A
China is a large producer and consumer of rice.But，as a result of climate change, the amount of land available for rice growing in the country is shrinking.The concern has motivated scientists led by Yuan Longping, known as “the father of hybrid rice” ，to look for new ways of growing the grain.
Now they're celebrating successful efforts to grow rice—in sand and seawater. Rice is traditionally grown in soil and fresh water.Starting from January, according to the official Xinhua News Agency，the scientists have grown dozens of varieties of rice in the deserts of Dubai. They experimented with seawater because it is easier to obtain in the desert than fresh water.
China is not the only country facing the issue of overly salty soil. Around the world, there are around 2.35 billion acres of highly saline(含盐的) land. And the number is increasing because of rising sea levels and climate change.
“Probably only a small part of the world's saline land could be brought into production with seawater rice, but that would still have a very important effect on food security，” Even R. Pay, a senior analyst, said.
Yuan told Xinhua that one of the varieties of rice grown in Dubai produced over three tons per acre, which Yuan said was beyond expectations.
Rice is the basic food in many parts of the world. About 90% of rice consumption is from Asia, but demand in Africa and Latin America is on the rise.
A climate change researcher said the successful experiment could potentially benefit many countries.“This is a fantastic development, which is likely to have a good effect on agricultural resource and waterpoor countries, particularly in North Africa region.”
Even though the cost of growing salttolerant rice is still high，it will also have strategic value once it's commercialized.
【语篇解读】 本文主要介绍了在“杂交水稻之父”袁隆平带领下的科学家们进行了在沙漠和盐碱地中种植水稻试验的故事。
1．What has caused the scientists to find new ways of growing rice?
A．The increase of rice consumers.
B．The high cost of rice producing.
C．The land shortage of rice growing.
D．The severe pollution of fresh water.
C [细节理解题。根据第一段第二、三句“But，as a result of climate change...to look for new ways of growing the grain.”可知，能种植水稻的土地短缺促使科学家们去寻找种植水稻的新方法。]
2．Yuan's team have successfully grown rice in sand and seawater in ________.
A．China B．Dubai
C．Latin America D．North Africa
B [细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Starting from January...have grown dozens of varieties of rice in the deserts of Dubai.”和第五段中的“one of the varieties of rice grown in Dubai”可知，袁隆平的团队在迪拜成功地在沙漠和海水中种植了水稻。]
3．What can be inferred from the text?
A．About 90% of the rice is demanded and consumed in China.
B．The production of a new type of rice is larger than expected.
C．The increase of saline land is mainly caused by climate change.
D．Seawater is used in the experiment because it is cheaper to gain.
B [推理判断题。根据第五段中的“one of the varieties of rice grown in Dubai produced over three tons per acre，which Yuan said was beyond expectations”可知，其中一种在迪拜种植的水稻产量为每英亩三吨多，这超出了人们的预料，故选B。]
4．What is the author's attitude to the ricegrowing experiment?
A．Doubtful. B．Positive.
C．Critical. D．Disappointed.
B [观点态度题。根据最后一段可推知，作者对这种水稻种植的试验持乐观的态度。]
