426　lack，absence和shortage

① lack常和抽象名词如 time，money，fund，experience，ability，courage 等连用。

He failed in the exam not for lack of ability but（for lack）of experience. 他没有考及格，并非能力不济，而是经验不足。

② absence指缺席，缺少，往往指在特定时间内的情况。

The lecturer spoke in the absence of a script/first-hand material. 演讲人在没有手稿/第一手资料情况下发表见解。

③ shortage常表示数量上的不足。

The building of the bridge came to a halt for a shortage of 20 tons of cement and 100 tons of fine sand. 造桥停了下来，因为缺20吨水泥和100吨细砂。

Northerners eat wheat not for a lack/shortage of rice but for their preference. 北方人吃小麦不是因为缺大米，而是因为其爱好。