This may look like an ordinary plastic straw (吸管), but it is not made of plastic. Cameron Ross started the Celise Bio-products company, to produce single-use plastic alternatives from plant materials like these. They are made of poly lactic acid (聚乳酸) known as PLA from com starches (淀粉).
Cameron Ross said, "We work with food service providers, mainly larger brands, to help them get quality sustainable and cost-effective solutions, made from plants to start getting rid of single-use plastics." Single-use plastics such as bottles or straws are major cause of pollution. When we throw these away, they end up in a landfill or in the water like rivers. According to researchers, it could take up to more than 500 years for them to properly break down.
Ross says he wasn't always so environmentally conscious himself. But ever since the hiking trip in West Virginia, when he spent more time picking up trash than enjoying nature, his priorities changed. That meant making biodegradable products that can break down in only a few years.
While many cafes and restaurants are choosing paper products to be more eco-conscious, it isn’t cheap. Paper straws can cost about eight times more than plastic straws. But bio-plastic straws cost less a penny a straw, not even double the price of plastic ones.
Another problem with paper straws is that they get soft and wet. You don't want to be sipping (啜饮) something that alters your drink, or starts to melt while you're drinking and then you have to get which creates more wastes than needed. Ross hopes his Washington DC-based company will provide an eco-friendly solution for food service providers.
1.Which aspect is NOT the focus of the Celise Bio-products?
A.Material. B.Appearance.
C.Quality. D.Cost.
2.What inspired Ross to start the Bio-products company?
A.High profits. B.Requests from food service providers.
C.Lower cost. D.His changed environmental awareness.
3.What can we learn about the new straws?
A.They are widely used in cafes and restaurants.
B.They cost less than paper ones.
C.They may soften or even melt while carrying water.
D.They produce more waste.
4.What's the author's purpose of writing the passage?
A.To persuade more food service providers to work with Ross.
B.To explain the development of straws.
C.To introduce a new eco-friendly straw.
D.To compare different straws.
Officer Michael Rivers, a policeman who was snapped and the image shared on Facebook, as he sat sharing his lunch with a homeless woman at the side of the road in North Carolina, in the USA, is praised.
According to Chris Barnes, his wife Cassie took the photo while she was on her lunch break. She saw the pair sharing a pizza and soft drink while they were having a friendly chat. Mr. Barnes uploaded the image with the notes:" Cassie was out on her lunch break and observed the officer enjoying lunch with a homeless person.”
Officer Rivers recalled seeing the woman earlier that day. He told Yahoo news: “I was leaving the parking lot of Walmart and she was standing by the stop sign. Her shirt read, 'Homeless the fastest way of becoming a nobody.’ I hated that she felt that way.” He added: “I always try to talk to the homeless just to see how they got into their situation. You know, because it can happen to any one of us, at any given moment.”
After he drove away, he circled back to ask if the woman was hungry and if she wanted food. The officer said she was honored by his offer. He bought them both pizza and Mountain Dew and when the pair sat down to eat, he learned of her family struggles and told her: “Hey, you still got stuff to live for, you still got your life ahead of you. It's never too late.”
Officer Rivers, who does recruiting for the Goldsboro PD, hopes to send a message of sympathy for others. He added: “When the younger or newer guys come in, I let them know, ‘Hey treating the community like human beings is the most important thing in the world.’”
“So, if we as police officers show that love and sympathy to everybody, no matter their age, financial background or race, the world would be a better place.”
1.Why did Chris Barnes share the photo on Facebook?
A.Because it was taken by his wife. B.Because the officer was his friend.
C.Because the officer was handsome. D.Because he was impressed by the officer's action.
2.Why did the officer come back for the homeless woman?
A.Because she asked him for food.
B.Because her situation was serious.
C.Because he wanted to make a difference to her.
D.Because he wanted to become an internet celebrity.
3.What does the officer want to pass on to his new colleagues?
A.Anyone can become homeless at any given moment.
B.Policemen should be sympathetic and caring.
C.Policemen should become heroes.
D.People should learn to draw others’ attention.
4.What does the text mainly talk about?
A.A policeman seen sharing lunch with a homeless woman. B.How policemen help the homeless.
C.A lucky homeless woman. D.How to become a good model for policemen.
For some of us who long to travel, it can be difficult to find someone to journey with. Friends and family members are tied down in jobs, struggling to save money, and don't always want to go to the same places. The solution, of course, is to go it alone.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is a hot-spot travel destination, which has beautiful beaches as well as busy and lively city life. Australia as a whole is considered a safe destination for international travel, and because of that, many solo (单独) travelers go there. Melbourne is incredibly easy to get around because you can walk or bike practically anywhere!
