scarcely 刚，几乎不，勉强不
they could scarcely complain after such good treatment
imperative 首要的，紧急的
Improving the country’s enconomy is a political imperative for the new president
Notwithstanding 虽然 尽管
The bad weather notwithstanding,the event was a great success.
Impetus 动力
Hampered 阻碍
Our efforts were severely hampered by lack of money
Inference 推论 推理
stern 严厉的 苛刻的
the police are planning stern measures to combat crime 警察指定严厉的措施打击犯罪活动。
proficiency （名词）熟练、精通
