A. opportunityD. subsequentG. commitmentJ. supplying M. looming
B. slumsE. threatenH. priority K. locality N. conservation
C. productivityF. proceedingI. preys L. conference O. condemns The most precious fluid on earth is not oil, but water. There are few challenges as important as conserving the world’s usable water and (1) clean drinking water and water for irrigation to those who need it. Yet this work is not getting done. Humans are depleting the earth’s store of usable water at a rate that will soon (2) our food supply. Poor water management already kills millions of people a year and (3) hundreds of millions to hunger. The technology exists to solve these problems. Providing (4) with drinking water and sanitation, for example, is easy to do and a cost-effective way to prevent deaths and diseases. But because those who suffer are poor, their access to water is rarely a political (5) . There is now a(n) (6) for progress. More than 100 water ministers from around the world, along with thousands of water experts from villagers to scientists, have gathered in the Netherlands. The (7) will be useful if it can persuade governments and international banks to pay more attention to (8) and fair distribution of water. In 1980, the U.N. set a goal of safe drinking water for all by 1990. Because of intemational prodding, about two billion new people received clean drinking water over the (9) 14 years. A new (10) is urgently needed to spread these health gains, help poor farmers and conserve the world’s precious supply of usable water.