Why Live Near the River？

Imagine pioneers traveling west in the 1800s． In those days， it was hard to find running water and shops where to buy things． As time went by， most pioneers had to make their homes near a river so that they could get water easily．

How did rivers help people live in the past？

Back in the pioneer days， people grew their own food，caught their own fish，and collected their own water．（1） 　　People also used rivers as roads，traveling on boats．Traders shipped goods （货物）to people from other areas．

（2） 　　

When building many factories right next to rivers for the water's power to make machines work， some people choose to live near a river for working． They use the river to ship large goods， and some of them work at these factories where power factories provide electricity to homes and businesses． （3） 　　

Who wouldn't want to live near a river？

Some people are nervous about living near rivers because rivers can cause floods （洪水）． Every once in a while， floodwaters rise higher than a house， ruining （泡坏） many things in the house．（4） 　　Such waste causes water to smell bad and pollutes the crops （庄稼） we eat． Water and crops in polluted areas can make people very sick．

How do people decide where to live？

（5） 　　Rivers can provide jobs and fun activities in a beautiful place． However， those living by rivers should be willing to accept possible problems as well．

A． Why do people live near rivers now？ B． Why did people want to live near a river？ C． Some factories put their waste into rivers． D． Staying close to a river was easy to get water for living． E． Some factories stop waste water from running into rivers． F． People who carry goods onto ships live near the river， too． G． People should think over the possible risks before deciding where to live．