How much food do you buy each week? Are you someone who stuffs your fridge and cupboards full of foods so that you’ll always have something to eat? Or maybe, you’ re more efficient with your shopping, only buying what you need and using up your leftovers so that you keep food waste to a minimum.
Throwing away unwanted food has become a big issue in the developed world. While some of us throw away unwanted items, people in other parts of world face food shortages and are starving. It’s a shocking fact that a third of the world’s food is wasted each year. The actual figure is 1.3 billion tons of food, which is enough to feed a billion hungry people.
You may think supermarkets are the main contributors to this mountain of food. After all, they do get rid of stuff that’s past its sell-by-date and they often refuse to sell vegetables and fruit that are the wrong shape or look damaged. They’ve also been criticized for encouraging customers to buy more than they need through promotions such as “buy one and get one free”.
But we ourselves are mainly responsible for creating food waste. In Europe an incredible 53% of food waste comes from households, which results in 88 million tonnes of food waste a year. The food waste is buried and left to rot. Unfortunately, this causes greenhouse gases which eventually lead to global warming and climate change.
In Denmark, a woman called Selina Juul has been working hard to solve this problem. She convinced some supermarkets to stop selling their items in bulk (批量) so that people bought only what they needed. She produced a leftovers cookbook and she's set up an education programme in schools. This has helped create a significant 25% reduction in food waste, which shows that something can be done.
Clearly, we need to think twice when we put something in our shopping trolley, and when we’re at home, we should make the most of the food we have—using recipes that use up our leftovers or even sharing our food with our friends and neighbors.
1. What does the author intend to show in paragraph 2?| A．The world hunger. | B．The impact of wasting food. |
| C．The solutions to food shortages. | D．The severe food waste. |
| A．They often change the prices of food. |
| B．They focus more on food's looks than qualities. |
| C．They make people buy more food than they need. |
| D．They often put up false advertisements for food. |
| A．She established an education programme in neighborhoods. |
| B．She persuaded supermarkets to change their ways of sale. |
| C．She convinced supermarkets to sell her leftovers cookbook. |
| D．She encouraged people to share food in communities. |
| A．To advocate healthy eating habits. |
| B．To raise the public’s awareness of saving. |
| C．To draw people's attention to food security. |
| D．To blame the marketing methods of some supermarkets. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】You’re rushing to school and a man ahead of you suddenly falls down. Do you stop to help? In a study of bystanders, it was found that some people look away or keep on walking rather than stop and get involved.
“People tend to decide that no action is needed,” says Ervin Staub, a psychologist at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, who studies the role of bystanders. “The first thoughts that come into your mind often stop you from offering help.”
Time and again, good and caring people fail to come to the assistance of others. They know they should act and however, for reasons they themselves don’t understand, people sometimes don’t respond. Why?
One thing we know is that the unclearer a situation is, the less likely people are to help. Let’s say you see something like vapors (水汽) coming out of a building. You ask yourself, “Is it steam (蒸汽) or smoke?” If you are not sure, you look to other people for a clue about how to react. If you see other people doing nothing, you think, “Of course, that’s just steam.” You don’t want it to be smoke, because then you would have to do something about it.
Another one is known as “the bystander effect”. This says that the more people there are observing an emergency, the less responsible each one of them personally feels. For example, if you are the only person in the world who can act to save someone in a dangerous situation, you are more likely to act. However, if you are one of 100,000 people who could save the situation, you would be happier if one of the other 99,999 people did it!
“If you notice trouble, force yourself to stop and judge the situation instead of walking away,” says Ervin Staub. Then try to involve other people; you don’t have to take on all the responsibility of being helpful. According to Staub, it is sometimes just a matter of turning to the person next to you and saying, “It looks like we should do something.” Once you take action, most people will follow you and also help.
