Venice is famous for its canals(运河). The waterways offer a special view on the city, with thousands of water taxis traveling every day.

Between October and January, the city’s main worry is usually flooding. A few days each year the water levels rise and cover low parts of Venice. But now these famous canals are running dry. Being short of rain is partly because of weeks of dry winter weather, but a high-pressure weather system, full moon and sea currents have also caused the drought(干旱).

Traditional water taxis have been influenced by the low water levels. The drought also influences the city’s important water ambulances, which may try very hard to travel on Venice’s canals.

Rivers and lakes in Italy have been short of water this winter—especially in the north of the country. The Alps have received less than half of their usual snowfall this winter. Italy’s longest river, the Po River, runs from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. It has 61 percent 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(缺少) situation that has been building up since the winter of 2020-2021,” Massimiliano Pasqui said. “We need to get much rain in the north-western parts of our country: we need 50 days of rain,” he said. It comes after the country faced its worst drought in 70 years.

1.What does the underlined word “flooding” mean?

A Low water levels.

B Too much water.

C Very high lands.

D Short of rain.

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。根据第二段划线部分后文“the water levels rise”和“But now these famous canals are running dry.”可知前文表示的是和“running dry”相反的意思，即“洪水泛滥”。故选B。

2.Which of the following is NOT a cause of drought in Venice?

A The winter season.

B High temperatures.

C The moon.

D The sea currents.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句“Being short of rain is partly because of weeks of dry winter weather, but a high-pressure weather system, full moon and sea currents have also caused the drought.”可知，威尼斯冬天天气干燥造成降雨量少，以及高压天气系统、满月和洋流都是造成干旱的原因，唯独没提到高温。故选B。

3.According to the passage, the low water levels make trouble for __________.

A the planes

B the boats

C the buses

D the water taxis

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段第一句“Traditional water taxis have been influenced by the low water levels.”可知，运河的低水位影响了水上出租车。故选D。

4.People may walk to the island of San Biagio because __________.

A it’s not very far

B they like walking

C the snowfall is heavy

D there’s very little water

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据倒数第二段最后一句“Levels are also low on Lake Garda”可知，加尔达湖水位低，即水很少，使得人们能够步行到圣比亚焦岛(不需要坐船)。故选D。

5.Massimiliano Pasqui is very ________ the water situation in Italy.

A afraid of

B satisfied with

C worried about

D excited about

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据最后一段的“need to get much rain”“need 50 days of rain”“worst drought”等可知，Massimiliano Pasqui对意大利缺水的现状甚是担忧。故选C。