Lesson 84 On strike

Text

Busmen have decided to go on strike next week. The strike is due to begin on Tuesday. No one knows how long it will last. The busmen have stated  / that the strike will continue until general agreement is reached about pay and working conditions. Most people believe  /that the strike will last for at least a week. Many owners of private cars are going to offer 'free rides' to people on their way to work. This will relieve pressure on the trains to some extent. Meanwhile, a number of university students have volunteered to drive buses while the strike lasts. All the students are expert drivers, but before they drive any of the buses, they will have to pass a special test. The students are going to take the test in two days' time. Even so, people are going to find it difficult to get to work. But so far, the public has expressed its gratitude to the students in letters to the Press. Only one or two people have objected  that the students will drive too fast!

Words & Expressions

*Strike 罢工/袭击

--Staff at the hospital went on strike in protest at the incidents.

--a punitive air strike.空袭

*relieve 缓解/解脱/换班/免职

--Drugs can relieve much of the pain.

--At seven o'clock the night nurse came in to relieve her.

--The officer involved was relieved of his duties because he had violated strict guidelines.

*plea请愿 plea for something/plea to somebody/make a plea

--a plea for help

--Adams entered a plea of  "not guilty".

*due to, 归因于,由于used in formal or official contexts (because of).

--The draft plan is due to be published for public consultation in the spring.

*last for持续一段时间,历时

--Untold damage is being done to the environment -- damage that could last for decades.

*express gratitude/thanks for something to somebody 表达感谢

--Finally, I'd like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have helped today.

*nip in the bud 防患于未然,防微杜渐=crush in the egg

If there is a great unknown that could nip the recovery in the bud, it is the impending war with Iraq.

Sentences

(The government) of the people, by the people, for the people (will never die).

民有民治民享（林肯总统）

Pronunciations

volunteer [ˌvɑ:lənˈtɪr]

university [ˌju:nɪˈvɜ:rsəti]