【推荐2】For years it is assumed that ”eating local“ is one of the best ways to shrink your carbon footprint. This is because food miles are a measure for overall sustainability, as transporting harvests across the planet is a key driver of carbon emissions.

Well, it is indeed true that the food sector uses a lot of energy, contributing 20 to 30 percent of all greenhouse gases. But how much of this is directly connected to moving food from farm to fork? Perhaps less than you might think.

In one of the most comprehensive studies, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have reported that the shipment of food around the world only contributes around 4 percent of global carbon emissions. The report echoes another research, which suggests that transportation only generates between 4 to 6 percent of the food system’s carbon footprint. In fact, considering all aspects of our food system—whether farming, processing, packaging, transport, retail, food services, and households—it was the end consumer that used by far the most energy. Transport? The least.

One UK study found that tomatoes trucked hundreds of kilometres from sunny Spain had a carbon footprint less than a third of that of those grown in heated glasshouses in chilly UK. In contrast to the simple ”local=more ecofriendly“ narrative, the authors therefore concluded that: ”A single indicator based on total food kilometres travelled would not be a valid indicator of sustainability.”

When it comes to our carbon footprint, transport methods vary enormously too. For example, as air freight produces more than 75 times more emissions than sea freight, shipping food to the UK all the way from Southeast Asia would involve far less carbon than the same product popped on a short flight from Italy. In this context, the emissions that come from shipping food by air freight one mile, is equal to the emissions from shipping food for more than 9 miles by road, and 75 miles by sea.

So is eating local really a better option? It depends. When we look at the evidence, one thing is clear: food miles alone really aren’t a good proxy(指标)for sustainability. In fact, sometimes they are incredibly misleading. While we can’t discount them entirely, we should view them in the context of other factors, recognising that they often make up a small part of food’s carbon impact.

1. Eating local is believed as a popular way to shrink our carbon footprint because_________.

A．it is widely accepted by conservationists

B．it is the easiest way to quickly reduce emissions

C．food miles are a reliable indicator for overall sustainability

D．food transport is believed to be a key driver of carbon emissions

2. The author is likely to agree that_________.

A．eating local doesn’t help cut down on food’s carbon footprint

B．cutting transport distance always helps to cut down on food’s carbon footprint

C．food transport generates the most carbon emissions compared with other aspects of food production

D．food’s carbon footprint depends not only on transport distance, but also on the choice of transport method

3. The underlined word “discount” probably means

A．dispose of	B．depend on
C．ignore	D．criticize

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards food miles as an indicator for sustainability?

A．Neutral.	B．Doubtful.
C．Opposing.	D．Supportive.

【推荐3】Everyone Can Help to Save the World

We are all environmentalists now. We all know about acid rain and the ozone hole.    1     As consumers we have the power to make decisions which will contribute to a better world and it is in our power to do what we can to protect the Earth.

    2     In this way we have the power to influence retailers to sell us these so-called “green” products. Therefore, the supermarkets have understood the message and are now trying to improve their environmental image. They are turning to less wasteful and recyclable packaging. The range of “green” products will continue to expand to meet the growing demand. This message has also reached the manufacturers.    3     They have realized that protecting the environment may start as an advertising campaign, but in the hands of intelligent people it can become a very profitable business.

Furthermore, we also know there are other areas where all of us can make a positive contribution to a cleaner, healthier and safer environment.    4     There are a number of ways we can do this. For example, we now know how important it is to have our homes well insulated. We should choose the best energy efficient technology, such as modern light bulbs which can reduce electricity consumption by 80% over the older ones. We must also work hard to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce.

In conclusion it is important to emphasize once again the rise of consumer power. We must realize that we are all part of the problem.    5    

A．But what are we doing about these problems?

B．There are some other ways to protect the environment.

C．Everybody has the duty to contribute to a cleaner world.

D．We can reduce energy consumption at home to cut the emissions from power systems.

E．Nevertheless we must also realize that we have the responsibility to be part of the solution.

F．Companies are developing environmentally friendly products that maintain a high quality and a low price.

