In the 19th century Americans from the eastern states moved out west to settle in the rich new lands along the Pacifi c Coast.

The most diffi cult part of their trip was crossing the “Great American Desert” in the western part of the United States by horse and wagon.

The western desert can be very dangerous. There is little water and there are few trees. But the desert also has scenery of great beauty. Tall towers of red and yellow stone rise sharply from the fl at sandy valley floor.

In Arizona, man-made dams across the Colorado River have made two large lakes in the middle of the dry desert country. At Lake Powell, the red stone arch of rainbow bridge rises high above the blue lake. There are few roads. Many areas of Lake Powell’s shore can only be reached by boat or on foot. But hikers in this empty desert land sometimes fi nd very old native American pictures painted on the rocks.

In Death Valley, California, the summer temperature is extremely high.

There is less than two inches of rain each year.

In the 1800s, many travelers died when they tried to cross this waterless valley in the terrible heat.

Although the desert is very dry, there is plenty of life if you look closely.

Small insects, snakes, and rats have learned how to live in the desert heat. They live underground and come out at night, when it is cool.

Plants such as cacti need very little water. When it does rain in the desert, plants grow quickly and fl owers blossom in a single day. For a short time, the desert is covered with splendid color.

1. In the 19th century, Americans moved from the east to the west because they ______.

A. enjoyed the trip

B. wanted to make their home there

C. wanted to fi nd new grassland there

D. had no water to drink

2. From the passage ,we can conclude that ______

A. the western desert is a good place for people to live in

B. there is little water but there are many trees in the desert

C. the desert is dangerous but it is full of beauty

D. till now, people know little about the desert

3. If you want to fi nd some old native American pictures painted on the rock you must travel _____

A. on foot

B. by boat

C. by car

D. by plane

4. Death Valley was named so because it had ______.

A. illness

B. terrible condition

C. dangers

D. poisonous water