1. According to Ervin Staub, when accidents happen, people’s first thoughts ________.| A．force them to give a hand | B．depend on others’ reaction |
| C．prevent them from helping | D．often lead to embarrassment |
| A．Many hands make light work. |
| B．More people, less responsibility. |
| C．The majority of people have the same idea. |
| D．People have a tendency to think twice before they act. |
| A．Call the ambulance as soon as you can. |
| B．Evaluate the situation and take action alone. |
| C．Stop and try to involve other people to help together. |
| D．Turn to others and ask them to take on the whole responsibility. |
| A．Stick to Your Decision. | B．Don’t Just Stand There. |
| C．It’s the Thought that Counts. | D．To Help or Not, it’s a Question. |
【推荐2】The “biggest mistake” in workplace communication—and the hardest one to recover from—is sending emotional emails, says Brandon Smith, who is known as the Workplace Therapist (治疗师). “It’s a really, really hard skill to master—most people don’t correct it until their 30s or 40s—but you should never send an email when you’re feeling extremely emotional,” says Smith. “People treat emails or other online communication like a casual (随意的) conversation you’re having in the hallway, but it’s not.” Instead, you should“email like it could one day be read aloud in court,” he adds.
Next time you get an email or online message that makes you feel angry, anxious or even pleased, what should you do? You can write a draft, and then wait 24 hours. This approach satiates the immediate need to blow off emotional steam and express your emotions without hurting your reputation at work. “When you have a strong emotional reaction to something, those emotions will unavoidably come through in whatever message you’re typing,” says Smith. “It’s so much easier to make an issue worse than solve one over email.”
When you make a reply, re-read your draft as if you were the recipient: Is the message confusing? Are there any details that could be misinterpreted, or that sound emotional? If you’re still not confident in your response, Smith recommends asking a co-worker to read it over, as a second opinion can help you identify areas of improvement.
If something requires a more immediate response, ask the other person if you can continue the conversation offline. Phone calls play a more important role in building emotional connection. Voice-based communication (such as phone calls) create s stronger bonds than text-based communication (such as emails). Or, as Smith explains, “You’ll be less willing to be rude to the other person when you’re in conversation with them, or listening to their voice on the end of the line than you would be over text.”
1. What does Smith think of sending an email?| A．It should be considered seriously. | B．It’s an unavoidable workplace behavior. |
| C．It’s a kind of a casual conversation. | D．It should be used to convey our emotions. |
| A．Emphasizes. | B．Satisfies. | C．Controls. | D．Generates. |
| A．Links among people are based on words. | B．Voice-based communication is advisable. |
| C．Phone calls are gradually losing their appeal. | D．It’s more effective to communicate online. |
| A．Ways of avoiding emotional texts. | B．Common workplace survival skills. |
| C．Different forms of communication. | D．Constant conflicts between people. |
【推荐3】Do you ever find yourself saving the good things in life for some distant moment in the future? Maybe you have a collection of fancy plates that only see the light of day on special occasions, or perhaps you’re waiting for the perfect time to wear that beautiful dress put away in your closet.
In a recent conversation with leading psychologist Dr. Alison McClymont, we explored the idea of giving ourselves permission to enjoy the good things now, rather than waiting for an uncertain future.
But why do we feel the need to save things for best?
Welcoming the joy of everyday life can be seen as an act of self-love. We are supposed to surround ourselves with things that bring us happiness, even in ordinary moments.
| A．So, why not start now? |
| B．Well, it’s time to reconsider. |
| C．By doing so, we can boost our overall well-being. |
| D．After all, there will be more happiness in store for us. |
| E．Actually, cultural and generational factors play a crucial role. |
| F．The reason may be that our well-being is closely related to abundance. |
| G．If we deny ourselves small moments of joy, we may never get them again. |
【推荐1】According to a survey, the waste of food on the dining table occupies 10% of the total grain output. Last week Meituan co-published a proposal with a number of business organizations, calling on restaurants to stop food waste and help develop new eating habits for customers. “Restaurants should use official accounts on social media and live-streaming to promote and advocate food-saving actions,” the proposal said.
Meituan and the organizations are advocating that merchants offer guidance for consumers, including reminding them during the ordering process about the taste of the ingredients, portion sizes and other information about the dishes, to help them avoid food waste due to misleading information.
