Leftover again? Hurray
Here’s the deal: You’re as hungry as a horse and you want a delicious meal from a fine restaurant, but you’re a little low on funds.
So what do you do? If you happen to live in Europe, the answer is as easy as pie: You pull out your smartphone or tablet, and tap Too Good To Go, Europe’s most popular app. Approximately 23,000 restaurants and food sellers post their leftover offerings on the app for half their usual cost.
Why all this incredible generosity? Unbelievably, one-third of the world’s food is thrown away, and nearly one billion people don’t have enough to eat. Besides, burning wasted food releases harmful carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. That’s why environment-minded companies around the world are creating apps for phones, tablets, and other smart devices that connect uneaten food with people who want or need it.
After a long day at work, Anne, a 34-year-old student, pulls out her smartphone and chooses a noodle dish—pasta with mushrooms. Then she heads to a restaurant on the banks of the Spree River, where the owner packs her dinner and also offers her a scoop of free ice cream, which is a reward for bringing her own container.
Indeed, there are many programs serving the same mission around the world. In America, people are using an app called Food for All. One hour before a restaurant closes, its staff can post leftover meals to the app for up to 80 percent off menu prices. The app also allows customers to donate leftover meals to others.
In the Netherlands, 77,000 people have downloaded an app called NoFoodWasted. This program allows grocery store workers to share products that are approaching their expiration dates with customers who might need them.
Some countries are taking their commitment to reducing food waste a step further. France and the Czech Republic, for example, have laws that prohibit restaurants and grocery stores from throwing away food. Instead, workers are required to donate that food to charity.
So think about if there might be a better use for your uneaten vegetables. The planet will thank you.
【语篇解读】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了几款将剩余的食物与有需要的人联系起来的应用程序。
58. What is this passage mainly about?
A. Restaurants can post leftover meals on the app Food for All.
B. Apps are designed connecting leftover food with people in need.
C. Stores share food approaching their expiration dates with customers.
D. It’s popular for people to claim food that might otherwise be thrown away.
【答案】B
【解析】主旨大意题。通读全文，特别是根据第二段中的“You pull out your smartphone or tablet, and tap Too Good To Go, Europe’s most popular app. Approximately 23,000 restaurants and food sellers post their leftover offerings on the app for half their usual cost.”可知，拿出智能手机或平板电脑，点击欧洲最受欢迎的应用程序Too Good To Go，大约有2.3万家餐厅和食品销售商在该应用程序上发布他们的剩菜剩菜，价格只有平时的一半，再根据倒数第四段中的“Indeed, there are many programs serving the same mission around the world. ”可知，世界上还很多这样的应用程序，由此可知，本文主要介绍的是几款将剩余的食物与有需要的人联系起来的应用程序，故B项正确。
59. What is the result when lots of food is thrown out and later burned up?
A. Carbon dioxide is given off, worsening the problem of climate change.
B. Some countries have laws making restaurants donate the food they make.
C. Governments have made many apps that let people find cheap meals.
D. Nearly one billion people on the planet do not get enough food to eat.
【答案】A
【解析】细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Besides, burning wasted food releases harmful carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change.”可知，此外，燃烧浪费的食物会释放有害的二氧化碳排放到大气中，这将加剧气候变化，故A项正确。
60. What can you infer from the passage?
A. Anne packed a tasty pasta and mushroom dish to give away to charity.
B. The restaurant Anne visits sells its leftover food at a discount each day.
C. The 80-percent-off deal offered on app is not available during lunch hours.
D. Laws have been passed to prevent restaurants from throwing out leftover food.
【答案】C
【解析】推理判断题。根据第五段中的“One hour before a restaurant closes, its staff can post leftover meals to the app for up to 80 percent off menu prices.”可知，餐厅关门前一小时，员工可以将剩饭贴到应用程序上，最高可享受菜单价格八折的优惠，而餐厅通常都是在晚上关门的，由此可知，八折优惠在午餐时间是不可用的，故C项正确。