Poor families in some countries spend as much as eighty percent of their money on food. Rising prices in recent months have created the worst food crisis(危机) in more than thirty years. The United Nations World Food Program says high food prices could push one hundred million people into hunger.
Nathan Childs is an expert on rice markets. He notes that the harvest for the latest growing season was the largest on record. But India, Vietnam and others have restricted exports(限制出口) to keep prices down at home and protect supplies.
Thailand’s agriculture minister says his country will never restrict rice exports. He told the Reuters news agency Thursday that Thailand has enough supplies to meet demand at home and for export.
Thailand is the world’s largest rice exporter. Recent signs of an increase in supplies have helped ease record prices for Thai rice. Prices rose last week above one thousand dollars a ton.
Vietnam, the second biggest exporter, has banned(禁止) exports until June. And Vietnamese officials have now warned that non-food traders who buy rice for speculation(投机活动)will be severely punished.
Some experts say speculation is a necessary part of market activity. But the head of the U.N. Environment Program blames it for the high food prices. “We have enough food on this planet today to feed everyone.” Achim Steiner told the Associated Press.
Earlier, a member of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission didn’t accept the idea that speculators are the main cause. Bart Chilton blamed reduced harvests and grain supplies and the falling value of the dollar.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called heads of major international agencies to a meeting this week in the Swiss capital, Bern. He says high food prices could harm world trade, economic growth, social progress and political security.
【小题1】What is the main idea of the passage?A．Vietnam has banned rice exports to other countries.B．Thailand is the largest rice exporter in the world.C．Some families are too poor to afford enough food.D．Rising prices of food have led to the world food crisis.【小题2】Which country restricted food exports according to the passage?
A. Thailand. B. Switzerland. C. Vietnam. D. The USA.
【小题3】All of the following are the results of rising prices of food EXCEPT .A．the worst food crisisB．reduced harvests and grain suppliesC．people spending more money on foodD．pushing one hundred million people into hunger【小题4】What is the reason for the speculation according to the head of the U.N. Environment Program?A．High food prices.B．The falling value of the dollar.C．Enough rice supplies in some countries.D．Restricted food exports in some countries.D
网友回答
(答案→)D
解析：本文报告了世界范围的粮食危机，分析了具体的原因以及不同的人对此不同的观点。
【小题1】D 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段前3行可知本文主要讲述的是粮食价格的上涨导致世界粮食危机的话题。故D正确。
【小题2】C 细节题。根据文章2,4段But India, Vietnam and others have restricted exports(限制出口) to keep prices down at home and protect supplies.
Vietnam, the second biggest exporter, has banned(禁止) exports until June
可知越南严格限制大米的出口。故C项正确。
【小题3】B 细节题。根据第二段前3行Nathan Childs is an expert on rice markets. He notes that the harvest for the latest growing season was the largest on record. But India, Vietnam and others have restricted exports(限制出口) to keep prices down at home and protect supplies.可知粮食实际上取得了丰收。故B项说法是错误的。
【小题4】A 细节题。根据文章倒数第三段1,2行Some experts say speculation is a necessary part of market activity. But the head of the U.N. Environment Program blames it for the high food prices.可知他把这归咎与高昂的食品价格。故A正确。