1 . Many livestock farmers (牧场主) in the western world are becoming worried by a longer-term threat to their income from the growing popularity of vegetarian (素食的) diets. Here comes the question whether to eat meat or not. Before airing our view, we should consider seriously the three reasons that vegetarians give for refusing animal products.

The easiest point to argue against is that eating meat is unhealthy. Nothing is healthier than a varied diet, including fiber, vegetable, fruit and meat. Although studies show that eating red and processed meat may raise the risk of some cancers, it is important not to overstate the effect. This week, for example, Cancer Research UK reported that eating an extra piece of bacon every day raised the risk of bowel cancer by 20 per cent. But that means just eight extra (largely curable) cases in every 10,000 people over six years.

Our treatment of farm animals is an issue that vegetarians find more troubling. A common view is that raising animals in a small area cause unacceptable suffering. In this regard, agricultural authorities should take up the responsibility to enforce welfare standards that give each animal enough space to stand and move around comfortably. Also, consumers have an important role to play in improving conditions for farm animals. For example, the dislike of “battery hens”led to an EU ban in 2012 on keeping chickens in barren cages.

The environmental impact of livestock farming is its greatest problem in a century. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that farmed animals account for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emission. Although changes in grazing（放牧）practices could substantially reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming, it will always use more resources than producing the same number of calories from plant crops. Meat production should focus on the world’s traditional grasslands, without taking up new land.

1. Which of the following is NOT the reason against animal products given by vegetarians?

A．It harms human health.

B．It causes animal suffering.

C．It damages the environment.

D．It threatens the income of farmers.

2. Why does the author mention the report from Cancer Research UK in paragraph 2?

A．To prove that eating too much meat is unhealthy.

B．To persuade people out of eating too much meat.

C．To show that eating meat is not as unhealthy as vegetarians think.

D．To present the fact that eating too much bacon may cause cancer.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards raising animals in a small area?

A．Favorable.	B．Negative.
C．Indifferent.	D．Unclear.

4. What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．The changes in feeding practices.

B．The challenges that livestock farming faces.

C．The negative effects of livestock farming on the environment.

D．The measures to reduce the environmental impact of livestock farming.