VOA慢速英语:Land-Use Changes May Increase Risk of Plague

infect – v. to cause (someone or something) to become sick or affected by disease

bacterium – n. any one of a group of very small living things that often cause disease (usually plural)

bubonic (plague) – n. a very serious disease that killed many people in the Middle Ages

circulate – v. to go or spread from one person, place or thing to another

on the ground – idiomatic expression events where things are actually happening; not at a distance. Describes a situation viewed up-close or the people in a position to view a situation up-close, in detail; typically used by someone not close to the situation being discussed

notion – n. an idea or opinion

interact – v. to come together and have an effect on each other; often used with the word “with”

Has plague affected your country? Is some of your natural land being turned into cropland? We want to hear from you. Write your thoughts in the comments section.