water supply

Reading comprehension

Answer the following questions

1 How much of Hong Kong's water comes from Dongjiang?

a. 70 to 80 per cent

b. 95 per cent

c. 100 per cent

d. none

2 Why was most economic activity in Dongjiang stopped in 1985?

a. to make more room for orange farms

b. so parents could spend more time with their families

c. the provincial government provided enough welfare money

d. to preserve the purity of water sold to Hong Kong and Guangdong province

3 Which country is still facing a drought that caused a bush fire?

a. United States

b. India

c. Angola

d. Australia

Word power

Match the words with their meanings below

1 self-reliant

2 erosion

3 compensated

4 upstream

5 drought

6 estuary

7 salinity

a. towards the source of a river or stream

b. a very long period without rain

c. the wide part of a river where it meets the ocean and salt and freshwater mix

d. highly independent, able to meet your own needs

e. a gradual condition in which the earth's surface is worn down by water and wind

f. the amount of salt in water, usually measured in 'parts per thousand'

g. to be paid, usually for damages

Think about

1 How do the residents of Dongjiangyuan village 'pay' for Hong Kong's water supply? Include the economic, environmental and social aspects given in the article.

2 How does climate change affect water supplies?

Answers

Reading comprehension: 1. a, 2. d, 3. d

Word power: 1. d, 2. e, 3. g, 4. a, 5. b, 6. c, 7. f