1.public inquiry 公共调查

The public never had faith in his ability to handle the job.

公众从来不相信他有能力胜任这一职位。

There needs to be a properly informed public debate.

有必要让公众在充分知情的状况下展开辩论。

2.speak of 谈到；谈及；说起

Reports speak of Berlin putting together an aid package for Moscow.

报告称柏林正在制订一揽子的莫斯科援助计划。

They have no weaponry to speak of.

他们没有什么武器值得炫耀。

3.decline to 辞谢，谢绝

He offered the boys some coffee. They declined politely.

他问那些小伙子要不要来点咖啡，他们婉辞了。

Zanzibar's fortunes declined after the islanders revolted against the sultanate in 1964.

桑给巴尔岛的居民于1964年反抗苏丹统治，随后时局便不断恶化。

4.take part 参加；参与

We had the devil's own job to persuade him to take part.

我们说服他参加可费了一番周折。

I was quite sulky, so I didn't take part in much.

我很烦，所以没有积极参与。