VOA标准英语2009年-Rains Bring Drought Relief to Parched Australia

Australia's worst drought in 100 years is showing signs of easing. While much of the continent remains¹ gripped by dry conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology says in 2008 some regions received a much-needed drenching², easing the arid³ conditions that have made life so tough for farmers in the few years.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says that the La Nina weather pattern has delivered above-average rainfall to many drought-hit areas on the eastern side of the continent.
　

Glen Philliips squeezes soil in his hand and watches as its dusty grains filter through his fingers on his farm on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula (File)

The rains lifted some regions out of drought and forecasters predict more rain in the coming months.

This is in large part a result of the La Nina effect, which refers to the extensive cooling of waters in tropical parts of the Pacific Ocean. The cooling triggers more cloud and rain over parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Despite recent downpours over much of Australia - and the prospect⁴ of more to come - much of the continent remains in the driest period on record as a result of climate change.

National Climate Center researcher Lynette Bettio says that while recent rains have helped, Australia can expect drier conditions in the longer term.

"Australia's always been, I suppose, at the mercy of the elements," said Bettio. "We have one of the most variable climates in the world in terms of rainfall but dealing⁵ with that has always been a challenge and, you know, it's going to continue to be a challenge and perhaps more so in the future."

The severity of the drought forced thousands of farming families to leave the land in the past decade. The Australian government has handed out $1.5 billion in emergency drought relief from 2002 to 2007.

Tough water use restrictions⁶ have also been imposed on many Australian cities.

Official studies show that 2008 was among the warmest years in Australia since records began.

The drought reduced farm yields, and contributed to a worldwide surge in grain prices in early 2008. Although global economic problems have reduced commodity prices, better rainfall should bring increased harvests and higher incomes for Australia's hard-pressed agricultural sector⁷.

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 drenching   

n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体）

参考例句：

• A black cloudburst was drenching Siena at midday. 中午，一场天昏地暗的暴风雨在锡耶纳上空倒下来。 来自辞典例句
• A drenching rain poured down and the rising hurricane drove it in sheets along the ground. 一阵倾盆大雨泼下来了，越来越大的狂风把它顺着地面刮成了一片一片的雨幕。 来自辞典例句

3 arid   

adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的

参考例句：

• These trees will shield off arid winds and protect the fields.这些树能挡住旱风,保护农田。
• There are serious problems of land degradation in some arid zones.在一些干旱地带存在严重的土地退化问题。

4 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

5 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。