Picture a wasteland of old computer monitors and TVs, stretching as far as the eye can see. Imagine towers of boxes, all of them filled with broken glass and discarded electronic devices. Technology graveyards like this can be found in communities across the country. Experts say that landfills and warehouses will overflow unless a plan for the disposal and reuse of electronics is put into place . "We can't put electronics and glass aside and tell ourselves we'll deal with them later ," Lauren Roman , managing director of Transparent Planet said. Roman's group works to improve the disposal of electronic waste. She says about 660 million pounds of tech-trash is produced each year in the U.S. What's behind the tech trash pile-up ?About ten years ago ,major advances were made in computer and television technology . Manufacturers began producing devices like flat -paneled LCDs and plasma screen monitors. These new products provide a clearer image and take up less space than older models. It goes without saying that consumers choose them rather than heavy glass-based technologies. The new electronics are built with materials that are difficult to recycle. In addition, the new products have decreased the demand for recycled parts from the older monitors and screens. Older, heavier computer monitors and TVs used glass-based components called CRTs. CRTs have a high lead content and can be environmentally hazardous if not recycled properly . If crushed and put in landfills, the lead from CUTs could seep into groundwater and rivers, harming the water supply. For many years, plants and recycling programs safely processed CRTs. The recycled CRTs were reused in the construction of new monitors. Monitors being made today do not use glass tubes . "People are returning old -style TVs with CRTs , but no new ones are being made ," said Linnell. This is creating an imbalance in the amount of glass being disposed of and recycled properly. Many recycling companies have shut down. Others no longer have the resources or space... What would the writer probably talk about next? A) Some other problems related to technologies. B) Some experts' opinions on the tech-trash problem. C) Some reasons why the tech-trash problem is hard to solve. D) Some practicable ways to solve the tech-trash problem.
D
(Question)
Before my first summer vacation at college, my roommate Ted asked to me to work with him on his father's farm in Argentina. The idea of spending two months in Argentine was exciting. Then I began having second thoughts. I had never been far from New England, and I had been homesick my first few weeks at college. What would it be like in a strange country? What about the language? The more I thought about it, the more the idea worried me. In the end I turned down the invitation. As soon as Ted asked somebody else to go, I began kicking myself. I had turned down something I wanted to do because I was scared, and had ended up feeling depressed. That unhappy summer taught me a valuable lesson out of which I developed a rule for myself: do what makes you anxious; don't do what makes you depressed. At the end of my senior year, I began to think about becoming a writer. But my professor was urging me to aim at teaching. I hesitated. The idea of trying to live by writing was a lot scarier than spending a summer in Argentina. Back and forth I went, making my decision, unmaking it. Suddenly I realized that every time I gave up the idea of writing, that downhearted feeling went through me. Giving up on what I really wanted to do depressed me. Right then I learned another lesson. To avoid that kind of depression meant having to bear a certain amount of worry and concern. When I first began writing articles, I was frequently required to interview big names. Before each interview I would get butterflies in the stomach and my hands would shake. One person I particularly admired was the great composer Duke Ellington. On the stage and on television, he seemed the very model of confidence. Then I learned Ellington still got stage fright. If the highly honored Ellington, who had appeared on the bandstand some 10,000 times over 30years, had anxiety attacks, who was I to think I could avoid them? I went on doing those frightening interviews. Then I realized to my astonishment that I was even looking forward to the interviews.... Which of the following opinions does the author probably accept? A) Hesitation leads to depression. B) Anxiety can be a positive drive C) Avoiding anxiety reduces depression. D) Depression is a signal that one is growing up.
(Answer)
B
Question: TUVALU, a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, has asked for help as it will be swallowed up by the sea. Storms and huge waves are a constant threat and none of Tuvalu's nine little islands is more than five meters above sea level.Salt water is already entering the country's drinking water supply, as well as damaging plants that produce fruit and vegetables.Without urgent help, the country's days are numbered. But Tuvalu is not the first place to face sinking into the sea.Venice, a historic city in Italy best known for its canals, has sunk about 24cm over the past 100 years.Experts say that it will have sunk another 20-50cm by 2050.A century ago, St.Mark's Square, the lowest point city, flooded about nine times a year.Nowadays, it happens more than 100 times.While Venice is slowly sinking into the mud on which it stands, global warming causes Tuvalu's rising sea level. The average global temperature has increased by almost 0.5 centigrade degrees over the past century; scientists expect it rise by extra 1-3 degrees over the next 100 years. Warmer weather makes glaciers melt, and adds more water to the ocean.The warmer temperatures also make water expand, so it takes up more space, causing the sea level to rise.The sea level has risen about 10-25 cm in the last 100 years. The main cause of global warming is human pollution.Through burning coal, oil and gas, people have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO2.This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer. Many scientists believe that, if the warming is not stopped, there will be huge climate changes.The sea level could rise by one meter this century. Should this come true, the sea would swallow up millions of homes and the world will be flooded with "climate refugees" looking for somewhere to live. Which of the following is False according to the passage? A) The sea level has risen about 10-25 cm in the last 100 years for warmer temperatures. B) The average global temperature has risen by 1-3 centigrade degrees over the past 100 years. C) The warmer temperature causes the sea level to rise. D) There will be huge climate changes unless the warming is stopped.
Answer:
B