Many environmentalists and entrepreneurs are looking for ideas on how to “capture gold” ― that is, how to collect and convert plastic waste into new plastic or fuel.
OK, describing plastic waste as potential “gold” may be overdoing it. But the campaigners say that publicizing the notion that plastic is worth something may help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in oceans and the bellies of sea creatures.
To that end, they have set up a competition inviting members of the public to submit ideas online. Organizers will take the best ones to the Rio+20 Earth Summit (峰会) in Rio de Janeiro next month, where they are planning a daylong side event called Plasticity focusing on issues related to plastic pollution.
The plastic waste problem is gaining broader attention as environmentalists, scientists, manufacturers and the public become more aware of the sheer volume of the stuff that finds its way into the sea.
More than 260 million metric tons of plastic are now produced per year, according to the trade association PlasticsEurope. The majority of that is not recycled. Most of it ends up in landfill, and a significant amount ends up as litter on land, in rivers and in the oceans.
Technological advances have made clear that it is possible to reuse much of this plastic by turning it into fuel or new products. Yet the companies that have come up with such solutions have not achieved the economies of scale that would allow them to function profitably. Insufficient waste-collection and recycling systems in most countries also stand in the way of “ trash to cash” concept, said Doug Woodring, an environmental entrepreneur in Hong Kong who is among the organizer of the Plasticity forum(论坛) in Rio.
Rather than breast-beating, the form aims to highlight some of the technologies and ideas out there for collection and reuse. My personal favorite for now is a vacuum cleaner with plastic parts made from plastic waste.
What do the campaigners like to do exactly?
| A． To describe plastic waste as potential “gold”. |
| B． To invite members of the public to their forum. |
| C． To collect ideas on how to recycle plastic waste. |
| D． To hold a competition on how to deal with environmental pollution. |
The underlined part “trash to cash” most probably means “ ”.
| A．applying modern technology to recycling systems |
| B．collecting sufficient plastic waste for future use |
| C．establishing many environmental businesses |
| D．turning plastic waste into fuel or new products |
According to Doug Woodring, the companies that want to reuse plastic waste .
| A．have collected enough waste to be used |
| B．have no practical solutions |
| C．haven’t reached profitable scale |
| D．lack technological advances |
What can be the best title for the text?
| A．Earth Summit =" Way" Out? |
| B．Plastic Waste =" Great" Wealth? |
| C．Waste Recycling =" Green" Life? |
| D．New Technology =" Little" Waste? |
It is the injury from breathing cigarettes that has led to the invention of e-cigarettes. Using these cigarettes requires small power from battery and these cigarettes are also available in various flavors and varied nicotine levels. Owing to the fact that the charge from a short cable is required, carrying the electronic cigarettes can’t be that easy in some case. This means that the smoking habits of individuals are in fact controlled! Also, the human body is protected from harmful smoke that is not given off by the electrical version of these new age cigarettes.
The cigarettes are in a fine pack and they are durable(持久的)! For the first time ever, tobacco smokers do not have to carry matches and lighters which may cause burns to their finger tips and boring holes into their clothes! The result is basic dignity for the smokers because they will not disrespect the non-smokers among them by polluting the air that they breathe. Electronic cigarettes and the packages they come in can also be reused, which means that a lot of money can be saved.
They are environmentally friendly. For starters, this kind of cigarettes cannot be put on unless with a source of an electrical current. This means that rooms and pathways do not, under any circumstances, get filled with smoke just because a smoker passed by! The smoke is done away, meaning the air, even around a smoker, is always fresh! Disposals(处理) for the cigarettes have also been invented so that there are no harmful smoking bits and pieces carelessly thrown away which pollute the environment!
