Nowadays, the food that you buy comes from many different countries.Have a look in your fridge, cupboard, and fruit bowl and check the origins(来源) of the food.Perhaps there are apples from California, lamb from New Zealand, or potatoes from Egypt? You will probably be surprised how far food travels to get to your plate.This journey, from “field to plate”, is called “food miles”.A food mile is the distance that food travels from the farmer’s field to the person who buys the food.Nowadays, food often travels thousands of miles to get to the consumer(消费者).Why is this, and what are the effects(影响) of these long distances?

Traditionally, farmers sold their food in the local market so the food didn’t have to travel very far.The consumers also did not travel very far, because they went to their local market to buy the food.This was a good system for farmers and consumers.However, there were some disadvantages.For example, consumers could only buy food that farmers produced locally.In addition, they could only get food that was in season.Now, because of modern technology, food comes from all over the world.We do not have to wait for spring or summer to buy strawberries or tomatoes.They are available in winter if we want.

Some countries have to import(进口) most of their food.This is because they have difficult climates.The United Arab Emirates(UAE), for example, gets 85% of its food from other countries.Even food made in the UAE often uses imported materials.

What’s wrong with “food miles”? Is this not a good way of increasing international trade? I believe these miles are worrying for a number of reasons.First of all, because food travels such long distances.we need more planes, lorries, and ships to move the food.This means we use more oil or petrol, so there is more pollution and more global(全球的) warming.In addition, food that travels a long way is not fresh and usually not very tasty.Tomatoes, for example, are picked early and stored for their long journey.For this reason, they are usually tasteless when they get to the consumer.Local food has a better taste, and it also reduces the amount of global pollution.We need to buy more local food.

1.What is called “food miles” according to this passage?

A. The origins of the food. B. The effects of long distances.

C. The journey from field to plate. D. The disadvantages of imported food.

2.The underlined word “available” in Paragraph 2 most probably means “______”.

A. easy to get B. not busy C. willing to talk D. impossible to get

3.Some countries like the United Arab Emirates have to import most of their food because of ____.

A. long distances B. difficult climates C. fresh and tasty food D. modern technology

4.The writer uses the LAST paragraph mostly to encourage readers to ______.

A. buy more local food B. increase international trade

C. travel long distances D. use imported materials

5.This passage is mainly about ______.

A. how local food travels from field to plate B. what “food miles” is and its effects

C. how some countries import their food D. where different kinds of food come from

“A cold can disappear in two days. Seventy percent of people who catch a cold feel

better within a week, but it is unusual to have the common cold for as long as two weeks, ” says Gary Rogg, a medicine specialist (专家) at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

Why does your cold seem to be staying for longer than it should? Here are some possible reasons.

Getting Less Sleep

Sleep plays an important role in our system. In fact, a study proved that people who got less than seven hours of sleep per night were nearly three times more likely to catch a cold than people who slept for eight hours or more.

Low on Water

Water plays an important part in your body. If your cold won’t go away, consider drinking more water.

Treating the Wrong Illness

The common cold can easily be mixed with other illnesses. Often, people believe they’ ve had a cold for a few weeks and may not realize that they aren’t getting better because they’ ve been treating the wrong illness.

Exercising Too Hard

“People ask me all the time,’ Should I exercise when I have a cold?’” Katona says. “My answer is usually’yes’ , but do it at a lower level. If you do it at a high level, you may get even worse.”

So, what does Katona consider to be a lower level? The answer is taking a walk, not running five miles.

1.Who is Gary Rogg?

A. He is a medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center.

B. He is a person who advises us not to exercise too hard.

C. He is a person who catches a cold easily.

2.Who can catch a cold more easily according to the passage?

A. People who sleep 6 hours per night.

B. People who sleep 8 hours per night.

C. People who sleep 10 hours per night.

3.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason why your cold might stay for longer?

A. Getting less rest. B. Eating more meat. C. Drinking little water.

4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. 70% of people who catch a cold will not feel better within a week.

B. Katona says running five miles is a good way to get better.

C. Often the common cold is mixed with other illnesses.

5.What’ s the best title for the passage?

A. How to get away from the cold

B. Why your cold stays for longer

C. The right medicine for a cold

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