I. Choose the correct word A, B, C or D for each gap to complete the following passage.
More than a billion people all over the world are (1) the threat of desert expansion, but few of them are aware that they themselves cause it and are also its (2) . People cut (3) trees for fuel and farmland. Their herd eat (4) the grass covering valley floors and hillsides. The climate and soil quality, therefore, are affected and forests are turned into (5) .
In some places, many people had to leave their homes when their wells became dry and sand buried their houses and crops. Therefore, government in nearby areas have had local people (6) trees and banned burning firewood for fuel. Many techniques have been (7) . For example, in Iran, a thin covering of oil was poured on sandy areas to retain (8) for planting trees, but this method may harm the environment. Other countries built long canals or pipelines (9) water to desert areas.
Unless people find more (10) methods, their homes and land will be lost. The last against the desert is continuing.
1. A. of B. in C. on D. under
2. A. victims B. enemies C. friends D. effects
3. A. off B. back C. down D. in
4. A. up B. away C. into D. out
5. A. blanks B. deserts C. spaces D. bareness
6. A. planting B. plant C. to plant D. planted
7. A. using B. use C. used D. uses
8. A. fertilizer B. soil C. earth D. water
9. A. to carry B. take C. fetch D. bring
10. A. great B. effective C. major D. useful
1.D
2.A
3.C
4.C
5.B
6.D
7.A
8.A
9.A
10.D