mild
a. 1. not serious or harsh 輕微的，不嚴(yán)重的
2. (of people or their behaviour) gentle and kind 溫和的；溫柔的

comparison
n. 比較，對照

temporary
a. lasting for a limited time only 暫時的，臨時的

*minimize, -ise
vt. 1. reduce the true value or importance of (sth.) 把…作最低估計
2. reduce (sth.) to the smallest amount or degree 使減到最少，使縮至最小

harsh
a. severe; stern 嚴(yán)酷的；嚴(yán)厲的

runaway
a. out of control 失控的

account
vi. (for) explain the cause of 說明…的原因，解釋
n. a written or spoken report; description 報道；敘述

shroud
vt. 遮蔽；籠罩

cloud-shrouded
a. 被云籠罩的

tackle
vt. try to deal with 著手處理，對付

revise
vt. change (sth.) in order to correct or improve it 修改，修正

dyke, dike
n. 堤，壩

reservoir
n. 水庫，蓄水池

thermometer
n. 溫度計，寒暑表

definite
a. clear, sure and fixed 確切的，確定的

era
n. 1. 時代；年代
2. 紀(jì)元

Phrases and Expressions

warn of /about
give warning or advice concerning (sth. such as a danger) 就…提出警告

result from
be the result of; happen because of 緣于，發(fā)自

dry up
(cause to) become completely dry （使）干涸

warn against
advise (sb.) to avoid 警告（…）不要，提醒（…）提防

on the rise
在增長；在上漲

in the form of
以…的形式

heat up
become warm or hot 變暖，變熱

pass through 穿越；經(jīng)過

hold in
把…控制住

shut in
keep or hold by closing 圍??；籠罩

due to
caused by 由于

ups and downs
起伏

worst of all
最糟糕的是

by comparison
when compared 比較起來

even so
though that is true 盡管如此

explain away
account for; give an excuse for 解釋；為…辯解

keep an eye open for
watch for; be careful to notice 嚴(yán)密注視；留心看著

Proper Names

Kevin McKean
凱文·麥基恩（人名）

Venus
金星