Is It Worth Buying Organic Food? Organic food, grown without artificial chemicals, is increasingly popular nowadays. Consumers have been willing to pay up to twice more for goods with organic labels (商标). However, if you think paying a little more for organic food gets you a more nutritious and safer product, you might want to save your money. A study led by researchers at Stanford University says that organic products aren't necessarily more nutritious, and they're no less likely to suffer from disease-causing bacteria, either.
The latest results, published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine, suggest that buyers may be wasting their money. "We did not find strong evidence that organic food is more nutritious or healthier," says Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler from Stanford. "So consumers shouldn't assume that one type of food has a lower risk or is safer."
For their new study, Smith-Spangler and her colleagues conducted a review of two categories of research, including 17 studies that compared health outcomes between consumers of organic against traditional food products, and 223 studies that analyzed the nutritional content of the foods, including key vitamins, minerals and fats.
While the researchers found little difference in nutritional content, they did find that organic fruit and vegetables were 20% less likely to have chemicals remaining on the surfaces. Neither organic nor traditional foods showed levels of chemicals high enough to go beyond food safety standards. And both organic and traditional meats, such as chicken and pork, were equally likely to be harmed by bacteria at very low rates. The researchers did find that organic milk and chicken contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat also found in fish that can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, these nutritional differences were too small, and the researchers were unwilling to make much of them until further studies confirm the trends.
Organic food is produced with fewer chemicals and more natural-growing practices, but that doesn't always translate into a more nutritious or healthier product. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that "whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest effect on taste." Fresh food is at least as good as anything marketed as organic.
1.The new research questions whether organic food __________.
A.should replace traditional food B.has been overpriced by farmers
C.is grown with less harmful chemicals D.is really more nutritious and healthier
2.Smith-Spangler and her colleagues found that __________.
A.organic food could reduce the risk of heart disease
B.traditional food was grown with more natural methods
C.both organic and traditional food they examined were safe
D.there was not a presence of any forms of bacteria in organic food
3.Which of the following is relatively healthier according to the passage?
A.Organic chicken and pork. B.Organic milk and chicken.
C.Traditional chicken and pork. D.Traditional fruit and vegetables.
4.What is the author’s attitude toward organic food?
A.Sceptical B.Neutral
C.Unconcerned D.Approving
For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.
“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.
Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.
“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.
For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”
1.What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?
A.It promoted the sales of artworks. B.It attracted a large number of visitors.
C.It showed ancient Chinese clothes. D.It aimed to introduce Chinese models.
2.What does Hill say about Chinese women?
A.They are setting the fashion. B.They start many fashion campaigns.
C.They admire super models. D.They do business all over the world.
3.What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.learning from B.looking down on C.working with D.competing against
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Young Models Selling Dreams to the World
B.A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York
C.Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics
D.Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends
In 1971 a young man who grew up very poor was traveling across the country, trying to make a new start for himself. Along the way he had completely run out of money and was forced to spend the night in his car. This continued until one morning, after a week of sleeping in his car, he walked nervously into a restaurant and ordered a big breakfast.
After eating his first good meal in weeks, he found himself lying to the waiter, telling him he had lost his wallet. The waiter, who was also the owner, walked behind the chair where the young man had been sitting. He bent down, and came up with a $ 20 bill that looked as if it had fallen on the floor. “Sir, you must have dropped this, ” the owner said. The young man couldn't believe his luck! He quickly paid for the breakfast, left a tip, bought gas with the change, and headed West.
On the way out of town, he began to understand what that fellow did. “Maybe nobody dropped the money at all. Maybe that fellow just knew I was in trouble and he helped me in a way that didn't embarrass me. So I just made a promise to help other people if I can. ”
Later, he worked very hard and became a rich man. Now, he lives near Kansas City. Each year he gives away thousands of dollars. He is known as the “Secret Santa” because at Christmas time each year, he personally hands money out to those on the street and at restaurants. Last year, he gave more than $ 50,000 away in Kansas City.
1.The young man was traveling across the country in 1971 probably to _____ .
A.improve his life B.hand out gifts to passers-by
C.look for a good restaurant D.show his new car to others
2.On the way out of town, the young man got to know that ___.
