C
When you first hear about the Dead Sea, it might sound scary, but the truth is quite different. Let’s get closer to the Dead Sea and learn more about it.
The Dead Sea is located in western Asia. It is about 80 kilometres long and about 18 kilometres wide at its widest point. It sits at about 416 metres below sea level(海平面), making it the lowest point on Earth.
What’s interesting is that the Dead Sea isn’t actually a sea. It’s a lake with a salt concentration(含盐度) of more than 30 percent, which is about eight times saltier than typical seawater. This makes it one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.
The Dead Sea stays so salty because of its special natural conditions. Each year, it receives very little rainfall, and only a small amount of fresh water flows into it. And the hot weather around the Dead Sea causes the fresh water to evaporate(蒸发) quickly, which makes the salt concentration even higher. For these reasons, it is also known as the Salt Sea.
If you were to swim in the Dead Sea, you wouldn’t see any sea life—no plants or animals. The high salt concentration makes it impossible for them to live there. That’s actually why it’s called the Dead Sea.
However, don’t let the name or not having
any sea life scare you. Even if you fall into the Dead Sea and can’t swim, you won’t die. The high concentration of salt in the Dead Sea allows anyone to float well, without the need for life buoys(救生圈). In fact, many people visit the Dead Sea every year on vacation. If you walk along the lakeside, you’ll very likely see many people floating in the water, reading books or magazines.
()1. What do we know about the Dead Sea?
A. It is the largest place in Asia.
B. It is the widest sea in the world.
C. It is the deepest point in America.
D. It is the lowest lake on Earth.
()2. What makes the Dead Sea so salty?
A. A lot of seawater runs into it.
B. Human activities improve the salt levels.
C. Little rain falls and fresh water evaporates quickly.
D. The high temperature stops the water from freezing.
()3. Why do people call it the Dead Sea?
A. Because they cannot swim in it.
B. Because it has something dangerous.
C. Because it has a low salt concentration.
D. Because no plants or animals can live in it.
()4. What does the underlined word “float” probably mean?
A. 下沉 B. 漂浮
C. 潜水 D. 游泳
()5. What can we know from the last paragraph?
A. People feel scared when swimming in the Dead Sea.
B. The Dead Sea is dangerous for people who can’t swim.
C. If people can’t swim, they’ll still be safe in the Dead Sea.
D. A life buoy is necessary when people are swimming in the Dead Sea.

1.D 2.C 3.D 4.B 5.C