A big sandstorm hit northern China several months ago. It covered many cities with thick clouds of yellow dust（尘土）.
The storm, which came from Mongolia, was the largest sandstorm in China in the past 10 years. Many flights and classes were canceled because the visibility（能见度）was lower than 500 meters.
A big sandstorm, from Mongolia, hit northern China several months ago. It was the largest sandstorm in China in the past 10 years. Many flights and classes were canceled because the visibility（能见度）was lower than 500 meters.
The storm was the result of warm and dry weather in the area, together with the strong winds from Mongolia. “There has been little rainfall so far this spring and the temperature is rising. So now it is a worrying time for sandstorms.” said an expert from Beijing.
In recent years, sandstorms haven’t been as common in northern China as before. The land with desertification has been falling by 7,585 km² per year in China, and the area of sandy land has been decreasing by 1,284 km² a year. This is thanks to China’s Three-North Shelter Forest Program（TNSFP 三北防护林工程）which started in the 1970s. Millions of trees have been planted in northern China to prevent sandstorms and protect the environment since 1980.
Besides, China has a color-graded weather warning system for sandstorms, with red meaning the most serious, followed by orange and yellow. Therefore, people would have time to get prepared for the sandstorm.
|
| A．Cold, and wet weather, together with the strong winds. |
| B．Warm, dry weather and the strong winds. |
| C．Warm, wet weather and the strong winds. |
A． | B． | C． |
| A．In the 1980s. | B．In the 1970s. | C．In the 1960s. |
| A．Red. | B．Orange. | C．Yellow. |
| A．We have taken some action to prevent sandstorms. |
| B．Sandstorms have never changed. |
| C．The weather is getting worse and worse. |
