VOA慢速英语:Much of Africa Not Investing Enough in Agricultural Research

词汇讲解：

1. hunger n. 饥饿
例句：The boy was half dead from hunger.
那男孩已经饿得半死了。

2. poverty n. 贫困
例句：They lived in poverty.
他们生活在贫困之中。

3. investment n. 投资
例句：They made an investment in heavy industry.
他们投资于重工业。

4. volatility n. 波动，反复无常
例句：Volatility in financial markets has declined.
金融市场的动荡降幅。

5. scarcity n. 缺少，不足，稀少
例句：The scarcity of skilled workers is worrying the government.
熟练工人的缺乏困扰着政府。

6. address v. 设法解决，处理，对付
例句：The committee will address this complaint.
委员会将要处理这份投诉。

7. commitment n. 承诺，保证，许诺
例句：He made a commitment to pay the rent on time.
他保证按时付房租。

8. function vi. 起作用，运行
例句：The machine will not function properly if it is not kept well-oiled.
机器没有上好油, 就不会顺利地运转。

9. donation n. 捐赠，捐款
例句：The hospital receives a good deal of money in donations.
这家医院收到捐赠来的大笔款项。

10. qualified adj. 有资格的，适合的，胜任的
例句：Jane is well qualified for this teaching job.
简很适合担任这份教职。

11. hire vt. 雇佣
例句：We hired a driver to take us on a tour of the city.
我们雇了一个司机带我们游览这个城市。

12. retirement n. 退休
例句：She took to painting after retirement.
她退休后爱上绘画。