阅读理解。
The cost of rice is expected to go up in the coming months, as an improving global economy raises
demand, and drought (旱灾) cuts production in countries such as India. Some economists say prices for
rice, the Precision Castingstaple food for much of the world's population, could be returning to levels that
sparked inflation (通货膨胀) fears in much of Asia last year.
Charuk Singhapreecha is dean of the faculty (系)of economics at Thailand's Kasetsart University. He
says prices-especially for Thai rice-are being pushed higher by new customers coming into the market
after the economic slowdown of the past year."They expect that the world demand will increase andCast
steel we expect that the price of rice will increase next year, " Charuk said."There are many new markets
for the Thai rice and also we still have for our old customer-China, some Arab countries-they will increase
the demand."
Prices on the global market could again near the record above $1,000 a ton set in the middle of 2008.
This month, export prices for Southeast Asian rice have jumped from about $550 a ton or less to more
than $650.
Vichai Sriprasert, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, says further weakness in the US
dollar and concerns over drought add to pressure on prices. Market experts say next year India is likely
to try to import three million tons of rice - entering the world market for the first time in 21 years-because
of a drought.
Vichai also warns that increasing demand for bio-fuels (生物燃料) from grain could reduce food crops,
forcing the price of food grains higher. "This is very serious. That's why the price of rice will not go back
to the level that we used to see," Vichai said. "It will have to be elevated at a higher level, but I don't know
where."
The Philippines this week said it is cutting rice imports because of high prices, even though the country
lost more than a million tons of grain to typhoons this year. Officials from Vietnam, a leading export
competitor with Thailand, predict prices will reach about $800 a ton by the middle of 2010. This week
the Philippines' National Food Authority offered almost $665 a ton for 600,000 tons of Vietnamese rice.
Economists say higher food prices will only increase the problems faced by the region's poor, who are
highly dependent on rice as a staple food.
1. Which of the following is NOT true according to paragraph 1?
A. Drought reduces production of rice in India.
B. Prices for rice were lower all the time in 2008.
C. Rice is a major food for the world's population.
D. The improving global economy increases the need for rice.
2. How many reasons did Vichai mention about rice price's going up?
A. 1.
B. 2.
C. 3.
D. 4.
3. Why does the Philippines plan to cut rice imports?
A. Because of high prices.
B. Because of typhoons.
C. Because of civil war.
D. Because of drought.
4. What's the best title of the passage?
A. Higher food prices will increase problems
B. There are many new markets for the Thai rice
C. The global economy is improving
D. Prices for rice are expected to rise
