09.减少塑料污染
一、阅读理解
1
My Day of No Plastic
Since its invention, plastic has affected every aspect of our lives. It has made possible thousands of conveniences, but it has come with downsides, especially for the environment. In a 24-hour experiment, I tried to live without it to see what plastic stuff we can’t do without and what we may be able to give up.
At the start of my no-plastic day, I made my way toward the bathroom, only to stop myself before I went in. “Could you open the door for me ” I asked my wife. “The handle is plastic.” She opened it for me, letting out a “this is going to be a long day” sigh (叹气).
My morning routine was a headache. I couldn’t use my toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo or soap, all of which were made of plastic or put in plastic containers. Getting dressed was also a challenge, given that so many clothing items include plastic.
When I went out, I brought along two glass containers and cloth bags of various sizes. I walked to a sandwich shop. “Can you make the salad in this glass container ” I asked. The manager said OK but then rejected my request to use my steel spoon.
After lunch, I took the subway to Central Park, which scored me more violations (违规), since I need a MetroCard and the trains themselves have plastic parts. But at least I didn’t sit in one of those plastic seats.
Back home, I recorded some of my impressions. By my count, on my day of no plastic, I had made 164 violations. I felt defeated. And also uncertain. The next day I called Gabby Salazar, a scientist who studies what motivates people to support environmental causes, and asked her for advice.
“You can drive yourself crazy,” she said, “but it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.” Believe it or not, individual behavior matters. It adds up. “Remember,” she continued, “it’s not about plastic being the enemy. It’s about single-use as the enemy.”
I promised to try, even after my not successful attempt. I’ll start with small things, building up habits. I can take cloth bags to the grocery. I might start packing my glass water bottle and steel spoon. And from there, who knows
1. The author conducted the 24-hour experiment because ________.
A. he was tired of using plastic stuff in his daily life
B. he tried to call upon people to ban plastic products
C. he wondered how much plastic he consumed each day
D. he wanted to figure out how to use plastic stuff wisely
2. Why did the author’s wife sigh
A. Because she didn’t know his intention.
B. Because she worried about her husband.
C. Because she thought it hard to avoid using plastic.
D. Because she didn’t realize the downsides of plastic.
【答案】1. D 2. C
【解析】这是一篇记叙文，文章主要介绍了作者进行的无塑料日实验。
1. 细节理解题。根据第一段中“In a 24-hour experiment, I tried to live without it to see what plastic stuff we can’t do without and what we may be able to give up.(在一个24小时的实验中，我试着在没有塑料的情况下生活，看看哪些塑料是我们不能没有的，哪些是我们可以放弃的)”可知，作者进行一个24小时的实验，因为他想弄清楚如何明智地使用塑料，故选D。
2. 推理判断题。根据第二段中“She opened it for me, letting out a ‘this is going to be a long day’ sigh (叹气).(她为我打开了它，发出了一声‘这将是漫长的一天’的叹息)”可知，作者在无塑料日让妻子帮忙开门，妻子发出“这将是漫长的一天”的叹息，说明妻子认为类似的事情会很多，即她认为很难避免使用塑料，故选C。
2
Just when you thought you were taking care of your health by eating enough fruit and vegetables every day, new research has come out revealing that you might be swallowing microplastic particles (颗粒) along with all those vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Research has found that fruits and vegetables absorb microplastic particles from the soil and move them through vegetal tissues, where they remain until eaten by hungry diners, thus getting transferred to human bodies.
The researchers, who are from the University of Catania in Italy, as well as Sousse and Monastir universities in Tunisia, analyzed a variety of common fruits and vegetables —carrots, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, apples, and pears. These were chosen for the fact that they are frequently consumed, usually one per day, which allowed the researchers to better assess the dietary intakes of MPs (microplastic particles) and NPs (nano-plastics). The samples were purchased from different sources in the city of Catania, including a small fruit vendor and a supermarket.
The researchers found that apples, followed by pears, were the most polluted fruit samples, and carrots were the most polluted vegetable. In the study’s discussion section, the authors wrote, “We can assume that the fruits contain more MPs not only because of the very high vascularization (血管化) of the fruit pulp (果肉) but also due to the greater size and complexity of the root system and age of the tree (several years) compared to the vegetables (60-75 days for the carrot).”
This study is important because it's the first to detect microplastics in fruits and vegetables. They have been found in other sources before, such as sea salt, beer, water (bottled, in particular), shellfish, sugar, soil, and even air, but never inside fresh produce. It’s an alarming discovery that raises yet another red flag about microplastic pollution in the natural environment.
It’s an area that will likely see a lot more attention in coming years, with the study authors calling for further research into the question of microplastic and whether it harms the health of both plants and humans.
3. What is the study mainly about
A. The main cause and influence of soil pollution.
B. The microplastic pollution in fruits and vegetables.
C. The benefits of daily fruits and vegetables consumption
D. The great changes in people's dietary habits.
4. What may cause fruits to contain more MPs according to the authors
A. The age of root system. B. The huge size of fruit tree roots.
C. The complex preservation method. D. The large amounts of the fruit pulp.
5. What do the study authors think of the research on microplastic
A. It needs to be further studied. B. It wasted them quite a lot of time.
C. It has caused harm to health. D. It has attracted attention to diets.
【答案】3. B 4. B 5. A
【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍新的研究在新鲜的水果和蔬菜中首次检测到微塑料颗粒污染。
3. 细节理解题。根据文章第一段中“A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Research has found that fruits and vegetables absorb microplastic particles from the soil and move them through vegetal tissues, where they remain until eaten by hungry diners, thus getting transferred to human bodies. (发表在《环境研究》杂志上的一项开创性研究发现，水果和蔬菜从土壤中吸收塑料微粒，并将其通过植物组织转移，直到饥饿的食客食用，从而转移到人体)”可知，这项研究与水果和蔬菜中的微塑料污染有关。故选B。
4. 细节理解题。根据文章第三段中“We can assume that the fruits contain more MPs not only because of the very high vascularization (血管化) of the fruit pulp (果肉) but also due to the greater size and complexity of the root system and age of the tree (several years) compared to the vegetables (60–75 days for the carrot). (我们可以假设，与蔬菜（胡萝卜60-75天）相比，水果含有更多的MPs，不仅是因为果肉的血管化程度非常高，还因为根系的大小和复杂性以及树的年龄（几年）更大)”可知，果树根系的巨大尺寸是导致水果含有更多的微塑料颗粒的原因之一。故选B。
5. 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“It’s an area that will likely see a lot more attention in coming years, with the study authors calling for further research into the question of microplastic and whether it harms the health of both plants and humans. (这是一个未来几年可能会受到更多关注的领域，该项研究的撰稿人呼吁对微塑料问题及其是否危害植物和人类健康进行进一步研究)”可推知，该项研究的作者认为还需要对微塑料颗粒造成的危害作进一步研究。故选A。
3
Whether due to genuine concern for the environment or the widespread criticism of plastic among consumers, many companies have invested heavily in reducing their use of plastic packaging, which may indeed have a positive environmental impact. But another trend that’s grown out of the anti-plastic movement is a lot less positive: overpackaging. More and more brands have begun adding unnecessary paper packaging on top of plastic packaging in order to make their products look more environmentally friendly, without actually reducing plastic waste.
Unfortunately, there’s a very good reason companies are adopting this clearly problematic approach. Through a series of eight studies with more than 4,000 participants, we found that consumers will accept a product’s packaging as more environmentally friendly if it’s plastic with an additional layer of paper than if the product is visibly packaged in identical plastic packaging but without the paper. These perceptions (认知) in turn make consumers both more likely to buy a product, and willing to pay more for it.
Part of what makes this overpackaging trend particularly harmful is that it is much valued by consumers who reported engaging in more eco-friendly behaviors. They were more likely to view overpackaged products as environmentally friendly. As a result, the very consumers who are most interested in pushing companies to make sustainable choices are likely unintentionally encouraging the environmentally harmful practice of overpackaging.
The good news is, overpackaging isn’t the only way to signal sustainability and attract such consumers. In our studies, we found that instead of additional paper packaging, simply adding a minimal packaging sticker to plastic packaging could clarify the misperception that overpackaged products are more sustainable, Especially for products for which plastic is necessary to ensure safe transportation and lengthen shelf life, this kind of clear messaging can help reduce consumers, discrimination against the responsible use of plastic packaging.
Of course, minimal packaging stickers certainly should only be used if a brand has actually ensured that it is using the minimal possible packaging, ideally under the supervision of a trade organization or regulatory body that maintains clear, consistent standards.
