If the Europeans thought a drought—a long period of dry weather—was something that happened only in Africa, they know better now. After four years of below – normal rainfall (in some cases only 10 percent of annual average), vast areas of France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Britain and Ireland are dry and barren（贫瘠）.(77) Water is so low in the canals of northern France that waterway traffic is forbidden except on weekends. Oyster（牡蛎）grows in Brittany report a 30 percent drop in production because of the loss of fresh water in local rivers necessary for oyster breeding. In southeastern England, the rolling green hills of Kent have turned so brown that officials have been weighing plans to pipe in water from Wales. In Portugal, farmers in the southern Alentejo region have held prayer meeting for rain—so far, in vain.
(78) Governments in drought-spread countries are taking severe measures. Authorities in hard-hit areas of France have banned washing cars and watering lawns. In Britain, water will soon be metered, like gas and electricity, “The English have always taken water for granted,” says Graham Warren, a spokesman of Britain's National Rivers Authority. “Now they're putting a price on it.” Even a sudden end to the drought would not end the misery in some areas. It will take several years of unusually heavy winter rain, the experts say, just to bring existing water reserves up to their normal levels.
6. What does the author mean by saying “they know better now?”
A. They know more about the causes of the drought.
B. They have a better understanding of the drought in Africa.
C. They have realized that the drought in Europe is the most serious one.
D. They have realized that droughts hit not only Africa but also Europe.
7. The drought in Europe has brought about all the following problems except .
A. below-normal rainfall B. difficult navigation
C. a sharp drop in oyster harvest D. bone-dry hills
8. The British government intends to .
A. forbid the car-washing service
B. increase the price of the water used
C. end the misery caused by the drought
D. charge fees for the use of the water
9. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. Germany is the only country free from the drought
B. Water reserves are at their lowest level in years due to drought
C. The drought is more serious in Britain than in France
D. Europe will not have heavy rain until several years later.
10. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the passage?
A. Europe in Misery B. Drought Attacks Europe
C. Be Economical With Water D. Europe, a Would-be Africa
Passage 3
Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage:
How can we get rid of garbage（垃圾）? Do we have enough energy sources to meet our future energy needs?
These are two important questions that many people are asking today. Some people think that man might be able to solve both problems at the same time. They suggest using garbage as an energy source, and at the time it can save the land to hold garbage. |
