In the cold Arctic of Norway, there is a small town called Longyearbyen where a surprising law exists: no one is allowed to die. This unusual rule is not meant to be funny but is based on serious environmental reasons. The town is located in a permafrost area, meaning the ground is always frozen. Because of this, buried bodies do not decompose, which creates a lack of space and may preserve old viruses, posing health risks to the living.

This issue became especially clear when scientists discovered that the bodies of people who had died from the Spanish flu decades ago still contained the virus. The finding helped experts study the virus and develop better medical responses. It also confirmed the importance of the burial ban. As a result, today, people who are seriously ill or near death are sent to mainland Norway. The local cemetery is closed, and even burying ashes is not allowed due to the risk of animals digging them up.

Similarly, a small Spanish town named Lanjaron also once banned dying, though for very different reasons. Known for its mineral water and health culture, Lanjaron faced a practical problem: its cemetery was full and couldn’t be expanded. In 1999, the mayor decided to use humor to draw attention to this issue — he made it illegal for anyone in town to die.

Although the ban was meant as a joke, many local residents, especially older people, did not understand it was satire. They felt confused and anxious. Some families had to enlarge their own tombs or make arrangements in nearby towns. Despite the initial confusion, the unusual law successfully gained international attention and highlighted a common problem in many aging communities. Eventually, the cemetery was expanded, and today people remember the “no dying” ban as a funny and creative chapter in the town’s history.

Both examples show how unusual laws can draw public attention to real problems. While one was based on environmental concerns and the other on lack of space, each used a creative approach to address a serious issue.

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1. 1.What mainly led to the no-death law in Longyearbyen?

A    Religious customs.

B    The extreme local climate.

C    Shortage of medical workers.

D    Fears of animal attacks.

2. 2.What was the real purpose of the no-death law in Lanjaron?

A    To punish sick people.

B    To become famous globally.

C    To solve a practical problem.

D    To protect public health.

3. 3.The underlined word “satire” (Paragraph 4) refers to something that is ______.

A    serious and official

B    humorous and critical

C    traditional and cultural

D    scientific and important

4. 4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A    To explain virus risks.

B    To compare two towns.

C    To solve space issues.

D    To talk about special laws.