There is growing concern about food insecurity in the developing world. Rising food prices, weather emergencies and political problems are deepening the struggle for families in many countries.
Three UN agencies have published a report recently, saying high prices are likely to continue. Gregory Barrow, who is with the World Food Program in Rome, says, “If you look at the places where the World Food Program works, particularly in developing countries, you see people who might be spending more than 60 percent of their salary in purchasing food for their families.”
East Africa is suffering its worst drought in years. In Kenya, at least three and a half million people are going hungry, mostly in the north. Yet food is going to waste in central Kenya. Now, farmers there want the government to buy their food and give it to those in need. Farmers say bad roads and lack of transportation make it difficult for them to get their produce to the market.
Mr. Barrow says, “It needs the government to make some arrangements such as providing transport. They can buy it at a good price, then give it to those people instead of asking for food from overseas, which is very bad. When we are throwing away food, they are asking for food from overseas.”
Economists say that imports reduce local food prices, decrease productivity(生产效率) and increase the dependency on other countries. Farmers in Kenya hope the government can pay higher prices for their crops so that they can feed more Kenyans.
1.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Kenya Imports Food from Abroad
B. A World Food Program in Rome.
C. The Poor Suffer from High Food Prices.
D. A Report Published by Three UN Agencies.
2.What do we know about Kenya from the passage?
A. The people in central Kenya are suffering from hunger.
B. At least three and a half million Kenyans lack food.
C. The Kenyan government wants to improve road conditions.
D. People in northern Kenya refuse to ask for food from overseas.
3.What does “they” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
A. The people of northern Kenya.
B. Government officials.
C. The farmers of central Kenya.
D. Kenyan economists.
4.Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to this passage?
A. Gregory Barrow suggests that Kenya make good use of overseas food.
B. People in northern Kenya are suffering the drought less than the central.
C. Economists believe importing food from abroad may cause problems.
D. Kenyan government hopes to buy the native crops at higher prices.