You might have noticed that the cost of food has gone up.In fact the price of wheat and rice has nearly doubled in the past few years.It’s thought that right now，850 million people—that’s more than 10 times the population of the UK—are short of food because it’s too expensive or there’s not enough of it.
The price of basic food such as wheat and corn has stayed the same for quite a long time，about 30 years.But as the world’s population is getting bigger，there’s more pressure to feed more people，plus there’s less land and water to go round.
Another reason is climate（气候）change.Droughts and floods make it hard to grow crops like rice and grain.The price of oil has gone up and that makes it more expensive for farmers to run their tractors and to transport the food they make.And lots of fields are being used to grow crops to make other things that can’t be eaten—which is bad news for hungry people.
The main losers are poor people who live in cities in poor countries，who are facing higher prices for food.Some people are doing well out of the food crisis（危机） though.Farmers in rich countries like the US，Canada and Australia are getting record prices for their harvests.
World leaders are meeting in the Italian capital Rome to talk about the problem of rising food prices.Some countries are helping out with the cost of foods and international aid agencies have called for more money for food production in poor countries.
小题1:The price of food goes up because all of the following EXCEPT _____.

A．there are more and more people in the world.

B．American farmers are getting richer and richer.

C．many farm lands are used to make other things rather than food.

D．climate change makes it harder to grow food.

小题2:Who lose the most because of the food crisis?

A．Farmers in rich countries.

B．Farmers in developed countries.

C．Poor people in cities in poor countries.

D．Poor people in cities in developed countries.

小题3:What does the food crisis mean to farmers in Canada?

A．They can get a lot of money from the government.

B．They have to save a lot of money.

C．They can make more money from the high price.

D．They are losing a lot of money.

小题4:What is the best title for this passage?

A．Why is the Price of Food Going Up？

B．How Many People are Short of Food?

C．What Can We Learn from the Food Crisis?

D．Who Can Benefit（受益） from the Food Crisis?

小题1:It is easy to protect the planet! These tips help save limited resources, especially water. So give the tips a try and get green. You can take short showers instead of having a bath and turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Be sure to ask your parents before trying any of these tips.
小题2:It might not seem like such a big deal, but think about how much time you spend sitting before your computer and playing computer games. And then you get up to go to school the next morning with a very heavy backpack. Now, without moving anymore, check out your posture.
小题3:The school year always brings new friends, new teachers, new assignments, and unfortunately some new germs. But don’t worry; a new school year doesn’t have to mean new illnesses! Follow these tips and you might score a perfect attendance (出席人数) record this year!
小题4:Going to school is an exciting time because everything’s new --- teachers, new package of markers when last year’s set works just well. In addition to reusing old supplies, we’ve got a great list of ways to be green in the new school year.
小题5:Be sure to ask your parents and yourself to save energy in the summer. You can try any of these tips. Turn off the TV and play in a garden or park. Turn off your computer before you go to bed each night.

A．Green Tips: Conserve Resources Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

B．Green Tips: Save Power Play outside instead of using electricity.

C．Green Tips: Back to School Reusing anything possible is better for the environment and yourself!

D．20 Tips for a Germ-free School Year Wash your hands with soap and water to kill germs.

Drinking water: Bottled or From the Tap?    For every six water bottles we use,
only one makes it to the recycling bin.
F. Bad Posture Means Pain           Kids should carry backpacks that weigh less than 10 to
15 percent of their body weight.