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The Guardian, Wednesday 8 November 2006
| shortages | experiencing | severe | affect | climate | warming |
| rainfall | temperature | levels | impact | emergency | decrease |
Australia's blistering summer has only just begun but reservoir ________ (1) are dropping fast, crop forecasts have been slashed, and great swaths of the continent are entering what scientists yesterday called a "one in a thousand years drought".
With many regions in their fifth year of drought, the government yesterday called an ________ (2) water summit in Canberra where the Prime Minister John Howard stated that more than half of Australia's farmland was ________ (3) drought.
The drought is likely to ________ (4) drinking water supplies to many areas. Sydney's largest reservoir is now 40% full and many small rural towns in east Australia face ________ (5) within a month.
It is also expected to have a serious ________ (6) on crops. Last week, the government forecast its lowest wheat crop for 12 years, a 62% ________ (7) on last year. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation predicted that ________ (8) in parts of eastern Australia could drop by 40% by 2070, along with a 7°C rise in ________ (9). It said that by 2030 the risk of bush fires would be higher, that droughts would be more ________ (10) and that rainfall and stream run-off would be lower.
Australia's long-term ________ (11) is changing. Environmentalists think that when the drought breaks, the country will not return to cooler, wetter conditions. South Australia's premier, Mike Rann, said yesterday: "What we're seeing with this drought is a frightening glimpse of the future with global ________ (12)."
TASK 24. You will hear an interview with Mark Latell, a scientist who works on volcanoes, talking about his job. For questions 1-6, choose the answer (А, В, С or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
a) the measuring instruments need to be more sophisticated.
b) reliability is affected by significant variations between volcanoes.
c) scientists need to know more about the history of individual volcanoes.
d) the observation and monitoring of volcanoes needs to be constant.
2. When Mark's team successfully predicted an eruption, he felt
a) grateful to the staff in his team.
b) relieved that they had arrived in time.
c) embarrassed by the thanks he received.
d) surprised the local people responded well.
3. Why might Mark's team visit other eruptions?
a) If they are invited by a government.
b) In order to study different volcanoes.
c) If there is a national emergency.
d) In order to liaise with other scientists.
4. Mark denies that he and his team are 'cowboys' because
a) they consider the job to be relatively safe.
b) their families prevent them from taking risks
c) they plan any expeditions to a volcano very thoroughly.
d) their training has prepared them for the job they do.
5. What does Mark say about his experience on Mount St. Helens?
a) He was glad that he was with a colleague.
b) Не was excited to have had the experience.
c) Не was lucky to escape from such a big eruption.
d) He was pleased at the knowledge his team gained.
6. According to Mark, the next big eruption
a) may occur in an unexpected location.
b) could significantly alter the earth's climate.
c) is bound to be preceded by some warning signs.
d) may be unlike anything we have experienced before.
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