There is a lake near a forest in Sweden. The water in the lake is very clear and everything is quiet and
still. On the far side of the water is some farmland and further away, across the field, is an old church built
on a hill. It has just stopped raining. The brook (小溪) flowing into the lake is full and there is still some
half-melted (半融化的)snow from last winter on the ground.
     The reason why the water is so clear, and everything is so quiet and still, is that most of the plant and
animal life in and around the lake is dead. There are no birds because all the fish and insects, which the
birds need for food, have disappeared. Many trees in the forest are losing their leaves and bark (树皮), and
are sick and dying. Others were blown down by the high winds of last winter, A farmer is working in a field
planting something, but unless he plants a stronger kind of seed this year. the crop will be between 25 to 40
percent lower than a few years ago. The stones of the old church tower are turning to powder and unless
the tower is repaired soon, it will fall down.
     All the death and destruction in this place is caused by the smoke coming out of factories and poisonous
gases from cars and trucks. And yet this silent lake is hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest factory
and highway.

1. What time of the year do you think it is?

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Autumn
D. Winter

2. Why are there no animals or birds in or around the lake?

A. the weather is terribly cold
B. the area is polluted
C. the lake is quiet
D. they have all been killed

3. Why does the farmer have to plant a stronger kind of seed? Because______.

A. the soil becomes less and less
B. few plants can grow because of the pollution
C. the water in the lake can't be used to irrigate the field
D. the wind is too strong

4. What do you think is the best title of the passage?

A. A Beautiful Place of Interest
B. A Polluted Place
C. A Quiet Place in Sweden
D. A Faraway Mountain Area