1 . Margot doesn’t have a garbage can. It doesn’t need one because Margot simply doesn’t cause anything to get thrown away. The restaurant doesn’t allow any type of single use plastic. Margot, which opened last year, is one of the small but growing restaurants around the world aiming to avoid not only food leftovers, but also any garbage.
“Food waste has been increasing as an issue for restaurants over the last 10 years,” says Calvin Brown. He runs the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Based in the United Kingdom, the organization helps food business become more environmentally responsible. He says that food waste contributes to releasing the greenhouse gas, so there is strong motivation to reduce waste and help the environment.
In the USA, food waste and packing account for nearly half of the material sent to landfills. Restaurants from McDonald’s to Starbucks are addressing this issue with “no straw Mondays” and limits on single-serving plastic, but a handful of restaurateurs are trying to get rid of rubbish entirely. There’s also economic case to be made for waste reduction. One study shows that restaurants save seven dollars for every dollar invested in anti- waste methods.
Avoiding food waste is the first and perhaps most obvious challenge for sustainable restaurants. Doug McMaster, chef at Silo in London, only serves a set menu. This removes the worry that one particular item won’t sell well, and will spoil in the refrigerator. Compost (堆肥) is a necessity as well. Nolla (meaning “zero” in Finnish) in Helsinki, Finland is giving compost to its suppliers as well as its diners. Nolla also has food- tracking software more commonly used among corporate food service companies to keep track of what sells and what rots.
Sometimes restaurants call themselves environmentally friendly, but they might just be using the label. Calvin offers some pointers on what to look for to make sure a restaurant is truly committed to sustainability.
1. What does Margot feature?A.Its large size. | B.Its opening hours. |
C.Its zero-waste goal. | D.Its plastic garbage cans. |
A.Ways of packaging food. |
B.The issue of investing in services. |
C.The importance of environmental protection. |
D.Efforts of some restaurants to reduce rubbish, |
A.Only serve a set menu. |
B.Hardly use refrigerators. |
C.Supply compost to its customers. |
D.Keep track of diners’ preferences. |
A.Expand food business. |
B.Use eco-friendly labels. |
C.Save money on dealing with kitchen garbage. |
D.Contribute to sustainable development of the food industry. |
To change bad habits is never easy, even with many
Then what is causing the increase in the global average surface temperature? Climate scientists often mention a key climate process called the “greenhouse effect”,
3 . Plastic mobile phones cases and sweet wrappers, some more than 50 years old, have recently been pulled from the sea off the coast of East Yorkshire. The finds lead to growing concern among scientists about the long-term impact of plastic waste on our seas, with research suggesting it takes over 400 years for a drinks bottle to breakdown in the sea.
Notpla, a London-based startup company, is currently designing a seaweed-based replacement for single-use plastic packaging. Founded in 2014, the company has been sparing no efforts to further develop its product line.
The firm initially looked to seaweed as the solution to the world’s white pollution, because it is plentiful, grows quickly, doesn’t compete with land crops and doesn’t use chemicals, but absorbs carbon from the air. Design director Karlijn Sibbel says, “It can grow into the sea, where it actually has many positive benefits so it can create new ecosystems for other organisms to grow in.”
Sibbel says they look to nature as inspiration “for the ideal packaging” like the skin on a fruit. “A peel (果皮) will eventually be used as nutrients by nature, disappear and become part of the cycle.”
“The exciting thing is that this is a film that can replace most of the flexible packaging you see around,” Sibbel says. The potential contents could include coffee grounds or toilet paper. For food items, such as noodles, they have even experimented with adding flavors to the packaging, so that dissolving the bag could add seasoning to the food. “You can cook with it. And you can really start to rethink what we can do with these materials,” she explained.
The approach feels especially relevant as the world is coming to terms with the effects of decades of uncontrolled plastic production. Co-CEO Paslier says, “We’re excited to see our power in the foodservice industry and looking forward to moving into the fashion markets very soon.
