Reading : THE "GREEN REVOLUTION" From 1950 to 1980, the so-called "Green Revolution"swept the world. World food production doubled with the introduction of a new approach to agriculture. It involved the large-scale cultivation of new types of grain (wheat, corn, and rice), and the extensive use of chemicals and farm machinery. These features were the cause of the early, enormous success of this "revolution". However, the "Green Revolution"methods no longer appear to be successful. Though the population continues to grow, food production has failed to keep up with it. There are a number of reasons for this. One reason lies in the expense of the new farming methods. The new kinds of grain produce much more than traditional grains, but only under certain conditions. In order to get maximum production, farmers must use large amounts of expensive chemical fertilizers. They also need to use expensive chemical insecticides since the new grains are more easily damaged by insects. Expensive watering systems are also necesary for these grains, especially in drier areas. Many farmers cannot afford Erosion is another reason for the lower grain production. The large-scale to buy all the chemicals and equipment. farming of a single crop creates the perfect conditions for erosion. In dry areas, especially, the loss of top soil has lowered the productivity of the land. In these areas, also, grain production has been limited by the lack of water. The new types of grain, in fact, require much more water than the grains people used to grow. Yet another reason for lower production lies in the nature of the chemicals that farmers have used. Though these fertilizers and pesticides raise production levels at first, they must be used in increasing amounts after that. Many farmers cannot afford to buy more, and so production decreases. These chemicals have other effects that are expensive in the long run. They flow into the ground water, causing pollution and health problems. As people learn about these problems, they put pressure on farmers to further limit their use of chemicals. Finally, the Green Revolution has brought about social and political conflict that has interfered with food production. The problem lies in the cost of the new agricultural methods. Only the larger land owners can afford to make the necessary investments for maximum production of the new grains. With their profits, the large land owners then buy land from the smaller farmers. This way, the large land owners become ever richer and the number of landless poor people increases. Social tensions naturally increase in this situation. Clearly, it time to question the methods of the Green Revolution. Governments and farmers need to look at the oveerall picture and long-term effects. They need to find new methods that will better meet the needs of the world's hungry people and will also be less destructive. Question 35: This passage is about A. How the Green Revolution increased grain production. B. The environmental effects of the Green Revolution. C. The success of the Green Revolution. D. Some negative aspects of the Green Revolution. Question 36: The production of grain worldwide has A. Increased faster than the population has increased. B. Not kept up with the world population. C. More than doubled in recent years. D. Decreased by half in recent years. Question 37: The new types of grain are A. More expensive to cultivate than the traditional kinds. B. Easier to cultivate than the traditional kinds. C. Cheaper to cultivate than the traditional kinds. D. Better tasting than the traditional kinds. Question 38: Erosion is often the result of A. Traditional methods of farming. B. The costliness of farm equipment. C. The use of too much water in farming. D. Single crop farming on a large scale. Question 39: Chemical fertilizers and insecticides. A. Rarely have any effect on people. B. Are both expensive and damaging. C. Can cause large-scale erosion. D. Are not always necessary with the new types of grain. Question 40: In some regions, the new farming methods have.. A. Encouraged small farmers to produce more. B. Increased the size of the middle class. C. Increased the differences between rich and poor. D. Increased the profits of both rich and poor. Question 41: We can infer from this passage that traditional farming methods were probably A. More expensive. B. Preferred by the large land owners. C. The cause of many social problems. D. Less damaging to people and the environment. Question 42: The Green Revolution methods are A. The most productive that we know. B. Damaging only to farmers. C. Often unproductive and destructive. D. The only way to solve the problem of world hunger. Giúp mk vs giải thích cho kĩ giúp tớ nha