Question

The United States is suffering its worst drought (干旱) in almost sixty years. The National Climatic Data Center also says high temperatures in June added to the warmest twelve-month period on record. Record-keeping began in 1895. The drought map showed that conditions improved in the Southeast in June compared to May. But the drought is expected to continue in large parts of the country. Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with President Obama. Mr Vilsack says the drought has seriously influenced some crops, such as corn and soybeans (大豆). And the United States is the world's leading producer. 

    The drought has made prices of com and soybeans increase. Both of them are used in food production and for animal feed. Last week the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported that corn and wheat prices increased by 20% over the past three weeks.

In the United States, farmers may quickly reduce the size of their animals rather than pay higher feed prices to keep them. That increased supply of meat would reduce meat prices in the short term. But those prices could increase in several months.

Mr Vilsack says the effect of the drought is hard to predict(预测). Some areas are getting rain, and drought-resistant (抗旱的) seeds have helped crops grow well in some areas.

1.We can know the drought record of the USA has been kept for ________years of the USA up to now.

A. 97                                                        B. 207

C. 221                                          D. 117

2.Which of the following American presidents met with Tom Vilsack?

A. George Washington.                 B. Abraham lincon.

C. George Bush.                                  D. Barack Obama.        

3. If the price of a kilo of corn was 3 dollars last December, how much is a kilo of corn now?

A. 2.4 dollars.                                        B. 3 dollars.

C. 3.6 dollars.                                         D. 3.9 dollars.

4.Why is the meat price lower than before?

A. Because there are more and more animals.

B. Because farmers kill them to save their food.

C. Because people don't like eating meat now.

D. Because the government (政府) asks the meat price lower.

5.What is the best title for the passage?

A. US faces the worst drought in almost sixty years.

B. Take action to help the USA.

C. What does the country do in the drought areas?

D. President Obama meets with Agriculture Secretary.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

        

1. D

2. D

3. C

4. B

5. A

【解析】本文主要讲述的是美国正遭受60年来最严重的干旱，美国是农产品种植大国，因为干旱，许多农产品价格上涨，因为农产品价格上涨，畜牧业也受到了影响，养殖者们为了减少饲料成本，也大量消减动物数量，最终肉类价格也上涨。干旱的影响难以预测，一些地区会下雨，一些地区的抗旱作物长势很好。

1.细节理解题。从Record-keeping began in 1895. 得知答案，故选D。

2.细节理解题。从Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with President Obama.得知答案，故选D。

3.推理判断题。从Last week the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported that corn and wheat prices increased by 20% over the past three weeks.得知答案，故选C

4.推理判断题。从In the United States, farmers may quickly reduce the size of their animals rather than pay higher feed prices to keep them.可知答案选B。

5.标题归纳题。从The United States is suffering its worst drought (干旱) in almost sixty years. 以人及全文得知美国正遭受60年来最严重的干旱，故选A。

考点：政治经济文化类短文阅读。