Food insecurity is a defining characteristic of life for many of the world's poorest people. Emergency food aid has been the major international responses to crises, such as drought and famine for decades. However, it is much better that the emergency is addressed before it happens. Communities living in countries most affected by food shortages have long known about the key role that trees can play in reducing the need for conventional aid. The "famine food" of trees can keep drought-hit communities alive when all other food crops fail.The effects of climate change are making droughts more of a norm than an exception. This is a pattern that places some of the most vulnerable (脆弱的) communities in an increasingly unstable position when it comes to meeting basic food needs. By the time shortages and hunger in countries like Burkina Faso reach "emergency" levels and warrant (准许，授权) aid; families, communities, agricultural practices and lands will have suffered greatly. The G8 summit held in Italy at the beginning of July pledged 20 billion to support native food production to reduce the need for such emergency food aid. What is missing from this pledge is any mention of the key role that trees can play. "Conventional" crops are often not native and require expensive inputs, significant irrigation and land preparation in order to produce a successful harvest. This means that they are more vulnerable to droughts. For farmers in Africa's drylands, a failed harvest can mean months of malnutrition (营养不良) and hardship. Trees, on the other hand, often survive when other crops fail. Commonly seen by the West as "famine foods", tree foods already form a significant part of daily diets across rural Africa. Trees provide fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, flowers, which can all be used as food. Data shows that nursing mothers produce more milk when they add Moringa leaves to their diet. The leaves can be dried and eaten during the hungry period, and animal fodder (饲料) from trees is also vital in producing milk and meat. This existing localised "emergency relief", is what the G8 funding must seek to strengthen.1. What can be a more reliable way to address food shortages caused by various crises?A) To introduce foreign crops.B) To develop native eatable plants. C) To grow more conventional crops.D) To get more emergency food aid.2. What can we learn from the sentence "The effects of climate change are making droughts more of a norm than an exception?" (Para. 3)A) Droughts happen frequently. B) Droughts worsened climate change.C) Climate change could have been prevented.D) Climate change is caused by human activities.3. Why can the "Famine Foods" of trees keep drought-hit communities alive?A) Because trees can survive and provide food. B) Because trees can grow tall and healthily.C) Because trees are sensitive to water.D) Because tress can keep people unaffected.4. What is "emergency relief" mentioned in the last paragraph?A) Emergency food aid.B) Conventional crops.C) Tree-based famine foods. D) Government's financial aid.5. What is the main idea of the passage?A) Trees help people survive droughts.B) Trees save people's lives.C) Trees are a vital food source. D) Conventional foods are giving way to trees.

Food insecurity is a defining characteristic of life for many of the world's poorest people. Emergency food aid has been the major international responses to crises, such as drought and famine for decades. However, it is much better that the emergency is addressed before it happens.  Communities living in countries most affected by food shortages have long known about the key role that trees can play in reducing the need for conventional aid. The "famine food" of trees can keep drought-hit communities alive when all other food crops fail.The effects of climate change are making droughts more of a norm than an exception. This is a pattern that places some of the most vulnerable (脆弱的) communities in an increasingly unstable position when it comes to meeting basic food needs.  By the time shortages and hunger in countries like Burkina Faso reach "emergency" levels and warrant (准许，授权) aid; families, communities, agricultural practices and lands will have suffered greatly.  The G8 summit held in Italy at the beginning of July pledged $20 billion to support native food production to reduce the need for such emergency food aid. What is missing from this pledge is any mention of the key role that trees can play.  "Conventional" crops are often not native and require expensive inputs, significant irrigation and land preparation in order to produce a successful harvest.  This means that they are more vulnerable to droughts. For farmers in Africa's drylands, a failed harvest can mean months of malnutrition (营养不良) and hardship.  Trees, on the other hand, often survive when other crops fail. Commonly seen by the West as "famine foods", tree foods already form a significant part of daily diets across rural Africa. Trees provide fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, flowers, which can all be used as food.  Data shows that nursing mothers produce more milk when they add Moringa leaves to their diet. The leaves can be dried and eaten during the hungry period, and animal fodder (饲料) from trees is also vital in producing milk and meat.  This existing localised "emergency relief", is what the G8 funding must seek to strengthen.1. What can be a more reliable way to address food shortages caused by various crises?A)  To introduce foreign crops.B)  To develop native eatable plants. C)  To grow more conventional crops.D)  To get more emergency food aid.2. What can we learn from the sentence "The effects of climate change are making droughts more of a norm than an exception?" (Para. 3)A)  Droughts happen frequently. B)  Droughts worsened climate change.C)  Climate change could have been prevented.D)  Climate change is caused by human activities.3. Why can the "Famine Foods" of trees keep drought-hit communities alive?A)  Because trees can survive and provide food. B)  Because trees can grow tall and healthily.C)  Because trees are sensitive to water.D)  Because tress can keep people unaffected.4. What is "emergency relief" mentioned in the last paragraph?A)  Emergency food aid.B)  Conventional crops.C)  Tree-based famine foods. D)  Government's financial aid.5. What is the main idea of the passage?A)  Trees help people survive droughts.B)  Trees save people's lives.C)  Trees are a vital food source. D)  Conventional foods are giving way to trees.