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In August 2026, Europe faces a severe environmental crisis as prolonged heatwaves cause major rivers to plummet to historic lows. The Rhine, a vital artery for continental trade, has reached its lowest recorded levels in cities like Cologne and Lobith. With temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, this drought is severely impacting Germany, the Netherlands, and southern regions around Italy’s Po River. The Rhine’s significance lies in its role as a link between industrial hubs and the North Sea. Currently, the water is so shallow that heavy shipping has become hazardous. At the critical bottleneck of Kaub, water levels have dropped so dramatically that cargo vessels are subject to strict weight restrictions. If a ship is too heavy, it risks scraping the riverbed, potentially causing catastrophic damage. Consequently, shipping firms must carry lighter loads, which necessitates a larger number of vessels to move the same quantity of goods. This shift inevitably results in increased costs for consumers and significant supply chain disruptions for businesses. Furthermore, the crisis extends beyond logistics into energy production. The Danube, which traverses ten nations, has receded to a thirty-year low. This decline poses a threat to Hungary’s primary nuclear power plant, which currently operates at reduced capacity because there is insufficient water to cool its reactors. Should the situation deteriorate, the facility might be forced to shut down entirely. Similar energy shortages have been reported in Serbia and Romania, where the drought is placing immense strain on the electrical infrastructure. If these extreme weather patterns persist, the economic consequences will be felt for months. This situation serves as a sobering reminder of the modern economy’s reliance on the natural environment. Experts argue that adapting to these changing conditions is essential to prevent future crises. As major cities witness these developments, the challenge remains: how to build resilient economies capable of withstanding the long-term effects of such extreme climatic shifts.

1. What is the primary focus of the article?

• A.The historical temperature records of European cities.
• B.The impact of extreme drought on European industry and energy.
• C.New technologies being used to cool nuclear reactors.
• D.The construction of new shipping routes in the North Sea.

2. Why are cargo ships on the Rhine currently carrying less weight?

• A.To save on fuel costs during the heatwave.
• B.Because there is a lower demand for goods in Cologne.
• C.To prevent the vessels from hitting the bottom of the river.
• D.Due to new environmental regulations passed in Germany.

3. What can be inferred about Hungary’s energy situation?

• A.It is currently unaffected by the river’s water levels.
• B.It is more stable than the energy grids in Serbia and Romania.
• C.It is heavily dependent on the Danube for its power generation.
• D.The country has already found alternative cooling methods for reactors.

4. What is the author’s tone regarding the relationship between industry and nature?

• A.Optimistic about the ability of technology to replace natural resources.
• B.Critical of shipping companies for overusing the rivers.
• C.Indifferent toward the economic consequences of the drought.
• D.Cautionary about how vulnerable modern systems are to nature.

5. What does the word ‘bottleneck’ mean as used in the second paragraph?

• A.A container used for transporting liquids.
• B.A point where progress or movement is restricted.
• C.The deepest part of a major river system.
• D.A modern method of cooling industrial machinery.