美联社新闻一分钟 2007-07-26

1. At least three people are recovering after a series of explosions at a Dallas facility selling gas canisters. The blast sent flaming debris¹ into the air. Authorities evacuated² a half mile area surrounding the facility and shut down parts of two busy highways.

2. Airports’ security officers are on the lookout³ for terrorists practicing attacks. The alert comes after agents said several airports seized what may seem like normal items, cell phone components⁴ and a block of cheese. But these same passengers were also carrying potential bomb-making supplies.

3. The House Judiciary Committee is clearing the way to file contempt charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Josh Bolten. Miers refused to testify about the firings of eight US attorneys.

4. It's a dramatic rescue in China caught on tape. Rescuers had to make several attempts to pull these children to safety in this southwestern province. So far torrential rains have killed at least 37 people with 14 others reported missing.



WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. canister: N-COUNT usu n N
A canister is a strong metal container. It is used to hold gases or chemical substances.

2. debris: N-UNCOUNT
Debris is pieces from something that has been destroyed or pieces of rubbish or unwanted material that are spread around.

3. contempt: N-UNCOUNT oft N for n
If you have contempt for someone or something, you have no respect for them or think that they are unimportant.

4. torrential: ADJ usu ADJ n
Torrential rain pours down very rapidly and in great quantities.

1 debris   

n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片

参考例句：

• After the bombing there was a lot of debris everywhere.轰炸之后到处瓦砾成堆。
• Bacteria sticks to food debris in the teeth,causing decay.细菌附着在牙缝中的食物残渣上，导致蛀牙。

2 evacuated   

撤退者的

参考例句：

• Police evacuated nearby buildings. 警方已将附近大楼的居民疏散。
• The fireman evacuated the guests from the burning hotel. 消防队员把客人们从燃烧着的旅馆中撤出来。

3 lookout   

n.注意，前途，瞭望台

参考例句：

• You can see everything around from the lookout.从了望台上你可以看清周围的一切。
• It's a bad lookout for the company if interest rates don't come down.如果利率降不下来，公司的前景可就不妙了。

4 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。