6. What can we learn about overpackaging according to paragraph 1
A. It calls for less investment.
B. It involves the proper use of paper.
C. It has a positive environmental impact.
D. It causes over-consumption of materials.
7. What do the eight studies find about consumers according to the text
A. They care about the environment.
B. They are always following the trend.
C. They like comparing products’ qualities.
D. They prefer beautifully-decorated products.
8. What function is expected of minimal packaging stickers
A. To help products stay fresh longer.
B. To improve the brand’s popularity.
C. To correct consumers’ misunderstanding.
D. To present more information about products.
9. What can we infer from the last paragraph
A. Minimal packaging stickers have been widely used.
B. Advantages of minimal packaging stickers are overestimated.
C. The use of minimal packaging stickers should be strictly regulated.
D. The use of minimal packaging stickers is a solution to over-packaging.
【答案】6. D 7. A 8. C 9. C
【解析】本文是一篇说明文。短文主要讨论了反塑料运动中出现的过度包装问题。许多公司为了看起来更环保，在塑料包装外增加不必要的纸质包装，但这并没有真正减少塑料垃圾。研究发现，消费者倾向于认为添加了纸层的塑料包装更环保，并因此愿意支付更多。这种趋势对于那些通常会采取更多环保行为的消费者尤其有害，因为他们更可能被过度包装误导。
6. 推理判断题。根据文章第一段“But another trend that’s grown out of the anti-plastic movement is a lot less positive: overpackaging. More and more brands have begun adding unnecessary paper packaging on top of plastic packaging in order to make their products look more environmentally friendly, without actually reducing plastic waste.(但反塑料运动发展出的另一个趋势就不那么积极了：过度包装。越来越多的品牌开始在塑料包装上添加不必要的纸质包装，以使其产品看起来更加环保，而实际上并没有减少塑料垃圾。)”可知，过度包装会导致材料的过度消耗。故选D项。
7. 细节理解题。根据文章第二段“Through a series of eight studies with more than 4,000 participants, we found that consumers will accept a product’s packaging as more environmentally friendly if it’s plastic with an additional layer of paper than if the product is visibly packaged in identical plastic packaging but without the paper. These perceptions (认知) in turn make consumers both more likely to buy a product, and willing to pay more for it.(通过一系列有4，000多名参与者参与的八项研究，我们发现，与明显采用相同塑料包装但没有纸质包装的产品相比，消费者会更环保地接受带有额外纸质包装的产品包装。这些认知反过来使消费者更有可能购买产品，并愿意为此支付更多费用。)”可知，八项研究发现消费者更在乎环境。故选A项。
8. 细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段“In our studies, we found that instead of additional paper packaging, simply adding a minimal packaging sticker to plastic packaging could clarify the misperception that overpackaged products are more sustainable,(在我们的研究中，我们发现，不需要额外的纸质包装，只需在塑料包装上贴上最小包装标签就可以消除过度包装产品更可持续的误解，)”可知，最小包装贴纸具有纠正消费者误解的功能。故选C项。
9. 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“Of course, minimal packaging stickers certainly should only be used if a brand has actually ensured that it is using the minimal possible packaging, ideally under the supervision of a trade organization or regulatory body that maintains clear, consistent standards.(当然，只有在品牌确实确保使用尽可能少的包装的情况下，最好是在保持明确、一致标准的贸易组织或监管机构的监督下，才能使用最小包装标签。)”可知，应严格规范最小包装标签的使用。故选C项。
4
Every order of takeout comes with aside of single-use plastics and each plastic fork, knife, spoon and straw—whether or not you wanted it or used it—ends up in the trash.
New research found that 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste was generated in 2021—six million metric tons more single-use plastics compared to2019. A hunger for takeout meals during the pandemic contributed to the surge.
An estimated 60%of Americans order takeout or delivery at least once a week and online ordering is growing 300%faster than in-house dining; that means millions of single-use plastic utensils (餐具) are going out with every order.
New laws aim to address the problem. Some of the recent bills are thanks to The National Reuse Network, part of the environmental nonprofit Upstream, which launched a national Skip the Stuff campaign to work out policies that require restaurants to include single-use plastic utensils, straws, and napkins only when customers request them.
The bills also require meal delivery and online apps like Uber Eats, GrubHub and Door Dash to add single-use extras to their menus; customers can choose the items and quantities to have them included in the order. Customers that don’t order the single-use plastics won’t receive them.
The goal of the bills is to reduce the 40 billion plastic utensils sent to the landfill (填埋场) every year.
“Most of the time, people are taking food home or to their offices where there are reusable utensils so these utensils wind up in a drawer or get thrown out,” says Goldsmith. “Some people do need utensils, but for the most part, they’re not needed.”
To date, Skip the Stuff bills have been passed in several cities, including Denver, Washington, D. C. and Chicago. California and Washington state passed statewide bills that make single-use plastic “accessories” available with takeout orders only upon request.
Organizations like upstream, Beyond plastics and NRDC have created toolkits to help additional communities launch their own Skip the Stuff campaigns.
10. What does the underlined word “surge” in paragraph 2 probably mean
A. Strong panic. B. Good solution.
C. Sharp increase. D. Great pressure
11. What can be done according to Skip the Stuff
A. Selecting green products.
B. Providing utensils only on request.
C. Recycling and reusing some utensils.
D. Using identical products nationwide.
12. What is the aim of the newly passed bills
A. To better serve customers. B. To reduce plastic waste.
C. To correct bad eating habits. D. To prevent illegal activities.
13. What is Goldsmith’s attitude towards the Skip the Stuff campaign
A. Concerned. B. Doubtful. C. Favorable. D. Unclear.
【答案】10. C 11. B 12. B 13. C
【解析】本文是一篇说明文，主要讲的是因外卖产生的塑料垃圾在激增，一些组织为了减少塑料垃圾而对外卖提供的一次性物品做出了相关立法。
10. 词句猜测题。根据第二段“New research found that 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste was generated in 2021—six million metric tons more single-use plastics compared to2019.(新的研究发现，2021年产生了1.39亿吨一次性塑料废物-与2019年相比，一次性塑料增加了600万吨。)”可知，划线词所在句子表示“疫情期间人们对外卖的渴望促成了这一激增”，划线词的意思是“激增”，和sharp increase意思相近，故选C。
11. 细节理解题。根据第四段的“Some of the recent bills are thanks to The National Reuse Network, part of the environmental nonprofit Upstream, which launched a national Skip the Stuff campaign to work out policies that require restaurants to include single-use plastic utensils, straws, and napkins only when customers request them.(最近的一些账单要归功于国家再利用网络，该网络是环保非营利组织Upstream的一部分，它发起了一项全国性的Skip the Stuff运动，以制定政策，要求餐馆只有在顾客要求时才提供一次性塑料餐具、吸管和餐巾。)”可知，根据Skip the Stuff，餐馆可以只根据要求提供餐具。故选B。
12. 推理判断题。根据倒数第四段“The goal of the bills is to reduce the 40 billion plastic utensils sent to the landfill (填埋场) every year.(这些法案的目标是减少每年送往垃圾填埋场的400亿个塑料餐具。)”可知，新通过的法案的目的是减少塑料垃圾。故选B。
13. 推理判断题。根据倒数第三段“Most of the time, people are taking food home or to their offices where there are reusable utensils so these utensils wind up in a drawer or get thrown out(大多数时候，人们把食物带回家或带到办公室，那里有可重复使用的餐具，所以这些餐具最终被放在抽屉里或被扔掉)”和“Some people do need utensils, but for the most part, they’re not needed.(有些人确实需要餐具，但大多数情况下，它们是不需要的。)”可知，Goldsmith对Skip the Stuff活动是赞成的，故选C。
5
Washing machines are one of the greatest inventions of the last few centuries.They have made life easier. Unfortunately, washing machines also contribute to the environmental issues of energy use and micro-plastics flowing into the oceans. That is why the washing machine manufacturer (制造商), Samsung, and the outdoor-wear company, Patagonia, are working together to make a change.
For Patagonia, the issue of micro-plastics has been on its mind for years — its woolen jackets release many microfibers. As for Samsung, new requirements throughout the world have forced many producers to start thinking about ways to help reduce the number of micro-plastics. There are currently more than 14 million tons of micro-plastics floating in the oceans. Though people previously think of things such as plastic bottles and fishing lines when it comes to plastics in the ocean, thousands of micro-plastics are released into seas with every wash.
The issue is a sort of catch-22. In order to reduce energy costs, manufacturers try to make their machines more efficient. These machines use hotter water and are designed to create more friction (摩擦) between the clothing in the machine. However, both of these things lead to the release of more micro-plastics. So, using Patagonia clothes as test cases, Samsung came up with a two-fold solution: One is a technology called Eco-bubbles, which creates more bubbles to make the detergent (洗涤剂) more powerful, and the other is a water purifier that can filter (过滤) out more micro-plastics.
The cooperation between the two companies is proof of how complicated protecting the environment can be. On the one hand, clothing that is well-constructed and durable is a weapon in the fight against fast fashion. On the other hand, the material used to make those clothes and the way they are washed can also add pollutants to the environment.The same goes for washing machines. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The fight against climate change requires creative thinking and learning how to attack a problem from many angles. This will certainly lead to even more strange and fruitful cooperation between the environmentally conscious companies.
14. What is Samsung’s purpose in partnering the outdoor clothing company
A. To limit the use of micro-plastics.
B. To solve the issue of energy waste.
C. To find a solution to micro-plastic pollution.
D. To produce high-efficiency washing machines.
15. What does the underlined word “catch-22” in paragraph 3 refer to
A. A tricky situation. B. A questionable fact.
C. A possible dream. D. A practical method.
16. Which of the following will reduce the release of micro-plastics during washing
A. Using hotter water.
B. Creating more friction.
C. Using powerful detergents.
D. Adding a water purifier to washing machines.
17. What does the cooperation between the two companies show
A. The difficulty in fighting against fast fashion.
B. The complexity of environment conservation.
C. The influence of humans’ active action.
D. The importance of creative thinking.
【答案】14. C 15. A 16. D 17. B
【解析】本文是一篇说明文，主要讲述了洗衣机制造商三星和户外服装公司巴塔哥尼亚正积极合作，以解决微塑料污染的问题。
14. 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Unfortunately, washing machines also contribute to the environmental issues of energy use and micro-plastics flowing into the oceans. That is why the washing machine manufacturer(制造商), Samsung, and the outdoor-wear company, Patagonia, are working together to make a change.(不幸的是，洗衣机也造成了能源使用和微塑料流入海洋的环境问题。这就是为什么洗衣机制造商三星和户外服装公司巴塔哥尼亚正在合作做出改变。)”可知，三星和巴塔哥尼亚合作是为了找到解决微塑料污染的方法。故选C。
15. 词义猜测题。画线词所在句中的“The issue”指的是第一段中的“the environmental issues of energy use and micro-plastics flowing into the oceans”，即能源使用和微塑料排放的问题。根据后文中的“In order to reduce energy costs, manufacturers try to make their machines more efficient. These machines use hotter water and are designed to create more friction(摩擦) between the clothing in the machine. However, both of these things lead to the release of more micro-plastics.(为了降低能源成本，制造商试图提高机器的效率。这些机器使用更热的水，设计用于在机器中的衣服之间产生更多的摩擦。然而，这两种情况都会导致更多微塑料的释放。)”可知，洗衣机制造商通过使用更热的水和让机器中的衣服产生更多的摩擦，想要减少能源成本，但这些会导致微塑料排放更多。由此可推测出，能源使用和微塑料排放是一个进退两难的问题。catch-22意为“左右为难，两难情形”，与A项“一个难对付的问题”意思最接近。故选A。
16. 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“So, using Patagonia clothes as test cases, Samsung came up with a two-fold solution: One is a technology called Eco-bubbles, which creates more bubbles to make the detergent(洗涤剂) more powerful, and the other is a water purifier that can filter(过滤) out more micro-plastics.(因此，三星以巴塔哥尼亚的衣服为测试案例，提出了一个双重解决方案：一种方法是一种名为Eco-bubbles的技术，它可以产生更多的气泡，使洗涤剂效果更强；另一种是净水器，可以过滤掉更多的微塑料。)”可知，使用Eco-bubbles技术和净水器均可以减少微塑料的排放。故选D。
17. 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“The cooperation between the two companies is proof of how complicated protecting the environment can be.(这两家公司的合作证明了保护环境是多么复杂。)”可知，这两家公司的合作表明了保护环境的复杂。故选B。
6
An impressive invention made by a 17-year-old teenager, called Anna Du, is helping to clean up small pieces of plastic from the ocean.
While walking along her local beaches in Massachusetts, the young student began collecting waste plastic bags and bottles. But what she noticed was a large number of tiny pieces of plastic or microplastics that were impossible to pick up. At just 12 years old, Du set out to solve the problem. After testing a few prototypes(原型)in her backyard, she invented a remotely operated vehicle that uses the infrared camera(红外摄像机)to detect microplastics on the ocean floor. More recently, Du has also created a simulation(模拟)model that uses artificial intelligence to predict where microplastics are located.
Du’s robot invention has earned her awards at top science fairs in the US, and she’s now a nationally recognized advocate for microplastic awareness and pollution prevention. “When I first started doing science fairs, I had no idea that a young girl without lots of money and just a little advanced engineering knowledge could make a difference in the world. I’ve learned that I truly love working on a problem that’s so much larger than me,” Du said.
Du has also released a new book to help spread the word not only about the dangers of microplastics but also about the ways to relieve the problem. Titled Microplastics &Me, the book follows Du’s own story of how she went from worrying about the environment to designing award-winning solutions. Writing for kids her own age, the young girl alerts her readers to the threat of microplastic pollution and urges them to care about the environment. The book hopes to encourage young students to get into science, technology, engineering and math(STEM)subjects and to inspire a new generation of inventors and engineers. What’s more, Du has even raised more than $7,000 to distribute the book free to kids and libraries in high-need communities.
18. What inspired Du to make the invention
A. There was too much rubbish along the beaches. B. The plastics were too small to collect by hand.
C. The sea was polluted seriously. D. She was interested in AI.
19. What can we learn about Du from paragraph 3
A. She has a spirit of challenge. B. She is too poor to make a difference.
C. She doesn’t study hard in engineering. D. She wins international recognition.
20. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear
A. Innovation. B. Voice. C. Culture. D. Art.
21. Why does Du write the book Microplastics & Me
A. To inspire readers to share their stories.
B. To raise the awareness of microplastics pollution.
C. To encourage high schools to offer STEM subjects.
D. To collect money for kids in high-need communities.
【答案】18. B 19. A 20. A 21. B
【解析】本文为一篇记叙文，介绍了女孩发明了能帮助清理海洋中小塑料碎片的机器人，并写书提高人们对微塑料污染的认识，激励新一代的发明家和工程师。
18. 细节理解题。根据文章第二段“While walking along her local beaches in Massachusetts, the young student began collecting waste plastic bags and bottles. But what she noticed was a large number of tiny pieces of plastic or microplastics that were impossible to pick up. At just 12 years old, Du set out to solve the problem. After testing a few prototypes(原型)in her backyard, she invented a remotely operated vehicle that uses the infrared camera(红外摄像机)to detect microplastics on the ocean floor.(在马萨诸塞州当地的海滩上散步时，这位年轻的学生开始收集废弃塑料袋和塑料瓶。但她注意到的是，大量的塑料或微塑料碎片无法捡起来。年仅12岁的杜开始着手解决这个问题。在后院测试了几个原型后，她发明了一种远程操作的车辆，使用红外摄像机探测海底的微塑料)”可知，Du在海滩散步时，发现有些塑料太小，无法捡起来，这启发了她进行发明创造。故选B项。
19. 推理判断题。根据文章第三段““When I first started doing science fairs, I had no idea that a young girl without lots of money and just a little advanced engineering knowledge could make a difference in the world. I’ve learned that I truly love working on a problem that’s so much larger than me,” Du said.(杜说：“当我第一次开始参加科学博览会时，我不知道一个没有很多钱，只有一点高级工程知识的年轻女孩可以改变世界。我认识到，我真的很喜欢研究一个比我大得多的问题。”)”可推知，Du是一个有挑战精神的人。故选A项。
20. 推理判断题。根据文章第一段“An impressive invention made by a 17-year-old teenager, called Anna Du, is helping to clean up small pieces of plastic from the ocean.(17岁的安娜·杜(Anna Du)发明了一项令人印象深刻的发明，帮助清理海洋中的小塑料碎片)”及全文内容可知，本文介绍了女孩安娜·杜一项帮助清理海洋中小塑料碎片的发明，因此，可以在报纸中“创新”一部分找到该文章。故选A项。
21. 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段“Du has also released a new book to help spread the word not only about the dangers of microplastics but also about the ways to relieve the problem.(杜还出版了一本新书，不仅宣传微塑料的危害，还宣传缓解这一问题的方法)”及“Writing for kids her own age, the young girl alerts her readers to the threat of microplastic pollution and urges them to care about the environment. The book hopes to encourage young students to get into science, technology, engineering and math(STEM)subjects and to inspire a new generation of inventors and engineers.(这个小女孩写给同龄的孩子们，她提醒读者注意微塑料污染的威胁，并敦促他们关心环境。这本书希望鼓励年轻学生进入科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）学科，并激励新一代的发明家和工程师)”可知，Du写书是为了提高人们对微塑料污染的认识。故选B项。
7
The scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme (酶) PETase have now created a new enzyme called “cocktail”, which can digest plastic up to six times faster.
