题目

阅读理解     Looking out the window of his truck, Bob Fitzgerald sees large, undesirable plants growing in the fields. Visitors to his neighborhood around the Chesapeake Bay mainly see dying forests and empty farmland. Fitzgerald says the land has been in his family since the 17th century, and it has been sinking for hundreds of years. As sea levels rise salt water is entering rivers and other waterways. As a result, the ground is becoming too salty for crops to grow.     Around the world, scientists warn that coastal (沿海 ) farms are under threat from rising seas and salt water. A World Bank report predicts that rice production in coastal areas may fall by 15 percent by the year 2050. Another study found that hundreds of millions of people will be forced to move inland because of rising waters.     Kate Tully, an agroecologist(农业生态学家) wants to keep coastal farmers in business as the seas rise. The United States Department of Agriculture gave Tully and other researchers $ 1.1 million to study the problem. She and her team hope to give farmers ways to stay on their land. She told media that they are testing different crops on pieces of land around the coastal areas.     "Sorghum is my new favorite crop because it can grow without rain and it can grow with lots of rain. So this is actually a pretty good option." The grain crop may be a good choice to feed the nearly 600 million chickens raised in the area each year. As farmers know, chickens can deal with salt, dry weather conditions and heavy rains. Tally's group is also testing other kinds of grain and a few crops that they believe can grow in the salt.     Yet just being able to grow a crop is not enough. The crop has to be profitable. So an economist on the team will be looking at the numbers. But continuing to farm the land may not be the best plan of action. Some people believe the land should he given back to nature. They say the fields should be turned into wetlands, which are popular with duck hunters. "There's money in duck hunting," fully said. Hunting organizations will pay farmers for a permit to hunt on their land. Farmers could earn a lot of money from duck hunters, she said.     Tully and her team are just getting started. It will be a few years before they really understand how to save the farms. （1） In Bob Fitzgerald's neighborhood              . A . forests have been turned into farmland B . the coastal land becomes unfit for farming C . production of sea salt takes place of farming D . environmental pollution has caused the death of forests （2） What does the underlined phrase "under threat" mean? A . Out of reach. B . In ruins. C . Under discussion. D . In danger. （3） To help the farmers, Kate Tully's team have          . A . raised money for costal farmers B . turned the farmland into wetland C . tested different kinds of grain and crops D . encouraged the farmers to raise chicken and ducks （4） What is the best title for the passage? A . The Search of Crops That Will Grow in Salt Water B . The Past of the Historic Farm Becomes Important C . Rising Seas Force Changes on Historic Farms D . The Research on the Effects of Rising Seas 答案： B D C C

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