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According to official statistics released by the Chinese government, China is expected to run out of water around the year 2030. In its directive on water use, the State Council (国务院) has stated, “Taking into full account water-saving, by 2030 our country’s water use will reach or approach the total volume of exploitable water resources (可利用的水资源总量), and the drought-fighting situation will be increasingly serious.” Such statements are certainly serious, and every man, woman and child in China must consider the situation and how it relates to their lives.
So, will China run out of water completely? The news is not all bad. Although there are serious concerns, there are some reasons to be hopeful. One of the simplest is just to consider that China has had a long history of water problems. From flooding to drought, balancing water needs has always been an issue in China; it is something that many public projects are already addressing. Some of these projects need time before their long-term value can be properly seen, but there is reason to hope that they will prove useful.
Another reason for hope lies in what seems at first to be a terrible fact: nearly 70% of China’s water is so contaminated that it is not only unsuitable for drinking but is also not useful for individual purposes. How can this be good news? Well, in recent years, the terrible situation has motivated the government and the public to become more and more committed to cleaning up these contaminated sources. Several projects have already been successful in partially cleaning these water sources. As this commitment increases, more and more of China’s water is being cleaned and made available for use.
Finally, the international community, particularly NGOs (Non Government Organizations) and the corporate community, have begun to focus on ways to help China stretch its limited water resources. Several business and NGOs are already studying the issue and investing in solutions.
It is certainly important for everyone in China to understand the situation and to take part in conserving water. Thankfully, however, the situation is not hopeless. Through the cooperation of the government, the people, NGOs and business, China can continue to find the water it needs.
72. What does the first paragraph tell us?
A. China is seriously short of water now.’
B. We still have enough water for drink and use.
C. China will be faced with serious water shortage in two decades.
D. We needn’t consider the situation for the moment.
73. Which of the following reasons to be hopeful is not mentioned?
A. Many in the international and corporate community have begun to help China.
B. China has dealt with many water problems.
C. The government and the public are becoming more and more committed to cleaning up the contaminated sources.
D. The Chinese have enough confidence and courage to overcome the difficulty.
74. Which of the following can replace the underlined word contaminated in Paragraph 3?
A. cleaned           B. wasted           C. polluted            D. purified
75. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to this passage?
A. The international community and the corporate community have begun to help China develop it limited water resources.
B. All China’s water is so contaminated that it is unsuitable for both drinking and industrial purposes.
C. Several business and NGOs had already studied the issue and invested in solutions.
D. There is no hope for China to find the water it needs.