This summer, heavy rains and flooding have caused more than five hundred deaths in South Asia. More than ten million people have been forced from their homes. Huge amounts of cropland, animals and property have been destroyed. Officials and aid groups say a public health crisis threatens about thirty million people throughout India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
The World Meteorological Organization says the rain in South Asia is just one of many extreme weather events this year. The United Nations agency announced last week that January and April were the warmest months on record worldwide. The discovery appears to support environmental changes confirmed by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in February. The group said that it was more than ninety percent sure that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from human activities have been the main cause of global warming.
The World Meteorological Organization also noted extreme weather in other areas. It said heavy rains in China in June affected more than thirteen million people. In February, Mozambique had the worst flooding in. six years. It said record-breaking heat was reported in southeastern Europe and central Russia earlier this year. A full report on weather in two thousand seven will be released at the end of the year.
The UN weather agency says it is working with its partners to establish an early warning system for climate extremes. It is also creating a long-term observation system to study the effects of climate change.
One such effect could be a lack of food and the risk of hunger in developing countries. The head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, warned last week that climate change might hurt food production in warm southern areas of the world. He called for an intense scientific effort to develop crops that will grow in future weather conditions. He said one example is genetically changed crops that will grow in extreme temperatures, dry conditions or poor soil.
1. What's the main idea of this passage?
A. Disasters in South Asia. B. Cause of global warming.
C. Warning system for climate changes D. Extreme weather and its effects
2. Which of the following is NOT the direct results from the floods in South Asia this summer? A. Hundreds of people lost their lives.
B. Over ten million people were stuck at their homes.
C. Many people lost their cropland, animals and belongings.
D. Public health faced great challenges at that time.
3. "The group" in Para.2 refers to .
A. the World Meteorological Organization B. the United Nations agency
C. the UN's Intergovernmental Panel D. the UN weather agency
4. Why is "heavy rain in China in June" mentioned in Para.3?
A. To offer an example of extreme weather this year.
B. To show China suffered more than Mozambique.
C. To indicate that China was given more attention.
D. To give an evidence for the full report in weather this year.
5. According to Jacques Diouf, one possible way to solve the problem of the lack of food is .
A. to control the climate changes
B. to raise the food production
C. to change the genes of crops
D. to increase crops in fine weather conditions