Venice is famous for its winding network of canals. The waterways offer a unique perspective on the city, with thousands of water taxis and gondolas(贡多拉) sailing every day.

Between October and January, the city’s main concern is usually flooding. A few days each year the water levels rise and cover low parts of Venice like Saint Mark’s Square. But a combination of factors means these famous canals are running dry. A lack of rainfall is partly to blame after weeks of dry winter weather, but a high-pressure weather system, full moon and sea currents have also contributed to the drought.

Traditional gondolas and water taxis have been affected by the low water levels. The drought also impacts the city’s vital water ambulances, which may struggle to navigate Venice’s main transportation routes.

Rivers and lakes in Italy have been suffering from a severe lack of water this winter—especially in the north of the country. The Alps have received less than half of their normal snowfall this winter. Italy’s longest river, the Po River, runs from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. It has 61 per cent less water than is normal at this time of year. Levels are also low on Lake Garda, meaning it is possible to reach the island of San Biagio on foot.

“We are in a water deficit situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” climate expert Massimiliano Pasqui told Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. “We need to recover 500 millimetres in the north-western regions: we need 50 days of rain,” he said. It comes after the country faced its worst drought in 70 years, declaring a state of emergency in the Po River Basin last summer.

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1.Why is Venice different this year?

A There is flooding in the city.

B Saint Mark’s Square becomes low.

C Canals are drying up due to various factors.

D Full moon and sea currents appear at the same time.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段的“Between October and January, the city’s main concern is usually flooding”以及“But a combination of factors means these famous canals are running dry”可知，往年的10月到次年1月，威尼斯主要担心的是洪涝，但是今年由于种种原因，威尼斯的运河正在干涸。故选C。

2.What does the underlined word “navigate” mean?

A Sail.

B Drive.

C Direct.

D Control.

解析：选A。A 词义猜测题。根据第一段的“with thousands of water taxis and gondolas sailing every day”可知，威尼斯运河上每天都有很多水上出租车和贡多拉船航行，结合划线前的“water ambulances”可知水上救护车也是在运河上“航行”。故选A。

3.Where is the island of San Biagio?

A In the canals.

B In the Po River.

C In the Lake Garda.

D In the Adriatic Sea.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句“Levels are also low on Lake Garda, meaning it is possible to reach the island of San Biagio on foot”可知，加尔达湖的水位也很低，这意味着步行可以到达圣比亚吉奥岛。由此可知圣比亚吉奥岛在加尔达湖里。故选C。

4.What can we know from what Massimiliano Pasqui said?

A Italy is badly in the need of water.

B The winter of 2020 was good for Italy.

C One month of rain will help people in Italy.

D Italy never had drought over the past 70 years.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。根据最后一段“we need 50 days of rain”“faced its worst drought in 70 years”和“declaring a state of emergency”等可知，意大利现在严重缺水，急需大量水源。故选A。