The warming of the Pacific Ocean creates weather patterns that affect the world. When the waters warm, the amount of rainfall in Indonesia and the surrounding regions decreases. Australia could even experience a drought. On the other hand, Chile, which borders the Pacific Ocean, is preparing for severe rainstorms. In Pakistan and northwestern India, the weather pattern makes the monsoon season weaker and makes the area much drier.
This phenomenon is called El Nino and is used by weather forecasters to make long range weather predictions. Forecasters know that El Nino will bring unusually heavy rains to southwestern part of the United States and make the central part of the country drier.
El Nino itself used to be predictable. It would occur every two or seven years. But now, the weather pattern is becoming more constant. Scientists are unsure of the reason of this change.
1. What would characterize the effects of El Nino?
A. They’re widespread. B. They’re beginning.
C. They’re short-lived. D. They’re decreasing.
2. What phenomenon defines El Nino?
A. the rainstorms in Australia B. the drought in Chile
C. the warming of the Pacific Ocean D. the dryness of southwestern US
3. Which region will be abnormally wet?
A. Pakistan B. Australia C. Central US D. Southwestern US
4. The word ‘predictable’ in paragraph 3 means _________.
A. that can be known in advance B. that can be serious
C. rare D. special
5. Which is not an effect of El Nino?
A. droughts B. heavy rainfalls C. weak monsoons D. global warming
