新西兰英语 317 Soldier dies in Afghanistan

　　A New Zealand soldier was killed today in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan. He was Lieutenant¹ Tim O’Donnell, aged² 28. Two other New Zealand soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were also injured.
He is the first New Zealand soldier to die in Afghanistan. 109 New Zealand soldiers are in Bamiyan province helping³ to build hospitals, schools and roads. They are also helping to train Afghan police. The New Zealand soldiers are very popular with the people in Bamiyan province. However, three vehicles were travelling through a valley when they were attacked from the hills above them.
New Zealand also has 86 soldiers fighting in Kabul. These are SAS soldiers. Their work is usually much more dangerous. Listen to May 4th 2010 for more about our soldiers in Afghanistan.
NZ has had soldiers in Afghanistan since 2003. The Prime Minister said New Zealand will continue to send soldiers to Afghanistan for another year and maybe for longer. The soldiers serving in Bamiyan will return to New Zealand next month but more soldiers will replace them in October.
The death of Tim O’Donnell is a very sad day for his family, friends and all who knew him. He was a fine young man. In 2008, he received a medal for bravery when he saved the lives of other soldiers in East Timor. The army is planning a military funeral for him. The New Zealand flag was flying at half mast⁴ on Parliament buildings today. This shows that someone important has died.
Questions
1. Do you think New Zealand should continue to send soldiers to Afghanistan?
2. The soldiers in Bamiyan are helping to re-build the country. Why were they attacked?
3. The USA has lost more than 1200 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan. Why are we so sad about the death of one soldier?

1 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 mast   

n.船桅，桅杆，旗杆，天线杆

参考例句：

• Flags are flying at half-mast across China.全中国将半旗。
• The sails were flapping against the mast.帆拍打着桅杆。