单选题 On September 13, the New York City Health Department became the first in the nation to ban the sale of sugared beverages larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, mobile food carts, sports arenas and movie theaters. Supermarkets and convenience stores would be exceptions to the law, however.
The ban on large drinks was championed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has a reputation for taking aggressive steps to improve city residents' health. Often criticized for creating a government that tries to give too much advice or make too many laws about how people should live their lives, Bloomberg has been at the forefront of finding innovative but controversial ways of pushing people to make healthier choices.
It's a bold experiment in the anti-obesity campaign. With at least two-thirds of American adults now considered overweight or obese—including more than half of New York City adults and nearly 40% of the city's public elementary and secondary school students—fighting obesity is one of the mayor's signature causes, and sugary drinks a longtime target. "We are dealing with a crisis... we need to act on this," said Board of Health member Deepthiman Gowda, a professor of medicine at Columbia University. Bloomberg has noted that the ban doesn't prevent people from buying several small sodas at a time if they wish, but health officials hope that the inconvenience will eventually get people to cut down on their use of sugared drinks.
While it's widely supported by health professionals, it's not popular with food retailers or most city residents. Some health officials, as well as the restaurant and beverage industry, are critical of the ban. They ask, why single out sugared sodas; obesity has many causes and contributors, not just what people drink. And if sugared beverages are being targeted, why not take stronger measures against other sources of sugar, such as candy and other sweets?
Many restaurant owners, fast-food chains and makers of sodas, including Coca-Cola and McDonald's, are also upset over what they see as a discriminatory policy that could hurt certain businesses while rewarding others. The groups plan to continue to challenge the ruling, including taking their concerns to court. "We are smart enough to make our own decisions about what to eat and drink," Liz Berman, the chairperson of the New Yorkers for Beverage Choices coalition, said in a statement.
单选题 New York City will ban the sale of big sodas in the following places EXCEPT ______.
  • A. restaurants
  • B. supermarkets
  • C. theaters
  • D. stadiums
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】第一段说纽约市是全国第一个通过法令禁止在特定场所销售超过16盎司的大包装甜饮料的城市。禁售范围包括饭店、流动售货车、运动场所和影剧院,但不包括超市和便利店。
单选题 What do we learn about the New York City Mayor?
  • A. He is extremely concerned about the city's security.
  • B. He has a good reputation of caring for the residents.
  • C. He is criticized for interfering with people's lifestyle.
  • D. He has encouraged people to seek new ways of life.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】第二段介绍了纽约市长Michael Bloomberg,他一贯以采用激进手段改善纽约市民健康状况而闻名。人们经常批评他采用有争议的手段迫使市民做出更健康的选择。所以说他常常被指责干预人们选择生活方式的权利。
单选题 The ban on large drinks is aimed at ______.
  • A. minimizing food waste
  • B. supporting green industry
  • C. raising concern over food safety
  • D. reducing the overweight population
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】第三段第一句说这项禁令是和肥胖做斗争的一次大胆尝试,目的就是缩小肥胖人群。
单选题 What is the argument given by the critics of the ban?
  • A. It is not fair to ban just sugared drinks.
  • B. Sodas are not the cause of the problem.
  • C. The government has misjudged the market.
  • D. The ban may make the problem even worse.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】第四段分析了反对者的意见。他们认为造成肥胖有很多原因,不仅仅是人们喝了什么。市政府的禁令为什么单单挑出加糖的饮料呢?为什么没有针对其他糖类和甜品采取更强硬的措施呢?
单选题 What will soda makers do in response to the ban?
  • A. They consider taking legal actions against the ban.
  • B. They have no choice but to accept the ban.
  • C. They plan to make adjustments in their business.
  • D. They decide to take advantage of the ban.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】第五段第二句说反对者准备继续挑战这项禁令,包括诉诸法律。
单选题 Which of the following shows Liz Berman's position on the ban?
  • A. Supportive.
  • B. Indifferent.
  • C. Critical.
  • D. Unclear.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】第五段最后一句中Liz Berman说:“我们有能力自己决定该吃什么,该喝什么。”也就是说他认为民众有自己选择的权利和能力,不需要政府禁令帮助人们做出决定,所以他对禁令持反对意见。