E-cigarettes have made the world a better place at the very least. Those who are addicted to smoking on a regular or even irregular basis can therefore do so responsibly and give better consideration to their health.It’s learned from Paragraph 1 that .
| A．the original smoking habits of smokers are hard to control |
| B．e-cigarettes have different tastes and nicotine levels |
| C．the electronic cigarettes are convenient to carry |
| D．the short cable is used to determine how fully the batteries are charged |
What’s the main idea of Paragraph 3?
| A．Why do e-cigarettes produce no smoke. |
| B．E-cigarettes are environmentally friendly. |
| C．Why are disposals for the cigarettes invented. |
| D．E-cigarettes benefit both smokers and non-smokers. |
According to the author, e-cigarettes .
| A．matter less to heavy smokers |
| B．are right alternatives to smokers |
| C．shouldn’t be overvalued |
| D．should be made cheap |
What’s the purpose of this passage?
| A．To introduce an invention. |
| B．To describe the wide spread of e-cigarettes. |
| C．To explain the injury from breathing cigarettes. |
| D．To show how to smoke e-cigarettes. |
According to sociologists(社会学家), every modern industrial society has some form of social stratification(阶层). Class, power and status are important in deciding people's rank in society.
Class means a person's economic position in society. A commonly used classification is lower class, middle class and upper class. While sociologists disagree on how these terms should be exactly defined, they do describe societies like the United States quite well. One study shows that 53% of Americans belong to the lower class, 46% the middle class, and 1% the upper class. Interestingly, a surgeon earning $500,000 a year and a bus driver earning $50,000 a year both regard themselves as the middle class!
Power refers to the amount of control a person has over other people. Obviously, people in positions of great power (such as governors) exercise(行使)big power, but people who take orders from others have less power. Power and class do not always go hand in hand, however. For example, the governor of a state has great power, but he or she may not belong to a corresponding (相应的)economic class. Generally, however, there is a relationship between power and class. To our knowledge, there aren't too many people who aren't millionaires in the U．S. Senate!
Status is the honor or respect attached to a person's position in society. It can also be affected by power and class, but not necessarily so. For example, a university professor may have a high status but not belong to a high social class or have a lot of power over others.What can we learn about “the middle class” from Paragraph 2?
| A．People earning $50,000 a year belong to the middle class. |
| B．Nearly half Americans belong to the middle class. |
| C．People generally consider bus drivers as the middle class. |
| D．Sociologists have a clear definition of the middle class. |
According to the text, we know that ________.
| A．Power and class do not always correspond with each other |
| B．Status refers to a person's economic position in society |
| C．People with high status have a lot of control over others |
| D．Class is less important in deciding a person's social rank |
Which of the following shows the structure of the whole text?
China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them, all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year, I've found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However, people still use their bicycles to get around. For many, it's the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors—silver, green, red, blue, yellow, whatever you want.
It's fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads, move skillfully through traffic, and ride even on sidewalks(人行道). Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can't provide.
Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.
My first ride home was orderly(守秩序的). To be safe, I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn't want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.
Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide, so crossing took time, skill and a little bit of luck.
I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.According to the author, why are bicycles still popular in China today?
| A．Because they are traditional and safe. |
| B．Because they are convenient and inexpensive. |
| C．Because they are colorful and available. |
| D．Because they are fast and environment friendly. |
The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended ________.
| A．to ride it for fun |
| B．to use it for transport |
| C．to experience local culture |
| D．to improve his riding skills |
How did the author feel about his street crossing?
| A．It was boring. | B．It was difficult. |
| C．It was lively. | D．It was wonderful. |
Which of the following best describes the author's biking experience?