1. What problem is mainly referred to in Paragraph 1?A.Energy crisis. | B.Food waste. |
C.Ecological disaster. | D.White pollution. |
A.How seaweed grows in the sea. |
B.How seaweed absorbs carbon from the air. |
C.Why seaweed can create more new ecosystems. |
D.Why seaweed was chosen as a plastic alternative. |
A.It can be digested by nature. | B.It’s as thin as a peel. |
C.It can transform into chemicals. | D.It bears a flavor enhancer. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Uncertain. | C.Promising. | D.Darkening. |
4 . In the modern era, it may come as a surprise that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries, especially when it comes to carbon emissions. However, ever-changing fashion trends persuade consumers into buying new pieces and getting rid of old clothing that’s no longer considered fashionable. With trends moving at breakneck speed, we’re buying more clothes and wearing them for less time.
Sustainable fashion has been on the rise in recent years, but it’s undeniable that sustainable companies like Girfriend Collective, and Organic Basics are out of most people’s price ranges. Instead, fast-fashion companies have the advantage of low prices. So most people tend to choose low prices over sustainability, particularly when they’re not directly dealing with the impacts of clothing pollution. But how can people, buy sustainable clothing when it’s not affordable?
Of course, the best way is not to buy any new clothes. However, saving up to buy higher quality, more sustainable garments and then wearing them for many years are healthier for the environment. A similar resolution is owning some basic garments and a few statement pieces in what’s called a “capsule wardrobe”. We can combine our pieces in different ways to get various new outfits that still feel stylish and don’t generate waste.
Buying secondhand clothing is also a great way to be sustainable at a lower cost. It should be noted that some new websites and apps like Depop and Mercari allow consumers to buy specific items of secondhand clothing. They also offer a wide selection for a price more comparable to physical stores.
There is something else to be concerned with staying stylish and sustainable. With the rise of social media, the pressure to “fit in” has risen, causing people to focus on fashion feeling. But, honestly, wearing what suits us will make us look good, and the earth will acknowledge us, too.
1. Why do consumers tend to buy new clothes?A.To replace the worn-out ones. | B.To lead a low-carbon life. |
C.To keep up with fashion trends. | D.To satisfy their inner needs. |
A.Selecting clothes of lower prices. | B.Purchasing stylish clothes online. |
C.Putting cost-effective clothes to best use. | D.Choosing favorable clothes in physical stores. |
A.A place for various statement pieces. |
B.A variety of essential clothes and stylish items. |
C.A cupboard of displaying delicately made garments. |
D.A collection of basic clothes and easily matched pieces. |
A.Fashion can keep pace with sustainability. |
B.Fashion trends change at an alarming speed. |
C.Clothing industry gives rise to carbon emissions. |
D.Top priority should be given to secondhand clothing. |
5 . After years of heated debate, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Fourteen wolves were caught in Canada and transported to the park. By last year, the Yellowstone wolf population had grown to more than 170 wolves.
Gray wolves once were seen here and there in the Yellowstone area and much of the continental United States, but they were gradually displaced by human development. By the 1920s, wolves had practically disappeared from the Yellowstone area. They went farther north into the deep forests of Canada, where there were fewer humans around.
The disappearance of the wolves had many unexpected results. Deer and elk populations — major food sources (来源) for the wolf — grew rapidly. These animals consumed large amounts of vegetation (植被), which reduced plant diversity in the park. In the absence of wolves, coyote populations also grew quickly. The coyotes killed a large percentage of the park’s red foxes, and completely drove away the park’s beavers.
As early as 1966, biologists asked the government to consider reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone Park. They hoped that wolves would be able to control the elk and coyote problems. Many farmers opposed the plan because they feared that wolves would kill their farm animals or pets.
The government spent nearly 30 years coming up with a plan to reintroduce the wolves. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service carefully monitors and manages the wolf packs in Yellowstone. Today, the debate continues over how well the gray wolf is fitting in at Yellowstone. Elk, deer, and coyote populations are down, while beavers and red foxes have made a comeback. The Yellowstone wolf project has been a valuable experiment to help biologists decide whether to reintroduce wolves to other parts of the country as well.
