配图标题:日本垂暮
setting sun:when the sun sets, it goes below the horizon.
the red glow of the setting sun 落日余辉
第六段:安倍鼓励日本政府和公司延迟退休和返聘退休员工。
1. take to (doing) sth.:
①to begin to like sb./sth.
I took to Venom immediately.
②to start doing sth as a habit.
I have taken to listening to audio books before sleep.
2. rehire retired workers 返聘
3. on a part-time basis 中间填入形容词变成副词用法,几乎没有“基础”的意思了
on a temporary basis暂时地;on a regular/rota basis定期/轮流地;on an exclusive basis独家地;on a first-come, first-served basis先到先办的方式;on an urgent basis以加急速度;on a competitive basis通过竞争
但这种用法有时比较啰嗦, 如:
They want all groups to be treated on an equal basis...
直接用 treated equally更简洁
(联想到下一段的on a firmer footing 基础,立足点: on a sound/secure/firm/strong footing)
4. bolster this trend by doing...: boost; strengthen; support
~confidence/morale/economy/career/image/an argument
5. entitled to (do) sth.: empower(上一段末出现), give the right t, allow, authorize 赋予权利
6. ease the labour shortage
~pain/pressure/problems/burden/anxiety/embarrassment/guilt/loneliness...
也可用做vi. Tensions had eased.
The heavily falling snow had eased...
漫天大雪变小了……
注意点:
Fully 23% of over-65s work; they constitute a much bigger share of the workforce than in other rich countries (see chart).
fully:to emphasize how great an amount is. (用于强调数量)整整,足足
Fully 30% of the participants did not appear.
第七段:延迟退休的好处和养老压力。
1. government finances/social-welfare costs 注意两处都要用复数形式表示 (尤政府/公司的)财源/经营维持必须支出
2. tweak: fine-tune 微调 (指前文针对老龄化的一些措施)
3. play catch-up:
①fall behind continually with work or financial matters
I’m always playing catch up with my homework.
②(AmE) try to equal a competitor in a sport or game after you have fallen behind