From the first paragraph—
(i) Pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(ii) Now pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it;
Which do you think is an apt description and why?
The phrases on the left in the box occur in the text. Match each of them with a phrase on the right.
(i) an endless stretch of sand (i) Fertile place with water and plants in a desert
(ii) waterless and without shelter (ii) not visible because the grass is thick
(iii) an oasis (iii) nothing but sand as far as one can see
(iv) hidden by a cover of grass (iv) no water and no shade