PETase breaks down PET back into its building blocks, creating an opportunity to recycle plastic and reduce plastic pollution. PET is the most common thermoplastic (热塑性塑料) used to make single use drinks bottles, which takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment, but PETase can shorten this time to days. The initial discovery set up the prospect of a revolution in plastic recycling, creating a potential low-energy solution to tackle plastic waste.
Now, the same trans Atlantic team have combined PETase and its “partner”, a second enzyme called MHETase, to generate much bigger improvements: simply mixing PETase with MHETase doubled the speed of PET breakdown, and engineering a connection between the two enzymes to create a “super-enzyme” increased this activity by a further three times.
The team was co-led by the scientists who engineered PETase, Professor John McGeehan and Dr Gregg Beckham. Professor McGeehan said: “Gregg and I were chatting about how PETase attacks the surface of the plastics and MHETase chops things up further, so it seemed natural to see if we could use them together. Our first experiments showed that they did work better together, so we decided to physically link them. It took a great deal of work, but it was worth the effort—we were delighted to see that our new enzyme is up to three times faster than the separate enzymes.”
The original PETase enzyme discovery indicated the first hope that a solution to the global plastic pollution problem might be within grasp, though PETase alone is not yet fast enough to handle the tons of PET bining it with a second enzyme and finding they work even faster together means another leap forward has been taken towards finding a solution to plastic waste. PETase and the new combined MHETase-PETase both work by digesting PET plastic. This allows for plastics to be made and reused endlessly, reducing our reliance on fossil (化石) resources.
22. What can we learn about “cocktail” from the text
A. It doubles the breakdown of plastics. B. It takes hundreds of years to break down.
C. It deals with the plastic waste three times faster. D. It contributes to breaking down plastic quickly.
23. What is the second paragraph mainly about
A. A new study of PET. B. The breakdown of PET.
C. The functions of PETase. D. The discovery of PETase.
24. What does the underlined word “It” in paragraph 4 refer to
A. Combining PETase and MHETase. B. Co-leading the trans Atlantic team.
C. Attacking the surface of the plastics. D. Conducting experiments.
25. What can we infer from the text
A. Plastic eating enzyme “cocktail” promises new hope for plastic waste.
B. MHETase-PETase makes the world free from plastic pollution.
C. New enzyme is speeding up our reliance on fossil resources.
D. PET pollution is no longer a difficult problem to deal with.
【答案】22. D 23. C 24. A 25. A
【解析】这是一篇科普说明文。文章介绍了一种用于加速塑料制品降解的新的酶——cocktail的原理、研发过程和产生的效应。
22. 细节理解题。根据第一段“The scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme (酶) PETase have now created a new enzyme called “cocktail”, which can digest plastic up to six times faster. (科学家们重新设计了吃塑料的酶PETase，现在创造了一种名为“鸡尾酒”的新酶，它能以快六倍的速度消化塑料。)”可知，名为“鸡尾酒”的新酶可以使塑料的降解快六倍。故选D。
23. 主旨大意题。根据第二段“PET is the most common thermoplastic(热塑性塑料) used to make single-use drinks bottles, which takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment, but PETase can shorten this time to days. (PET是最常见的热塑性塑料，用于制造一次性饮料瓶，在环境中分解需要几百年的时间，但PETase可以将这个时间缩短到几天。)”可知，这一段主要介绍了科学家研究的第一种酶PETase的作用：即快速降解PET。故选C。
24. 词句猜测题。根据第四段“Our first experiments showed that they did work better together, so we decided to physically link them. (我们的第一个实验表明，他们确实在一起更有作用，所以我们决定从根本上连接他们。)”可知，科学家们想结合PETase和 MHETase，使其产生更好的效果，划线词it所在句子的意思是“这需要大量的工作，但值得付出努力”，it 指的是PETase和MHETas的结合工作，和选项A意思一致。故选A。
25. 推理判断题。根据第一段“The scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme (酶) PETase have now created a new enzyme called “cocktail”, which can digest plastic up to six times faster. (科学家们重新设计了吃塑料的酶PETase，现在创造了一种名为“鸡尾酒”的新酶，它能以快六倍的速度消化塑料。)”可知，本文是一篇科普说明文，介绍了科学家们通过研究，把两种用于降解塑料的酶结合，产生一种新的酶cocktail，它会更快地分解塑料废物，大大降低其对环境的污染。故选A。
8
Companies have been switching from, plastic straws to paper ones on the grounds of being more environmentally friendly. However, new research suggests the good - intentioned trend might not be the best alternative after all.
The study found the vast majority of paper straws tested contained monly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down in the body or in the environment.
“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic,” said Thimo Groffen, author of the study. “However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.”
Researchers on the study examined 39 brands of straws in Belgium from supermarkets, toy stores, fast-food chains, drug stores and e-commerce stores. The straws were either made of paper, bamboo; glass, stainless steel or plastic, and the researchers tested each brand for concentrations of PFAS. 69% of the brands contained PFAS, with paper straws more likely to contain the chemicals. The researchers found 90% of paper straws had PFAS, compared to 80% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws, and 40% of glass straws. Further, a paper straw brand was the brand with the highest PFAS concentration.
Small amounts of PFAS do not pose a risk. However, a build-up of the chemicals in the body may cause dangerous health problems like liver damage, increased blood
“The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable (可生物降解的),” said Groffen. “We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw — or just avoid using straws at all.”
26. Why do companies show a preference for paper straws
A. They are considered more economical.
B. They are considered less harmful to the environment.
C. They are considered more beneficial to health.
D. They are considered easier to produce.
27. What can we know about PFAS from the text
A. They exist the least in plastic straws. B. They protect our health effectively.
C. They are basic materials for straws. D. They are a potential threat to human health.
28. What does Groffen probably agree with
A. Paper straws will become more popular. B. We should use glass straws more often.
C. We’d better drink without using straws. D. Stainless steel straws should be avoided.
29. Which of the following serves as the best title
A. Paper straws are more likely to contain forever chemicals
B. Paper straws have entirely taken the place of plastic straws
C. Paper straws have caused dangerous, health problems to humans
D. Paper straws will become the best alternative for us in the future
【答案】26. B 27. D 28. C 29. A
【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍纸吸管作为塑料吸管的环保替代品正在全世界各地推广，但它可能含有对人类和环境都有害的“永久化学物质”PFAS，并且比塑料吸管样本更常见。
26. 细节理解题。根据文章第一段第一句“Companies have been switching from, plastic straws to paper ones on the grounds of being more environmentally friendly. (公司已经从塑料吸管转向纸质吸管，理由是更环保。) ”可知，公司现在从生产塑料吸管转变到纸吸管是基于其更加的环保，即纸吸管被认为对环境的危害较小。故选B。
27. 推理判断题。根据第二段“The study found the vast majority of paper straws tested contained monly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down in the body or in the environment. (该研究发现，绝大多数被测试的纸吸管都含有PFAS。PFAS通常被称为‘永远的化学物质’，不会在体内或环境中分解。)”可知，PFAS是一种合成化学物质，通常是指有害的“永久化学物质”，它在人体内和自然环境中都不会分解；由倒数第二段“Small amounts of PFAS do not pose a risk. However, a build-up of the chemicals in the body may cause dangerous health problems like liver damage, increased blood. (少量的PFAS不会造成风险。然而，体内化学物质的积累可能会导致危险的健康问题，如肝损伤，血液增加。)”可知，尽管少量的PFAS不会造成危险，但人体内PFAS的累积会带来严重的健康威胁；由此可知，PFAS对人类健康是个潜在威胁。故选D。
28. 推理判断题。根据最后一段““The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable (可生物降解的),” said Groffen. “We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw — or just avoid using straws at all.” (‘纸和竹吸管中PFAS的存在表明它们不一定是可生物降解的。’Groffen说：‘我们没有在不锈钢吸管中检测到任何PFAS，所以我建议消费者使用这种吸管——或者干脆不要使用吸管。’)”可推知，Groffen会赞同消费者使用不锈钢吸管或者干脆避免使用吸管。故选C。
29. 主旨大意题。根据第一段“Companies have been switching from, plastic straws to paper ones on the grounds of being more environmentally friendly. However, new research suggests the good - intentioned trend might not be the best alternative after all. (公司已经从塑料吸管转向纸质吸管，理由是更环保。然而，新的研究表明，这种善意的趋势可能并不是最好的选择。)”以及第二段“The study found the vast majority of paper straws tested contained monly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down in the body or in the environment. (该研究发现，绝大多数被测试的纸吸管都含有PFAS。PFAS通常被称为“永远的化学物质”，不会在体内或环境中分解。)”可知，纸吸管作为塑料吸管的环保替代品正在全世界各地推广，但它可能含有对人类和环境都有害的“永久化学物质”PFAS，并且比塑料吸管样本更常见；结合下文内容可知，本文主要阐述作为塑料吸管环保替代品的纸吸管更有可能含有永久性化学物质，A选项“Paper straws are more likely to contain forever chemicals (纸吸管更有可能含有永久性化学物质)”能够概括文章主旨，适合作为最佳标题。故选A。
二、完形填空
Holland is famous for being bike friendly. Recently, the world’s first plastic bike path has been 30 in the Dutch city of Zwolle, a 100- foot bike path made of recycled plastic.
