A new Los Angeles city law taking effect Tuesday will make single-use plastic bags illegal at family-run convenience stores.

The ban comes two years after city officials voted to ban the use of plastic bags. A more clean-water advocate said that would reduce the amount of trash in landfills, the region’s waterways and the ocean.

In January, big-chain grocers and supermarkets started charging shoppers 10 cents for paper bags at the checkout. But the law has not totally put plastic bags to an end. Some stores sell thicker, reusable plastic bags for 15 cents or more. Now, small grocers are being required to transit from cheap plastic to more expensive paper. Some business owners worry that the added cost will cut their already-thin profit.

Last month, store owners received a notice informing them of the new ban. In practice of the law, Zaman Amini replaced the lightweight black plastic bags at the family-owned Cloverdale Market in the Miracle Mile area with paper bags. When shoppers complain of the 10-cent fee, Amini said he just eats the cost and gives them the bag for free. “People don’t like the charges, so sometimes I don’t charge them,” Amini said. “I don’t want to lose customers.”

City officials said including smaller grocery stores in the ban is an important step in protecting natural resources, particularly the ocean and beaches. “We are more conscious about how these bags hurt the environment,” City Councilman Paul Krekorian said in a statement. “By expanding the ban to all grocery stores and markets, Los Angeles is truly showing our promise and determination to a more responsible and sustainable future.”

Los Angeles made history in 2012 when it became the largest city to ban plastic bags. Other California cities had already passed similar measures, including San Jose, San Francisco and Long Beach. Chicago has since followed suit, and a bill was introduced in New York City in March to ban plastic bags.

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1.What will be the result of banning plastic bags in stores in Los Angeles?

A Less customers will go to the stores to shop.

B There will be less trash in landfills in the region.

C The water will be cleaner in the ocean.

D Other cities will follow suit.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章第二段…that would reduce the amount of trash in…可知，禁塑令的直接结果将是城区、水域的垃圾量减少。

2.What can be inferred from the passage?

A Store owners are concerned that paper bags affect their earnings.

B Plastic bags are still used in convenience stores at the moment.

C No plastic bags have been used since two years ago.

D Paper bags are cheaper than plastic bags.

解析：选A。推理判断题。文章第三段说“Some business owners worry that the added cost will cut their already-thin profit”，由此判断，店主们担心使用纸袋将会影响他们的收益。

3.Why does Amini often give paper bags to the shoppers for free?

A Because paper bags are very cheap.

B Because he doesn’t want to lose customers.

C Because this is a family-owned market.

D Because his shoppers don’t accept the charge.

解析：选B。细节理解题。文章第四段讲述了店主Zaman Amini执行禁塑令的情况，他为了留住顾客，甚至不惜免费赠送纸袋。

4.In which city does the news story in the passage take place?

A Chicago.

B San Francisco.

C Los Angeles.

D New York.

解析：选C。细节理解题。本文讲述的是洛杉矶实施禁塑令的情况，与芝加哥、旧金山、纽约都没有关系。

5.What can be the best title of the passage?

A Pollution by Plastic Bags

B Responsible for A Sustainable Future

C Paper Bags in Place of Plastic Bags

D Los Angeles Bans Plastic Bags in Stores

解析：选D。主旨大意题。通读全文可知，文章报道了洛杉矶保护环境实行禁塑令的情况，同时介绍了社会影响，故选D。