17．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 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 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．
49．What's the main idea of the passage？B
A．Businesses are finding ways to send their message to the shoppers．
B．Firms are urged to cut carbon emissions by shoppers'environmental awareness．
C．Firms are making efforts to encourage customers to keep goods at home．
D．Companies will soon get information about cutting carbon emissions．
50．The underlined word"inform"in Paragra ph 2probably means"D"．
A．reject B．change C．disturb D．affect
51．According to Harry Morrison，businessesC．
A．are required to make up for their carbon emissions
B．should buy carbon allowances for shoppers
C．will benefit from cutting carbon emissions
D．have encouraged shoppers to take their custom elsewhere
52．We can learn from the passage that businesses willA．
A．gain advantages by taking early action
B．use the same logo in their marketing
C．have a strong desire to reduce costs
D．attract more shoppers by storing goods．
分析 本文属于健康环保类阅读．文章主要讲述了环境保护的同时也给企业带来了益处，由此促使企业进一步加强对环保的重视和促使企业增强环保的自觉性．
解答 49-52BDCA
49：B．主旨大意题．本文主要描述的是环境保护的必要性，由此带给企业的要求就是：环保意识的进一步提高促使公司去减排．故选B．
50：D．词义猜测题．由第二段"Two thirds of customers say that environmental consideration inform their purchases to the same degree as they did a year ago…三分之二的顾客说环境方面的考虑影响着他们的购买力，和一年前达到相同的程度…"可以推出，inform意为"影响"．change"改变"；disturb"打扰，妨碍"；reject"拒绝"，约不符合句意．故选D．
51：C．细节理解题．由第四段最后一句"In addition，cutting carbon has an immediate effect…"可知，Harry Morrison认为企业会从减排中获益，故C项正确．
52：A．推理判断题．从第五段第二句"Those that have taken early action will have a head start．"可知，采取环保减排措施早的企业会早受益；故A项正确．
点评 考查学生的细节理解和推理判断能力．做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句，和题干进行比较，再做出正确选择．在做推理判断题时不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
