Thirty years ago, Lake Ponkapog in Hartwell, New Jersey, was full of life. Many birds and animals lived beside the water, which was full of fish. But the lake water is polluted now.
How did this happen? First, we must think about how water gets into Lake Ponkapog. When it rains, water comes into the lake from all around. In the past, there were forests all around Lake Ponkapog, so the rainwater was clean.
Now there are many homes around the lake. People often use chemicals(化学物品) in their gardens. There are also many factories. Factories use chemicals in their machines or shops. Other chemicals fall onto the ground from cars or trucks. When it rains, the rainwater picks up all the chemicals from homes and factories and then carries them into the lake. They pollute the water and kill the animals.
Boats on the lake are also a problem. Lake Ponkapog is a popular place for motorboats. But oil and gas from boats often get into the lake. So more bad chemicals go into the water this way.
People in Hartwell are worried. They love their lake and want to save it. Will it be possible?
A clean lake must have clean rainwater. Clean rainwater is possible only if people are more careful about chemicals at home and at work. They must also be more careful about gas and oil and other chemicals on the ground. And they mustn’t use motorboats any more on the lake. All these may change people’s lives. Only then can Lake Ponkapog be a beautiful, clean lake again.
【小题1】Which of the following can not pollute the water in Lake Ponkapog?| A．Rainwater from the forest. | B．Oil and gas from motorboats. |
| C．Chemicals in people’s gardens. | D．Chemicals from the factories. |
| A．They should use less water. | B．They should grow fewer plants in the gardens. |
| C．They should be more careful about chemicals. | D．They should use more motorboats on the lake. |
| A．Motorboats on Lake Ponkapog. | B．Many big factories in Hartwell. |
| C．Rainwater from many places. | D．Why the water is dirty in Lake Ponkapog. |
