Question

    The European Parliament has approved a law banning a wide-range of single-use plastic items, such as straws and cotton buds by 2021. “Europe is setting new standards, paving the way(铺路) for the rest of the world,” the European Commission's vice-president Frans Timmermans, who is responsible for sustainable development, said in a statement.

The new plans come after the EC found that plastics make up more than 80% of marine litter, which has disastrous effects on wildlife and habitats. The EU parliament notes that because of its slow rate of breaking down, plastic residue(残余) has been found in marine species as well as fish and shellfish - and therefore also makes its way into the human food chain.

Under the new European law, tobacco companies will be required to cover the costs for the collection of cigarette butts. Manufacturers of fishing tools will also have to pay for the retrieval(找回) of any plastic nets that have been left at sea. There's also a new focus on further raising public awareness, where producers of items such as tobacco filters(滤嘴), plastic cups, and wet wipes will be required to clearly explain to users how to appropriately dispose of them.

The European Commission first suggested the ban in May, which was approved by member states in October. China last year banned the import of 24 varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper, putting pressure on Europe to deal with its own waste.

The World Economic Forum estimates that there are about 150 million tons of plastic in the world's seas. A study published in Science in 2015 suggested that between 5 and 13 million tons more are flowing into them every year. Research shows there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world's oceans by 2050, which has encouraged policymakers, individuals and companies into action.

1.What is the best title for the passage?

A. Plastic drives fish out of seas. B. EU paves the way for the world.

C. EU bans single-use plastic items. D. Plastic threatens marine life and human.

2.Under what circumstances has EU passed the new law?

A. Plastic pollution has reached a disastrous degree.

B. EU bears the responsibility for sustainable development.

C. Plastic residue has been found in human bodies.

D. Manufactures are prepared to collect used products.

3.Under the new EU law, what result will be unavoidable for plastic producers?

A. Production will be reduced. B. Products will be more expensive.

C. The staff will be larger. D. Factories will be moved out of EU.

4.What message is implied in Paragraph 4?

A. China once urged EU to control plastic pollution.

B. China’s ban on solid waste inspired EU.

C. EU and China has signed relevant agreements.

D. EU once exported plastic waste to China.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述的是欧盟禁止一次性塑料制品以及所采取的措施。

1.主旨大意题。根据第一段第一句The European Parliament has approved a law banning a wide-range of single-use plastic items, such as straws and cotton buds by 2021.可知，本文主题是“欧盟禁止一次性塑料制品。”故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段第一句The new plans come after the EC found that plastics make up more than 80% of marine litter, which has disastrous effects on wildlife and habitats.“欧盟委员会发现塑料垃圾占海洋垃圾的80%以上，这对野生动物和栖息地造成了灾难性的影响。”可知，塑料污染已经达到了灾难性的程度。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段中Under the new European law, tobacco companies will be required to cover the costs for the collection of cigarette butts. Manufacturers of fishing tools will also have to pay for the retrieval(找回) of any plastic nets that have been left at sea.“根据新的欧洲法律，烟草公司将被要求支付收集烟蒂的费用。渔具制造商还必须为回收留在海上的塑料渔网支付费用。”由此可知，根据新的欧盟法律，塑料生产商将不可避免地面临产品会更贵的情况。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据第四段The European Commission first suggested the ban in May, which was approved by member states in October. China last year banned the import of 24 varieties of solid waste, including types of plastic and unsorted paper, putting pressure on Europe to deal with its own waste.“欧盟委员会(European Commission)在5月份首次提出了这一禁令，10月份成员国批准了这一禁令。去年，中国禁止进口24种固体废物，包括塑料和未分类的纸张，给欧洲施加了处理本国垃圾的压力。”由此可知，欧盟曾向中国出口塑料垃圾。故选D。