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A. Tuvaluan people became rich overnight
B. Signs of sinking have appeared on Tuvaiu
C. The news came that the country would be drowned
D. Tuvaluan people have suffered from serious diseases
E. Desire to enjoy life has caused serious consequences
F. Tuvaluan people are improving their living standards despite the rising sea |
1. ( )
If you suddenly received a lot of money, how would you spend it? For the people of Tuvalu, a tiny state
comprising nine islands in the South Pacific, something unusual happened. In 1999 Tuvalu, with its population
of 11,000,was the third poorest state in the world. Later, Tuvalu received a domain name on the Internet-the
letters ".tv". A communication company from California quickly offered to buy the domain name for $ 40
million. The islanders became very rich.
2. ( )
At the same time the islanders received some very bad news. Due to global warming, and because the
islands are only 3m above sea level, Tuvalu will probably become the first state in the world to disappear
under the sea. According to scientific estimates, the islands will suffer severe floods within the next 15-20
years, and by the end of the century, the islands will have disappeared from sight altogether.
3. ( )
You can already see signs of the rising sea on Tuvalu. Pools of seawater appear here and there, some
beaches are swallowed by the waves, and the roots of trees are rotting by the ocean. The rains cause
temporary floods.
4. ( )
But despite these problems, the Tuvaluan had their new money. Paul Lindsay, a documentary film-maker,
went all the way to Tuvalu, and came back with an incredible story. As the water rises, the Tuvaluan are using
the money to develop the land that is soon to disappear. They are building new houses, planning nightclubs,
restaurants and hotels, and new cars are driving around on new roads."Just because we are sinking, it doesn't
mean we don't want to raise our standards of living." Lindsay was told by Sam Teo, Tuvalu' s minister for
natural resources.
5. ( )
Of the $ 40 million Tuvalu received through the Internet deal, $ 10 million was used to asphalt the islands'
L9km of roads. Before 1999 there were four cars on the islands. The Tuvaluan used to walk or cycle
everywhere. There was a flood of imported foods and goods and soon these had unexpected consequences.
The Tuvaluan people now suffer from diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Others
discovered that it was too expensive for them to keep their cars. There is now a huge rubbish dump in the
middle of this tropical paradise, covered with abandoned cars and other waste. |
