1. 原文原句：Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, until now our most tragic hour.

原文原句译文：新闻评论员称这次袭击是第二次珍珠港事件，这事件时至今日一直是我们最悲惨的时刻。

以上原句是省略句吗？补充后的完整句型是：Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, until now (it is /it has been) our most tragic hour。添加上it is 或it has been这句是正确的完整句型吗？原文之所以用省略句是为了突出tragic hour渲染悲伤的氛围，是吗？

【答】我分几点详细解答如下：

1. 在Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, until now our most tragic hour. 这句话中，our most tragic hour 是the attack的同位语。把until now的位置放在句末就清楚了：

Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, our most tragic hour until now.

2. 如果加上it has been也可以，但是，应在until之前加并列连词and，让它成为并列分句。即：

Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, and until now it has been our most tragic hour.

Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, until now our most tragic hour.

3. the attack：指美国9.11事件。

4. our most tragic hour：是the attack（9.11袭击事件）的同位语，不是Pearl Harbor （珍珠港事件）的同位语。

5. 为便于理解同位语，把until now放在句末：Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, our most tragic hour until now.

6. 既然our most tragic hour是the attack 的同位语，我们可以把同位语转换成一个并列分句，用it指代前文的the attack：

Commentators called the attack a second Pearl Harbor, and until now it has been our most tragic hour.

7. 在英语看来，把“袭击事件”看作某种“时刻，时候，光景”，是可以接受的。

2. 原文原句： New Yorkers talked tough and carried on, but with far less swagger and far less joy. They remind haunted by what they had lived through, what they has seen.

How could they not? Ground Zero is just a subway ride away. Everyone, it seems, knows someone who did not come home Sep.11. Everyone, it seems, was touched by the tragedy.

译文： 纽约人谈吐的口气依然强硬，依然一如既往地生活，但是却少了许多洋洋自得和欢乐的成分，他们依然摆脱不了所经历和目睹的事情的阴影。

他们怎能不这样呢？零地点就在地铁一程之外，似乎每个人都认识一个在9/11那天离家未归的人，似乎每个人都被这场悲剧所触动。

请问老师，粗体划线部分“how could they not”的完整句型是 how could they not like this/so sad，是这样吗？ 省略具有重复含义的词汇使句子语气变得强调，更有力度，重点更为突出，是吗？

【答】是的。how could they not...? 实际是“反问句”，表达更加肯定的语气。

 “反问句”，其表现形式是“否定疑问句”，表达肯定的意义，比肯定意义的陈述句更加强烈。 “否定疑问句”  包括  “否定的一般问句”  和  “否定的特殊问句”。例如：

Don't you love me?

Didn't I gave you some?

Can't you help me?

What can't I take into Australia? 

有什么是我不能带进澳洲的？

What else can't I give you? 

我还有什么不能给你的？

If she can go, why can't I go? 

她去得, 我为什么去不得?

来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

Why can't I live a normal life in my own country?  

为什么我不能在自己的国家过正常的生活呢？

来自柯林斯例句

Why can't you spend a few bucks on a coat?  

你为什么不能花点儿钱买件外套呢？

来自柯林斯例句

Why can't you leave me alone?  

你能不能别来烦我？

来自柯林斯例句

Why can't you ever see my point of view?  

你怎么老不明白我的观点呢？

来自《权威词典》