Question

    Somewhere between 40,000 and 110,000 tons of plastic waste produced by Americans ends up in the ocean, according to a study published in the journal Science.

It's difficult to point out where all that waste comes from, and researchers think that much or most of it probably comes from the nation's seriously-populated coasts. But there's also evidence that the nation's inland waterways serve as a passage for plastic to travel thousands of miles into the oceans.

While researchers have documented plastic and human trash floating in the world's oceans, there has been relatively little attention paid to plastics in rivers, streams and lakes. "To my knowledge, no one has studied particular routes, with the exception of places like L.A, and Baltimore Harbor where there are measures in place to prevent trash in rivers from entering the ocean." said Kara Lavender Law, an oceanographer.

The few studies that exist, however, suggest that it may be a huge problem. A 2011 study of two southern California urban rivers---including Santa Ana River---found that every square meter of water contained from 125 to 819 pieces larger than 4.75 millimeters. Another survey of the Meuse River, which flows 575 miles through France, Belgium and the Netherlands to the North Sea, found that it contained 70,000 pieces of plastics per square meter of water, about 500 of which were roughly an inch or bigger in size.

If there's anything positive in this, it's you that can do something, at least on a personal level, to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into the oceans. "Put trash where it goes." said Jenna Jambeck, an associate professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia. "Use reusable items---bags, cups and bottles---to reduce waste."

Finally, Jambeck urges people to pick up litter along waterways, and record it with a phone app called the Marine Debris Tracker. The data you provide can help scientists to get a better handle on the trash problem.

1.According to the text, the least polluted place might be __________.

A.Santa Ana River B.Meuse River

C.Baltimore Harbor D.The North Sea

2.How does the author prove plastic waste in rivers is a huge problem?

A.By referring to experts' views. B.By listing statistics.

C.By making comparisons. D.By following time order.

3.What does Jenna Jambeck advise us to do?

A.Make use of plastic items. B.Reduce the size of waste we throw away.

C.Stay positive about the oceans' future. D.Start from small things to deal with waste.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。研究显示，美国人产生的4万到11万吨塑料垃圾流入海洋，很难指出所有垃圾来及哪里，但是研究人员认为，很多或大部分可能来自这个国家人口稠密的海岸。但也有证据表明，国家的内河航道是塑料经过数千英里进入海洋的通道。建议人们从我作起，保护环境。

1.

细节理解题。根据第三段To my knowledge, no one has studied particular routes, with the exception of places like L.A, and Baltimore Harbor where there are measures in place to prevent trash in rivers from entering the ocean.可知，据我所知，没有人研究过特定的路线，除了洛杉矶和巴尔的摩港，这些地方有措施去防止河流中的垃圾进入海洋。因此，污染最少的地方可能是巴尔的摩港。故选C。

2.

推理判断题。根据第四段A 2011 study of two southern California urban rivers---including Santa Ana River---found that every square meter of water contained from 125 to 819 pieces larger than 4.75 millimeters. Another survey of the Meuse River, which flows 575 miles through France, Belgium and the Netherlands to the North Sea, found that it contained 70,000 pieces of plastics per square meter of water, about 500 of which were roughly an inch or bigger in size.可知，2011年对南加州两条城市河流（包括Santa Ana河）的研究发现，每平方米含125至819块垃圾，大于4.75毫米。另一项对Meuse河（流经法国、比利时和荷兰575英里到达北海）的研究发现，每平方米水中含有70000块塑料，其中大约有500个大约一英寸或更大。根据以上内容可以判断出，作者通过列举数据，证明河流中的塑料垃圾是个大问题。故选B。

3.

细节理解题。由最倒数第二段... at least on a personal level, to reduce the amount of plastic that goes into the oceans. Put trash where it goes.至少在个人层面上，减少流入海洋的塑料量。“垃圾放在它应该放的地方。以及由最后一段Finally, Jambeck urges people to pick up litter along waterways, and record it with a phone app called the Marine Debris Tracker. The data you provide can help scientists to get a better handle on the trash problem.可知，最后，Jambeck敦促人们捡沿河的垃圾，用一个叫Marine Debris Tracker的手机应用程序记录下来。你提供的数据可以帮助科学家更好地处理垃圾。由此可以看出，Jenna Jambeck建议人们从小事做起，来处理垃圾。故选D。