Прочитайте текст. Определите, какие из приведённых утверждений соответствуют содержанию текста (1 – True), какие не соответствуют (2 – False) и о чём в тексте не сказано, то есть на основании текста нельзя дать ни положительного, ни отрицательного ответа (3 – Not stated).

For centuries Australia was isolated from the rest of the world. Due to its geographical position, it was inhabited later than the other continents and its population is not as dense as in Europe or Asia. However, in spite of a relatively short period of people’s activity there, Australia has lots of environmental problems. Global warming is one of them. Though global warming is a global issue, scientists across the world say that Australia is at great risk. The experts predict that over 250,000 Australian homes may suffer from rising sea levels.

Another problem is a local Australian issue. It’s about the increasing amount of salt in the Australian soil. Growing crops is not an easy job in Australia. There’s lots of sunshine, but there’s not enough water and there are few fertile farmlands. To grow crops in dry lands the farmers have to use a lot of fresh water to irrigate the plants.

Irrigation seemed to solve the problem of dry lands, but soon the farmers saw that their plants were dying in spite of watering. Then the reason was found – the plants were dying because the soil had become too salty. It happened because there is a lot of salt under the whole continent of Australia. The huge supply of salt used to be isolated from the top layer of soil by dry earth.

When the farmers irrigate the crops, the water goes down, the earth gets wet and the salt comes up. Rising salt kills plants and forms deserts. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of Western Australia have already been poisoned by salt.

Scientists believe that planting new trees can help reduce this problem. They advise to plant special salt tolerant plants – the Saltgrow is one of them. The Saltgrow is a hybrid tree. The tree has been very successful in improving soil. It is able to completely remove salt which allows new grass and trees that are not salt resistant to grow. Economically, such a plant would be a good choice as well, as the tree can be used for wood chips and paper.

Planting trees can save agriculture industry in Australia.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Australian farmers have to use chemicals to grow larger crops.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Global warming is dangerous to Australia.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Australian farmers use salty water to grow more crops.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated