【语法和句型】

1. With electricity costs rising -- along with global-warming guilt -- consumers across the country are struggling to wean themselves from the A/C.
夹在电价上涨和全球变暖恶果之间的美国消费者在是否应关掉冷气的问题上很是挣扎。

wean...from..表示“改掉……换掉…… ”，例如：

Tess was trying to wean herself from the old life
黛丝那时正努力使自己摆脱过去的生活

2. Otherwise, she makes do by snacking on watermelon cubes soaked in chilled bourbon.
她靠吃几块泡在冰镇波旁威士忌里的西瓜块来抵御酷暑。

soak in 表示“浸透，渗入”

Put some water on and let it soak in naturally.
倒一些水, 让它自然渗透。

3. In response, nearly two-thirds of families are cutting back on air conditioning.
据美联社和雅虎新闻的最新联合调查显示，将近三分之二的美国家庭都因此减少了空调的使用。

cut back on表示“消减，减少”，例如：

We shall have to cut back on our spending.
我们将不得不削减我们的经费。

Financial pressures impel the firm to cut back on spending.
财政压力迫使公司减少开支。