The company that created the path, PlasticRoad, says their 31 of making roads is better in many ways than asphalt(沥青) roads. PlasticRoad creates its roads 32 in a factory. All the pieces are the same. Since the plastic pieces are light, they are easy to 33 . To make the road, a special truck 34 drives along and lays down the pieces, almost like 35 bricks in a sidewalk. This makes it much 36 to make than an asphalt road.
PlasticRoad thinks their road will 37 three times as long as an asphalt road. If part of it breaks, it is easy to take out the broken section, and 38 it. The broken section can then be recycled 39 and turned into a road again.
The plastic roads are hollow(中空的) below, allowing rainwater to flow away, instead of 40 the street. The hollow area also makes it easy to 41 pipes under the road.
Many people think this is a 42 way to recycle plastic, but some are worried. One of the biggest 43 is what will happen to the bits of plastic that break off as the path is used. The company is planning another test, hoping to find 44 .
30. A. destroyed B. decorated C. widened D. created
31. A. secret B. way C. goal D. refusal
32. A. halves B. pairs C. groups D. pieces
33. A. break B. keep C. move D. shape
34. A. clumsily B. simply C. naturally D. difficultly
35. A. putting B. finding C. picking D. making
36. A. earlier B. harder C. faster D. cheaper
37. A. save B. take C. last D. count
38. A. replace B. sell C. recycle D. examine
39. A. in private B. at times C. on time D. once more
40. A. crossing B. blocking C. flooding D. deserting
41. A. control B. run C. below D. prepare
42. A. ridiculous B. conventional C. common D. creative
43. A. concerns B. challenges C. burdens D. disasters
44. A. users B. solutions C. similarities D. volunteers
【答案】
30. D 31. B 32. D 33. C 34. B 35. A 36. C 37. C 38. A 39. D 40. C 41. B 42. D 43. A 44. B
【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了荷兰利用回收的废塑料建成了世界上第一条塑料自行车道，这条路与传统的沥青道路相比有很多优点，但也存在不足。
30. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：最近，世界上第一条塑料自行车道在荷兰城市兹沃勒建成，这是一条由回收塑料制成的100英尺长的自行车道。A. destroyed毁坏；B. decorated装饰；C. widened变宽；D. created创建。根据下文“The company that created the path”可知，世界上第一条塑料自行车道在荷兰城市兹沃勒被建成了。故选D项。
31. 考查名词词义辨析。句意：创建这条道路的PlasticRoad公司表示，他们的道路制作方式在很多方面都比柏油路更好。A. secret秘密；B. way方式；C. goal目标；D. refusal拒绝。根据下文“is better in many ways than asphalt roads”可知，这里说他们建造公路的方式。故选B项。
32. 考查名词词义辨析。句意：PlasticRoad在工厂中创建道路碎片。A. halves一半；B. pairs一对；C. groups组；D. pieces碎片。根据下文“All the pieces are the same”可知，PlasticRoad在工厂中创建的是道路碎片。故选D项。
33. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：由于塑料片很轻，所以很容易移动。A. break折断；B. keep保持；C. move移动；D. shape塑造。根据上文“Since the plastic pieces are light”可知，由于塑料片很轻，所以很容易移动。故选C项。
34. 考查副词词义辨析。句意：为了修路，一辆特殊的卡车只需行驶并放下碎片，就像在人行道上放砖一样。A. clumsily笨拙地；B. simply仅仅；只；C. naturally自然地；D. difficultly困难的。根据下文“almost like___6____bricks in a sidewalk”可知，修建这条路就像在人行路上放砖一样，故卡车只需要行驶并放下碎片。故选B项。
35. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：为了修路，一辆特殊的卡车只需行驶并放下碎片，就像在人行道上放砖一样。A. putting放；B. finding发现；C. picking捡起；D. making制作。根据上文“lays down the pieces”可知，这里是指就像放砖一样。故选A项。
36. 考查副词词义辨析。句意：这使得它比修建柏油路更快。A. earlier更早；B. harder更难；C. faster更快；D. cheaper更便宜。根据上文“almost like ___6____ bricks in a sidewalk”可知，修建这条路程序比较简单，就像在人行道上放砖一样，故建造的速度更快。故选C项。
37. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：PlasticRoad认为他们的路的使用寿命是柏油路的三倍。A. save节省；B. take拿走；C. last持续；D. count重要。根据下文“If part of it breaks, it is easy to take out the broken section, and___9____it. The broken section can then be recycled___10____and turned into a road again”可知，如果它的一部分断裂，很容易将断裂的部分取出并更换。然后，断裂的部分可以再次回收，并再次变成道路，故这种路经久耐用，持续时间长。故选C项。
38. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：如果它的一部分断裂，很容易将断裂的部分取出并更换。A. replace更换；B. sell卖；C. recycle回收；D. examine检查。根据上文“If part of it breaks, it is easy to take out the broken section”可知，如果它的一部分断裂，很容易将断裂的部分取出并更换。故选A项。
39. 考查副词短语辨析。句意：然后，断裂的部分可以再次回收，并再次变成道路。A. in private私下地；B. at times不时地；C. on time准时；D. once more再次。根据下文“turned into a road again”可知，断裂的部分可以被再次回收。故选D项。
40. 考查动词词义辨析。句意：塑料路的下面是中空的，雨水可以流走，而不是淹没街道。A. crossing交叉；B. blocking阻挡；C. flooding淹没；D. deserting抛弃。根据上文“The plastic roads are hollow below, allowing rainwater to flow away”可知，塑料路的下面是中空的，雨水可以流走，故雨水不会淹没街道。故选C项。
41. 考查动词和介词词义辨析。句意：中空区域也易于在道路下方铺设管道。A. control控制；B. run跑；C. below在……下面；D. prepare准备。根据上文“The hollow area also makes it easy”可知，中空区域也易于在道路下方铺设管道。故选B项。
42. 考查形容词词词义辨析。句意：许多人认为这是一种创造性的塑料回收方式，但也有人担心。A. ridiculous荒谬的；B. conventional传统的；C. common常见的；D. creative创造性的。根据下文“but some are worried”可知，but表转折，故空处应是含褒义的形容词。故选D项。
43. 考查名词词义辨析。句意：最大的担忧之一是在使用路径时脱落的塑料碎片会发生什么。A. concerns担忧；B. challenges挑战；C. burdens重担；D. disasters灾难。根据上文“but some are worried”可知，这里是说人们最大的担心之一。故选A项。
44. 考查名词词义辨析。句意：该公司正计划进行另一次测试，希望能找到解决方案。A. users用户；B. solutions解决方案；C. similarities相同点；D. volunteers志愿者。根据上文“The company is planning another test”可知，该公司正计划进行另一次测试，应是希望能找到解决上述问题的方案。故选B项。
三、语法填空
阅读下面短文， 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Plastic production is energy intensive (能源密集型) and consumes fossil fuels. When burnt, waste plastic gives off heat-trapping gases and other pollutants. Once such emissions (排放) reach a certain level, it results 45 environmental problems that will, in turn, harm human beings. All of this makes recycling plastic waste important.
China’s efforts 46 (recycle) plastic waste have contributed 47 (significant) to slowing global climate change, reducing oil consumption and carbon emissions by millions of tons. China has also prevented 900 million tons of waste from 48 (generate).
Over the past decade, China 49 (establish) a market-based plastic recycling system with wide-ranging coverage, which accounts for over 45 percent of the world’s total recycled plastic waste. China now has the 50 (large) plastic recycling capacity (能力) in the world. Its huge plastic recycling industry, which employs about 900,000 workers, recycled 31 percent of the plastic waste produced nationally in 2021, about 1.7 times 51 global average rate.
China has also made great 52 (contribution) to the recycling of plastic waste from other parts of the world. Between 1992 and 2018, China recycled 106 million tons of imported plastic waste, a lot of 53 was from the European Union and the United States. This 54 (help) save 318 million tons of oil.
