Question

The need to feed a growing population is putting much pressure on the world's supply of water. With 97% of the world's water too salty to be drunk or used in agriculture, the worldwide supply of water needs careful management, especially in agriculture. Although the idea of a water shortage(短缺)seems strange to someone fortunate enough to live in a high rainfall country, many of the world's agricultural industries experience constant water shortages.

Although dams can be built to store water for agricultural use in dry areas and dry seasons, the costs of water redistribution(重新分配)are very high. Not only is there the cost of the engineering itself, but there is also an environmental cost to be considered. Where valleys(山谷)are flooded to create dams, houses are lost and wildlife homes destroyed. Besides, water may flow easily through pipes to fields, but it cannot be transported from one side of the world to the other. Each country must therefore rely on the management of its own water to supply its farming requirements.

This is particularly troubling for countries with agricultural industries in areas dependent on irrigation (灌溉). In Texas, farmers' overuse of irrigation water has resulted in a 25% reduction of the water stores. In the Central Valley area of southwestern USA, a huge water engineering project provided water for farming in dry valleys, but much of the water use has been poorly managed.

Saudi Arabia's attempts to grow wheat in desert areas have seen the pumping of huge quantities of irrigation water from underground reserves.  Because there is no rainfall in these areas, such reserves can only decrease, and it is believed that fifty years of pumping will see them run dry.

1.From the first two paragraphs we learn that________.

A. much of the world's water is available for use

B. people in high rainfall countries feel lucky

C. water can be easily carried through pipes across the world

D. the costs of water redistribution should be considered

2.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. The water stores in Texas have been reduced by 75%.

B. Most industries in the world suffer from water shortages.

C. The underground water in Saudi Arabia might run out in 50 years.

D. Good management of water use resulted from the project in the Central Valley.

3.What is most likely to be discussed in the paragraph that follows?

A. Steps to improving water use management.

B. Ways to reduce the costs of building dams.

C. Measures to deal with worldwide water shortages.

D. Approaches to handling the pressure on water supply.

4.The text is mainly about________.

A. water supply and increasing population

B. water use management and agriculture

C. water redistribution and wildlife protection

D. water shortages and environmental protection

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要讲述的是全世界水资源短缺以及水资源管理方面以及水资源管理和农业灌溉用水方面的问题。

1.D 细节题。根据第2段2,3行Not only is there the cost of the engineering itself, but there is also an environmental cost to be considered.可知我们一定要考虑水资源重新分配的成本。故D正确。

2.C 细节题。根据文章最后2行Because there is no rainfall in these areas, such reserves can only decrease, and it is believed that fifty years of pumping will see them run dry.可知50年后沙特阿拉伯的地下水就会用完。故C正确。

3.A 推理题。在本文中作者着重讲述了水资源短缺的话题，说明现在世界上的水资源是很紧缺的，而且水资源的重新分配又有很大的难度。那么接下来讨论的应该是如何来提高水资源管理的方法和途径。故A正确。

4.B 主旨大意题。本文主要讲述的是全世界水资源短缺以及水资源管理方面以及水资源管理和农业灌溉用水方面的问题。故B正确。

考点：考察环境类短文阅读