1. What is the text mainly about?A.Wildlife research in the United States. | B.Plant diversity in the Yellowstone area. |
C.The conflict between farmers and gray wolves. | D.The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park. |
A.Forced out. | B.Separated. | C.Tested. | D.Tracked down. |
A.Damage to local ecology (生态). | B.A decline in the park’s income. |
C.Preservation of vegetation. | D.An increase in the variety of animals. |
A.Disapproving. | B.Positive. | C.Doubtful. | D.Uncaring. |
6 . The first time ever I realized that plastic was a serious matter for our planet was during a road trip in Western Australia, almost 12 years ago.
We
This was just one of the many experiences I’ve lived that made me more
Our trip to Borneo was another life-changing
Besides, we were also
Facing this global issue
A.stayed | B.visited | C.worked | D.stopped |
A.land | B.ocean | C.district | D.supermarket |
A.threw | B.picked | C.dropped | D.carried |
A.sure | B.proud | C.conscious | D.comfortable |
A.travel | B.deliver | C.remove | D.play |
A.adversity | B.campaign | C.experience | D.expedition |
A.free | B.cheap | C.valuable | D.safe |
A.failed | B.managed | C.hesitated | D.happened |
A.frequently | B.precisely | C.deeply | D.firmly |
A.action | B.project | C.discipline | D.protection |
A.dry up | B.give off | C.clean up | D.shave off |
A.washed | B.proved | C.rushed | D.injured |
A.on purpose | B.on behalf | C.in particular | D.in person |
A.confusion | B.determination | C.frustration | D.satisfaction |
A.make | B.have | C.achieve | D.find |
7 . Coral creates reefs, structures in the ocean that support entire ecosystems. However, climate change is threatening the existence of such reefs. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years.
Coral bleaching happens when extreme temperatures and sunlight force corals to release algae living in their tissue. This causes them to lose their color and turn white. The experience greatly weakens the coral and can kill them.
Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully tested a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae — the very young form of the small ocean animal.
The science project in Australia involves freezing and storing coral larvae to use later for rewilding. A new material called “cryomesh” is helping the scientists in the effort. Coral is frozen using a special method called cryogenics. This permits the young animals to be stored until they can be unfrozen and placed in the wild. The process currently requires high-tech equipment including lasers and is costly. But, the team in Australia says cryomesh can do a better job of saving the coral and for much less money. The mesh technology helps to store coral larvae at-196 degrees Celsius.
The scientists used the cryomesh to freeze Great Barrier Reef coral larvae at the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, or AIMS. Workers collected the coral during the animal’s brief yearly reproductive period.
Mary Hagedorn, Senior Research Scientist at Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute explained, “If we can secure the biodiversity of coral...then we’ll have tools for the future to really help restore the reefs.” She added, “...this technology for coral reefs in the future is a real game-changer.”
The cryomesh had been tested earlier on smaller and larger kinds of Hawaian corals. A test on the larger failed. Tests are continuing with larger-size Great Barrier Reef coral. The tests involve scientists from four organizations. Together they are part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program.
1. What’s the passage mainly about?A.A comparison of two experiments. | B.A new method for restoring coral reefs. |
C.The Great Barrier Reef under great threat. | D.Scientists’ joint efforts to support the ecosystem. |
A.It is easier to store. | B.It is less expensive. |
C.It freezes larvae faster. | D.It is environmentally friendly. |
A.People can do more about the biodiversity of corals. |
B.The scientists barely have tools to help the reefs restore. |
C.The cryomesh technology has changed the corals’ situation. |
D.The mesh technology will play a vital role in restoring the reefs. |
A.Tests on larger corals are more important. |
B.It is going to be applied widely to more corals. |
C.Only scientists of AIMS are involved in the tests. |
D.More experiments are needed to prove its efficiency. |
1.校内浪费现象;
2.低碳生活的重要性及措施;
3.提出倡议。
注意:
1.写作词数应为80左右;
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Dear schoolmates,
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Li Hua
9 . China’s second national botanical (植物学的) garden, South China National Botanical Garden, was set up in Guangzhou on July 11th, 2022.
