In recent years, cotton bags have risen to popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags. But the sudden increase in the use of the cotton bag as a basic accessory may actually have created a new problem.
An organic cotton bag needs to be used 20, 000 times to offset (抵消) its overall impact of production on the environment, according to a study by the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark. That is equal to daily use for 54 years for just one bag. According to this measure, for Venetia Berry, an artist in London who found she had at least 25 cotton bags in her closet, she would have to live for more than 1, 000 years to offset her current possessions if all her bags were organic.
According to the Circular Laboratory, it requires between 10, 000 and 20, 000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton. And only 15 percent of the 30 million tons of cotton produced every year actually makes its way to textile (纺织品) warehouses. Even when a cotton bag does make it to a treatment plant, most logos printed on them are not recyclable. They’re extremely difficult to break down chemically.
That’s not to say cotton is worse than plastic, or that the two should even be compared. While cotton can use pesticides and has dried up rivers, lightweight plastic bags use fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases, never break down and block the oceans.
Buffy Reid, of the British knitwear label &. Daughter, stopped production of her cotton bags in April 2021. Skincare brand Aesop is changing the composition of their bags to a 60-40 mixture of recycled and organic cotton. Some brands are turning to other textile solutions. The British designer Ally Capellino replaced cotton with hemp (大麻), while Ms. Hindmarch introduced a new version of her original bag, this time made from recycled water bottles. In the end, the simplest solution may be the most obvious; Not every product needs a bag.
1. What do the figures in Paragraph 2 indicate?| A．Cotton bags are not all that perfect. |
| B．Cotton bags have quite a long service life. |
| C．Cotton bags are enjoying widespread popularity. |
| D．Cotton bags require a complex production process. |
| A．They are not recyclable and difficult to break down. |
| B．Their logos are made from planet-friendly materials. |
| C．They require high consumption of water resources. |
| D．Their production generates fossil fuel-related emissions. |
| A．Stopping producing cotton bags. |
| B．Reducing the use of shopping bags. |
| C．Replacing cotton with other materials. |
| D．Changing the composition of cotton bags. |
| A．The cotton bag crisis. |
| B．The rise of cotton bags. |
| C．The comparison between cotton and plastic. |
| D．The production and recycling of cotton bags. |
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Ben Drake, an expert on air pollution, is being interviewed on the radio. He said that smog was a severe problem in the early 20th century in Britain. At that time, Britain was experiencing a boom in industry. Factories and homes used lots of coal, which created smog. He also mentioned the heavy smog in London was particularly bad and caused over 4000 deaths in 1952. Later the UK government restricted burning coal in homes and forced factories to move away from city centers. As smog is harmful to everyone, the expert advised us to replace coal with cleaner forms of energy, use new energy-efficient vehicles and further develop green technology.
1. The expression “2. Smog became a severe problem in Britain because people at that time burnt lots of
3. The worst smog in British history happened in London in 1942.
4. The Great Smog of London claimed 5,000 lives.
5. Later, the UK government ordered people not to burn
E-waste, the world’s largest and fastest growing type of waste, doesn’t only come from computers but other electronics as well.  |
In 2019, the world produced 53. 6 million tons of e-waste.  |
The world’s e-waste will reach 74.7 million tons by 2030. That’s almost a doubling of e-waste in just 16 years.  Today, only 15-20 percent of all e-waste is collected and recycled. |
Why should we recycle e-waste? E-waste has many valuable things in it, such as gold, silver and copper(铜). One smart phone battery can pollute 600,000 liters(升)of water. |
What can we do? ●Try to repair your electronics instead of buying new ones. ●Check for recycling organizations and give away your broken electronics. ●Remove any batteries (电池) because they need to be recycled separately. ●Tell others to recycle e-waste. |
1. In___________, the amount of e-waste reached about 37.3 million tons.
| A．2014. | B．2019. | C．2022. | D．2030. |
| A．E-waste only comes from computers. |
| B．In 2019, 53.6 million tons of e-waste was recycled. |
| C．We need to recycle batteries with other electronics. |
| D．We should consider repairing rather than buying new electronics. |
| A．instruction | B．novel | C．newspaper | D．comic book |
【推荐3】Lithium (锂) is called “white gold” for good reason. The metal’s value has been growing rapidly over the last several years, mainly because it is an essential material of lithium-ion batteries, which play an important part in several key sustainable technologies, e. g. electric cars.
