A lot of books for learning English discuss problems of the modern world：pollution，too much traffic．Venice（威尼斯）has some of these problems．But the city has its own problems．For example，there are no cars in Venice，and very few people can drive．The traffic problem is caused by the boats．They go too fast and make the water damage the buildings．

Every year，between April and September，the water covers a lot of places the city．It goes into all the shops which are on the ground floor．And，of course，into people’s houses．In November 1979，the water rose more than a metre above the normal（正常的）level．This happened every day for a whole week．On some days，it happened twice．

People in Venice usually wear rubber boom（膠鞋）．In some places，there are high platforms（平臺）to walk along．Sometimes offices have to close because the water can damage computers and machines．And，of course，it is terrible for old people．

Other problems in Venice are caused by too many tourists in summer．They move in large groups，and boats usually get very crowded．Prices in the hotels and restaurants arc often high．

However，people still think Venice is a good place to live in because it is a human city．

1．Why can very few people in Venice drive?

2．What happens from April to September every year?

3．How high was water in November 1979?

4．Why are boats very crowded in summer?