Question

    Kerala, India, has placed a tax on hamburgers, pizza and other fast food. The 14.5 percent tax will be added to foods at restaurants such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Burger King.

The tax is being called a “fat tax” because it adds cost to foods considered high in fat and calories. It is the first fast food tax enacted in India, where obesity levels are rising in the growing middle class.

Kerala’s Finance Minister Thomas Isaac suggested the tax after learning of similar measures in other countries. He hopes it will get people to choose to eat healthy food, which he said is “going out of fashion.”

Dr. Anoop Misra at New Delhi’s Fortis Hospital strongly supports the “fat tax” as a way to reduce the number of diabetes cases in young people.

A government finance official in central Gujarat says that the state is considering a similar 14.5 percent tax. “This idea can also be adopted in the state, as we also have high consumption of junk and unhealthy food,” the official said.

Critics of the tax say it probably will not stop people from buying fast food. IT engineer Gaurav Singh wants the government to focus on education and awareness instead of taxing fast food.

“The one food that is eaten widely in Kerala is the ‘paratha’, which is basically high in fat, high in refined(精制的) flour, and it is cheap. It can't be taxed because it is highly unorganized.”

Some doctors and health experts say the tax should also include other snack foods and sugary drinks sold across the country.

One fast food customer In New Dehli, Vijay Deoli believes the government should deal with more important issues. “First you have to clear up the air, the water, etc. This is a small thing.”

Others say the government should do more to bring attention to fast food and obesity rather than changing people's choices.

Many health experts agree that bringing attention to the issue is important. But Dr. Misra thinks education alone does not work.

He compared the tax to a law passed several years ago that got people to wear seat belts to avoid paying a fine. “Laws can change people’s habits.”

1.Why did Thomas Isaac introduce the “fat tax”?

A. To follow the latest trend in other countries.

B. To prevent young people from getting diabetes.

C. To encourage people to change their eating habits.

D. To control the development of fast food restaurants.

2.What’s Vijay Deoli’s attitude towards the “fat tax”?

A. Worried B. Opposed C. Surprised D. Suspicious

3.The example of wearing seat belts in the last paragraph is used to show the effect of ________.

A. education B. regulations C. people’s choices D. people’s awareness

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.B

【解析】

这是一篇新闻报道。印度的喀拉拉邦对快餐征收“脂肪税”，对于对快餐征收“脂肪税”，人们的看法各不相同。

1.推理判断题。根据第三段中Kerala’s Finance Minister Thomas Isaac …He hopes it will get people to choose to eat healthy food, which he said is “going out of fashion.”可知，Thomas Isaac建议征收“脂肪税”。他希望这能让人们选择吃健康的食物。让人们选择健康的食物也就是改变他们的饮食习惯，故选C项。

2.推理判断题。根据第九段中One fast food customer In New Dehli, Vijay Deoli believes the government should deal with more important issues. “First you have to clear up the air, the water, etc. This is a small thing.”可知，Vijay Deoli认为政府应该处理更重要的问题。比如净化空气、水等。这（征收脂肪税）是一件小事。这说明他对征收“脂肪税”持反对意见。故选B项。

3.细节理解题。根据最后一段He compared the tax to a law passed several years ago that got people to wear seat belts to avoid paying a fine. “Laws can change people’s habits.”可知，Dr. Misra把征收“脂肪税”比作几年前通过的一项法律，该法律要求人们系好安全带以避免交罚款。他说“法律可以改变人们的习惯。”这说明了规章制度的效果，故选B项。