| A．The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills. |
| B．The author was annoyed by the air while riding. |
| C．The author was praised by the other bikers. |
| D．The author took great pleasure in biking. |
 Joshua, Helmut, and Bethlehem Michelle O. Donovan ISBN 9781462058679 Life is not easy for nineyearold Joshua during World War II. Because of his family's Jewish background, they are sent to live in the concentration camps (集中营). Scared and alone, Joshua one day makes friends with a little mouse he calls Bethlehem who becomes his closest friend. |
|
 Encourage Me! Inspirational Poetry Gloria Coykendall ISBN 9781412027854 It is an easytoread collection of poems originally written to encourage in faith and to be a cure for chronic depression(长期抑郁) ... cure to strengthen identity and purpose. |
 More Things in Heaven Bill Bosworth ISBN 9780595433582 In his More Things in Heaven, Bill Bosworth presents the highlights of his 83 years of life, including his trips to India and the study of the writings of several great spiritual leaders. More Things in Heaven will appeal to anyone who insists on finding the deepest meaning for their existence based on their own experience. |
 Seeking the Edge Dr. Joseph L. Rose ISBN 9781462031795 Seeking the Edge provides the tools and techniques to find that edge in one's life—driving readers to achieve success whether in your current job, finding a new job, in education, family, or even hobbies. |
 Creation or Evolution Michael Ebifegha ISBN 9781450289023 Were humans created, or did they evolve? How old is the Earth? The debate between science and religion continues to be heated. In Creation or Evolution, Michael Ebifegha examines these two opposed world views within the structure of empirical(实证的) science. |
Who wrote the story about a little boy and a little mouse?
| A．Bill Bosworth. | B．Michelle O. Donovan. |
| C．Dr. Joseph L. Rose. | D．Gloria Coykendall. |
The ISBN for the book of poems is ________.
| A．9781462031795 | B．9781412027854 |
| C．9780595433582 | D．9781462058679 |
What kind of readers will probably like reading More Things in Heaven?
| A．Those who are searching for the meaning of life. |
| B．Those who are trying to be spiritual leaders. |
| C．Those who study the art of writing. |
| D．Those who like traveling abroad. |
Which of the following books explores the origin of humans?
| A．Seeking the Edge. |
| B．Creation or Evolution. |
| C．Joshua, Helmut, and Bethlehem. |
| D．More Things in Heaven. |
When 19yearold Sophia Giorgi said she was thinking of volunteering to help the MakeAWish Foundation (基金会)，nobody understood what she was talking about. But Sophia knew just how important MakeAWish could be because this special organization had helped to make a dream come true for one of her best friends. We were interested in finding out more, so we went along to meet Sophia and listen to what she had to say.
Sophia told us that MakeAWish is a worldwide organization that started in the United States in 1980. “It's a charity (慈善机构)that helps children who have got very serious illnesses. MakeAWish helps children feel happy even though they are sick, by making their wishes and dreams come true，” Sophia explained.
We asked Sophia how MakeAWish had first started. She said it had all begun with a very sick young boy called Chris, who had been dreaming for a long time of becoming a policeman. Sophia said lots of people had wanted to find a way to make Chris's dream come true，so with everybody's help, Chris, only seven years old at the time, had been a “policeman” for a day. “When people saw how delighted Chris was when his dream came true, they decided to try and help other sick children too, and that was the beginning of MakeAWish，”explained Sophia.
Sophia also told us the Foundation tries to give children and their families a special, happy time. A MakeAWish volunteer visits the families and asks the children whatever they would wish for if they could have anything in the world. Sophia said the volunteers were important because they were the ones who helped to make the wishes come true. They do this either by providing things that were necessary, or by raising money or helping out in what way they can.Sophia found out about MakeAWish because her best friend had ________.
| A．benefited from it | B．volunteered to help it |
| C．dreamed about it | D．told the author about it |
According to Sophia, MakeAWish ________.
| A．is an international charity |
| B．was understood by nobody at first |
| C．raises money for very poor families |
| D．started by drawing the interest of the public |
What is said about Chris in Paragraph 3?
| A．He has been a policeman since he was seven. |
| B．He gave people the idea of starting MakeAWish. |
| C．He wanted people to help make his dream come true. |
| D．He was the first child MakeAWish helped after it had been set up. |
Which of the following is true about MakeAWish volunteers?
| A．They are important for making wishes come true. |
| B．They try to help children get over their illnesses. |
| C．They visit sick children to make them feel special. |
| D．They provide what is necessary to make MakeAWish popular. |