阅读理解。
Businesses are witnessing a difficult time, which has in turn produced influence on consumers' desire to
go green. However, shoppers are still laying stress on environmental concerns.
Two thirds of customers say that environmental considerations inform their purchases to the same degree
as they did a year ago, while more than a quarter say that they are now even better aware of the environmental
effect on what they buy.
This may help to influence how shops store goods on their shelves. And the companies should still make
efforts to become more environmentally friendly. Two out of three people think it is important to buy from
environmentally responsible companies, with about one in seven saying that they had even decided to take their
custom elsewhere if they felt a company's environmental reputation was not good enough.
Harry Morrison, chief executive (主管) of the Carbon Trust, sympathizes:"I understand this situation where
survival is very important now. But from environmental considerations, the clock is ticking-we don't have much
time. In addition, cutting carbon has an immediate effect as costs drop and a medium-term benefit for the
brand."
Larger companies have an extra motivation to look at reducing their carbon footprint, as new rules next year
will require businesses to buy carbon allowances to make up for their emissions (排放). Those that have taken
early action will have a head start. More than two thirds of consumers are not clear about which companies are
environmentally responsible. This suggests that firms that are able to relay clearly their message to the public
will be in a pole position to attract shoppers.
The Carbon Trust believes that it can help by informing customers about the good work companies are
doing. "When companies are granted (授予) the standard, they can use a logo (标识) in all their marketing
which makes it clear that they are working towards cutting emissions," Mr. Morrison said.
1. What's the main idea of the passage?
[ ]
A. Businesses are finding ways to send their message to the shoppers.
B. Companies will soon get information about cutting carbon emissions.
C. Firms are making efforts to encourage customers to keep goods at home.
D. Firms are urged to cut carbon emissions by shoppers' environmental awareness.
2. The underlined word "inform" in Paragraph 2 probably means "_____".
[ ]
A. affect
B. change
C. disturb
D. reject
3. According to Harry Morrison, businesses _____.
[ ]
A. will benefit from cutting carbon emissions
B. should buy carbon allowances for shoppers
C. are required to make up for their carbon emissions
D. have encouraged shoppers to take their custom elsewhere
4. We can learn from the passage that businesses will _____.
[ ]
A. have a strong desire to reduce costs
B. use the same logo in their marketing
C. gain advantages by taking early action
D. attract more shoppers by storing goods