[解析]
(1)D 细节理解题.根据第一段It is believed by experts that a weather pattern called El Nino caused the drought in Australia可知,专家们相信一种被称为厄尔尼诺的天气模式造成了澳大利亚的旱灾,即厄尔尼诺是一种天气模式.故选D.
(2)A 词义猜测题.根据下文But that year,El Nino was stronger than usual可知,但那年厄尔尼诺比往常强,应是发生了厄尔尼诺.故选A.
(3)C 细节理解题.根据第四段中The drought began in January,1982.There was very little rainfall in eastern Australia.Many forests were destroyed.可知,A、B、D都提到,没有提到C项,澳大利亚政府给旱灾付款3,000,000,000,文中指的是旱灾导致澳大利亚损失3,000,000,000.故选C.