News Summary2

I have read a news article from Yahoo! News. Its topic is "Warm winter expected"(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071009/ap_on_re_us/winter_forecast;_ylt=AtzyyvJV3g36iMg1Nd6NhkwPLBIF)
10 keywords and their concise definitions:
1.arc: a continuous portion of a circle弧，弧形
2.consecutive: one after the other連續不斷的
3.outlook: belief about(or mental picture of ) the future展望
4.La Nina: La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in Equatorial Pacific, compared to N1 Nino, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in Equatorial Pacific(From: http:// www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/la-nina-story.html) 拉尼娜，指赤道附近東太平洋水溫異常下降，導致氣候異常
5.phenomenon: any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning; a remarkable development 現象，奇蹟
6.anticipate: regard something as probable or likely; act in advance of 預期，期望，預料，預先考慮到
7.atmospheric: relating to or located in the atmosphere大氣的，有藝術氣氛的
8.Gulf:海灣各洲(指美國瀕墨西哥灣的五個州:Florida.Alabama.Mississippi.Louisiana.Texas
9.struggle: an energetic attempt to achieve something; an opening clash between two opposing groups(or individuals); strenuous effort奮鬥，鬥爭，努力
10.moderate: not excessive or extreme適度的，有節制的，中等的，溫和的
(From:http://www.1390.com.tw/free/dic_ee.htm and http://tw.dictionary.yahoo.com/)
Questions and their answers:
Q1: Where is the bad news conditions happened?
A: In an arc sweeping from the Southeast across the Gulf States and Southwest.
Q2: What is the major factor which caused the abnormal weather?
A: La Nina phenomenon.
Q3: Will the La Nina phenomenon become stronger or weaker?
A: The phenomenon will become stronger.
Q4: Why heating bills are likely to go up for homeowners using heating oil?
A: Because of rising prices.
Q5: Will the phenomenon in the article last?
A: No, it won’t last.
Summary: The administration’s winter prediction told some poor information in the region from the Southeast across the Gulf States and Southwest. Most of the area has suffered from drought. What’s worse, the second continuous dry winter is coming told Michael Halpert. He also said that much of the nation would have warmer winter than usual. The phenomenon has a lot to do with La Nina and La Nina phenomenon will become stronger. Some parts of the world would be moister than common weather but the phenomenon won’t continue too long.

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