The state of California is taking steps to deal with dry weather. Governor Jerry Brown said last week that Californians must reduce their water use by 25 percent because of a lack of rainfall and snow.

Some local communities are developing new restrictions （限制）on water use.

This is California's fourth year of below-average rainfall since 2012. The lack of rain and snow has created moderate(中等的) to extreme drought conditions across the state.

Some of the state's water comes from northern California. It moves through waterways to the farm-rich Central Valley and water-hungry cities in the south. Farms use 80 percent of the state's water to produce much of the nation's fruit, vegetables and nuts.

In general, farmers are not required to follow the new water restrictions. But many growers have already faced cuts to the amount of water they can take from public water supplies. They now pump groundwater for crops, and eventually will face more limitations on using it.

Some of the new measures are already in place. Restaurants will face fines if they offer water to people who have not asked for it. Gilberto Cetina owns a restaurant in Los Angeles. He says the restrictions will save more than just drinking water.

Some Californians say they are prepared to help. State resident Nicole Dura plans to cut back on the amount of water she uses. "We can just do what we can – we turn off the water, and between brushing our teeth."

Other water restrictions will be coming for businesses, public agencies and California residents. Local communities and utility（多功能的） companies are tightening rules under appeals from the state.

Experts say there is no single solution to the state's water shortage. But they say education, better planning and stronger measures can help the state deal with its periodic droughts.

本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写，禁止复制和任何商业用途，版权所有，侵权必究！

1.Why must people in California reduce their water use?

A Because governor Jerry Brown asks them to do so.

B Because the rainfall and snow have dropped by 25 percent.

C Because California is a place with dry weather.

D Because there is again less rain and snow than average this year.

解析：选D。D。细节理解题。根据第3段This is California's fourth year of below-average rainfall since 2012. 可知加州要求人民节约用水，其原因是持续四年来的降雨量低于年平均水平。连续的干旱，使加州人不得不采取节水措施应对干旱。

2.The rainfall in ____was above average in California?

A 2012

B 2011

C 2014

D 2015

解析：选B。B。推理判断题。根据第3段This is California's fourth year of below-average rainfall since 2012. 可知这是自2012年来，连续第四年降水低于年平均量，从此句可推知2011年降水量至少不低于年均降水量。

3.Who consumes most of the water in California?

A Farming.

B People in the cities.

C Farmers.

D Growers.

解析：选A。A。 细节理解题。文章第4段的Farms use 80 percent of the state's water to produce much of the nation's fruit, vegetables and nuts.可知农耕占了用水量的80%。

4.Which is not the measure that people take in California?

A Pumping water from underground.

B Fining those who offer free water in restaurants.

C Turning water off, for example, when brushing teeth.

D Tightening the rules in communities and utility companies.

解析：选A。A。本文重点是讲加州节约用水措施， 选项B,C,D都是节约用水措施，而选项A，取用地下水，只是改变用水渠道，所以A为本题的正确答案。

5.The best title for this report should be_____.

A California Suffers Droughts

B California Needs More Water

C California Limits Water Use

D Less Rainfall and Snow in California

解析：选C。C。主旨大意题。本文全篇都在讲加州的节水措施。所以C是正确答案。A，D是逼迫其节水的原因。B选项是过程而矣。