Thailand
Thailand is great for solo travelers-perhaps because it is one of the Buddhist mentality, which promotes equality among the sexes. Thailand is known for its friendly hospitality, and as a travel hot-spot, there are plenty of chances to meet other like-minded travelers. Overall known for being very cheap, especially in the north, it's a good choice if you want to get away on a budget.
Bhutan
Bhutan is one of the most cultural countries in the world. It is also home to the world's highest unclimbed peak，Gangkhar Puensum. The mountain is sacred（神圣的）and entry is only possible on a pre-booked tour，where you are accompanied around by your own personal guide. Plastic bags have been banned in Bhutan since 1999 and in 2004, it became the first country in the world to outlaw tobacco.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place if you're looking for adventure, with surfing, volcanoes and other recreational activities. You'll never get a chance to feel lonely because there's an abundance of exciting adventures to experience! Costa Rica has never seen political unrest, class struggles or revolutions commonly associated with other Latin American Countries. What's more, it doesn't have or need an army because it's such a peaceful country.
1.Which place is suitable for travelers short of money?
A.Melbourne, Australia. B.Thailand.
C.Bhutan . D.Costa Rica.
2.What can we learn about travelling in Bhutan?
A.You can climb the mountain without booking ahead.
B.You can prepare some plastic bags for your rubbish.
C.You can experience the rich culture there.
D.Smoking is allowed at the foot of the mountain.
3.Where does this text probably come from?
A.A historical document. B.A science magazine.
C.A travel guide. D.A book review.
假定你是李华，你的美国笔友Tom来信询问你高中新学期情况。根据以下要点，请你给他回信：
1. 新学校基本情况介绍；
2. 与同学及老师相处情况；
3. 最喜欢的教师及理由。
注意：
1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.开头与结尾已给出，不计入总词数；
4.作文中不能出现学校、教师的信息。
Dear Tom,
How’s it going?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅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（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
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。
Yesterday, our class had the heated discussion about if it is necessary for students to learn money management. We have different opinion. Some think it’s necessary. First, it helps students to better understand what difficult it is for parents to earn money. Besides, it helps them to develop a correctly view of consumption, which will benefit their future life. But, others disagree. They think they have so little pocket money that they needn’t to learn how to manage them. As for me, I think it is necessary because only when we had the ability to control a small amount money can we manage more wealth in the future.
One day, a poor boy who was trying to pay his way through school by sending newspapers door to door in a town, was so hungry that he decided to beg for a _______ at the next house.
However, he _______ his courage when a lovely young woman opened the door. _______ a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked _______ so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “_______ do I thank you?”
“You _______,” she replied. “Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”_______ these words, Howard Kelly left that house.
_______ later the woman became badly ill and was _______ sent to a hospital in a big city. Dr. Howard Kelly, now famous, was __________ in. When he heard the name of the __________ where she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Dressed in his doctor’s clothes, Kelly went into her room and__________ her at once. From that day on, he gave __________ attention to her, and __________ to do his best to save her life.
At last the woman was saved. Dr. Kelly asked the office to pass the final bill to him. He looked at it and then __________ something on the side. The bill was sent to her room. She was__________ to open it because she was sure that it would take the __________ of her life to pay for it off. Finally she looked, and the __________ on the side of the bill __________ her attention. She read these words:
“Paid in full with a glass of __________, Dr. Howard Kelly.”
Tears of joy filled her eyes.
1.A.rest B.stay C.night D.meal
2.A.gave B.increased C.had D.lost
3.A.Instead of B.Away from C.Out of D.Inside of
4.A.lovely B.hungry C.thirsty D.poor
5.A.When B.Why C.How D.Where
6.A.needn’t B.mustn’t C.can’t D.shouldn’t
7.A.With B.About C.For D.From
8.A.Months B.Days C.Years D.Weeks
9.A.never B.finally C.slowly D.always
10.A.forced B.shown C.carried D.called
11.A.house B.room C.city D.town
12.A.forgot B.recognized C.knew D.saw
13.A.special B.no C.little D.such
14.A.refused B.agreed C.decided D.stopped
15.A.wrote B.took C.found D.realized
16.A.happy B.afraid C.moved D.excited
17.A.start B.end C.whole D.rest
18.A.picture B.message C.note D.money
19.A.paid B.caught C.had D.kept
20.A.water B.juice C.milk D.coffee
