题目内容

Growers around the world are using new methods to grow grapes to make wine. They use natural and organic methods to control harmful insects and weeds instead of using chemicals. Now, a winery in Canada has adopted a natural way to control its grapevines (葡萄藤).The Featherstone Winery is in southern Ontario. The grapevines, like other plants, need to be cut every year.

     Cutting grapevines must be done very carefully. Only a targeted area of leaves is removed from the lower part of the vines to help the grapes grow better. But at the Featherstone Winery, no man or machine does the cutting. Instead, the job is done by 40 little wooly lambs.www.zxxk.com

     David Johnson owns the vineyard. He says he learned about using lambs while visiting wineries in New Zealand. The young lambs are perfectly designed to do the job. They eat the grape leaves on the lower parts of the vine. But they are not tall enough to reach the grapes. They only weigh about 22 kilograms, so they do not beat down the soil. And their waste makes good organic fertilizer. In addition, using the lambs costs much less than hiring workers to cut the vines for seven weeks in summer. And when the cutting is done in August, the lambs become tasty dishes.

     Mr Johnson says he had a difficult time finding enough lambs to do the job. There are about 50 million lambs in New Zealand. But there are not nearly as many in Ontario. Also, some organic pesticides (杀虫剂) are harmful to lambs. And the lambs must be watched to make sure they do not eat too much of the grapevines.

    David Johnson says the lambs help him carry out his environmental ideas about farming. They are lovely and peaceful and he likes having them in his vineyard. People visiting the vineyard also enjoy watching the lambs do their job.

1.Farmers who grow grapes with natural and organic methods _____.

A. don't cut grapevines every year

B. don't use chemicals to control harmful insects and weeds  

C. don't need to control harmful insects and weeds   

D. don't use organic fertilizer

2.In order to help the grapes grow better, growers _____.

A. only have to remove the dead leaves    

B. need to remove a specific area of leaves    

C. shouldn't remove any part of the plants    

D. should let little lambs do the cutting

3.Paragraph 4 is mainly about _____.

A. the future of getting lambs to do the cutting    

B. the worries about using organic pesticides 

C. the ways to get lambs to do the cutting  

D. the problems related to lambs doing the cutting

4.We can infer from the passage that David Johnson______.

A. owns several wineries in Canada

B. buys lambs from New Zealand  

C. is concerned about protecting the environment   

D. loves keeping lambs instead of farming

 

【答案】

 

1.B

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

试题分析:本文在采用环保的方式来种植葡萄酿酒。

1.B细节题 从第一段They use natural and organic methods to control harmful insects and weeds instead of using chemicals中找到答案B是正确的。

2.B推断题,从第二段Only a targeted area of leaves is removed from the lower part of the vines to help the grapes grow better推断出答案B项。

3.D 段落大意 从第四段第一句话推断出D项

4.C推断题 从最后一段第一句话推断出David Johnson是个环保人士

考点 环保类阅读

 

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阅读下面短文,根据所读内容在表格中的空白处填入恰当的单词。注意:每个空格只填一个单词。

Farmers and gardeners have long used greenhouses to extend the growing season in cold weather. Now, hoop houses are gaining popularity. Some hoop houses are rounded; others are shaped more like a traditional house.

A hoop house is basically a metal frame covered with plastic or other all-weather material. A common design looks like a high tunnel. Unlike a greenhouse, which uses a heating system, a hoop house is heated by the warmth of the sun.

Now, the United States Department of Agriculture has announced a program to help farmers who want to build hoop houses. The department has been supporting a project in Michigan. That state has a short growing season. As part of the research project, nine farmers were given materials and trained how to build and use a hoop house. The results showed that well-managed hoop houses can grow high-quality crops.

However, crops are not the only things that grow well. The research found that weeds grow faster in a hoop house. Weeding (除草), seeding and watering requires at least as much work as crops grown in the open air. The researchers also advise growers to add compost(堆肥) material to the soil in hoop houses to build nutrients.

