B
(2025·无锡二模改编)In South Korea, families must pay for the food they throw away. This simple rule has reduced household waste by 30% in just five years. Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted while 800 million people suffer from hunger.
The journey of wasted food begins long before it reaches our plates. Studies by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization show that in developing countries, farmers don't have proper storage or transportation, so 40% of food is lost after harvest. In India, nearly 20% of fruit and vegetables go bad before reaching markets. In wealthy countries, like the US, where over 40% of the waste happens in shops and homes, nearly 20% of vegetables never leave farms just because they look “ugly”. At home, US families waste 1,500 worth of food every year because they misunderstand “best before” dates.
The environmental damage(损害)that food waste causes is amazing. Rotting food in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas which is 25 times more powerful than CO₂. If food waste were a country, it would create more pollution than other nations. The water used to grow wasted food could fill Lake Geneva three times. Deforestation is also connected to wasteful food systems.
Food waste costs the global economy 1 trillion every year. US families could save 1,800 per year by reducing waste, while UK supermarkets lose £ 250 million on unsold bread. During the period that the disease spread a few years ago, when schools and restaurants closed, US dairy farmers threw away 3.7 million gallons of milk daily.
Actions are being taken around the world. France has become the first country to prevent supermarkets from throwing away edible food, requiring them to donate it instead. Denmark started public education campaigns in 2010 and has cut national waste by 25%. And apps like Olio, which encourage neighbours to share surplus food, are proving helpful.
Small steps at home can help as well. Storing food properly, like separating apples, can keep food fresh longer. Understanding “best before” dates means quality rather than safety, could prevent 20% of household waste. California schools, which introduced “share tables” for uneaten food, reduced cafeteria waste by 30%.
As scientist Dr Jane Smith warns, “Reducing food waste is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change that anyone can take part in.” By planning meals, buying “ugly” food, and storing food properly, everyone can help create a future where food should feed people instead of being thrown away.
5. Why does the article talk about South Korea's rule?
A. To show Asian countries have stricter laws.
B. To explain how this rule makes much money.
C. To prove that small new rules can work well.
D. To discuss why the rule is popular worldwide.
6. What can we learn about food waste?
A. Indian farmers lose most fruit because of bad weather.
B. US farms waste almost 20% of vegetables because of their ugly looks.
C. California schools teach special lessons to cut food waste.
D. UK supermarkets are fined for throwing away unsold bread.
7. 语言能力 归纳能力 What do the last three paragraphs mainly talk about?
A. Using apps to share uneaten food.
B. How scientists remind us of healthy eating.
C. Creating plans for a greener future.
D. How different groups can fight food waste.
8. 新考法
补全文章 The following sentence can be best put at the end of
A
.
This shocking imbalance harms the planet, economies, and people in need, but this can be fixed through collective effort, as research shows.
A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 3
D. Paragraph 4