【正文】
China has large desert areas and much of its agricultural land is being threatened by desertification(沙漠化), which is getting worse. In addition, soil erosion has led to a huge loss of farmland and the drying 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 being more frequent. The worse the situation, the more pressure there is on the government to take action. The reasons for the changes are plex(復(fù)雜的). It is clear that pollution of air and water by factories is affecting the environment. Trees and other vegetation die, and so soil is eroded. The more trees die, the less water is held in the earth. The need for wood, fuel and buildings leads to further deforestation(采伐森林). Which cause further soil erosion? Local farmers find it more and more difficult to make a living. They end up using inefficient farming methods, which again leads to soil erosion. The government is carrying out antidesertification project, including the creation of a forest belt around deserts. The treeplanting campaign, known as the Great Wall, is meant to protect Beijing from sandstorms. China hopes to control the expansion of desert land by the year 2010 and plans to establish a protected ecosystem in desert areas by 2050.16. Britain is _______. A. one eight of the size of the Gobi DesertB. 20 % of the size of ChinaC. as big as the Gobi desertD. bigger than Gobi desert 17. The total desert areas of China is _______.A. decreasing B. remaining constant(不變的) C. not mentioned in the text D. increasing 18. The trees die because _______. A. the soil is poorB. the air and the water is pollutedC. they get diseasesD. they are not well planted by people19. The Chinese government is planting trees around _______. A. the deserts B. China C. Beijing D. the north of China.20. The expansion of desert land _______.A. will definitely be controlled by 2010B. won’t be controlled by 2010C. should be controlled by 2010D. must be controlled by 2010