region
n. 1. a large area of land 地區；地帶
2. 行政區

decrease
v. (cause to) become less in size, number, strength, amount, or quality （使）減少；（使）減弱；（使）減輕
n. the act or action of decreasing; the state of being decreased 減少；減弱

jet stream
［氣］急流

northwest
n. 西北；（N-）（一國或一地區的）西北部
a. 位于西北的；朝西北部的；來自西北的
ad. 在西北；向西北；從西北

gulf
n. 海灣

southwest
n. 西南；（S-）（一國或一地區）西南部
a. 位于西南的；向西南的；來自西南的
ad. 在西南；向西南；從西南

*inflict
vt. cause (damage, suffering, etc.) 導致（破壞、痛苦等）

dust storm
［氣］（干燥地區的）塵暴，沙暴

brush fire
bush fire 灌叢火

rage
vi. 1. (of fires, storms, battles, etc.) continue violently （烈火）熊熊燃燒；（浪）洶涌；激戰
2. feel or express violent anger 發怒；怒斥

monsoon
n. 季風

violent
a. 1. uncontrollably fierce or dangerous in action 暴力的；強暴的
2. acting with or using great damaging force 猛烈的，劇烈的

*hemisphere
n. a half of the earth 半球

seaside
n. & a. (of) an area or town by the sea 海邊（的），海濱（的）

*hurricane
n. 颶風；暴風雨

shear
v. 1. (off) 剪斷
2. cut off wool (from sheep) 剪（羊毛等）

abort
v. 1. end ( a job, plan, etc.) before the expected time because of some trouble （因中途遭遇困難而）中止（工作、計劃等）
2. (of a job, plan, etc.) end in this way （工作，計劃等）中止；未完成
3. （使）流產，墜胎

tree rings
（樹木的）年輪

precious
a. valuable and useful 寶貴的；珍貴的

moisture
n. 1. 水分；降雨量
2. 水氣；濕氣

*fitting
a. suitable, appropriate, right for the purpose or occasion 適當的，恰當的

link
n. 1. relationship 聯系，關系
2. a physical connection between two places or objects 連接
v. join or connect 連接；聯系

holy
a. of God or religion; sacred 上帝的；宗教的；神圣的

oceanic
a. 1. 海洋的，大洋的
2. 在海洋中生活的；產于海洋的

forecaster
n. 天氣預報員

*muddy
a. full of or covered with mud 泥濘的

washed-out
a. destroyed or made useless by the force of water 被洪水沖蝕的；受到侵蝕的

coastal
n. of or related to the coast 海岸的；沿岸的

extensive
a. 1. great in effect 巨大的；嚴重的
2. widespread, covering a large area 廣闊的；廣大的

conservation
n. the preservation of natural things to prevent them from being spoiled or destroyed （對自然資源的）保護；保存

insurance
n. 1. agreement by contract to pay money in case of misfortune 保險
2. 保險業

insure
v. to protect... by insurance 給…保險，為…提供保證

*irrigation
n. the supply of water (to dry land) 灌溉

agency
n. 1. 公眾服務機構
2. a business or organisation providing a specified service 代理行；經銷處

tourist
n. a person travelling for pleasure 旅游者
a. 旅游的

batten
vt. (down) (on ships) fasten with boards of wood 用板條固定

*hatch
n. （船的）艙口（蓋）；（飛機的）艙口
vt. 1. cause (an egg) to break, letting the young bird out 孵出
2. (up) make up (a plan or idea) 籌劃；策劃
vi. (of an egg) break, letting the young bird out; (of a young bird) break through an egg （蛋等）孵化；（小雞等）出殼

Phrases and Expressions

point to
suggest that (sth.) is likely; indicate 說明（某事）很可能；表明