(1) Water is an important natural resource for people and the environment. Water pollution is one of the most serious problems in the world. It affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans. Drinking water sources are depleting. Polluted drinking water is problem for about half of the world's population. Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-based diseases, resulting in 5-10 million deaths. (2) Many rivers, seas and lakes are polluted. Fish and reptiles cannot live in them. There is not enough oxygen in the water. In such places the birds leave their habitats and many plants die. It happens so because factories produce a lot of waste and pour it into rivers. Many seas and oceans are used for industrial and nuclear waste. (3) People have now realized the importance of clean water as a foundation for life. More and more organizations are working hard to preserve water ecosystems from destruction. The world must raise the problem and start conserving drinking water. Task 1. Choose the synonym of the word "to reduce". A) to conserve B) to produce C) to deplete D) to pollute E) to pour Task 2. The highlighted word them in paragraph 2 refers to A) fish and reptiles. B) the birds. C) their habitats. D) rivers, seas and lakes. E) many plants.