VOA慢速英语:US Faces Worst Drought in 56 Years

1. Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with President Obama.

meet with 偶然遇到
例句：He met with an old friend at the meeting.
他在会议上碰到了一位老朋友。

2. But officials said farmlands in the north are now drying up as well.

dry up 干涸
例句：The clothes will soon dry up in the wind. 
这衣服经风一吹很快就会干的。 

3. At the same time, farmers are waiting to see what Congress does with the farm bill, a major piece of legislation renewed every five years.

at the same time 同时
例句：Tune in next week at the same time! 
请在下周同一时间继续收听! 

4. The Senate has passed a version that would end direct payments to farmers but help pay for crop insurance.

pay for 因...受到惩罚;为...付出代价
例句：He'll have to pay for what he has done.
他将为自己所做的一切付出代价。

5. The current farm bill ends at the end of September.

at the end of 在……的尽头，在……的末尾
例句：At the end of the concert, the audience stood and clapped. 音乐会结束时，观众起立鼓掌。