During the winter holiday season, we often see an increase in the amount of rubbish we produce in our homes. As you prepare to celebrate the holidays, follow the simple instructions in this article to help cut the amount of rubbish produced in your home.

For gift-giving:

◆ Homemade gifts, such as cards, often produce less rubbish and can be a treasure to receive. This is a great idea for children to try.

When wrapping (包装) gifts:

◆ Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. Gift bags are reusable and not as likely to go out with the rubbish. If you receive gifts in gift bags, be sure to store them away for future use.

When entertaining:

◆ Avoid the use of plastic forks, spoons and knives as much as possible. Bring out your favorite

dishes for special holidays, and buy a holiday tablecloth to avoid using disposable (一次性的) paper or plastic ones.

After the holidays:

◆ Store your reusable decorations until next year.

◆ Sort out and store reusable gift bags and gift wrap.

By making a few simple changes in our holiday habits, we can cut the amount of rubbish we produce between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And remember to continue these habits year round for a better environment for today and tomorrow’s world.

51. To have less rubbish, children can        as a gift.

A. give a homemade card

B. send some disposable paper

C. choose a plastic knife

D. buy an expensive toy car

52. It’s better for us to store gift bags because       .

A. they are beautiful

B. they are large enough

C. we can reuse them

D. we can wrap gifts easily

53. The writer advises us to       .

A. hold some parties during the winter holiday

B. keep the gifts for next year after the holiday

C. buy cheap gifts for our friends on New Year’s Day

D. make small changes to reduce the amount of rubbish

任务型阅读（本题有5小题，每小题1分，共计5分）请阅读下列文字材料，从方框A、B、C、D、E、F六个选项中选出五项与71—75题中的描述一一对应。

_______ 1. Many people like animals and take them as their pets. Nowadays pet hospitals are very busy. Kind persons who love animals are needed to work in busy animal hospitals.

 _______2. Scientists think that pets will probably be much smaller because people in the future will be living in much smaller places. Scientists are already working on making very small farm animals. The same things might be done to make smaller cats and dogs.

_______3.It’s said that some day you might own a panther as a pet. Scientists might have to start turning wild animals into pets. This might be the only way to save them from dying out.

_______4. What about a robot for a pet? This may sound silly, but it could become true. Robot dogs have been made to bark like real dogs. These “pets” might become more and more popular in the future. After all, robots don’t lose hair or chew on things the way real pets do.

_______5. Lots of people miss their pets while they are on holiday. One hotel in Minnesota has solved this problem. They lend cats to their guests. Many experts believe this idea will become more and more popular. It is very possible that in the future you will be able to order a pet, as well as room service, at a hotel.

A. Pet hotels

B. Smaller pets

C. Robots for pets

D. A panther for pet

E. Pet restaurants

F. Assistant needed in pet hospitals