【答案】
45. in 46. to recycle 47. significantly 48. being generated 49. has established 50. largest 51. the 52. contributions 53. which 54. helped
【解析】这是一篇说明文，文章介绍了中国为回收塑料垃圾作出的努力。
45. 考查介词。句意：一旦这种排放达到一定程度，就会造成环境问题，进而危害人类。result in“导致”，固定短语，故填in。
46. 考查非谓语动词。句意：中国回收塑料垃圾的努力为减缓全球气候变化做出了重大贡献，减少了数百万吨的石油消耗和碳排放。空处应填动词不定式作后置定语，修饰抽象名词“efforts”，故填to recycle。
47. 考查副词。句意同上。空处修饰动词“contributed”，应用副词形式，故填significantly。
48. 考查非谓语动词。句意：中国还减少了9亿吨垃圾的产生。prevent…from doing sth“阻止……做某事”，空处应填动名词形式作宾语，且动词generate和waste之间是被动关系，故用动名词的被动式，故填being generated。
49. 考查时态和主谓一致。句意：近十年来，中国已建立起以市场为基础、覆盖范围广的塑料回收体系，占世界塑料回收总量的45%以上。根据时间状语“Over the past decade”可知句子时态用现在完成时，主语“China”表示单数意义，助动词用has，故填has established。
50. 考查形容词最高级。句意：中国现在拥有世界上最大的塑料回收能力。根据空前的“the”以及空后的“in the world”可知此处应用形容词最高级，故填largest。
51. 考查冠词。句意：其庞大的塑料回收行业拥有约90万名工人，2021年回收了全国31%的塑料废物，约为全球平均水平的1.7倍。此处是倍数表达法“数字+times+the+名词”，故填the。
52. 考查名词复数。句意：中国也为回收世界其他地区的塑料废物做出了巨大贡献。contribution“贡献”，是可数名词，make great contributions“作出巨大贡献”，此处应用名词复数形式，故填contributions。
53. 考查定语从句。句意：1992年至2018年间，中国回收了1.06亿吨进口塑料垃圾，其中大部分来自欧盟和美国。分词句子可知，此处是非限制性定语从句，先行词是“imported plastic waste”，关系词在从句中作介词of的宾语，应用关系代词which，故填which。
54. 考查时态。句意：这帮助节约了3.18亿吨石油。结合上文内容可知，此处是描述过去发生的事情，应用一般过去时，空格处是谓语动词，用过去式。故填helped。
四、书信写作
55. 假如你是学校环保社(Environment Protection Club)社长李华，近期，你想在学校开展一次“减塑(Less Plastic)”社团活动，倡议大家保护环境，请写一篇发言稿。内容包括：
1. 大量使用塑料的危害；
2. 倡议减塑环保。
注意：
1. 词数100左右;
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头语已写好，不计入总词数。
Dear fellow students,
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
【参考范文】
Dear fellow students,
I am Li Hua, president of the Environmental Protection Club of our school. I am here to call on everyone to take action in reducing the use of plastics and protecting the environment.
As we all know, plastics have a severe effect on the earth since it takes hundreds of years to break down. People’s unawareness of the harm of the plastics makes single-use plastics one of the world’s biggest pollution. Quantities of animals even mistake plastics for food, thus threatening their lives. Nowadays, microplastics are everywhere, which are posing a threat to our health. However, I strongly believe that each of us can make a difference by changing some simple habits in our daily lives. I advocate for ”Less Plastic“ and ”Reuse" when necessary.
Every small step counts! By making eco-friendly choices together today, we are creating a better future for ourselves and the future generations.
【写作分析】本篇书面表达属于应用文。假如你是学校环保社(Environment Protection Club)社长李华，近期，你想在学校开展一次“减塑(Less Plastic)”社团活动，倡议大家保护环境，请写一篇发言稿。
【解析】1.词汇积累
采取行动：take action→do the deed
对……有影响：have an effect on→have an impact on
然而：however→nevertheless
重要：count→matter
2.句式拓展
合并句子
原句：People’s unawareness of the harm of the plastics makes single-use plastics one of the world’s biggest pollution. Quantities of animals even mistake plastics for food, thus threatening their lives.
拓展句：People’s unawareness of the harm of the plastics makes single-use plastics one of the world’s biggest pollution，which leads quantities of animals to even mistake plastics for food, thus threatening their lives.
【高分句型1】As we all know, plastics have a severe effect on the earth since it takes hundreds of years to break down.（运用了as引导非限制性定语从句，since引导状语从句）
【高分句型2】However, I strongly believe that each of us can make a difference by changing some simple habits in our daily lives.（运用了that引导宾语从句，动名词作宾语）09.减少塑料污染
一、阅读理解
1
My Day of No Plastic
Since its invention, plastic has affected every aspect of our lives. It has made possible thousands of conveniences, but it has come with downsides, especially for the environment. In a 24-hour experiment, I tried to live without it to see what plastic stuff we can’t do without and what we may be able to give up.
At the start of my no-plastic day, I made my way toward the bathroom, only to stop myself before I went in. “Could you open the door for me ” I asked my wife. “The handle is plastic.” She opened it for me, letting out a “this is going to be a long day” sigh (叹气).
My morning routine was a headache. I couldn’t use my toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo or soap, all of which were made of plastic or put in plastic containers. Getting dressed was also a challenge, given that so many clothing items include plastic.
When I went out, I brought along two glass containers and cloth bags of various sizes. I walked to a sandwich shop. “Can you make the salad in this glass container ” I asked. The manager said OK but then rejected my request to use my steel spoon.
After lunch, I took the subway to Central Park, which scored me more violations (违规), since I need a MetroCard and the trains themselves have plastic parts. But at least I didn’t sit in one of those plastic seats.
Back home, I recorded some of my impressions. By my count, on my day of no plastic, I had made 164 violations. I felt defeated. And also uncertain. The next day I called Gabby Salazar, a scientist who studies what motivates people to support environmental causes, and asked her for advice.
“You can drive yourself crazy,” she said, “but it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.” Believe it or not, individual behavior matters. It adds up. “Remember,” she continued, “it’s not about plastic being the enemy. It’s about single-use as the enemy.”
I promised to try, even after my not successful attempt. I’ll start with small things, building up habits. I can take cloth bags to the grocery. I might start packing my glass water bottle and steel spoon. And from there, who knows
1. The author conducted the 24-hour experiment because ________.
A. he was tired of using plastic stuff in his daily life
B. he tried to call upon people to ban plastic products
C. he wondered how much plastic he consumed each day
D. he wanted to figure out how to use plastic stuff wisely
2. Why did the author’s wife sigh
A. Because she didn’t know his intention.
B. Because she worried about her husband.
C. Because she thought it hard to avoid using plastic.
D. Because she didn’t realize the downsides of plastic.
2
Just when you thought you were taking care of your health by eating enough fruit and vegetables every day, new research has come out revealing that you might be swallowing microplastic particles (颗粒) along with all those vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Research has found that fruits and vegetables absorb microplastic particles from the soil and move them through vegetal tissues, where they remain until eaten by hungry diners, thus getting transferred to human bodies.
The researchers, who are from the University of Catania in Italy, as well as Sousse and Monastir universities in Tunisia, analyzed a variety of common fruits and vegetables —carrots, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, apples, and pears. These were chosen for the fact that they are frequently consumed, usually one per day, which allowed the researchers to better assess the dietary intakes of MPs (microplastic particles) and NPs (nano-plastics). The samples were purchased from different sources in the city of Catania, including a small fruit vendor and a supermarket.
The researchers found that apples, followed by pears, were the most polluted fruit samples, and carrots were the most polluted vegetable. In the study’s discussion section, the authors wrote, “We can assume that the fruits contain more MPs not only because of the very high vascularization (血管化) of the fruit pulp (果肉) but also due to the greater size and complexity of the root system and age of the tree (several years) compared to the vegetables (60-75 days for the carrot).”
This study is important because it's the first to detect microplastics in fruits and vegetables. They have been found in other sources before, such as sea salt, beer, water (bottled, in particular), shellfish, sugar, soil, and even air, but never inside fresh produce. It’s an alarming discovery that raises yet another red flag about microplastic pollution in the natural environment.
It’s an area that will likely see a lot more attention in coming years, with the study authors calling for further research into the question of microplastic and whether it harms the health of both plants and humans.
