四、阅读理解：共15小题，每题3分,共45分。阅读下列短文，然后根据短文的内容从每小题的四个选择项中选出最佳的一项。

      A

      Some farmers in California are having a hard time picking their crops. There are not enough workers to help them with the harvest.

      One farmer used to grow peaches (桃子), but will soon grow almonds (杏仁) instead. Peaches require more labor to harvest. They are easy to be damaged and need careful hand picking. He is now removing his peach trees. Then he will plant almond trees in their places. Almonds are harvested differently. It does not take as many workers to pick them because a machine shakes the almond trees. The nuts fall on the ground and then are gathered up. The farmer does not have to hire many workers.

      Some farmers think there are two reasons why they can’t find enough farm workers. One reason is that there are a lot of well-paid construction jobs in the area. Many people are taking these jobs instead of picking fruit. The other reason is that it has become more difficult for workers to come from Mexico into California. Fewer workers are allowed to get into the country to work on the fruit farms. To settle the problem, farmers hope the government might allow these workers to work as guests. That would help workers provide for their family and help farmers harvest their crops. When the harvest season is over they’ll go back home. Farmers say that unless things change, more fruits will come from other countries. This is because labor is cheaper in those countries than in the United States.

      36. What problem do some farmers have?

      A. They have no workers to remove fruit trees. B. There is little land for growing fruit.

      C. Their crops were badly damaged last year. D. It’s difficult to harvest their crops.

      37. Why does the peach farmer start to plant almonds?

      A. There is a greater demand for almonds.

      B. Growing almonds takes much less land.

      C. A machine can help get almonds off the trees.

      D. Almonds will fall on the ground when ripe.

      38. Why can’t some farmers find enough workers to pick fruit?

      A. They grow too many peach trees.

      B. People prefer well-paid construction jobs.

      C. Few people want to work in California.

      D. They don’t want to hire workers from Mexico.

      39. What will happen if the situation does not improve?

      A. The government will hire workers to help with the harvest.

      B. More people will move to California from Mexico.

      C. Other countries will provide cheaper labor for US farmers.

      D. More fruits will be bought from other countries.