弃用塑料吸管，用什么取而代之？

The war on plastic straws is growing as more companies like McDonald’s face pressure to find sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives that won’t pollute our oceans, litter our beaches or harm animals. It is estimated that more than 500 million single-use plastic straws are used and thrown away every day in the U.S. alone as Americans use them at an average rate of 1.6 straws per person per day. It’s no wonder that sea turtles are being found with plastic straws stuck up their noses. Only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling and 32% of plastic packaging escapes collection systems.  
A study found that 8 million tons of plastic trash end up in our oceans every year. And while plastic straws represent only a part of the overall tonnage of ocean plastic, they are less likely to make it into recycling bins for their small size, which makes them dangerous for marine animals and are consumed by fish.
This has led environmentalists and conservation groups to add plastic straws to the growing list of plastic products it is seeking to ban or tax in an attempt to reduce plastic waste. The United Kingdom announced plans in April to ban the sale of plastic straws as the global war against plastic pollution gains popularity.
Straws are not really needed when drinking so simply. Refusing a straw is the most eco-friendly choice a person can make. But if you need to use or like to use a straw, there are alternatives. “There are plenty of choices for trash-free sipping. We all have a drawer of reusable silverware at home, so why not use a few reusable straws?” Nick Mallos, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program, said.

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1.What pressure do the companies like McDonald’s face?

A Buying plastic straws.

B Finding sustainable and eco-friendly straws.

C Polluting the oceans.

D Making more and more beaches.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第一段第一句的more companies like McDonald’s face pressure to find sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives可知像麦当劳这样的公司面临着找可持续利用的环保吸管的压力。故选B。

2.Why did the writer mention sea turtles?

A To show the animals were easily hurt.

B To show the collection systems were useful.

C To show the problem caused by plastic straws was very serious.

D To show the plastic straws weren’t easily broken.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第一段的内容可知，人类大量使用塑料吸管，然而回收率却极低，塑料垃圾已经严重污染了环境，给动物带来了损害，由此可推知作者提及海龟的目的旨在说明由塑料吸管导致的问题已经非常严重。故选C。

3.Why is it difficult to collect the plastic straws?

A They are made of plastic.

B They are consumed by fish.

C They are often too small.

D They are in recycling bins.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段第二句中的they are less likely to make it into recycling bins for their small size可知是因为塑料吸管太小了才使得它们很难收集。故选C。

4.What did the United Kingdom do to stop plastic pollution?

A They offered reusable silverware.

B They stopped people selling plastic straws.

C They handed out reusable straws.

D They taught the skills of trash-free sipping.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段第二句的The United Kingdom announced plans in April to ban the sale of plastic straws可知英国为了阻止塑料污染开始禁止销售塑料吸管。故选B。