The gigantic dam of the multi-function water control facility would be finished nine months ahead of schedule, said an engineer who is in charge of the Three Gorges Project. He said by June, the workers would have built the half-done dam from the southern bank of the river to the height of 185 meters. The Three Gorges Project will be capable of controlling the floods on the Yangtze by then and generating more electricity. And the level of the water stored in the reservoir will rise from 135 meters at present to 156 meters.

Situated near the Xiling Gorge, the easternmost gorge of the Three Gorges on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Dam is designed to have a length of 2,309 meters and a height of 185 meters.

It will also have the functions for flood control, power generation and navigation. It will be built from northern and southern banks of the Yangtze, which has been troubled by floods for hundreds of years.

Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project, including the 185-meter-high dam and 26 generators on both banks of the Yangtze, is being built in three phases. The preparations and construction of the first phase were carried out between 1993 and 1997. The Yangtze was dammed at the Three Gorges area for the first time on November 8, 1997.

The entire Three Gorges Project is expected to be completed in 2009 and by then, it will be able to generate 84.7 billion kwh of electricity every year.

1. The underlined word in the fourth paragraph might mean ____.

A. places　 B. periods C. gorges　 D. dams　

2. According to the passage, we know _______.

A.    the construction will be completed ahead of time

B.    the biggest function of the dam is used to control flood

C.    the Three Gorges Dam will be finished in ten years

D.    the dam will be 156 meters tall when it is finished

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The Yangtze River was first dammed in the year 1993.

B. The water level in the reservoir will remain at 135 meters.

C. The Three Gorges Dam is on the easternmost part of the river.

D. The first phase of this project is finished in 1997.