Question

Cooking shows on TV are usually all about exotic（外来的）foods. Thanks to globalization, people everywhere are introducing their taste foods to dishes from every corner of the world. At the same time, other people are discovering that food from their areas is the best kept secret. In the past few years, this movement（运动）of buying local produce keeps picking up steam because it offers a lot of benefits.

For starters, local food is often tastier because it is fresher. Goods that are imported（进口）from abroad must be grown or shipped from far away, so they naturally lose some of their freshness during the journey. A simple way to test this is to compare a banana from overseas with one that was grown locally and taste. Imported goods must also be washed and packaged in plastic or other containers so they can be stored well during the journey. These materials may cause the nutritional value of these goods to decline（下降）during the shipping process. Food safety is another reason why people are choosing local produce. Today's laws on foods are different from country to country. This causes confusion and makes it difficult to check if any harmful pesticides（农药）were used. When you know the local farmer who grows your food and the fields that are used to produce it, the chances of being polluted are greatly reduced.

Buying local foods can also have a beneficial influence on the environment. By supporting local growers , consumers（消费者）can keep green space and farmland in their communities in good condition. Buying local also helps to build the local community. If farmers can sell directly to consumers instead of middlemen, they will earn more money for their families. Additional profits（利润）also make farmers care for their soil and keep quality standards high. In the end, it's a win-win situation for both parties.

If you are interested in increasing more local foods into your diet, you can start by attending a farmers' market in your area. This is an open market where farmers sell fruits, vegetables, and meat directly to the public. If you have any questions about the production process or quality of these goods, you can ask the farmers directly. Once you experience the freshness of local foods for yourself, it might be difficult to go back to the supermarket.

1.Why does the writer encourage us to buy local foods in the passage?

A.They look fresher and do less harm to our health.

B.They are often sold at a lower price in the open markets.

C.They are strictly checked before coming into the markets.

D.They are washed and packed with plastic carefully.

2.What does the underlined phrase “picking up steam" mean in the passage?

A.taking off B.speeding up C.cutting down D.depending on

3.What can we infer from the passage?

A.All the cooking shows on TV will support local foods.

B.Local foods will replace the imported ones completely.

C.The green space and farmland will be developed better.

D.An agreement will be reached on laws of world's foods.

4.What's the best title for the passage?

A.The Basic Information about Local Foods B.Local Foods in Different Countries

C.Making Tasty Dishes from Local Foods D.Learning to Love Locally-Grown Foods

Answer 1