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近日，英國(guó)國(guó)會(huì)議員發(fā)起了一個(gè)向外帶咖啡杯征稅的建議。議員們認(rèn)為，對(duì)外帶咖啡杯征稅可以減少一次性紙杯的使用，并同時(shí)鼓勵(lì)商家多使用可回收再利用的杯子。但英國(guó)政府對(duì)沾滿咖啡泡沫的紙杯是否能真正被回收提出了質(zhì)疑。

When MPs proposed a levy on throwaway coffee cups, it caught the public’s imagination. The MPs said the idea could radially cut the number of cups littering the streets and nudge coffee shops to providing recyclable cups.

The government said it wasn’t convinced that the recycling industry could handle supposedly recyclable cups that were actually covered in cold cappuccino froth. Ministers said shop owners could offer discounts for coffee drinkers carrying their own cups. But the MPs said taxes would prove much more effective than discounts and accused the government of not taking plastic waste seriously.

The government denied that and said the situation was too complex to rush into hasty solutions.

英國(guó)國(guó)會(huì)議員發(fā)起向外帶咖啡杯征稅的建議引起了民眾的關(guān)注。議員們稱這個(gè)計(jì)劃可以大幅地減少外帶杯被亂扔在街頭的數(shù)量，并且能鼓勵(lì)咖啡店給顧客提供可回收再利用的杯子。

英國(guó)政府表示，他們不相信回收行業(yè)可以處理這些所謂可回收的杯子，尤其是當(dāng)杯中沾了一層冷卡布奇諾沫。大臣們說(shuō)雖然咖啡店主可給自帶杯子的顧客打折，但稅收會(huì)比折扣更有效。他們同時(shí)指責(zé)政府沒(méi)有認(rèn)真對(duì)待塑料垃圾的問(wèn)題。

英國(guó)政府否認(rèn)了這一說(shuō)法，并表示問(wèn)題過(guò)于復(fù)雜而不應(yīng)草率解決。

1. 詞匯表

levy 稅收額，征稅
nudge 輕推，鼓勵(lì)
handle 處理
recyclable 可回收再利用的
froth（液體表面的）白沫
hasty 草率的

2. 閱讀理解：請(qǐng)?jiān)谧x完上文后，回答下列問(wèn)題 。

1. How did the public react when MPs proposed a levy on throwaway coffee cups?

2. What benefits did MPS believe it would have?

3. What problem did the government believe the recycling industry can’t handle?

4. What did MPs accuse the government of?

3. 答案

1. How did the public react when MPs proposed a levy on throwaway coffee cups?
When MPs proposed a levy on throwaway coffee cups, it caught the public’s imagination.

2. What benefits did MPS believe it would have?  
The MPs said the idea could radially cut the number of cups littering the streets and nudge coffee shops to providing recyclable cups.

3. What problem did the government believe the recycling industry can’t handle?
Recycling supposedly recyclable cups that were actually covered in cold cappuccino froth.

4. What did MPs accuse the government of?
MPs accused the government of not taking plastic waste seriously.