As ocean waves, wind and solar power have grown into major players in the energy industry, lithium has also become key to building a future free of petrol. But getting lithium comes at a huge cost. As with most metals, its mining is damaging. It often works like this: Briny water, containing lithium and other metals, is pumped to the surface from underground. Then it sits in pools to allow the water to evaporate, leaving the rest behind as poisonous matter. Workers use chemical reactions to remove the lithium from that, making it into powder which is then packaged and shipped to the buyers around the world. Any accident that releases mine matter into surrounding communities or the groundwater supply could have damaging long-term impacts.
Indigenous (原住民) communities often bear the result of the damage, and political leaders have paid little attention to their concerns. In Arizona, for example, an expanding lithium mine is threatening the Hualapai Tribe’s historical sites. And for politicians who have promised to work with native peoples to deal with it, mining lithium and other precious metals is putting them into a dilemma: How do you ensure the availability of materials which are essential to the future while protecting indigenous people’ rights?
Mining of the metal is expected to increase greatly in coming years. Over time, that will make electric cars inexpensive and, therefore, more popular.
As environmentally conscious consumers buy electric cars in ever-greater numbers, it’s important to be aware of the dirty process that powers those clean air vehicles.
1. What do we know about Lithium in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2?| A．It’s a kind of battery. | B．It will be widely used in the future. |
| C．Only Lithium can replace fossil fuels. | D．It is the same with wind and solar power. |
| A．It’s easily done. | B．It does harm to the environment. |
| C．It costs much money. | D．The workers benefit a lot from it. |
| A．The shortage of Lithium. |
| B．The prices of electric cars. |
| C．Their people will no longer support them. |
| D．The balance between it and environment protection. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Indifferent. | C．Worried. | D．Optimistic. |
【推荐1】How could we possibly think that keeping animals in cages in unnatural environments－mostly for entertainment purposes－is fair and respectful?
Zoo officials say they are concerned about animals. However, most zoos remain “collections” of interesting “things” rather than protective habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals bored, lonely, and far from their natural homes.
Zoos claim to educate people and save endangered species, but visitors leave zoos without having learned anything meaningful about the animals’ natural behavior, intelligence, or beauty. Zoos keep animals in small spaces or cages, and most signs only mention the species’ name, diet, and natural range(分布区). The animals’ normal behavior is seldom noticed because zoos don’t usually take care of the animals’ natural needs.
The animals are kept together in small spaces, with no privacy and little opportunity for mental and physical exercise. This results in unusually self-destructive behavior called zoochosis. A worldwide study of zoos found that zoochosis is common among animals kept in small spaces or cages. Another study showed that elephants spend 22 percent of their time making repeated head movements or biting cage bars, and bears spend 30 percent of their time walking back and forth, a sign of unhappiness and pain.
Furthermore, most animals in zoos are not endangered. Captive breeding(圈养繁殖) of endangered big cats, Asian elephants, and other species has not resulted in their being sent back to the wild. Zoos talk a lot about their captive breeding programs because they do not want people to worry about a species dying out. In fact, baby animals also attract a lot of paying customers. Haven’t we seen enough competitions to name baby animals?
Actually, we will save endangered species only if we save their habitats and put an end to the reasons people kill them. Instead of supporting zoos, we should support groups that work to protect animals’ natural habitats.
1. In the state of zoochosis, animals _________.| A．remain in cages | B．behave strangely |
| C．attack other animals | D．enjoy moving around |
| A．Zoos are not worth the public support. |
| B．Zoos fail in their attempt to save animals. |
| C．Zoos should treat animals as human beings. |
| D．Zoos use animals as a means of entertainment. |
| A．pointing out the faults in what zoos do |
| B．using evidence he has collected at zoos |
| C．questioning the way animals are protected |
| D．discussing the advantages of natural habitats |
| A．zoos have to keep animals in small cages |
| B．most animals in zoos are endangered species |
| C．some endangered animals are reproduced in zoos |
| D．it’s acceptable to keep animals away from their habitats |
【推荐2】People today are not unfamiliar with term such as "going eco-friendly" and "sustainable lifestyle". However, there exists a group of sceptics（怀疑论者）who believe that going eco-friendly is merely a fad（一时的风尚）. I disagree with this viewpoint, Going eco-friendly is not merely a fad and it does, in fact, change the beliefs and attitudes of people.