Eliot Coleman is an organic farmer and a writer in Maine who has helped popularize the idea of four-season farming. His ideas about hoop houses sounded good to John Biernbaum in the Horticulture(园艺)Department at Michigan State University.

Professor Biernbaum tried hoop houses on the Student Organic Farm at Michigan State and had success. Project director David Conner says it was a "test drive(试车)" for the research on private farms. The agricultural economist points to the demand for locally grown crops. "People are hungry for good, fresh vegetables," he says.

          Topic

                 Hoop houses

 

Design

 

56._________

·Like a high tunnel

·Some round ; others like a 57.        house.

Material

·Metal frame.

·Plastic or other all-weather material.

58.        

The warmth of the sun.

 

Research

project in

Michigan

 

The program

·It is 59._________by the US Department of Agriculture.

·Michigan was chosen due to its short 60._________season.

·Nine farmers were given materials and trained how to build

and use a hoop house.

·It is greatly 61._________by the ideas from Eliot Coleman.

 

62.         

·High-quality crops can grow in well-managed hoop houses.

·Weeds also grow faster in hoop houses.

 

63.         

·Weeding, seeding and watering needs as much work as

naturally grown crops.

·64.         should be added to the soil.

Significance

Demand for locally grown crops 65._________further research

on private farms.

56            57            58          59          60         

61            62            63          64          65         

 

What’s delicious to eat and comes in a variety of colors? Eggplant! And no, it has nothing to do with chickens! This strangely named vegetable is, however, as versatile as an egg.It can be steamed, fried, and baked.It can be eaten by itself or combined with meats and other vegetables.

Eggplant was first grown in India in the 5th century BC.Its popularity soon spread to China and then throughout Asia.Finally, during the Middle Ages the vegetable made its way to Europe.At that time, eggplant was not the shiny purple vegetable most people know today.Instead, it’s like a white egg.Due to this egg - like appearance, eggplant got its name.In its early days, the vegetable was so bitter that people often called it a “mad apple.” This nickname started because people believed its bitterness was bad for one' s health.People actually thought eggplant could cause madness and cancer.

Fortunately today people know that eggplant doesn't cause insanity or cancer.In fact eggplant is so healthy that it may prevent cancer.In addition, the brain and the heart benefit from this super vegetable.Since it's high in fibre, eggplant can improve digestion.

Italy, Turkey, Egypt, China and Japan are the leading growers of eggplant in the world today.Depending on its location, eggplant may be purple, green, orange or yellow - white.And it can be as small as a tomato or as large as a cucumber.Dish varieties range from simple to complex, with all of them being delicious.

Today, thousands of people gather in Loomis, Calif, for the annual Loomis Eggplant Festival.The main activity at the festival is eating delicious eggplant dishes.There is plenty more to do and see, though.Recipe contests, arts and crafts, performers, races and children's activities all “egg – cite” festival - goers.Most people at the festival would agree—eggplant is an “egg—cellent” vegetable.

1.Eggplant got its name because of its _____.

A.appearance

B.taste

C.color

D.value

2.Which of the following does NOT belong to the qualities of eggplant?

A.It can be cooked in various ways.

B.It is easy to digest.

C.It can prevent cancer.

D.It is valuable and priceless.

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.Eggplant can be eaten to cure cancer

B.Eggplant used to taste bitter.

C.India produce the most eggplant in the world today.

D.Eggplant has a history of nearly 1,000 years.

4.Most people come to the Loomis Eggplant Festival to_____.

A.see arts and crafts

B.enjoy food with eggplants

C.take part in recipe contests

D.promote eggplant

 

 

Chances are you’ve enjoyed a cup of coffee from Starbucks. Since the opening of the first Starbucks in 1971 as a vendor of high-quality coffee beans and brewing equipment, the company has expanded to become the most popular coffeehouse chain in the world. Its 14,000 stores in 43 countries sell coffee beverages, beans, teas, brewing equipment, pastries, and more. How did this happen?

     Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz took over the company in 1987. He recognized an untapped market in busy individuals in urban areas who could afford fine coffees. In 1995, Schultz hired Anna Niess and Will Chassaing to redesign his booming chain. In addition to laying the groundwork for Starbucks’ well-known symbols and distinctive style, they created a program that led to opening one store per day throughout the 1990s.

     One thing that makes Starbucks so popular is the company’s vision of their stores as a “third place” to spend time in addition to work and home. It’s a cozy environment that serves as a meeting place. This attracts a loyal following of customers that come not only to drink coffee, but to relax, work, socialize, and attend cultural events.

     Schultz still sees a great deal of potential for his company. Starbucks plans to have 40,000 stores worldwide with 20,000 in the US and Canada. The company is now a household name around the world.

     Howard Schultz is the perfect example of a person living the American dream. After growing up in public housing, he received a football scholarship to Northern Michigan University. This allowed him to become the first in his family to graduate from college in 1975.

     Schultz first experienced Starbucks as a salesman for Swedish drip coffeemakers on a trip to visit the Seattle company that had been buying his products. A year later, he joined the company. Conflict arose when Schultz recommended Starbucks sell brewed coffee in addition to beans and equipment. The owners disagreed, and in 1985, Schultz went on to start his own coffee shop, II Giornale. In 1987, the original Starbucks owners sold their company to Schultz, and refocused their attention on selling coffee beans and teas.

     Schultz promoted an aggressive expansion of Starbucks throughout the US and Canada. When Starbucks began selling stock shares in 1992, he had already grown the chain to 165 stores. Throughout the expansion of Starbucks, Schultz has held strong principles of social responsibility. Starbucks takes good care of its employees with health insurance, stock options (认股权), and stable hours. In fact, under Schultz, Starbucks has been consistently ranked one of the best places to work in the US and UK.

     Commitments to environmentalism, fair pay for coffee bean growers, and a positive contribution to society contribute to Schultz’s reputation as a truly ethical (道德的) businessman. That means with Schultz in charge of Starbucks, you can enjoy your coffee with a clear conscience.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Starbucks sells coffee beverages, beans, teas, brewing equipment, pastries and more.

The original Starbucks owners focused their attention on selling coffee beans and brewing equipment until 1987.

Starbucks has been the best place to work in the US and UK.

It was Anna Niess and Will Chassaing who redesigned Starbucks’s well- known symbols and style.

1.What makes Starbucks so popular?

A.Starbucks’ care for its employees.

B.Starbucks’ Chairman Howard Schultz.

C.Starbucks’ expansion around the world

D.Starbucks’ cozy environment

2.Which of the following is the correct order of the events?

a.Schultz started his own coffee shop.

b.  Schultz recommended Starbucks sell brewed coffee.

c.  Schultz bought Starbucks.

d.  Schultz grew the chain to 165 stores.

A. b, c, a, d                          B. b, a, c, d                          C. b, c, d, a                          D. b, a, d, c

3.What helps Schultz to earn a reputation as a truly ethical businessman?

A.His being the first to graduate in his family.

B.The fast expansion of Starbucks.

C.His strong principles of social responsibility.

D.His being the perfect example of a person living the American dream.

 

British potato farmers were taking to the streets to call for the expression "couch potato" to be taken away from the dictionary on the grounds that it harms the vegetable's image.

The British Potato Council wants the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) to replace the expression with the term "couch slouch", with protests planned outside parliament in London and the offices of Oxford University Press. Kathryn Race, head of marketing at the Council, which represents some 4,000 growers and processors, said the group had complained in writing to the OED but had yet to receive a response.

"We are trying to get rid of the image that potatoes are bad to you," she said Monday.

"The potato has had its knocks in the past. Of course it is not the Oxford English Dictionary's fault but we want to use another term than couch potato because potatoes are naturally healthy."

