1 . Seattle on Sunday became the first major US city to ban drinking straws(吸管), an environmentally friendly move that leaders hope will spark a nationwide conversation about small, everyday changes that people can make to protect the planet.
A decade ago, the city adopted a law requiring that all one-time-use food-service items be compostable(可分解的) or recyclable. But straws were exempted from that law because there were not many good alternatives. So the straws stayed, along with the environmental problems they cause.
Most plastic straws aren’t heavy enough to make it through industrial recycling sorters, and can ruin an otherwise good load of recycling. Or they end up getting blown out of trash cans and car windows and eventually wind up in the oceans, where they can hurt wildlife.
Strawless Ocean estimates that 71 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of turtles have some kind of plastic in their stomachs. The organization says plastic can increase the death rate of marine life by 50 percent.
Now customers at grocery stores, restaurants, food trucks, even institutional cafeterias have to find another way to get liquid into their mouths. Compostable paper straws are allowed under the ban. People who have a medical need to use a straw are not included.
Failure to obey may result in a US$250 fine, although city leaders said that the purpose of the law is more about raising awareness. In September, 150 businesses participated in Strawless in Seattle, an attempt to reduce the use of plastic straws. In that month alone, Strawless Ocean estimates, 2.3 million plastic straws were removed from the city.
“When you get your iced drink, you’re going to get a straw. When you get your wine, you’re probably going to get a straw,” said Dune Ives, executive director of the Lonely Whale Foundation, which led the campaign. “Imagine a world where we could stop consuming 500 million straws a day, just in America!” the campaign says. “Imagine a world that is less dependent on plastic. That’s change we can start today!”
1. What does the underlined word “exempted” mean in the second paragraph？| A．To make something out of the list. | B．To make something better than before. |
| C．To include something in a special list. | D．To forgive someone who makes mistakes. |
| A．They may make the trash cans dirty. | B．They may destroy American recycling system. |
| C．They may cause much ocean wildlife in danger. | D．They may cause many companies get fined. |
| A．Many people are in favor of it. | B．Many people pay no attention to it. |
| C．Some people are strongly against it. | D．Only the government workers agree with it. |
| A．Seattle becomes first major US city to ban straws. |
| B．Seattle successfully bans people from using straws. |
| C．Seattle has been working hard to protect the environment. |
| D．Imagine a world that is less dependent on plastic. |
2 . Requirements for foreigners to be employed in China
In accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations, any foreigners seeking employment in China must meet the following conditions:
(1) be 18 years of age or older and in good health;
(2) have the professional skills and job experience required for the intended employment;
(3) have no criminal record;
(4) propose to work for a clearly-defined employer;
(5) have a valid passport or other international travel document in lieu of a passport.
Procedures for foreigners working in China
(1) Foreigners who want to work in China should first get in touch with a valid Chinese employer who has an employment license for foreigners issued by a labor administrative bureau.
(2) Foreigners with permission to work in China should apply for employment visas at the Chinese embassies.
(3) Employers of foreigners should get work permits for their foreign employees within 15 days after their entry into China by providing related documents.
(4) Foreign employees who have received their work permit should, within 30 days after their entry, apply for a residence permit from their local public security bureau. The term of validity of the residence certificate may be determined in accordance with that of the Work Permit. If a foreigner's residence is canceled for violating Chinese laws or the contract is terminated, his or her employment permit will be canceled.
1. The foreigner ________ cannot be employed in China.| A．with a valid passport | B．with criminal record |
| C．in good health | D．with experiences and skills |
| A．In the local public bureau | B．In a labor administrative bureau |
| C．In the security bureau | D．At the Chinese embassies |
| A．violating Chinese laws | B．lack of money |
| C．staying in China for over five years | D．being short of experience |
