A federal judge in California has dismissed a lawsuit against the Coca-Cola company which argued that Diet Coke misled people to believe the drink would help them lose weight.
The case was brought by Shana Becerra who said that she had bought and drank Diet Coke because she believed it would contribute to weight loss and healthy weight management. She alleged that Diet Coke had the opposite effect, citing studies that she claimed showed sweeteners with no nutritional value like those used in Diet Coke caused weight gain and increased risk of certain diseases.
Although Coca-Cola’s arguments against the suit were not adequate, Judge William Alsup said the prosecutor (检察官) failed to show that consumers were likely to be deceived by the advertising.
Alsup dismissed the case because Becerra had not met the requirement that “members of the public are likely to be deceived”. “In supermarkets, Diet Coke is displayed next to regular soft drinks and is not sold in the health-food section. Reasonable consumers would understand that Diet Coke merely deletes the calories usually present in regular Coke, and that the caloric reduction will lead to weight loss only as part of an overall sensible diet and exercise regimen (养生法) dependent on individual metabolism (新陈代谢),” Alsup said in the decision.
Alsup said the studies cited by Becerra suggest a connection between Diet Coke-type drinks and weight gain, but they do not suggest causation. He added that one of the studies even says that weight gain is “due to the behavior of consumers, rather than the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners.” Alsup also rejected the idea that Diet Coke advertising would suggest advertising will feature healthy and attractive consumers enjoying the subject products and will not star the unhealthy and unfit.”
The decision on Tuesday, said that the prosecutor has until March 22 to file a motion to amend the complaint. A spokesperson for the Coca-Cola company said they were content with the fact that the court dismissed prosecutor baseless complaint.
1.What was the lawsuit against?
A.One of Coca-Cola’s drinks made people think it would make them thinner.
B.The Coca-Cola company misled people to believe the safety of its products.
C.The advertisements exaggerated the health effects of Diet Coke.
D.The judge discriminated the consumers in favor of the Coco-Cola company.
2.What are the side effects of sweeteners?
A.They stimulate people’s spirits and make them energetic.
B.They increase people’s weight and the potential possibility of getting sick.
C.They provide nutritious refreshment for fat consumers.
D.They add a nice touch to the soft drinks and make them popular.
3.Why did Judge William Alsup dismiss the charge?
A.Because the prosecutor couldn’t provide solid evidence to support her lawsuit.
B.Because the Coca-Cola company didn’t do anything wrong.
C.Because he was reasonable enough to know the effects of soft drinks.
D.Because the consumer made no sense in this lawsuit.
4.According to Alsup, how can people lose weight with Diet Coke?
A.They should reduce the calories they take in.
B.They should replace the regular Coca with Diet Coke.
C.They should reduce their drinking of Diet Coke.
D.They should pay attention to their diet and do exercise.
5.What was the Coca-Cola company’s attitude towards the Judge’s decision?
A.Angry.
B.Regretful.
C.Pleased.
D.Shameful.
The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie
By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014
Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book. It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting but teaches kids valuable lessons.
Chester and Gus
By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017
Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true--- until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job.
Invisible Emmie
By Terri Libenson, published in 2017
The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie-- and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought.
Ocean Meets Sky
By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018
“Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post.
Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for.
1.Which book is related to the loss of loved ones?
A.The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie
B.Chester and Gus
C.Invisible Emmie
D.Ocean Meets Sky
2.Why is Chester adopted by a family?
A.To make him accompany a boy
B.To make him do the right job
C.To help a boy realize his dream
D.To help him pass his certification test
3.What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie?
A.It may be gained for free
B.It’s the first children’s book in 20015
C.It’s only for children’s fun
D.It’s mainly about teacher’s lessons
4.Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates?
A.Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills
B.Cammie McGovern
C.Terri Libenson
D.Terry Fan and Eric Fan
5.What kind of book do these four books belong to?
A.Adult novel
B.Children’s literature
C.Moral stories
D.Adventure literature
In October, I told the eight-year-olds about my plan. “I’ d like all of you to do extra jobs to __________ some money. Then we’ll buy food for a Thanksgiving dinner for someone who might not have a nice dinner ___________.” I wanted the children to ____________ that it’s more blessed to give than to ___________. I wanted them to understand that religion is ____________ nice theological (神学的）ideas; that people somehow have to make it come _____________.
Early in the week, the boys and girls arrived in class seizing their hard-earned money and couldn’t wait to go shopping. I watched ____________ they ran up and down the supermarket aisles. ____________, we headed toward the checkout. Then someone ____________ a “necessity” that sent them racing.
“Flowers!” kristine cried. The group rushed toward the holiday __________. I pronounced, “You can’t eat flowers.” “But Mrs. Sherlock, we want flowers.” ________, I sighed as the children moved a pot of purple mums (菊花) into the cart.
Then we set off for the house of a needy grandmother and finally _________ in front of a small house in the woods. A woman with a tired face came to the door to _________ us. My little group hurried to get the turkey and the trimmings. As each box was carried in, the old woman thanked us — much to children’s _________. When Amy put the mums on the counter, the woman seemed surprised.
We returned to the car. Fastening seat belts, we could see the kitchen window. The woman inside waved goodbye, then turned and walked across the room, past the turkey, past the trimmings, ________ to the mums. She put her face in the flowers. When she raised her head, there was a __________ on her lips. She was transformed before our eyes. The children were quiet. In that one brief ________, they had seen for themselves the _________ they possessed to make another’s life _________. The children had ________ that sometimes a person needs a pot of funny flowers on a dark November day.
1.A.spend B.earn C.withdraw D.save
2.A.either B.though C.otherwise D.anyway
3.A.experience B.expect C.advocate D.clarify
4.A.enjoy B.receive C.accumulate D.share
5.A.better than B.rather than C.other than D.more than
6.A.alive B.wrong C.fresh D.fair
7.A.until B.before C.as D.since
8.A.Gradually B.Eventually C.Frequently D.Occasionally
9.A.observed B.confirmed C.recognized D.spotted
10.A.plants B.lights C.cards D.foods
11.A.Panicked B.Moved C.Defeated D.Determined
12.A.pulled up B.settled down C.turned out D.got through
13.A.accompany B.welcome C.inspect D.instruct
14.A.puzzle B.astonishment C.pleasure D.disappointment
15.A.straight B.abruptly C.gradually D.close
16.A.terror B.shock C.pain D.smile
17.A.chance B.decision C.moment D.condition
18.A.energy B.power C.talent D.interest
19.A.wealthier B.healthier C.easier D.better
20.A.sensed B.noticed C.marked D.checked
—I can drive you home.
—____ , but are you sure it’s not too much trouble?
A.That would be great B.Don’t bother
C.I’m afraid not D.Take care
The prize winner described to the class ________ he had managed to achieve excellence in his study.
A.what B.how C.which D.whether
Music treatment involves a specialist playing an instrument or singing _______ the patient’s mood.
A.by means of
B.on behalf of
C.on account of
D.in response to
