Agriculture has come a long way from its ancient beginnings.Long ago，farmers would work hard on their individual plots of land，using simple tools or even their bare hands.They tended to their crops for many hours each day so that the crops grew well.（1）

A

A

For example，a single storm could destroy a whole year's work，while a summer of good weather could ensure a good harvest.
   Modern science and technology have helped to greatly reduce the back-breaking labour involved in farming，along with the reliance on luck and guesswork（2）

G

G

   Probably one of the most beneficial innovations is drip irrigation，which has made it possible to develop big，green farms in the middle of the desert.Simcha Blass，an Israeli scientist，discovered this new way of irrigation in the 1930s.Through this discovery，farmers can now produce crops on dry land without needing much water. （3）

E

E

The limited and focused use of just the right amount of water also denies moisture （水分） to weeds，keeping them from harming the crops.
   （4）

C

C

However，what if an area has plenty of water，but little usable soil？As it turns out，it is possible to grow plants without using soil at all.With hydroponics（水培），plant roots are supported by rocks or a fiber mat.Nutrient-rich water is then provided so that the plants can grow.Recent research has centered on vertical hydroponics farming.With a vertical farm，the crops are planted in containers that are piled into plant skyscrapers.（5）

F

F

   With such technological advances，the image of a farmer pushing a plough will eventually become a thing of the past.

A.Luck played a great part in farming.
B.Some areas would be too dry to grow crops.
C.Drip irrigation deals with a lack of water in an area.
D.There have been experiments to make drip irrigation a reality.
E.This irrigation method uses far less water than other methods.
F.Furthermore，nearly all hydroponic farms partially or fully automated.
G.Farmers have benefited greatly from innovations in crop production.