2008年12月真题短文1

To find out what the weather is going to be, most people go straight to the radio, television, or newspaper to get an expert weather forecast . But if you know what to look for, you can use your own senses to make weather predictions . There are many signs that can help you. For example, in fair weather the air pressure is generally high, the air is still and often full of dust, and far away objects may look vague . But when the storm is brewing, the pressure drops, and you are often able to see things more clearly. Sailors took note of this long ago, and came up with the saying, “The farther the sight, the nearer the rain.” Your sense of smell can also help you detect the weather changes. Just before it rains, odors become stronger, this is because odors are repressed in a fair high pressure center.

When a bad weather low moves in, air pressure lessens and odors are released . You can also hear an approaching storm. Sounds

bounce off heavy storm clouds and return to earth with increased force. An old saying describes it this way, “Sounds traveling far and wide a stormy day will be tied”. And don’t laugh at your grandmother if she says she can feel a storm coming.

It is commonly known that many people feel pains in their bones or joints while the humidity rises, the pressure drops, and bad weather is on the way.

weather forecast 天气预报 vague (形状等)模糊不清的,朦胧的 lessen 变少，减弱，减轻 odor 气味 bounce off 从 ... 弹跳出来, 从 ... 弹回 humidity 湿气，湿度