When we think about the deserts of the world, water abundance is one of the last things that come to mind. But that might change for the Taklamakan Desert in northwest China.

There is a huge underground ocean that has more water than all of the great lakes in North America combined. "Never before have people dared to imagine so much water under the sand," said professor Li Yan. 

A basin is, a valley that collects water from drainage systems, like water that has melted and is running down the face of nearby, snow-capped mountains. But, if you look at the Tarim basin, you won't see any water.

That's partly because locals collect most of the melt water to irrigate crops. The rest either seeps into the ground or evaporates into the dry desert air.

So how did this desert have such huge water? It dates back to 2,000 years ago when farmers in the region began irrigating the land. And the soil of the local farmlands is salty, like the ocean. "As a result, agricultural development over human history has enhanced the carbon sink," they write in their report.

They estimate that as much as 10 times the amount in all of the great lakes could be down there. The scientists don't advise locals to go digging for it, though, because it's extremely salty. 

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1.Where does the story happen?

A China.

B Japan.

C Egypt.

D India.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句“But that might change for the Taklamakan Desert in northwest China.”可知。

2.What did they discover in Taklamakan Desert ?

A Oil.

B Air.

C Water.

D Plants.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据文章第二段第一句“There is a huge underground ocean that has more water than all of the great lakes in North America combined ".可知。

3.What does the underlined word “basin” in Chinese?

A 盆地

B 脸盆

C 基建

D 水域

解析：选A。A 词义猜测题。根据划线词后面的句子“a valley that collects water from drainage systems, like water that has melted and is running down the face of nearby, snow-capped mountains.”可知。

4.Why do the scientists advise locals not to dig for the water?

A Because it is dirty.

B Because it is salty.

C Because it is not huge enough.

D Because they think it is bad for the desert.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章最后一句“because it's extremely salty ” 可知。

5.What’s the best title for he passage?

A The Taklamakan Desert

B The Tarim basin

C Water abundance in China

D A huge underground ocean in Taklamakan Desert

解析：选D。D 主旨大意题。根据文章第六段第一句“They estimate that as much as 10 times the amount in all of the great lakes could be down there” 可知。