G．For example, when we walk into a supermarket we can choose to buy environmentally friendly products.

【推荐1】You might not want a holiday in your hometown, but there is probably someone who does. And, in exchange, you could have a cheap vacation anywhere in the world.

Just picture the scene: you’re watching the sunset from the balcony of a Caribbean island house. It’s large. And it’s free as long as you don’t mind the owners living in your home at the same time.

All you need to be a home-swapper is the Internet and a rough idea of when and where you want to go on holiday. When you find someone whose dates match yours, and who wants to visit your area, you’re all set to swap.

The advantages are numerous: you can save a fortune in accommodation cost. You could get to use the owners’ car, boat, bikes, pool or gym. You might even be able to come to an arrangement about looking after each other’s pets!

You also get to live like a local, and you might be invited around to neighbors’ homes for tea, barbecues and tips on the area. People say that these cultural experiences are the memories that last. Plus, instead of one tiny hotel room, you have an entire house where you can make yourself at home. And it’s not cold and impersonal like a hotel room.

Of course, there are disadvantages. A lot of effort and communication are needed before the arrangements are finalized. Nobody wants a stranger living in their house, sleeping in their bed and using their bathroom, so you have to get to know each other well beforehand.

Some people are concerned about theft or property damage, but in reality this is very rare. Most home-exchangers have the view that “If they can trust me with their house, I can trust them with mine.” The worse complaint people have is the difference in standards of cleanness.

If you’re interested in home-exchange for your next holiday, start by contacting a famous agency like homelink.org and intervac,co.uk. These agencies will also have advice about preparing for a home-exchange.

1. What will you most probably remember if you have exchanged your home with another?

A．The sunset.

B．The car or boat of the home owner.

C．The pet of the home owner.

D．A gathering in his neighborhood.

2. If you want to exchange your home with another, you should do all of the following EXCEPT_________.

A．trying to know each other

B．surfing the Internet for information

C．inviting your neighbors home for tea

D．finding someone who wants to visit your area

3. Where can you most probably find the passage?

A．In a story book.	B．In a guide book.
C．In a textbook.	D．In a science book.

【推荐3】Does Music Make You Run Faster?

An expert on the effects of music on exercise, Dr. Costas Karageorghis, claims that listening to music while running can raise performance by up to 15%. To put this theory to the test, I took part in a special half marathon, which had groups of musicians playing at various points along the route.

As I was at the start, a singer sang an inspiring song for us. It may explain why I got off to a good start. But apart from the song at the start, I can hardly remember the music played along the course. “Outstanding runners”, says Karageorghis, “tend to focus on themselves when they are running.” According to him, most other runners look for encouragement and distraction from what is going on around them. It is true. Then what did other runners make of the music? Adam Bull usually runs marathons with no music and little crowd support. “The music here has been great for my performance. With the cheerful bands, you find yourself running to the beat, which helps.”

The only person I found who was less than happy with the music was Lois Lloyd. “I found the music wasn’t loud enough, so I ran with an MP 3 player.” she said. “I need my music all the time.”Karageorghis is not surprised when I tell him.   “There are many advantages to using your own player, rather than relying on the music on the course,” he says.

“It gives you a constant encouragement, and you can change the playlist to your taste.”

One runner told me there was a direct connection between the quality of the music on the course and how much it helped. But quality, of course, is based on personal opinions.

Of course, the music was not only there to help runners break their personal bests, but to provide a sense of occasion, draw out the crowds and create a festival atmosphere. Along with some spring sunshine, it certainly achieved that.

1. Why did the author take part in a special half marathon?

A．To win a prize.	B．To test a theory.
C．To enjoy the music.	D．To do some exercise.

2. According to the passage, Dr. Costas Karageorghis may believe that______.

A．music brings more benefits to outstanding runners

B．music can help improve people’s performance in running

C．music with high quality helps much in running in half marathon

D．music on the course works better than that in runners’ own players

3. What is the author’s attitude to the function of music to running?

A．Positive.

B．Doubtful.

C．Critical.

D．Uncertain.