With a total of 319 hectares of core functional area planned, the new national botanical garden was built based on South China Botanical Garden. It spans Guangzhou and Zhaoqing, two cities in Guangdong Province.
The South China National Botanical Garden aims to strengthen the conservation, scientific research and knowledge broadcasting of tropical (热带的) and subtropical (亚热带的) plants. The garden has three research centers, two national-level field stations and three key laboratories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. There are 17, 168 protected plants, 643 rare and endangered plants, and 337 national key wild protected plants in the garden at present.
The garden will participate in plant diversity protection both in China and the world and achieve the conservation goal of 20, 000 species. Meanwhile, it aims to play a world-leading role in collection and storage of living plants, among which 6, 000 species are economic plants.
Besides, 95 percent of rare and endangered plants in South China will be effectively protected, thus to provide plant resources for green development.
China is one of the countries in the world with the richest biodiversity, having more than 37, 000 known species of higher plants, accounting for about one tenth of the world’s total.
The South China National Botanical Garden, together with the national botanical garden in Beijing, has formed a system of collection and complete the retention of wild plant groups, which is helpful to maintain the country’s plant diversity.
1. What can be inferred about South China National Botanical Garden?A.It is well equipped. | B.It only offers service for research. |
C.It has become a popular scenic spot. | D.It is the largest national botanical garden. |
A.They are dying out sharply. |
B.Most of them will be protected well. |
C.They will be used to improve economic development. |
D.Most of them are transplanted to botanical gardens. |
A.Development. | B.Comparison. | C.Preservation. | D.Improvement. |
A.A Garden For Collecting And Studying Plants |
B.A Novel Way To Strengthen Plant Conservation |
C.China’s Various Environmental Protection |
D.China’s Second National Botanical Garden |
10 . Scientists have found something strange has been happening among sensitive bird species in the Brazilian Amazon in recent years. Not only were the birds declining in number, but their bodies were also shrinking in size. “We found that size was not only shrinking for those sensitive species-it was declining for everyone, “said researcher Vitek Jirinec of Louisiana State University. Jirinec’s findingsare contained in a new study published in the journal Science Advances last Friday.
The study examined 77 species over a 40-year period, during which time the rainforest had become warmer. It found they were rapidly evolving perhaps because smaller birds remove heat more efficiently as they have more surface area in relation to volume. Brian Weeks of the University of Michigan explained it this way: “You could imagine lots of little ice cubes in a glass of water, as opposed to one big ice cube, and the little ice cubes melt faster because smaller things have larger surface area-to-volume ratios(比),so they exchange heat more quickly. “Weeks didn’t work on this particular study, but he did research the size of more than50 species of migratory (迁徙的) birds in North America a few years back. He too found that nearly all of them were shrinking decade by decade.
The two studies strengthen the idea that birds all over the planet, migratory or not, may be changing shape due to a warming climate. Weeks said these sorts of changes should concern all of us. “All around the world, people depend on natural systems. Complete natural systems provide more economic benefits to humanity than the entirety of the world’s GDP, so they matter to you whether or not you know it, Weeks said. Jirinec thought the timing of his paper’s publication could not be more fitting. The study came out on the same day as the conclusion of the UN climate change conference in Glasgow. So those results really stressed the common consequences of the actions for the planet.
1. What was a cause of the birds becoming smaller in size?A.The decrease of birds’ number. | B.The sensitiveness of birds. |
C.A warming climate. | D.The development of birds. |
A.By example and comparison. | B.By analyzing the data. |
C.By giving enough evidence. | D.By observation and research. |
A.Dangerous. | B.Concerning. |
C.Demanding. | D.Fantastic. |
A.To introduce two studies. | B.To explain a natural phenomenon. |
C.To praise the conference in Glasgow. | D.To make people focus on climate change. |