The OED says "couch potato" originated as American slang, meaning "a person who spends leisure time passively or idly sitting around, especially watching television or video tapes."

John Simpson, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, said the dictionary first included the term “couch potato” in 1993 and said "dictionaries just reflect the words that society uses."

Simpson said words were never taken out of the full-length dictionary, which includes some 650,000 words contained in 20 volumes. But little-used words can be removed from the smaller dictionaries to make way for newer ones.

“If society stops using words, then they are taken out of the smaller dictionaries”, he added. “The first known recorded use of the expression ‘couch potato’ was in a 1979 Log Angeles Times article,” Simpson said.

Nigel Evans, a member of parliament for the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, has made a motion in support of the campaign, highlighting the nutritional value of the British potato.

1.British potato farmers were taking to the streets _____.

A.to advertise their production

B.to call for a higher price for t heir potatoes

C.to remove the expression “couch potato” from the dictionary

D.to let people know how important the potato is in people’s lives

2.The farmers think that_________.

A.potatoes have had a bad imagine       

B.potatoes are good for people by nature

C.potatoes sometimes do harm to people

D.it's the dictionary's fault to use the expression "couch potato"

3.John Simpson thinks that _________.

A.the expression can be taken out of every kind of dictionary

B.dictionaries do not necessarily reflect the words the society uses

C.little used words can remain in the smaller dictionaries

D.it is impossible to take the word out of the dictionary

4.What is wrong with the expression "couch potato"?

A.It is connected with unfavorable meaning.

B.Potato should be used in the expression. 

C.It is borrowed from American English.

D.It refers to a kind of person.

 

The American local food movement has been all about buying seasonal food from nearby farmers. Now, thanks to the Web, it is expanding to include far-away farmers too. A new start-up, Foodzie, is an online farmers market where small food producers and growers can sell their products.

Foodzie was started by Mr LaFave and two of his friends, who met during college at Virginia Tech, where they would pay frequent visits to farmers markets. Last year, while living in North Carolina, one of them, Emily Olson, now 24, came up with one idea. She was working as a brand manager for a gourmet grocery chain and realized that people who enjoyed fine food but didn’t work in the business had no way to discover handmade foods outside their local farmers markets. Small farmers had no way of finding or selling to faraway customers, either.

   Mr LaFAve and the third co-founder, Nik Bauman, both 25, worked in corporate sales and software development. “With business, food and computer science backgrounds, we figured we had everything we needed.” Mr LaFAve said.

   The three quit their jobs, and opened this site to the public in December and the site has had 43,000 visitors in the past month. So far, 29 sellers have opened shops and 41 are in the process of opening them. The founders recently hired a fourth employee to help Ms Olson recruit(吸收) new food producers at farmers markets and food shows. Mr LaFAve is convinced that the recession(经济衰退) will not reduce people’s interest in buying locally grown and handmade food. “There is misunderstanding that all these foods are more expensive than mass-produced alternatives,” he said. “People are pouring their heart and soul into these products, and they are of the highest quality. ”

1. The passage is mainly about _______________.

   A. how an online farmers’ market works

   B. the American local food movement

   C. three youths starting an online farmers’ market

   D. the reasons why people are interested in local food

2.Why did the founders start the online farmers’ market?

   A. Because it met the need of the market.

   B. Because the founders were interested in seasonal food.

   C. Because some people wanted to buy locally grown food.

   D. Because farmers wanted to sell their foods.

3. The underlined word in Paragraph 2 can be used to describe ______________.

   A. food of high quality    B. terrible food    C. food of low fat   D. fried food

4.The founders of the site employed another person to help _______________.

   A. open new shops in faraway markets

   B. buy locally grown and handmade food

   C. find more food outside their local farmers’ markets

   D. find more food growers to open shops on their site

5.About the three founders, we know that ________________.

   A. they are of the same age             B. to start the website they gave up their work

C. they used to be colleague            D. they majored in farming at college

 

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