A. During an El Nino which usually lasts two to three years, there is usually less rainfall in the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Australia and more rainfall in the eastern Pacific and the Americas. During La Nina years, the water cools and the pattern is reversed. Monsoons and Trade Winds are also affected by the phenomenon.

Q: Australia's fires started last week during a particularly hot, dry . . .

A. Autumn

B. Winter

C. Spring

D. Summer

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C. Spring started in Australia's third­ driest September and continued with October becoming the nation's hottest month ever. Last week's fire killed three people and burned through 580 square miles of farmland, fanned by temperatures above 100 degrees and wind gusting at more than 50 miles an hour.

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Q: Last week's wildfire took place in Western Australia a state that covers the western third of the country. Which body of water does NOT border Western Australia?

A. Great Australian Bight

B. Pacific Ocean

C. Indian Ocean

D. Southern Ocean

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B. Western Australia is bordered on the north and west by the Indian Ocean and to the south by the Southern Ocean and Great Australian Bight, an open bay. The Pacific Ocean borders the eastern coast of Australia.

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Q: A study released last week finds that climate change is causing longer wildfire seasons worldwide. The Australian continent is the . . .

A. Hottest

B. Driest

C. Smallest

D. All of the above

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C. Australia is the smallest and lowest continent. Africa is the hottest continent, and Antarctica is the driest.

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