The long-term presence of environmental organisations shows the efforts that people have made towards going eco-friendly. Organisations such as World Wildlife Fund advocate people to go eco-friendly. The high involvement of the organisations and the participants is thus a strong indicator that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad but a trend that can last decades.
Another strong indicator is the emergence of sustainable products in many industries, such as organic produce and electric vehicles. The consumer demand, coupled with eco-conscious（环保意识的）businesses, is behind the sharp increase in such products. This shows a shift in the beliefs and attitudes of people towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Thus, it seems quite certain that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad.
While some people who broadcast their eco-friendly practices are criticised for just hoping to project an eco-conscious image, there are a number of celebrities who have been practising the zero-waste lifestyle for years. For those who do so for years, and not mere days or months, it is indeed a commitment that can only come with a true change in beliefs and attitudes towards caring for the earth.
The call to save the earth looks set to stay. With the development of technology and the appearance of many platforms advocating going green, people are more willing to change their beliefs and attitudes when they can learn about and appreciate the positive impact of the work of different environmental organisations and individuals. It is hoped that these effects will go a long way in ensuring that our planet will remain a suitable place to live in.
1. Why does the author mention World Wildlife Fund?| A．To appreciate its environmental efforts. |
| B．To encourage people to go eco-friendly. |
| C．To evidence the universal recognition of going green. |
| D．To highlight the difficulty in changing people's attitudes. |
| A．Sudden disappearance. | B．Sharp increase. |
| C．Gradual development. | D．Limited application. |
| A．It may discourage people from sustainable lifestyle. |
| B．It may boost the business of organic produce. |
| C．It will be used to project an eco-conscious image. |
| D．It will promote environmental awareness. |
| A．To prove going eco-friendly a lasting trend. |
| B．To popularize the eco-friendly products. |
| C．To offer strategies to go eco-friendly. |
| D．To advertise for eco-friendly platforms. |
【推荐3】How is this virus transmitted?
This is an outbreak of disease that started in Wuhan, one of the central Chinese cities. It’s caused by a novel coronavirus that means it’s brand-new.
What are the symptoms?
The virus is from a family called the coronaviruses. The symptoms of this illness are pretty mundane (平 凡的) on the face of it: it’s a dry cough fever and then breathing problems.
This brand-new coronavirus came from animals, and it’s believed that the source was actually a seafood market in Wuhan, which also sells wild animals. So far all the cases have come out of Wuhan. But some people haven’t picked it up there.
Should I be panicking about this outbreak?
As we can see, older people are ending up in hospital with the virus. They’re usually over 40, and the very youngest person diagnosed is about 13 or 14 years old. So it doesn’t appear to be affecting small children.
It’s necessary for ordinary people to wear masks and doctors should wear protective clothing.
How is this virus transmitted?
We’ve only just discovered that the new coronavirus is actually transmitted from one person to another. It was hoped at first actually that it just came from animals as all coronaviruses do.
| A．It seems quite mild in lots of people. |
| B．Where have cases been confirmed so far? |
| C．It is so new that actually it doesn’t have a name yet. |
| D．People diagnosed with viral pneumonia will die. |
| E．It is a brand-new virus so we don’t know how it’s going to behave. |
| F．Those confirmed cases who have died tend to have heart disease or cancer already. |
| G．Now it looks as though it is actually passed from one human being to another, however. |
【推荐1】Why do Chinese people love hot pot so much? As the winter months are coming in, more and more people are sitting around a table enjoying this kind of traditional meal. I find myself wondering what it is about this traditional meal, which has existed for more than 1,000 years. What makes it a Chinese food favorite? It seems that the answer lies beyond the dish itself.
Hot pot isn’t just designed to keep you warm during the cold months; it’s also a social experience. It’s a “theater” cooked food that turns a meal into an event. There is a lot of fun for everyone to have in adding some foods to the hot pot.
Hot pot is eaten over two to three hours. For this reason, it is often considered an evening’s entertainment, and a time to spend with friends and families. However, many Westerners would be put off by the idea of other people sticking chopsticks in their food. When we come to eat at the table in the UK, we often have our own shares, although the experience is still a social one.
A similar experience to the hot pot can be found in Korean barbecue restaurants, which let you cook your own meat. This allows people to have their meat done however they want.
