Question

The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the US to stay in business.Instead, the food industry has become dominated by a handful of giant corporations which benefit from government policies that favor large­scale production.

Family farmers are being forced out of business at an alarming rate.According to Farm Aid, every week 330 farmers leave their land.As established family farms are shut down, they are not being replaced by new farms and young farmers.Once a family farm is forced out of business, the farmland is often sold for development, and the quality land for farming is lost.

________________

In addition to producing fresh, high­quality foods, small family farms provide a wealth of benefits for their local communities and regions.Perhaps most importantly, family farmers serve as responsible stewards (管理人) of the land.Unlike industrial agriculture operations, which pollute communities with chemical pesticides, smoke and manure (肥料), small family farmers live on or near their farms and try to protect the surrounding environment for future generations.

Independent family farms also play a vital role in rural economies.In addition to providing jobs for local people, family farmers also help support small businesses by purchasing goods and services within their communities.Meanwhile, industrial agriculture operations employ as few workers as possible and typically purchase supplies, equipment, and building materials from outside the local community.Rural areas are then left with high rates of unemployment and very little opportunity for economic growth.

What can you do?

Purchase food directly from your local family farmers at a farmers’ market, or through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) system.

Ask the manager of your grocery store to supply foods produced at local family farms.

Donate money to Farm Aid.Since 1985, this non­profit organization has worked to support America’s family farmers.

1.We can learn from the first paragraph that ________.

A. American agriculture is facing a downturn

B. the American government is limiting industrial agriculture

C. the American food industry has difficulty meeting customers’ needs

D. American family farmers are facing serious problems

2.What would be the best title to be put in the blank?

A. Why are family farms important?

B. What does industrial agriculture bring?

C. How are family farms run?

D. What supports rural economies?

3.According to the passage, industrial agriculture has all the following disadvantages EXCEPT ________.

A. polluting the environment

B. taking up too much land

C. employing fewer people

D. harming local economy

4.The passage was written mainly to call for people to ________.

A. make a donation to Farm Aid

B. protect the environment

C. protest against industrial agriculture

D. protect family farms

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文，小规模的家庭农场对美国意义重大，但是现在美国的家庭农场收到工业化的农业生产的影响，正面临着严重的问题，文章号召我们要为家庭农场的发展做出贡献。

1.段落大意题。根据文章第一句“The dramatic expansion of industrial agriculture has made it increasingly difficult for small family farmers in the US to stay in business.”可知工业化的农业生产让小规模的家庭农场生存变得越来越难。而小农场对美国农业和环境保护有重要的意义，美国的家庭农场面临着严重的生存问题。故D项正确。

2.总结归纳题。根据本部分第一句In addition to producing fresh, high­quality foods, small family farms provide a wealth of benefits for their local communities and regions.可知美国的家庭农场可以生产出新鲜的高质量的食物还可以给当地的社区带来很多其他的好处。本部分在解释家庭农场的重要性。A项属于本部分的中心思想，故A项正确。

3.细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句Once a family farm is forced out of business, the farmland is often sold for development, and the quality land for farming is lost.可知家庭农场消失以后，农业生产用地被卖给了工业生产的发展。ACD三项在第二部分里都被提及了，故B项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据文章最后一部分“What can you do?”内容可知本文号召人们保护家庭农场。故D项正确。