3. What is the study mainly about
A. The main cause and influence of soil pollution.
B. The microplastic pollution in fruits and vegetables.
C. The benefits of daily fruits and vegetables consumption
D. The great changes in people's dietary habits.
4. What may cause fruits to contain more MPs according to the authors
A. The age of root system. B. The huge size of fruit tree roots.
C. The complex preservation method. D. The large amounts of the fruit pulp.
5. What do the study authors think of the research on microplastic
A. It needs to be further studied. B. It wasted them quite a lot of time.
C. It has caused harm to health. D. It has attracted attention to diets.
3
Whether due to genuine concern for the environment or the widespread criticism of plastic among consumers, many companies have invested heavily in reducing their use of plastic packaging, which may indeed have a positive environmental impact. But another trend that’s grown out of the anti-plastic movement is a lot less positive: overpackaging. More and more brands have begun adding unnecessary paper packaging on top of plastic packaging in order to make their products look more environmentally friendly, without actually reducing plastic waste.
Unfortunately, there’s a very good reason companies are adopting this clearly problematic approach. Through a series of eight studies with more than 4,000 participants, we found that consumers will accept a product’s packaging as more environmentally friendly if it’s plastic with an additional layer of paper than if the product is visibly packaged in identical plastic packaging but without the paper. These perceptions (认知) in turn make consumers both more likely to buy a product, and willing to pay more for it.
Part of what makes this overpackaging trend particularly harmful is that it is much valued by consumers who reported engaging in more eco-friendly behaviors. They were more likely to view overpackaged products as environmentally friendly. As a result, the very consumers who are most interested in pushing companies to make sustainable choices are likely unintentionally encouraging the environmentally harmful practice of overpackaging.
The good news is, overpackaging isn’t the only way to signal sustainability and attract such consumers. In our studies, we found that instead of additional paper packaging, simply adding a minimal packaging sticker to plastic packaging could clarify the misperception that overpackaged products are more sustainable, Especially for products for which plastic is necessary to ensure safe transportation and lengthen shelf life, this kind of clear messaging can help reduce consumers, discrimination against the responsible use of plastic packaging.
Of course, minimal packaging stickers certainly should only be used if a brand has actually ensured that it is using the minimal possible packaging, ideally under the supervision of a trade organization or regulatory body that maintains clear, consistent standards.
6. What can we learn about overpackaging according to paragraph 1
A. It calls for less investment.
B. It involves the proper use of paper.
C. It has a positive environmental impact.
D. It causes over-consumption of materials.
7. What do the eight studies find about consumers according to the text
A. They care about the environment.
B. They are always following the trend.
C. They like comparing products’ qualities.
D. They prefer beautifully-decorated products.
8. What function is expected of minimal packaging stickers
A. To help products stay fresh longer.
B. To improve the brand’s popularity.
C. To correct consumers’ misunderstanding.
D. To present more information about products.
9. What can we infer from the last paragraph
A. Minimal packaging stickers have been widely used.
B. Advantages of minimal packaging stickers are overestimated.
C. The use of minimal packaging stickers should be strictly regulated.
D. The use of minimal packaging stickers is a solution to over-packaging.
4
Every order of takeout comes with aside of single-use plastics and each plastic fork, knife, spoon and straw—whether or not you wanted it or used it—ends up in the trash.
New research found that 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste was generated in 2021—six million metric tons more single-use plastics compared to2019. A hunger for takeout meals during the pandemic contributed to the surge.
An estimated 60%of Americans order takeout or delivery at least once a week and online ordering is growing 300%faster than in-house dining; that means millions of single-use plastic utensils (餐具) are going out with every order.
New laws aim to address the problem. Some of the recent bills are thanks to The National Reuse Network, part of the environmental nonprofit Upstream, which launched a national Skip the Stuff campaign to work out policies that require restaurants to include single-use plastic utensils, straws, and napkins only when customers request them.
The bills also require meal delivery and online apps like Uber Eats, GrubHub and Door Dash to add single-use extras to their menus; customers can choose the items and quantities to have them included in the order. Customers that don’t order the single-use plastics won’t receive them.
The goal of the bills is to reduce the 40 billion plastic utensils sent to the landfill (填埋场) every year.
“Most of the time, people are taking food home or to their offices where there are reusable utensils so these utensils wind up in a drawer or get thrown out,” says Goldsmith. “Some people do need utensils, but for the most part, they’re not needed.”
To date, Skip the Stuff bills have been passed in several cities, including Denver, Washington, D. C. and Chicago. California and Washington state passed statewide bills that make single-use plastic “accessories” available with takeout orders only upon request.
Organizations like upstream, Beyond plastics and NRDC have created toolkits to help additional communities launch their own Skip the Stuff campaigns.
10. What does the underlined word “surge” in paragraph 2 probably mean
A. Strong panic. B. Good solution.
C. Sharp increase. D. Great pressure
11. What can be done according to Skip the Stuff
A. Selecting green products.
B. Providing utensils only on request.
C. Recycling and reusing some utensils.
D. Using identical products nationwide.
12. What is the aim of the newly passed bills
A. To better serve customers. B. To reduce plastic waste.
C. To correct bad eating habits. D. To prevent illegal activities.
13. What is Goldsmith’s attitude towards the Skip the Stuff campaign
A. Concerned. B. Doubtful. C. Favorable. D. Unclear.
5
Washing machines are one of the greatest inventions of the last few centuries.They have made life easier. Unfortunately, washing machines also contribute to the environmental issues of energy use and micro-plastics flowing into the oceans. That is why the washing machine manufacturer (制造商), Samsung, and the outdoor-wear company, Patagonia, are working together to make a change.
For Patagonia, the issue of micro-plastics has been on its mind for years — its woolen jackets release many microfibers. As for Samsung, new requirements throughout the world have forced many producers to start thinking about ways to help reduce the number of micro-plastics. There are currently more than 14 million tons of micro-plastics floating in the oceans. Though people previously think of things such as plastic bottles and fishing lines when it comes to plastics in the ocean, thousands of micro-plastics are released into seas with every wash.
The issue is a sort of catch-22. In order to reduce energy costs, manufacturers try to make their machines more efficient. These machines use hotter water and are designed to create more friction (摩擦) between the clothing in the machine. However, both of these things lead to the release of more micro-plastics. So, using Patagonia clothes as test cases, Samsung came up with a two-fold solution: One is a technology called Eco-bubbles, which creates more bubbles to make the detergent (洗涤剂) more powerful, and the other is a water purifier that can filter (过滤) out more micro-plastics.
The cooperation between the two companies is proof of how complicated protecting the environment can be. On the one hand, clothing that is well-constructed and durable is a weapon in the fight against fast fashion. On the other hand, the material used to make those clothes and the way they are washed can also add pollutants to the environment.The same goes for washing machines. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The fight against climate change requires creative thinking and learning how to attack a problem from many angles. This will certainly lead to even more strange and fruitful cooperation between the environmentally conscious companies.
14. What is Samsung’s purpose in partnering the outdoor clothing company
A. To limit the use of micro-plastics.
B. To solve the issue of energy waste.
C. To find a solution to micro-plastic pollution.
D. To produce high-efficiency washing machines.
15. What does the underlined word “catch-22” in paragraph 3 refer to
A. A tricky situation. B. A questionable fact.
C. A possible dream. D. A practical method.
16. Which of the following will reduce the release of micro-plastics during washing
A. Using hotter water.
B. Creating more friction.
C. Using powerful detergents.
D. Adding a water purifier to washing machines.
17. What does the cooperation between the two companies show
A. The difficulty in fighting against fast fashion.
B. The complexity of environment conservation.
C. The influence of humans’ active action.
D. The importance of creative thinking.
6
An impressive invention made by a 17-year-old teenager, called Anna Du, is helping to clean up small pieces of plastic from the ocean.
While walking along her local beaches in Massachusetts, the young student began collecting waste plastic bags and bottles. But what she noticed was a large number of tiny pieces of plastic or microplastics that were impossible to pick up. At just 12 years old, Du set out to solve the problem. After testing a few prototypes(原型)in her backyard, she invented a remotely operated vehicle that uses the infrared camera(红外摄像机)to detect microplastics on the ocean floor. More recently, Du has also created a simulation(模拟)model that uses artificial intelligence to predict where microplastics are located.
Du’s robot invention has earned her awards at top science fairs in the US, and she’s now a nationally recognized advocate for microplastic awareness and pollution prevention. “When I first started doing science fairs, I had no idea that a young girl without lots of money and just a little advanced engineering knowledge could make a difference in the world. I’ve learned that I truly love working on a problem that’s so much larger than me,” Du said.
