The Ebro Delta,known as,a battleground during the Spanish Civil War,is now the setting for a different contest,where rice farmers fight against two enemies:the rice-eating giant apple snail,and rising sell levels.What happens here will have an effect on the future of European rice production and the overall health of southern European wetlands.

Located in the Western Mediterranean,the Ebro Delta produces 120 million kilograms of rice a year,making it one of the continent’s most important rice-growing areas.As the sea moves into these fresh-water marshes(湿地),however,rising salinity(盐分)is hindering rice production.At the same time,this sea-water also kills off the greedy giant apple snail,an introduced pest that feeds on young rice plants.The most promising strategy has become to exploit one evil against the other.

The battle is currently in progress on land,in greenhouses at the University of Barcelona.Scientists working under the guidance of”Project Neurice”are seeking varieties of rice that can withstand the increasing salinity without losing the absorbency.

“The project has two sides,”says Xavier Serrat,Neurice project manager and researcher at the University of Barcelona,”the short-term fight against the snail,and a mid-to long-term fight against climate change.But the snail has given the project greater urgency.”

Originally from South America,the snails were accidentally introduced into the Ebro Delta.For now,the giant apple snail’s presence in Europe is limited to the Ebro Delta,But the snail continues its march to new territory,says Serrat.”The question is not whether it will reach other rice-growing areas of Europe,but when.”

【小题1】What’s the most effective strategy according to Paragraph 2?

A．Beating enemies one by one.	B．Striking the stronger enemy first.
C．Killing two birds with one stone.	D．Using one enemy to hit the other.

【小题2】What do we know about the”Project Neurice”?

A．It puts the control of snails first.

B．It functions pretty well on climate change.

C．It aims to increase the Spanish rice production.

D．It stresses the snails’effect on rice production.

【小题3】What can be known about the apple snails from the text?

A．It can tolerate the rising salinity.	B．It will attack other rice-growing areas.
C．It multiplies at a high speed.	D．It was introduced into Span deliberately.

【小题4】Which section is the text most likely from?

A．Chemistry.

B．Tourism.

C．Farming.

D．Geography.