For most Westerners, the idea of going to a restaurant to cook their own food is very strange. But having a go, I find it’s now one of my favorite meals in Beijing. The steam from the pot left my clothes smelling of food when I got home, but perhaps this was also part of the experience. When the cold wind is blowing outside, I am sitting around with my good friends, eating and drinking. For me it’s like a dinner party where my taste buds (味蕾) and my appetite are equally satisfied in the warm company of friends.
1. What is the main reason why hot pot is popular in China?| A．It has a history of over 1,000 years. |
| B．It is a fun social experience. |
| C．It serves people with many kinds of foods. |
| D．It keeps people very warm in winter. |
| A．More than four hours. | B．Over one hour. |
| C．About three hours. | D．All the evening. |
| A．enjoy cooking their own food in restaurants |
| B．prefer a Korean barbecue to Chinese hot pot |
| C．don’t like sharing food with others in restaurants |
| D．don’t mind the smell of food staying on their clothes |
【推荐2】A new study shows the singing noises made by humpback whales(座头鲸) might be a sign of being lonely. Scientists who recorded humpback whale behavior in Australia discovered that fewer whales made the singing noises as their population grew.
“Humpback whale song is loud and travels far in the ocean,” said marine biologist Dunlop of the University of Queensland in Brisbane. She has long studied humpback whales and helped lead the new study. Her work has centered on humpbacks that reproduce near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. She made an unexpected discovery as the number of whales sharply rose following the end of commercial whaling. “It was getting more difficult to actually find singers,” she said. “When there were fewer of them, there was a lot of singing. Now that there are lots of them there is no need to sing so much.”
Scientists first began to hear and study the songs of the humpback whales in the 1970s. They used underwater microphones to do so. Only male whales sing. Scientists think the whales sing to display their power.
Eastern Australia’s humpback whales came close to disappearing in the 1960s, when their number dropped to around 200. But over time the population began to regrow, climbing to about 27, 000 whales by 2015. That number is near pre-whaling levels. As the number of whales increase, their singing behaviors changed. Dunlop said while 2 in 10 males made wailing noises in 2004, 10 years later the number had dropped to 1 in 10.
It is said that humpback whales must have been singers long before whale fishing diminished their numbers. But the new study proves how necessary their beautiful songs were to their survival and recovery. Clearly singing became extremely valuable when their numbers were very low.
1. What is the probable reason why humpback whales sing according to the new study?| A．Danger. | B．Hunting. | C．Hopelessness. | D．Loneliness. |
| A．Humpback whales always keep silent. |
| B．The more humpback whales, the less singing. |
| C．The number of humpback whales increases sharply. |
| D．The farther humpback whales’ songs go, the better. |
| A．To show off their strength. | B．To sound a warning. |
| C．To leave for their home. | D．To shout for help. |
| A．Counted. | B．Doubted. | C．Protected. | D．Reduced. |
【推荐3】Like many other natural disasters, floods can happen with no warning. They move quickly, pull trees out of the ground, destroy buildings and hurt people.
Being caught in a flood is dangerous, not only because there is so much water and it’s moving quickly, but also because of what the water is carrying. Debris (残骸) in the current can injure anyone in the floodwater, making swimming more difficult. To survive a flash flood, keep the following things in your mind.
If a flood warning is issued, try to find a shelter immediately. Never try to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.
Avoid bridges that cross rapidly moving water, as floodwaters can cause bridges to break.
Stay inside a car that is trapped in fast-moving water. Only get out if the water begins to flood the car, and then move to the roof of it.
Avoid power lines. A knocked-down power line can cause surrounding water to become charged, leading to injury
Listen to the broadcast for further instructions before getting away from the flood successfully.
The results of a flood can be just as deadly. It can cause power failure and traffic jams, and break down communication. In addition, it may not be possible to deliver food and water to the flooded area. After the flood, return to your home only after local governments have said it is safe to do so. Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and cooking. And avoid driving through flooded areas and walking alone outside at night.
1. When a flash flood happens, you should _______.| A．try to walk, swim or drive through floodwaters |
| B．choose the bridges that cross rapidly moving water |
| C．get out of a car that is trapped in fast-moving water |
| D．avoid power lines |
| A．The car. | B．The bridge. |
| C．The house. | D．The power line. |
| A．go back to your home quickly | B．use bottled or boiled water |
| C．drive through flooded areas | D．walk alone outside at night |
| A．A diary. | B．A story book. |
| C．A newspaper. | D．A travel guidebook. |