Du has also released a new book to help spread the word not only about the dangers of microplastics but also about the ways to relieve the problem. Titled Microplastics &Me, the book follows Du’s own story of how she went from worrying about the environment to designing award-winning solutions. Writing for kids her own age, the young girl alerts her readers to the threat of microplastic pollution and urges them to care about the environment. The book hopes to encourage young students to get into science, technology, engineering and math(STEM)subjects and to inspire a new generation of inventors and engineers. What’s more, Du has even raised more than $7,000 to distribute the book free to kids and libraries in high-need communities.
18. What inspired Du to make the invention
A. There was too much rubbish along the beaches. B. The plastics were too small to collect by hand.
C. The sea was polluted seriously. D. She was interested in AI.
19. What can we learn about Du from paragraph 3
A. She has a spirit of challenge. B. She is too poor to make a difference.
C. She doesn’t study hard in engineering. D. She wins international recognition.
20. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear
A. Innovation. B. Voice. C. Culture. D. Art.
21. Why does Du write the book Microplastics & Me
A. To inspire readers to share their stories.
B. To raise the awareness of microplastics pollution.
C. To encourage high schools to offer STEM subjects.
D. To collect money for kids in high-need communities.
7
The scientists who re-engineered the plastic-eating enzyme (酶) PETase have now created a new enzyme called “cocktail”, which can digest plastic up to six times faster.
PETase breaks down PET back into its building blocks, creating an opportunity to recycle plastic and reduce plastic pollution. PET is the most common thermoplastic (热塑性塑料) used to make single use drinks bottles, which takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment, but PETase can shorten this time to days. The initial discovery set up the prospect of a revolution in plastic recycling, creating a potential low-energy solution to tackle plastic waste.
Now, the same trans Atlantic team have combined PETase and its “partner”, a second enzyme called MHETase, to generate much bigger improvements: simply mixing PETase with MHETase doubled the speed of PET breakdown, and engineering a connection between the two enzymes to create a “super-enzyme” increased this activity by a further three times.
The team was co-led by the scientists who engineered PETase, Professor John McGeehan and Dr Gregg Beckham. Professor McGeehan said: “Gregg and I were chatting about how PETase attacks the surface of the plastics and MHETase chops things up further, so it seemed natural to see if we could use them together. Our first experiments showed that they did work better together, so we decided to physically link them. It took a great deal of work, but it was worth the effort—we were delighted to see that our new enzyme is up to three times faster than the separate enzymes.”
The original PETase enzyme discovery indicated the first hope that a solution to the global plastic pollution problem might be within grasp, though PETase alone is not yet fast enough to handle the tons of PET bining it with a second enzyme and finding they work even faster together means another leap forward has been taken towards finding a solution to plastic waste. PETase and the new combined MHETase-PETase both work by digesting PET plastic. This allows for plastics to be made and reused endlessly, reducing our reliance on fossil (化石) resources.
22. What can we learn about “cocktail” from the text
A. It doubles the breakdown of plastics. B. It takes hundreds of years to break down.
C. It deals with the plastic waste three times faster. D. It contributes to breaking down plastic quickly.
23. What is the second paragraph mainly about
A. A new study of PET. B. The breakdown of PET.
C. The functions of PETase. D. The discovery of PETase.
24. What does the underlined word “It” in paragraph 4 refer to
A. Combining PETase and MHETase. B. Co-leading the trans Atlantic team.
C. Attacking the surface of the plastics. D. Conducting experiments.
25. What can we infer from the text
A. Plastic eating enzyme “cocktail” promises new hope for plastic waste.
B. MHETase-PETase makes the world free from plastic pollution.
C. New enzyme is speeding up our reliance on fossil resources.
D. PET pollution is no longer a difficult problem to deal with.
8
Companies have been switching from, plastic straws to paper ones on the grounds of being more environmentally friendly. However, new research suggests the good - intentioned trend might not be the best alternative after all.
The study found the vast majority of paper straws tested contained monly referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down in the body or in the environment.
“Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic,” said Thimo Groffen, author of the study. “However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that’s not necessarily true.”
Researchers on the study examined 39 brands of straws in Belgium from supermarkets, toy stores, fast-food chains, drug stores and e-commerce stores. The straws were either made of paper, bamboo; glass, stainless steel or plastic, and the researchers tested each brand for concentrations of PFAS. 69% of the brands contained PFAS, with paper straws more likely to contain the chemicals. The researchers found 90% of paper straws had PFAS, compared to 80% of bamboo straws, 75% of plastic straws, and 40% of glass straws. Further, a paper straw brand was the brand with the highest PFAS concentration.
Small amounts of PFAS do not pose a risk. However, a build-up of the chemicals in the body may cause dangerous health problems like liver damage, increased blood
“The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable (可生物降解的),” said Groffen. “We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw — or just avoid using straws at all.”
26. Why do companies show a preference for paper straws
A. They are considered more economical.
B. They are considered less harmful to the environment.
C. They are considered more beneficial to health.
D. They are considered easier to produce.
27. What can we know about PFAS from the text
A. They exist the least in plastic straws. B. They protect our health effectively.
C. They are basic materials for straws. D. They are a potential threat to human health.
28. What does Groffen probably agree with
A. Paper straws will become more popular. B. We should use glass straws more often.
C. We’d better drink without using straws. D. Stainless steel straws should be avoided.
29. Which of the following serves as the best title
A. Paper straws are more likely to contain forever chemicals
B. Paper straws have entirely taken the place of plastic straws
C. Paper straws have caused dangerous, health problems to humans
D. Paper straws will become the best alternative for us in the future
二、完形填空
Holland is famous for being bike friendly. Recently, the world’s first plastic bike path has been 30 in the Dutch city of Zwolle, a 100- foot bike path made of recycled plastic.
The company that created the path, PlasticRoad, says their 31 of making roads is better in many ways than asphalt(沥青) roads. PlasticRoad creates its roads 32 in a factory. All the pieces are the same. Since the plastic pieces are light, they are easy to 33 . To make the road, a special truck 34 drives along and lays down the pieces, almost like 35 bricks in a sidewalk. This makes it much 36 to make than an asphalt road.
PlasticRoad thinks their road will 37 three times as long as an asphalt road. If part of it breaks, it is easy to take out the broken section, and 38 it. The broken section can then be recycled 39 and turned into a road again.
The plastic roads are hollow(中空的) below, allowing rainwater to flow away, instead of 40 the street. The hollow area also makes it easy to 41 pipes under the road.
Many people think this is a 42 way to recycle plastic, but some are worried. One of the biggest 43 is what will happen to the bits of plastic that break off as the path is used. The company is planning another test, hoping to find 44 .
30. A. destroyed B. decorated C. widened D. created
31. A. secret B. way C. goal D. refusal
32. A. halves B. pairs C. groups D. pieces
33. A. break B. keep C. move D. shape
34. A. clumsily B. simply C. naturally D. difficultly
35. A. putting B. finding C. picking D. making
36. A. earlier B. harder C. faster D. cheaper
37. A. save B. take C. last D. count
38. A. replace B. sell C. recycle D. examine
39. A. in private B. at times C. on time D. once more
40. A. crossing B. blocking C. flooding D. deserting
41. A. control B. run C. below D. prepare
42. A. ridiculous B. conventional C. common D. creative
43. A. concerns B. challenges C. burdens D. disasters
44. A. users B. solutions C. similarities D. volunteers
三、语法填空
阅读下面短文， 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Plastic production is energy intensive (能源密集型) and consumes fossil fuels. When burnt, waste plastic gives off heat-trapping gases and other pollutants. Once such emissions (排放) reach a certain level, it results 45 environmental problems that will, in turn, harm human beings. All of this makes recycling plastic waste important.
China’s efforts 46 (recycle) plastic waste have contributed 47 (significant) to slowing global climate change, reducing oil consumption and carbon emissions by millions of tons. China has also prevented 900 million tons of waste from 48 (generate).
Over the past decade, China 49 (establish) a market-based plastic recycling system with wide-ranging coverage, which accounts for over 45 percent of the world’s total recycled plastic waste. China now has the 50 (large) plastic recycling capacity (能力) in the world. Its huge plastic recycling industry, which employs about 900,000 workers, recycled 31 percent of the plastic waste produced nationally in 2021, about 1.7 times 51 global average rate.
China has also made great 52 (contribution) to the recycling of plastic waste from other parts of the world. Between 1992 and 2018, China recycled 106 million tons of imported plastic waste, a lot of 53 was from the European Union and the United States. This 54 (help) save 318 million tons of oil.
四、书信写作
55. 假如你是学校环保社(Environment Protection Club)社长李华，近期，你想在学校开展一次“减塑(Less Plastic)”社团活动，倡议大家保护环境，请写一篇发言稿。内容包括：
1. 大量使用塑料的危害；
2. 倡议减塑环保。
注意：
1. 词数100左右;
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头语已写好，不计入总词数。
Dear fellow students,
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