五、阅读理解。（2024·江苏宿迁宿豫区三模）
The world is not only hungry，but it is also thirsty. It seems strange that nearly 3/4 of the earth is covered with water while we still say we are short of water. Why? Because about 97％ of the water on the earth is sea water which we can’t drink or use for watering plants directly. Man can only drink and use the 3％ of the fresh water that comes from rivers and lakes. And we can’t even use all of that，because some of it has been polluted.
Now more water is needed. The problem is：Can we avoid a serious water shortage（缺少）later on? Firstly，we should all learn how to save water. Secondly，we should find out the ways to reuse it. Scientists have always been making studies in the field. Today，in most large cities，water is used only once and then runs to the sea or rivers. But it can be used again. Even if every large city reused its water，there still would not be enough. What should people do next?
The sea seems to have the best answer. There is a lot of water in the sea. All that needs to be done is to get the salt out of the sea water. This is expensive，but it’s already used in many parts of the world. The most important to avoid a serious water shortage is to find a cheaper way of getting the salt out of the sea water. Scientists are trying to do it. So you see，if we can find a way out，we’ll be in no danger of drying up.
（ ）1. The world is thirsty because ________.
A. 3/4 of the earth is covered with water
B. we have enough sea water to use directly
C. we haven’t used all the water in rivers and lakes
D. about 97％ of water on the earth can’t be drunk or used for watering plants directly
（ ）2. From the passage we learn ________.
A. if every city reuses its water，we’ll be in no danger of drying up
B. man can only drink and use about 25％ of the water on the earth
C. today in most large cities water is used only once
D. water can be used only once
（ ）3. To avoid the serious water shortage，which of the following is the most important?
A. Make dirty water clean and then reuse it.
B. Try to find a cheaper way to get the salt out of the sea water.
C. Don’t pollute water and keep all rivers and lakes clean.
D. Save water and try to make good use of the water in rivers and lakes.
（ ）4. The best title for the passage would be “________”.
A. How to Reuse Water B. How to Save Water
C. The Thirsty World D. The Polluted Water

1. D 【点拨】根据第一段中“It seems strange that nearly 3/4 of the earth is covered with water while we still say we are short of water. Why? Because about 97% of the water on the earth is sea water which we can't drink or use for watering plants directly.”可知缺水的原因是地球上约 97%的水不能饮用或直接用于浇灌植物。故选 D。
2. C 【点拨】根据第二段中“Today, in most large cities, water is used only once and then runs to the sea or rivers.”可知，今天在大多数大城市，水只用一次。故选 C。
3. B 【点拨】根据第三段中“The most important to avoid a serious water shortage is to find a cheaper way of getting the salt out of the sea water.”可知，避免严重缺水的方法是找到一种更便宜的方法将盐从海水中取出。故选 B。
4. C 【点拨】通读全文，尤其根据文章首句“The world is not only hungry, but it is also thirsty.”可知，文章的最佳标题应是“饥渴的世界”。故选 C。