Venice is a unique European city situated in the northeastern part of Italy. This city is also called "The Floating City." This is because this city is made up of 118 small islands, 416 bridges, and 177 canals. Boats and gondolas are used as means of transport. Venice has one of the narrowest streets in the world, measuring only 53 cm. It also has numerous bell towers that serve as a call for church services, as lighthouses to guide the ships, and as observatories to control fires. On average, 18 million tourists visit Venice every year. Because of its intelligent and extraordinary architecture, Venice is listed as a World Heritage Site. In order to construct buildings, millions of poles made up of alder trees were pushed into the sand and clay beneath the water. Next, planks made of oak were placed on these poles. Then, layers of marble were placed on the planks to form the base of the buildings. This marble was impermeable, which means that it could not absorb water. Finally, the construction was carried out in the same way as it was done for buildings constructed on solid ground. Bricks and wood were used. Because the marble base was well above the water level, the buildings were thought to be quite safe. However, over the centuries, the weight of the buildings has caused the planks to sink deeper into the seabed. The level of water, therefore, has risen, as the buildings are pushed deeper into the water. Also, the movement of motor boats and large cruise ships creates waves that hit the stones surrounding the canals. This causes erosion of the soil that holds the monuments and the city together. Global warming and poor management of the environment are also responsible for the rising water level. The "Floating City" is gradually turning into a "Sinking City." Various organizations and political parties have come up with solutions to save this beautiful city from sinking. The Mose Project aims to have barriers at the entrance of the lagoons. These barriers can be adjusted so that they hold water like a dam when needed. Unfortunately, the project is under several disputes. If this project is successfully completed, Venice will perhaps be free from flooding problems during rains. Modern sewage systems and stringent boat traffic laws have also been implemented, which have helped the people of Venice to some extent. However, Venice continues to face the threat of sinking slowly. The condition of most of the buildings and monuments that had a gloriously rich architecture has deteriorated. Unlike other common places on the planet where mankind is struggling with the issue of rising population, the population in Venice has decreased from 174,000 in 1951 to less than 60,000 in 2013. Will advanced technology be useful to prevent this disaster? 4 Drag the tiles to the correct boxes to complete the pairs. Not all tiles will be used. Match each paragraph with the statement that correctly summarizes it. Venice is a "floating city" made of islands, bridges, and canals, where people use boats and gondolas to travel. Venice is situated in the northeastern part of Italy, and it has several bridges, canals, and streets that are as narrow as 53 cm. Numerous efforts by political parties and organizations, various guidelines and strict traffic rules might save Venice from sinking. The weight of buildings and the movement of motor boats and cruises have caused the water level in Venice to rise. Poles made of alder trees, planks, and a special marble were used to construct the base of the buildings in Venice.