Catering associations in more than 18 provinces have also joined the campaign to remove food waste. The Wuhan Catering Association proposed an “N-1” ordering code for restaurants in which a group of 10 diners would only order enough for nine people. More food is only brought to the table if required. It has inspired people to rethink their relationship with food and waste.
On Friday, the China Cuisine Association announced that it had teamed up with Ele. me, a food delivery platform, to launch a “ half-dish plan", encouraging restaurants to provide customers with the option to order smaller portions. Besides, customers are encouraged to take their leftovers home.
To reduce food waste on social media platforms, some popular video platforms have stepped up content reviews of food-related live streams and implemented regulation of online eating shows. Now, if users search certain keywords, such as “eating show" or “competitive eaters", a cautionary message pops up to remind them to cherish food and keep a reasonable diet.
1. What is the purpose of the proposal mentioned in the passage?| A．To monitor food sales on social media and live-streaming. |
| B．To expand the business and competitive ability of Meituan. |
| C．To encourage restaurants to take measures to reduce food waste. |
| D．To promote cooperation between Meituan and other organizations. |
| A．By doing a survey. | B．By offering analysis. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By giving an example. |
| A．Purchasing their favorite food. | B．Buying proper amounts of food. |
| C．Following some competitive eaters. | D．Leaving their leftovers in the restaurant. |
| A．Appears unexpectedly. | B．Spreads widely. |
| C．Moves quickly. | D．Fades slowly. |
【推荐2】In the office of the German prime minister Angela Merkel, there is a picture of Catherine the Great, the legendary (传奇的) Russian Empress. When asked why she has the picture, Merkel says, "She was a strong woman". Many say the same of Merkel.
The most powerful woman in the world, according to US Forbes magazine, was in China last week. She came to discuss trade and environmental issues with China's top leaders. Germany's first woman leader is known as a brave and practical statesman (政治家).
Even since her time at school, she had the habit of getting everything in order. Every day before doing her homework she would clean the desk and think about what to do next. "I prefer a long time for full preparations to make my decision. But once I decide, I will stand up for what I believe, "Merkel said. Perhaps it was good habits that helped her do well in her studies. At 32, she got a doctor degree in physics and then she worked as a researcher.
However, the life of a scholar couldn't put off her love of politics. While working in labs, Merkel took time off to read political books and at last joined a political party. "Her calmness helped her stand out in the party. She could always find a way out while others felt hopeless," said one of her old friends.
In her first big political job as Minister for the Environment in 1994, her scientific background proved very useful. In 2005 she became Germany's youngest prime minister since the second World War.
Now half way through her four-year term, the 53-year-old woman has made a name for herself both in Germany and abroad. At the EU summit (欧盟峰会) in 2005 when France quarreled with Britain over the EU budget (预算), some people believed the EU was close to breaking down. But Merkel didn't give up. She shuttled (穿梭) between the heads of the two powers and had them reached an agreement.
"Strength comes from composure (镇定) and courage. Many people say I am a strong woman. But I would rather say I have perseverance, "said Merkel.
1. Why does Merkel put a picture of Catherine the Great on the wall of her office? ______| A．Because Catherine the Great is beautiful. |
| B．Because Merkel wants to be a strong woman too. |
| C．Because Merkel likes the drawing skill of it. |
| D．Because it is very expensive. |
a. became the German Chancellor (总理)
b. got a doctorate (博士学位) in physics and then she worked as a researcher
c. joined a political party
d. took part in the EU summit
e. worked as Minister for the Environment
| A．bcade | B．cbdae | C．bcead | D．cbaed |
| A．Merkel usually hurries to make a decision when facing difficulties. |
| B．At the EU summit in 2005, the relationship between French and Britain was in tension (紧张). |
| C．Merkel is a well-known leader all over the world. |
| D．She is outstanding because of her calmness. |
| A．An excellent lecturer | B．Germany's iron lady |
| C．The change of a scholar | D．The youngest chancellor |
【推荐3】It’s common that a Japanese-American bows on the phone—but only in Japanese. Behaviors and manners can become so routine that they appear even when there’s no need for them. Those who are bilingual(双语的) and bicultural know first-hand that how we behave can depend on what language we are speaking. Scientists have shown that who you are in the moment can depend on the language you are using at that time.
