阅读理解(Reading Comprehension) 
Man is a land animal, but he is also closely tied to the sea．Throughout history the sea has served the needs of man．The sea has provided man with food and a convenient way to travel to many parts of the world．Today, experts say that nearly two-thirds of the world's population lives within eighty kilometers of the seacoast． In the modern technological world the sea offers many resources to help mankind live on．Resources on land are beginning to grow less．The sea, however, still offers hope to supply many of man's needs． The riches of the sea yet to be developed by man's technology are impressive．Oil and gas exploration have existed for nearly thirty years．Valuable amounts of minerals such as, iron, copper(铜)and so on exist on the ocean floor, ready to be mined． Fish farming promises to be a good way to produce large quantities of food．The culture of fish and shellfish is an ancient skill practiced in the past mainly by Oriental(东方的)peoples． Besides oil and gas, the sea may offer new sources of energy．Experts believe that the warm temperature of the ocean can be used in a way similar to the steam in a steamship．Ocean currents and waves offer possible use as a source of energy such as hydroelectric(水力电气的)power． Technology is enabling man to explore even deeper under the sea．The new undersea technology is providing divers with diving suits and undersea chambers(房屋)that are kept at sea level pressure．The development of strong, new materials has made this possible． The technology to harvest the sea continues to improve．By the year 2000, experts believe that the problems to exploit the food, minerals, and energy sources of the sea will be largely solved． | 
