文章大意:这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了形状丑陋或变色的蔬菜被浪费的社会现象,指出通过减少食物浪费,世界上三分之一的食物供应可以得到挽救,对发展农业经济也有积极作用。
When sorting through the apples at the grocery store, you see an ugly, strange-looking apple. Whether it’s a strange color, has spots, or is a strange shape, you wonder how it made it onto the shelves. Who would buy and eat this? Most people would not buy ugly produce. That is why it is rare to see ugly-shaped fruit or off-colored vegetables. So what happens to this produce?
Data have shown that 20%—40% of fruits and vegetables are rejected even before they reach grocery stores. And even more are rejected on site, because grocery stores and companies have incredibly high standards for what their produce should look like. That includes color, shape, size, weight, and length. And the food that doesn’t meet these standards is thrown away. There are incredibly strict laws about food donation that actually makes it illegal to donate food that doesn’t meet standards that are similar to those of the grocery store as well as laws that restrict this food from being used as animal feed.
Besides, 10% of rich countries greenhouse gas emissions come from food that was grown and never eaten. Food waste not only contributes to climate change, but also food insecurity and extreme poverty. As stated above, in the greatest food wasting countries, there are laws that confine produce from being donated to people in need.
By reducing food waste, a third of the world’s entire food supply could be saved. That’s enough to feed 3 billion people. Also, by reducing food waste, farmers all over the world could sell more of their produce and inspire their rural, agricultural economies. There are many ways to get involved in ending food waste! You can participate in advocacy events hosted nearby like with Feedback Global, who hosts an event called “Feeding the 5000” where they seek to feed 5000 people with food that would have otherwise been wasted. Encourage your local grocer to sell ugly produce. Food is food!
12. Why is ugly-shaped fruit rarely seen at the grocery store?
A.It is not tasty or nutritious. | B.Farmers would not plant it. |
C.Most people are not fond of it. | D.Few people choose to purchase it. |
13. What happens to ugly-shaped fruit or off-colored vegetables?
A.They are consumed. | B.They are donated. |
C.They are wasted. | D.They are buried. |
14. What does the underlined word “confine” in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Refuse. | B.Restrict. | C.Contact. | D.Protect. |
15. What would be a suitable title for the text?
A.Ugly fruit could lead to a prettier world |
B.Food waste makes 3 billion people in poverty |
C.Feedback Global is seeking to feed 5000 people |
D.More people should get involved in ending food waste |