The Gobi Desert ., in the north of China, is now seven times bigger than Britain. Chinahas large desert areas and much of its agricultural land is being threatened by desertification,which is getting worse, in addition, soil erosion has led to a huge loss of farmland and thedrying up of rivers. Consequently, the livelihoods of 35 million people are being threatened.Furthermore it is even affecting cities. The nearest sand dune is less than 100 miles from
Beijing, where unpleasant sandstorms are becoming more frequent.The worse the situation,the more pressure there is on the government to take action.The reasons for the changes are complex. It is clear that pollution of the air and waterby factories isaffecting the environment. Trees and other vegetation die, mad so soil iseroded. The more trees that die, the less water is held in the earth. The need for wood forfuel and buildings leads to further deforestation, which causes further soil erosion, localfarmers find itmore and more difficult to make a living. They end up using inefficientfarming methods, which again leads to soil erosion.The Government is carrying out anti-desertification projects, including the creation of aforest hell around deserts. The tree planting campaign, known as the Great Green Wall, ismeant to protect Beijing from sandstorms. China hopes to control the expansion of desertland by the year 2010 and plans to establish a protected eco-system in desert areas by 2050
26. Britain isA. one eighth of the size of the Gobi Desert13. 20% of the size o! ChinaC. as big as the Gobi desertD. bigger than Gobi desert
27. The total desert area of China is ~---A. decreasing 13. remaining constantC. not mentioned in the text 13. ira-reusin
28. The trees die becauseA. the soil is poor 15. the sir and water is pollutedC. they get diseases D. they are not well planted by people
29. The Chinese government is planting trees around A. the desertsB. China
C. BeijingD. the north of China
30. The expansion of desert land A. will definitely be controlled by Z010won.t he controlled by 2010C. should be controlled by 2010D. must be controlled by 2010
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