9．There's no place in the world like Venice，Italy．Called the City of Water，Venice was built about 1，500 years ago．It's made up of 118 tiny islands in the Adriatic Sea．The area，however，may be in over its head．But now scientists have a new plan to save the city．
Because the city was built on soft soil，it has been sinking under the pressure of its own weight．Scientists estimate that Venice sinks at a rate of nearly 2 inches every 100 years．Rising sea levels could make Venice go under even faster，some experts say．Earth's temperature is slowly increasing．That is causing sea ice to melt，which makes the world's waters rise，they say．
To keep the city afloat，experts want to pump about 40 billion gallons of sea water beneath Venice．The liquid would expand the sand under the city，which would help support the islands，explains lead scientist Giuseppe Gambolati．
Experts are rushing to save Venice because of its rich history．The city was once a strong sea power．"Many famous artists and opera singers have come from Venice．Some of the world's greatest paintings can be found on the city's museum walls，"explains Melissa Conn，who is a director of Save Venice Inc．
While scientists work to get their water-pumping plan approved，Venice's residents go about their normal routines．When the tide rolls in，the locals have ways of keeping everyone dry．Cafe owners move tables to higher ground，and hotels pass out high boots to guests．
Still，dealing with the rising water does not give the city's residents a sinking feeling，just ask Erla Zwingle．She has lived in Venice for 17 years．"There has always been high water in Venice．"Zwingle told WR News．"If high water really were a serious problem，people wouldn't be still living here．"
56．What's the main reason Venice is sinking？C
A．Its population is rising．
B．Its buildings are too weighty．
C．The soil it was built on is not solid．
D．Its underground water is being overused．
57．What can we know about Venice from the passage？D
A．It sinks at a rate of 2 inches every 200 years．
B．It has a history of more than 1，500 years．
C．It has been in a very dangerous situation．
D．It was once a strong sea power．
58．According to Melissa Conn，VeniceB．
A．is not protecting properly
B．deserves the world's attention
C．is best-known only for its artists
D．has difficulty surviving the rising temperature
59．What's the local residents'attitude towards their sinking city？D
A．Worried．B．Disappointed．C．Concerned．D．Optimistic．
60．What is the main idea of the passage？D
A．Venice is a city with a long history．
B．Experts report that Venice sinks at a fast rate．
C．Venice was once a powerful country．
D．Scientists have a new plan to protect Venice from sinking．
分析 本文属于说明文阅读，作者通过这篇文章主要向我们描述了科学家们有一个新的计划来保护威尼斯不被击沉，威尼斯有巨大的历史文化价值，它的居民们也十分积极．
解答 56．C．细节理解题．根据第二段Because the city was built on soft soil，it has been sinking under the pressure of its own weight可知威尼斯下沉的主要原因是它所建的土壤不牢固；故选C．
57．D．细节理解题．根据第四段Experts are rushing to save Venice because of its rich history．The city was once a strong sea power威尼斯曾经是一个强大的海权；故选D．
58．B．推理判断题．根据第四段Many famous artists and opera singers have come from Venice．Some of the world's greatest paintings can be found on the city's museum walls可知根据Melissa Conn，威尼斯值得世界关注；故选B．
59．D．推理判断题．根据第五段While scientists work to get their water-pumping plan approved，Venice's residents go about their normal routines可知对下沉的城市当地居民的态度是积极的；故选D．
60．D．主旨大意题．通读全文，可知文章主要讲了科学家们有一个新的计划来保护威尼斯不被击沉，威尼斯有巨大的历史文化价值，它的居民们也十分积极；故选D．
点评 考察学生的细节理解和推理判断能力，做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句，和题干进行比较，再做出正确的选择．在做推理判断题不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
