麦当劳计划减少其全球牛肉供应中抗生素的使用
McDonald’s says it will reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef around the world. Like many others, the restaurant chain uses antibiotics to treat sick animals in its supply chain. With a policy announced Tuesday, McDonald’s plans to reduce—but not stop—the use of antibiotics to human health in 10 countries from which it sources more than 85% of its beef, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. According to the World Health Organization, the overuse and misuse of certain antibiotics make them less effective at treating human diseases.
The reduction won’t happen right away. McDonald’s says there is “limited antibiotic usage data available across the global beef industry”, and this month, the company is establishing regional pilot tests to determine the proper amount of the antibiotics in each of the 10 countries.
The burger chain says it expects to achieve the reduction in the use of the antibiotics by taking three key steps. First, it won’t permit the use of important antibiotics to grow bigger animals. Second, it won’t permit the routine use of the antibiotics to prevent infectious diseases. Third, it won’t permit the use of the antibiotics to control the spread of infectious diseases in herds. The policy encourages beef producers to use the antibiotics as a last choice.
In October, 2018, the National Resources Defense Council graded 25 US burger chains on their antibiotic policies. McDonald’s got an F grade. The organization said, “This sends a clear market signal to beef producers worldwide. Nobody in the world sells more burgers than McDonald’s, and their actions can shape the future of the industry. With Washington asleep at the wheel on this rising health threat, leadership in the marketplace is playing a large role. We will be watching with great interest to see how this policy works.”
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1.What does the underlined word “them” in the first paragraph refer to?
A Diseases.
B Countries.
C Animals.
D Antibiotics.
解析：选D。词意指代题。根据画线词所在句子的语境可知，过量或滥用某些抗生素会让“它们”在治疗人类疾病的时候效果不明显，因此可知them即指代的是antibiotics。故选D。
2.What will McDonald’s do to determine the proper amount of the antibiotics?
A It will take three steps to produce healthy beef.
B It is going to carry out some tests among its beef suppliers.
C It is going to advise the World Health Organization to collect the data.
D It will control the spread of infectious diseases.
解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第二段第二句的and this month, the company is establishing regional pilot tests to determine the proper amount of the antibiotics in each of the 10 countries可知该公司将在它的10个牛肉供应国进行定点试验来确定抗生素的适当含量。故选B。
3.What does the National Resources Defense Council think of McDonald’s policy?
A It is harmful.
B It is useless.
C It is important.
D It is interesting.
解析：选C。推理判断题。根据最后一段第四句的Nobody in the world sells more burgers than McDonald’s, and their actions can shape the future of the industry.可知该组织认为麦当劳在汉堡市场中的地位十分重要，他们的行动塑造着行业的未来，因此他们的决策应是极其重要的。故选C。
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A McDonald’s will reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef all over the world.
B The restaurant chain uses antibiotics to treat sick animals.
C The World Health Organization focuses on the use of antibiotics.
D The use of antibiotics to human health in 10 countries will begin.
解析：选A。主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文是围绕第一段第一句McDonald’s says it will reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef around the world.的内容来展开叙述的，即麦当劳将减少其全球牛肉供应中抗生素的使用。故选A。