1 . The truest explanation of recycling involves taking a material, melting(融化) it down, and turning it back into itself over and over. This can be done with glass and metal, which can both be remelted and reformed into bottles or cans forever. This is a closed-loop(闭环) system, so it’s very desirable. On the other hand, some materials slowly degrade(降解) over time, meaning they can be reformed maybe once or twice, but after a while the chemical composition of the original substance has changed and it can no longer be turned back into what it once was. This is called downcycling(降级回收).

The downcycling of plastic is one of the serious issues surrounding this material. For example, plastic water or soda bottles are seldom turned back into bottles. The other is the fact that plastic never biodegrades(生物降解). Many materials newspaper included, will biodegrade at the end of their lives. When paper enters the environment, given exposure to the air, it breaks down, leaving the world undamaged. Plastic, on the other hand, photodegrades(光降解), and this is very concerning. As discussed earlier, in the process of photodegrading, wind, sun, and water break plastic down into smaller and smaller particles(颗粒) that will cause great damage to the ocean ecosystem.

Finally, there is concern about heating food in plastic containers. Avoid reheating food in plastic containers in the microwave, and stop covering food with plastic wrap. Storing cool food in plastic containers isn’t as big a concern, but avoid heating food and plastic together to eliminate the possibility of plastic into your food.

So the disadvantages to plastic are that it can’t really be recycled in the true meaning of the term, it will never disappear from our environment because it can’t biodegrade, and it is a vehicle to deliver dangerous chemicals into our food chains.

1. What is a satisfying recycling system?

A．It’s easy to find alternative metals.	B．Its process is an open-loop system.
C．Materials can be reused over and again.	D．Composition of materials can be changed.

2. What is probably the major concern of photodegradation of plastics?

A．The threat to oceans.	B．The impact on foods.
C．The process of breaking down.	D．The pollution of the atmosphere.

3. What does the underlined word “eliminate” mean in the third paragraph?

A．Assess.

B．Remove.

C．Weight.

D．Reduce.

4. What is the author’s attitude to using plastic in our life?

A．Positive.

B．Indifferent.

C．Negative.

D．Unclear.

2 . For over a month, forest fires in Indonesia spread very quickly out of control as the country suffered its worst drought(干旱) in 50 years. Within days a cloud of smog was hanging over neighboring countries including Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

When the smoke combined with pollution from factories and cars, it soon became poisonous(有毒的). Dangerous amounts of CO became trapped under the smog and pollution levels rose. People coughed as they left the house and their eyes watered immediately.

The smog made it impossible to see across streets and whole cities disappeared as grey soot (烟灰) covered everything. In some areas, tap water was used from high-rise city buildings to try and break up the smog.

Finally, heavy rains, which came in November, put out the fires and cleared the air. But the environmental costs and health problems will remain. Breathing problems could well increase and many non-sufferers may have difficulties for the first time. Wildlife has suffered too. In lowland forests, elephants, deer, and tigers have been driven out of their homes by smog.

But smog is not just an Asian problem. In fact, the word was first used in London in 1905 to describe the mixture of smoke and thick fog. Sometimes the smog was so thick and poisonous that people were killed by breathing problems or in accidents. About 4,000 Londoners died within five days as a result of thick smog in 1952.

1. When did the forest fires most probably happen?

A．In July.	B．In October.
C．In November.	D．In December.

2. Which of the following is true about the forest fires?

A．The fires spread to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

B．The fires were put out by the firefighters and volunteers.

C．Many animals were left homeless because of the smog.

D．4,000 people were killed by the forest fires.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Smog can lead to drought problem.	B．Smog can cause forest fires easily.
C．Smog has little effect on wildlife.	D．Smog is more than an Asian problem.

4. What is the similarity between the Indonesia smog and the London smog?

A．Both were caused by drought.	B．Both caused many deaths.
C．Both were poisonous.	D．Both spread in several countries.

9 . Madrid has ordered nearly half of the private cars off the roads on Thursday to deal with the worsening air pollution, a first in Spain.

The restriction (限令) will operate between 6.30 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day. The city government said in a statement: “Vehicles with even-number registration plates (偶数牌照）will be allowed to drive around on even-number days and the rest cars on the rest days.”

The measure works when levels of harmful NO2 in the atmosphere go above 200 microgrammes in every 1 in at least two measuring stations for two days running, and if the air is unlikely to clear soon.

On Thursday, the city environment officer Ines Sabanes said the restriction would not be carried out as pollution levels had dropped by the required amount. Other measures, including a ban on street parking for non-local vehicles and reduced speed limits, will continue. There are exceptions to the restriction, such as for hybrid (混合动力的) cars, those carrying three people or more or used by disabled people. Buses, taxis and emergency vehicles are not encompassed, either. “It’s not about traffic restrictions but about the important issue of public health,” deputy mayor Marta Higueras said. “Lots of people suffer from breathing problems and are very affected by pollution.”

With 3.2 million people and 1.8 million cars, Madrid often suffers from bad pollution. The move to ban half of the cars is Level Three on a series of four measures to prevent pollution. Level Four bans taxis from the city, except those that are hybrid cars.

The previous measures carried out by the city hall draw criticism from the Popular Party(PP) which ruled Madrid for nearly a quarter of a century and governs at the national level. The PP spokesman in Madrid’s local parliament said officials should do more to encourage people to avoid using their cars rather than punish them. The previous measures were carried out by former PP leader Ana Botella just before municipal elections (市政府选举) in Many 2015.

1. According to the statement of the city government, ________.

A．the restriction only works by day

B．the restriction only works on private cars

C．every restricted car is restricted nearly half a month in a whole month

D．Vehicles are restricted depending on the first number of registration plates

2. According to the passage, vehicles driven from other cities will not be ________.

A．allowed to drive on Madrid’s streets

B．included in the new restrictions at all

C．restricted if pollution levels drop

D．allowed to park on Madrid’s streets

3. What does the underlined word “encompassed” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．Punished.

B．Encouraged.

C．Accepted.

D．Included.

4. If the air pollution in Madrid becomes worse, ________.

A．the government will punish more people

B．more cars will be kept out of the roads

C．new traffic restrictions will be carried out

D．more hybrid cars will appear on the road