 有钱人从富有的罗马来到这儿建造海滨别墅。

4 ransacked
v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺
参考例句：
The house had been ransacked by burglars. 这房子遭到了盗贼的洗劫。 The house had been ransacked of all that was worth anything. 屋子里所有值钱的东西都被抢去了。来自《现代英汉综合大词典》