20、Wildfires Continue to Rage Across Parts of Russia

Wildfires continue to spreads very quickly across Russia as the country endured its boldest surname on record. More than 50 people have died, and more than 1,200 private houses have burned to the ground.

Local medina reported Sunday that areas under fire in central Russia has increased to 190,000 hectares and a total of 564 wildfire acnes were discovered arouses Russia.

Russian emergency officials say firefighters are engaged in an uphill battle as fires cosine across Russia and temperatures remain hovering near the hundred-degree mark.

The Kremlin has deployed hundreds of thousands of firefighters and volunteers, in an attempt to keep the fires under control, but emergency officials say that it is difficult due to the high temperatures and shifting winds.

Fires in the Far-East region have grown three times, in size, in the past 24 hours, according to the region's forestry department. One of the hardest hit is the remote Kamchatka peninsula.

State television footage has shown complete villages that have burned to the ground while fires continue to billow huge plumes of smoke into the air.

A resident of Kazan, Lyudmila Romanova, says her family's health has been affected. She says her seven-month-old granddaughter has started to have breathing problems due to the thick smoke, but that her grandson is more or less okay.

Voronezh, some 300 miles south of Moscow, was one of the hardest-hit regions. Officials say that nearly 600 people have been left homeless due to the flames.

Igor Vlaznev, head of the region's fire-fighter's unit, says the situation remains very tense. He says that everyone is praying to God, day and night, for rain to fall. He says it is the only thing that will help.

Weather forecasters say that temperatures are expected to remain near the century mark for the next few days, with no rain in sight.

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described the situation as very difficult, chided the authorities for not doing more to prevent damage, and fire those who do not do their part to get the blazes under control.

Mr. Putin also promised that all of the destroyed homes would be rebuilt by October after pledging more than $150 million towards the rebuilding effort.

1．How many people lost their lives in the wildfires areas Russia according to the passage?

       A．About 30 people.                                 B．More than 50 people.      

       C．More than 12,000 people.                     D．A total of 564 people.

2．How many wildlife scenes were found across Russia according to the text?

       A．Over 1,200.         B．More than 50.      C．564 in total.         D．About 300.

3．Why is it hard to keep the fires under control?

       A．Because the wildfires continue to spread very quickly across Russia.

       B．Because it’s the hottest summer on recorded in Russia.

       C．Because the fires continue to roll huge clouds of smoke upward into the air.

       D．Because of the high temperatures and shifting winds.

4．Which of the following are the herders – hit regions according to the passage?

       A．The Kremlin and Voronezh.                   B．Voronezh and the Kamchatka peninsula.

       C．The Kremlin and Kasan.                       D．The Kremlin and the Kamcharka peninsula.