GRE Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

Category - GRE Practice Test Reading Comprehension Questions

Although water covers approximately sixty-seven percent of the Earth’s surface, less than three percent is fresh water. Accounting for fresh water locked in glaciers, icecaps, or otherwise inaccessible, less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth’s water is available for human consumption. Pollution, population growth, and wasteful irrigation practices they are contributing to a worldwide water shortage. When the clear precious liquid becomes scarce, countries begin to assert claims on fresh water supplies. As a result, drinkable water has become a region of conflict that could eventually lead to greater hostilities between nations.

Some countries such as the United States, have ample sources of water. In other nations, such as China, water is less plentiful. As water resources dwindle, competition for available sources rose. Nations may claim rights to a particular body of fresh water or they may plan to build dams and other projects on rivers. If two or more nations which disagree on water rights or building projects, conflicts can emerge. In order to combat this issue many countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions. The United Nations has implemented programs to combat potential issues that could lead to violence.

Why are some countries adopting water conservation and security solutions?
  1. To avoid conflicts that arise when multiple countries assert claims on a single water source.
  2. To free water trapped in glaciers and polar ice caps.
  3. To compensate for population growth which is normally not controlled
  4. To satisfy rules set out by the United Nations
Explanation
Answer [A]: To avoid conflicts that arise when multiple countries assert claims on a single water source some countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions. The passage indicates that these conflicts are possible and that countries with inadequate water supplies for their population are taking steps to avoid such conflict. The United Nations is implementing programs to assist this process, but has not, according to the passage established specific rules.
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