This is because when you have an experience, the language you are using becomes associated with it. For bilingual people, this means certain memories are more closely associated with one language than the other—a phenomenon called “language-dependent memory”. For example, a childhood memory is more likely to be remembered when the language spoken during that childhood event is spoken again.
How we think and feel can thus change depending on what language we are using. For example, people who are bilingual have an intensified stress response when listening to the words of scolding in a native language. This may be, in part, because our early memories associated with learning a “bad” word or being scolded by our parents happened in our native language.
Because emotions play a key role in how we make decisions, people are often more sensible when making choices in the less emotional foreign language. Language can even influence our decisions. When asked whether they would be willing to give one person’s life to save a group, people who speak more than one language are much more likely to say “yes” when answering in a foreign language. The unpleasant feelings that can prevent us from making difficult choices are reduced when we’re using a non-native language.
The language we speak has an influence on how we think, feel, and even behave. In a way, knowing different languages can provide people with a variety of views through which to see the world.
1. Why is the example of the Japanese-American mentioned in Paragraph 1?| A．To show Japanese people are polite. |
| B．To show bowing is good manners. |
| C．To show culture affects a person greatly. |
| D．To show language affects a person’s behavior. |
| A．Memories are greatly influenced by a certain language. |
| B．A childhood memory can be recalled in a certain language. |
| C．A good memory can help you learn a language well. |
| D．A language can determine a person’s memory. |
| A．Obvious. | B．Abnormal. |
| C．Increased. | D．Limited. |
| A．When speaking a native language. |
| B．When speaking a foreign language. |
| C．When making a random choice. |
| D．When feeling very delighted. |
| A．Language determines your character |
| B．You are what you are speaking |
| C．A new language, a new self |
| D．More languages, better future |
【推荐1】My grandparents actively practiced simplicity. They both grew up in very large families and lived through the Great Depression. Saving for a rainy day and avoiding superfluous consuming was their life philosophy. Rather than seeking fulfillment through material items, they chose to spend really simple life together, with family and in nature.
Over the years my grandparents noticed dramatic changes in their community. Every year more farmland was destroyed to build larger and larger homes. As real estate prices rose, many of their neighbors sold their little homes and land. Soon theirs were the only small house on the block, surrounded by a sea of mansions. My grandparents built and lived in a small 600-square-foot cottage for most of their adult lives. Lots of family members encouraged my grandparents to expand their little old house. But they didn’t want a bigger place. They loved their little house and were content with what they had.
My grandparents avoided consumptive (浪费的) lifestyle by painting and repairing the house themselves. They lived in a small home, but had a huge garden. They loved gardening and planting because it reduced their grocery bill, improved their health, and gave them an excuse to be outside. They also reused and recycled everything. For instance, they had driven the same car for over 15 years and didn’t buy a new one until the old Chevrolet was worn out.
Through their example I learned an important lesson: It is possible to live a simple and fulfilling life. My grandparents taught me that living a simple life isn’t about self-deprivation. Instead, is about giving yourself the time, freedom, and money to pursue your dreams. Becoming debt free, downsizing to a smaller home, and going car-lite (减少用车频率) are a few ways to take control of your life and start pursuing your dreams.
1. The underlined word “superfluous” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to________.| A．meaningful | B．unnecessary | C．increasing | D．troublesome |
| A．they didn’t accept the family members’ advice |
| B．their house were really new and large enough |
| C．they were satisfied with the house they lived in |
| D．they were too old to do any house-building job |
| A．Repairing the house themselves. | B．Planting vegetables in the garden. |
| C．Reusing and recycling things. | D．Changing cars in a short time. |
| A．unacceptable | B．approvable | C．unreasonable | D．understandable |
【推荐2】It can be hard to convince homeowners to use less water on their lawns (草坪), particularly during a hot and dry summer. But tell them it’s a competition for the ugliest lawn, and suddenly they may be more willing to give up using the sprinkler(洒水器).
