An important environmental problem for the world is
desertification. This is the process of useful land losing its ability
to produce plants and, little by little, turning into desert. It is an
especially big problem in parts of Africa and Asia, but it is
happening in many other places as well.
Desertification is a major problem for several reasons. It
mostly affects poor people in under-developed parts of the world.
Even now, it is diminishing the amount of land that such people
can use. They are losing land for their homes, as well as land for
growing food and raising animals. In most cases, such people do
not have the money or knowledge to protect themselves from
desertification. When their land changes to desert, there is
nowhere for them to go and nothing for them to eat. In the worst
cases, desertification can decimate hundreds of thousands of
people. Humans play a big role in causing desertification. They
keep too many animals, such as cows, on their land. They also
cut down too many trees, so that new trees cannot grow. It is
important to try to change these destructive practices. If they
continue, more and more land will be permanently ruined.
(From Reading Challenge 2, Book 3)
【題組】49. What is the meaning of “decimate” as seen in the passage?
(A) Cover up
(B) Destroy
(C) Improve the condition
(D) Gather together
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