常春藤生活英語：FARC人質(zhì)救援行動

In May of 2001, Ingrid Betancourt launched her campaign1 to become president of Columbia. She took a bus all around Columbia to talk to the people and figure out what their needs were. Nearly a year later, she wanted to meet with the people of the Revolutionary2 Armed Forces3 in Columbia, which is also known as the FARC. This group was considered very dangerous and had been responsible for hundreds of kidnappings4 over the years.

The president at the time appealed to her not to go to this dangerous area of the country. Betancourt was stubborn, and she went ahead with her trip to talk to the rebels5. As soon as she entered the FARC-controlled area, she was kidnapped and held for a large sum of money. Officials tried desperately to negotiate with the FARC but it didn't work. For the next six and a half years, Betancourt was kept in places all over the countryside of Columbia. Join National Geographic Channel this month to hear the amazing story of her rescue6 on Inside: FARC Hostage7 Rescue.

2001年五月，英格麗德?貝當古展開角逐哥倫比亞總統(tǒng)的競選活動。她搭乘巴士跑遍哥倫比亞和人民對談，藉此了解他們的需求。近一年后，她想和哥倫比亞革命武裝部隊里的人士會晤，此部隊又名FARC。這個組織被視為是一個極其危險的團體，在過去幾年來，他們策動了上百樁的綁架案件。

當時的哥國總統(tǒng)懇求她不要前往境內(nèi)如此危險的地區(qū)。貝當古卻執(zhí)意展開她的旅程，以便和叛軍對談。她一踏進FARC的地盤就遭到綁架，并被扣留以要求高額的贖金。政府官員急欲和FARC談判，卻徒勞無功。在接下來的六年半里，貝當古被關(guān)的地方遍及哥倫比亞各地的鄉(xiāng)間。本月份請收看國家地理頻道的《透視內(nèi)幕：FARC人質(zhì)救援行動》，一探她那令人驚嘆的救援故事。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. launch　vt. 開始進行，發(fā)動

The angry workers launched a protest.

憤怒的勞工們發(fā)起了抗議活動。

2. stubborn　a. 固執(zhí)的，頑固的

Grant is too stubborn to accept my advice.

葛蘭特頑固到不肯接受我的勸告。

3. hold　vt. 扣押，扣留

The police have held that suspect for days.

警方已經(jīng)扣押那名嫌犯好幾天了。

4. desperately　adv. 拚命地;不顧一切地

Sam desperately tried to make money.

山姆拚命地想要賺錢。

Phrases for Learning

1. at the time　　當時

Jolin was the most famous singer at the time I was in college.

喬琳是我念大學時最有名的歌手。

2. appeal to + 人 + to + 原形動詞　　懇求某人做……

The beggar appealed to me to give him some money.

那名乞丐乞求我施舍他一點錢。

Extra Words

1. campaign　n.(競選，宣傳)活動

2. revolutionary　a. 革命的

3. armed forces　n. 武裝部隊

4. kidnapping　n. 綁架;劫持

kidnap　vt. 綁架;劫持

5. rebel　n. 反叛者，造反者

6. rescue　n. & vt. 解救，救援

7. hostage　n. 人質(zhì)(本文中亦作形容詞用)

Tips In Use

This group was considered very dangerous...

(這個組織被視為是一個極其危險的團體……)

be considered (to be )...　　被認為(是)……

= be regarded as...

= be viewed as...

= be seen as...

= be thought of as...

= be looked upon as...

Marcus is regarded as a great DJ.

= Marcus is viewed as a great DJ.

= Marcus is looked upon as a great DJ.

(馬克思被視為是個很棒的DJ。)