made an appearance

"Just before we set off, the heavens opened and one of the biggest downpours of the year made an appearance along with high winds" 


這段話大概看得出來要表達得意思因該是
"在出發前,天空像破了個洞下了場今年最大的雨(伴隨著強風)"
但我一直不知道那個" made an appearance "到底是什麼意思?

雖然我在
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/make+an+appearance
看到了一個解釋和用法,感覺上可能和裡面第二個例子
(to appear in a performance)
"The famous singing star made an appearance in Detroit last August"

有點像,但似乎又有點不同

3D printer to carve out world's first full-size building

"3D printer to carve out world's first full-size building"

"A Dutch architect sets to work creating a two-story "Landscape House" built entirely from a 3D printer." 

中文標題我的理解是:

"3D印表機雕塑出了(3D印表機的)第一棟全尺寸建築"


但如果寫成(把to拿掉)

"3D printer carves out world's first full-size building"

語意上是否有差異?

原文:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57565073-76/3d-printer-to-carve-out-worlds-first-full-size-building/

Why a smartphone may not be the best choice for everyone

Smartphones are hitting the mainstream market. And that means old and young want a piece of the action. But at more than $1,000 per year for service, a smartphone may not be the best choice for every consumer.


In this edition of Ask Maggie, I help a reader decide if he should get his parents smartphones or if he should spare them the hefty monthly service fees and get them new basic feature phones. I also help another reader decide if there is a less-expensive alternative to Verizon that will allow him to keep his unlimited data plan.


原文:http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57563922-94/why-a-smartphone-may-not-be-the-best-choice-for-everyone/

#1 a piece of the action 那句話到底是什麼意思?
我上網查了一下,找到了一堆電影名稱歌詞,還是體會不出其含義

#2" if he should get his parents smartphones "
根據前後文,我猜他的意思是"是否該幫他的父母購買智慧型手機",但如我硬是要我照字面翻,會翻成"是否要拿他父母的智慧手機"!?

As a result of the age being raised for the A2 test

"As a result of the age being raised for the A2 test - teenagers under the age of 19 will not be able to ride anything bigger than a 125cc"

這句話的意思因該是
"由於A2考試(駕照的種類)的參加資格年紀提高,以後19以下的青少年將無法騎乘大於125cc的機車"

雖然看得懂,但如果是我寫這句話,我會寫成

"As a result of the age is raised for the A2 test - teenagers under the age of 19 will not be able to ride anything bigger than a 125cc"

所以我的疑問是
1.原句 "As a result of the age being raised for the A2 test"   這部份到底需不需要(或是可不可以)放動詞?


.