Shopping green can make an important contribution to protecting the planet and conserving its resources.

  Today’s consumers face a wider range of choices than ever before. Add to that the steady stream of sales campaigns,and shopping smart only gets harder. To buy economically and reduce waste,safeguard health and protect the environment,you’ll need to follow some basic principles and have a clear idea of what you want.

  1. Do your homework Before making any major purchase,take the time to research it. Plentiful resources are usually available online. Avoid buying in a hurry,and don’t be persuaded by over-enthusiastic salespeople. Sleep on it if necessary—you won’t regret giving yourself some extra time to think.

  2. Take the long view Consider the running costs as well as the initial price of any item you buy. Many environmentally friendly products cost more to buy,but save you money in the long run. Choose items that are made to last. For example,pick a sofa that has a hardwood or steel frame rather than one made of softwood,which may break easily.

  3. Skip the disposable option Buy reusable products like washable cloth towels,handkerchiefs,serviettes (餐巾) and cleaning cloths rather than paper,single-use varieties. Avoid other disposable supplies like cups,glasses,and chopsticks,too.

  4. Take the local route Buy local products that are in season. It’s usually cheaper and fresher and has less harm to the environment. Markets and roadside stands are good sources. Some supermarkets also buy from local producers. Support it if you have one.

5. Avoid wasteful packaging Better not buy products that have too much packaging. It’s estimated that approximately 10        per cent of every shopping bill is actually paying for packaging—which you normally just throw away!Moreover,significant amounts of energy are used in the production of packaging. Purchasing refillable and renewable containers can also help cut this kind of waste.

(   ) 1. What could be the best title for this passage?

   A. Protection of the planet

   B. Green shopping principles

   C. Environmentally friendly products

   D. Resource conservation

(   ) 2. The underlined phrase “Sleep on it” has the similar meaning with “     ”.

   A. think it over   B. forget about it

   C. set it aside   D. put it into action

(   ) 3. Why does the author advise us to buy lasting prod ucts?

   A. Because they are less expensive to buy.

   B. Because they save money in the long run.

   C. Because they will never break.

   D. Because they are local products.

(   ) 4. Which of the following can be considered green shopping?

   A. Following the stream of sales campaigns.

   B. Buying disposable chopsticks.

   C. Focusing on packaging.

   D. Purchasing from local markets.

                  Investing in yourself

  Figuring out how to invest your money can be a difficult task. This is something that you will want to learn how to do.

  1.        Things that will improve your knowledge,skills or health are all great investments. However,before you start,you need to be clear about what you will gain out of doing all of these things.

  You may think investing in yourself means investing in your education.2.________ There are some other things you can do as well as buying a gym membership or learning a new skill.

  So what are some specific things you can do?3.________Reading books can really expand your mind and allow you to learn different skills and gain knowledge. I'm talking about the books where you will actually learn a new skill,not fiction books.

You can also take courses and attend seminars. These programmes are taught by people with a high level of knowledge or skill.4.        Only in this way can you avoid be ing fooled by some sales presentation.

  Moreover,investing in yourself is a safe way to keep your money. Although a savings account is seen as the most secure investment,that isn’t 100% safe. Even if you never experience your bank closing down,the return is little when inflation (通货膨胀) is taken into consideration.5.        But over time,they will show up in terms of your happiness level as well as your level of success.

   A. This is just one way.

   B. The benefits will stay with you.

   C. If you aren’t a reader,you should start with that.

   D. The more you do this,the more valuable you will be.

   E. Of course,you need to do some research before investing.

   F. The best way to invest your money is to invest it in yourself.

   G. When you invest in yourself,you may not see gains right away.

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