1 . Recycling is a great way of doing your bit for the environment and helping to protect the earth’s precious resources. However, a new study has revealed that our desire to be sustainable maybe doing more harm than good. According to waste company Biffa, this is because of “wish-cycling” — assuming that items such as disposable coffee cup sand pizza boxes will be recycled if put in the recycling bin. In fact, pollution from those items or other non-recyclables can result in recyclable items that have been put in the correct bin going to landfill. David Heaton, a business director at Biffa, said: “Pollution happens when items are disposed of in the wrong bins or haven’t been cleaned before being recycled.”

Experts at Biffa analyzed the amounts of non-target and non-recyclable materials that entered UK material recycling facilities between 2016 and 2020. It was found that, in 2016, the average pollution rate of recycling waste was 13.4 percent, rising over four years to 17 percent by the end of 2020. This shows that, even as people are becoming more eco-conscious, wish-cycling is increasing both in households and businesses.

The Biffa experts say that one of the best ways to prevent pollution of recycling is to clean recyclable waste before putting it in the bin. They suggest cutting off the top of old pizza boxes and only recycling that part to avoid pollution from the grease (油脂). Check the on-packaging recycling label to check it can actually be recycled When it comes to plastics, Biffa recommends checking the resin code, the number in the plastic triangle, to know whether it should go in the recycling bin. In general, resin codes 1, 2, 4 and 5 are recyclable, while 3, 6 and 7 are not. Larger items, like electronics, furniture and batteries, can also be recycled but often can not go in household recycling bins as they need specialist separating. These will need to be taken to recycling centers or sustainable waste management companies.

“It’s vital as a nation that we get better at effective ‘pre-cycling’— sorting waste correctly before collection to reduce pollution rates,” added Mr. Heaton.

1. What’s the truth of “wish-cycling” according to the first paragraph?

A．The desire to lead a sustainable life.

B．The good intention to help recycling.

C．The habit of throwing items that end up in landfills.

D．The practice of recycling items that can not be recycled.

2. What has experts at Biffa concluded after their analysis?

A．People are becoming more eco-conscious.

B．Wish-cycling is on the rise in recent years.

C．Pollution happens less frequently in recycling facilities.

D．People are used to cleaning recyclable waste before putting it in the bin.

3. Which of the following is a proper way of recycling?

A．Dispose of electronics together with household waste.

B．Skip the step of checking the on-packaging recycling label.

C．Check the resin code of plastics to see whether it is recyclable or not.

D．Cutoff the top of old pizza box and throw the rest to the recycling bin.

4. Which is the most suitable title for the text?

A．Recycling: a Big Project	B．Wish-cycling: a New Trend
C．Wish-cycling: a Growing Concern	D．Pre-cycling: an Effective Method

2 . Sea plants like marine algae (海洋藻类), seagrass and mangroves (红树林) provide habitats for many marine creatures including shrimp, fish and other small creatures. In some way, these plants keep the steady of the environment on the bottom of the sea that might otherwise be damaged by sea waves, sunlight and other climate change.

In mankind’s view, mangroves offer a safeguard against storms such as hurricanes, protecting the inland areas where people live, especially in places like the coastlines of Florida and Louisiana.

Marine algae, seagrass and mangroves play another vital role for many marine creatures-that of a baby room. Many marine animals lay eggs in these areas because their young have a better chance of avoiding hunters while hidden in the plants.

Many animals rely on these plants as a main food source as well. Sea urchins (海胆) are just one example of some marine creatures that eat marine algae, keeping the algae from over-growth for its health. Without these vital plants, lots of marine animals would have little protection from the hunters and human activities.

Pollution and fertilizer run-off, damage from boat grounding and human-caused stresses on natural water systems are just a few types of threats that impact these weak ecosystems. The effects of the oil run-off in combination with these pre-existent conditions are difficult to predict. However, it is certain that the results will not be good for the already stressed environments that many species of marine life call home.

When exposed to the oil and the chemicals used to clean up the run-off, the sea plants themselves are directly affected. But in addition, the marine animals that depend on these plants as food and shelter are also impacted, and the rest of the food web will feel the effect.

1. What do the mangroves mean to the people in Florida?

A．Their security blankets.	B．Their food sources.
C．Their hiding places.	D．Their homes.

2. Why do many marine animals produce their young in the three plants?

A．To handle climate change.	B．To search for food.
C．To look for room.	D．To seek shelter.

3. What relationship do sea urchins and marine algae have?

A．Interdependent.

B．Unfriendly.

C．Cooperative.

D．Competitive.

4. What may be the indirect result of the oil run-off?

A．The food web will be rebuilt.	B．The sea plants will grow widely.
C．People’s health will be under threat.	D．People will use chemicals to clean it up.