This clever strategy was employed by the government of Gotland, Sweden’s largest island located in the Baltic Sea. Gotland sees its population double during the summer months as tourists arrive. This puts pressure on the island’s already-limited water supply, which is projected to decrease by 13% between 2021 and 2050, as demand is expected to rise by 40% by 2045.
The campaign, called “Gotland’s Ugliest Lawn”, urged homeowners to compete for the saddest, deadest and brownest yard. They were asked to avoid watering for an entire season, then post a photo of the lawn using a label that linked it to the campaign.
Mimmi Gibson, the acting marketing and brand manager at Region Gotland, said that “the ugliest lawn contest would remind the islanders not to waste water, and to talk about ways they can adapt their gardens to suit the existing conditions and the climate crisis”.
The winner for this year was announced in mid-August, and it’s Marcus Norstrom, who did not water his lawn once throughout the entire summer. His photo shows a large brown space with some sparse yellow grasses sticking out——the kind of yard in which you would not want to walk barefoot (赤脚地)for risk of hurting your feet. The government must be feeling pleased ; its strategy has worked.
It’s an interesting strategy which attempts to normalize and even celebrate dead grass. It is reasonable to assume that the more people see it around their communities, the more acceptable it will become. They may also grow curious when they realize there are other ways to create and maintain an attractive-looking yard, even without irrigation(灌溉).
1. What’s the aim of the competition for the ugliest lawn?| A．To reduce the waste of water. | B．To limit the growth of local lawns. |
| C．To strengthen citizens’ friendship. | D．To enhance citizens, health awareness. |
| A．Gotland is rich in water resources. |
| B．People will have no water to drink in 2050. |
| C．Gotland is faced with serious lack of water. |
| D．The population of Gotland grows faster and faster. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Doubtful. | C．Unclear. | D．Positive. |
| A．To explain the success of the strategy. |
| B．To tell citizens the danger of the ugliest lawn. |
| C．To discuss why it’s dangerous to waste water. |
| D．To show citizens what the ugliest lawn looks like. |
【推荐3】“Finish your food. There are many hungry children in the world, you know.” Did your mom ever say that when you didn’t want to empty your dinner plate? It proves she wasn’t so far off-base and she would agree with the Clean Your Plate Campaign.
Started by non-governmental organizations, the Clean Your Plate Campaign asks people to save food by not wasting anything on the dining table. It was soon joined by millions of people across the country to fight against food wastage.
It is said that every year’s wastage of food in China can be up to 50 million tons, enough to feed about 200 million people for one year.
Our government supports the campaign, too. It has promised to make plans to reduce food wastage and follow a simple working style.
But solving the problem is something that requires effort from everyone. Every person needs to do his part to help reduce food wastage.
* Don’t buy more than you need. If you don’t think you’ll finish the pizza of large size, buy a smaller one.
* If you don’t finish your food in restaurants, take your leftovers(吃剩的食物) away.
*Freeze(冷藏) what you don’t finish eating — food can keep for a while in the freezer and then you don’t have to throw it away.
*Plan on smaller portions(份) when you eat meals, so you can finish what’s on your plate and make your mom proud!
Did you finish meals today? Are you a “Clean-Plate Type”? Join the Clean Plate Campaign and empty your plate.
1. What does the underlined part mean?| A．She cared you very much. | B．She liked joining campaigns. |
| C．She was strict with you. | D．She was wise and correct. |
| A．To help hungry children. | B．To encourage children to eat more. |
| C．To reduce food wastage. | D．To make dinner enjoyable. |
| A．About 20,000,000. | B．About 50,000,000. |
| C．About 200,000,000. | D．About 500,000,000. |
| A．It is popular with Chinese people. |
| B．It was started by our government. |
| C．It asks people to live a simple life. |
| D．It is for people eating in restaurants. |
