What does "wild card" mean here? And what "that" refers to here?

Status
Not open for further replies.

NewHopeR

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
Context:

[h=3]Wild card[/h]The wild card is lung cancer, cases of which will vary according to how strictly anti-smoking laws are enforced as countries become more affluent. Lung cancer has soared in China, for example, and the government introduced an initiative to ban smoking in some public venues last year.
Bray says that forewarned of the problems, governments can plan to head them off. "Hopefully, the awareness of cancer is increasing substantially, and this study is part of that," he says.
 
Re: What does "wild card" mean here? And what "that" refers to here?

The thing they can't plan. They don't know what the rates will be, perhaps.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top