A.it was very honest of the owner to return his money
B.he could probably find himself a job in the restaurant
C.the owner helped him in a way that didn't hurt his feelings
D.another man who had breakfast in the restaurant lost the money
3.From this text we can infer that ___.
A.the man raised money for the poor B.the man did carry out his promise
C.Santa gives the man money each year D.the man was not successful in the end
4.The best title for the text may be __.
A.Secret Santa of Kansas City B.The Key to Success
C.A kind Waiter in the Restaurant D.Never Give Up
South Africa is the water-lovers' paradise. Whether you want to be by the sea, on the sea or even under it, there are countless ways to get your ocean experience. Almost all of them are located on South Africa's east coast, where the Indian Ocean keeps water warm.
Thompson's Bay, Ballito
Drive 40 minutes north of Durban to reach the unique coastal town of Ballito. Popular with holidaymakers, Ballito has a choice of pretty beaches—and the best for swimming is Thompson's Bay. This scenic cove （小海湾）is sheltered from the wind and characterized by its calm waters, interesting rocky outcrops and a fascinating geological hole-in-the-wall. There's a walled tidal pool for those who are nervous to swim in the open ocean, making this spot a particularly good choice for families.
Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
Located a 20-minute drive from central Durban, the resort town of Umhlanga is a proper getaway for people
with good incomes and visitors in the know(知内情的). The main Umhlanga Rocks beach boasts safe swimming waters and endless golden sands, again protected by lifeguards and shark nets. A paved walkway provides direct access to the town's beachfront shops, restaurants and bars.
Gonubie Beach, East London
The coastal town of Gonubie is seen by many as a suburb of East London, one of the largest cities of the Eastern Cape. Its picture-perfect beach offers great swimming areas in the open sea. The Gonubie River reaches the sea at this point, too, and offers another bathing spot on days when the surf in the sea is bigger than usual. All along the river's green banks, you'll find a series of shaded spots perfect for summer picnics and barbecues.
Kelly’s Beach, Port Alfred
Further south on the Sunshine Coast, the laid-back town of Port Alfred is home to Kelly’s Beach, which was awarded Blue Flag status for 2017-2018. A 400-meter stretch of pale brown sand, the beach and its waters are exceptionally clean. Two viewing decks come in handy during whale-watching season, or for admiring spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
1.If you are planning a family trip to South Africa, which beach suits you best?
A.Thompson's Bay, Ballito. B.Umhlanga Rocks, Durban.
C.Gonubie Beach. East London D.Kelly's Beach, Port Alfred.
2.What's special about Umhlanga Rocks in Durban?
A.It is free for children. B.Its target crowd is the rich.
C.It has a walled tidal pool. D.It has pale brown sand.
3.What could you do when meeting violent waves on Gonubie Beach?
A.Go swimming in the open sea. B.Go bathing at another bathing spot.
C.Go surfing in the open sea. D.Go camping by the riverside.
假定你是学生会主席李华,你校将举办主题为“祖国颂”的庆祝建国70周年文艺演出,你将邀请你的英国朋友Joe观看这场演出。请你写封邮件向他介绍有关情况,内容包括：
1．举办的时间和地点;
2．活动的目的;
3．活动的内容。
注意：
1．词数100左右;
2．可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;
3．参考词汇：祖国颂Ode to Our Motherland;周年纪念日anniversary.
Dear Joe,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下短文。短文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧), 并在此符号下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改： 在错的词下划一横线, 并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1、每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2、只允许修改10处, 多者(从第11处起) 不计分。
Last week, I went to a painting exhibition. Upon enter the gallery, I put on the earphones which would give me informations of all the paintings. Suddenly, I noticed that the elderly woman who didn’t know how to use the earphones stood anxiously in front of a painting. I rushed to her with hesitation but helped her put on the earphones. The woman thanks me for my kindness. I realized that was reaching out to others that could really bring a great moment of happiness, which was benefit to me so much. That day when I appreciated lots of breathtaking paintings. What’s more, I learned a valuable lesson from the grateful smile giving by the elderly woman.
