四、阅读短文，根据所读内容，在文章后 1-8 小题的空格里填入最恰当的 1 个单词，9-10 小题回答问题，词数不限。
Governments around the world are pushing for an end to plastic straws (吸管) and bags. More and more businesses are switching (转换) to paper products as an alternative (可供选择的事物). Paper is considered by many to be better than plastic. However, it is harmful to the environment, too.
Firstly, paper bags and straws are made from trees. Trees, as you know, can reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere (大气). They can slow down climate change. An increase in the use of paper bags can cause more deforestation (毁林).
Secondly, the production of paper things requires more energy and water. About 10 percent more energy and four times as much water is used to produce a paper bag than a plastic one. You might say that we can use recycled paper to save that energy and water. This seems to be a good idea. However, it takes even more energy and water to go through the recycling process (过程) than to make a new paper bag. Products made from recycled paper are also often short-lived.
Furthermore, paper products are heavier than plastic ones. That means they require more fuel to transport. Seven trucks are needed to transport two million paper bags, while only one truck is needed to transport the same number of plastic bags. The increased weight also leads to a larger amount of waste once the bags are thrown away.
Paper products are actually a lose-lose for both the environment and businesses. They are more expensive than plastic products. A paper straw costs about 5 to 12 cents, while a plastic one usually costs only about 2 cents. The most environment-friendly solution (解决办法) is to avoid single-use things altogether. Products like glass water bottles and steel straws can be used over and over again. They are much better than either paper products or plastic products. Through increasing the use of these items, you can greatly reduce your throwaway waste and truly make our earth a greener place!
 

1. though/although
2. rise/increase
3. lead
4. used
5. long
6. increase/raise
7. solution
8. instead
9. 示例：No, I don't think so. Because paper products are still necessary in many parts of our life, such as books, notebooks and food packaging. It's hard to find a full replacement for them in a short time.
10. 示例：First, we can make reusable products more affordable and easy to buy in stores. Second, we can hold some activities to tell people the environmental advantages of reusable products. What's more, the government can give small rewards to people who often use reusable products.

本题考查对短文内容的理解与信息提取，1-8题需结合短文语境提取或推理出合适的单词；9-10题需结合短文内容，围绕主题给出合理观点与理由，言之有理即可。
1. 根据短文第一段“Paper is considered by many to be better than plastic. However, it is harmful to the environment, too.”，此处表转折关系，填though/although；
2. 由第二段“Trees...can reduce carbon dioxide levels...An increase in the use of paper bags can cause more deforestation.”可知，树木减少会使二氧化碳水平上升，填rise/increase；
3. 根据第二段“An increase in the use of paper bags can cause more deforestation”，cause与lead to表意相近，填lead；
4. 由第三段“the production of paper things requires more energy and water...is used to produce a paper bag”可知，此处为被动语态，填used；
5. 根据第三段“Products made from recycled paper are also often short-lived”，可知再生纸产品使用寿命不如预期长，填long；
6. 由第四段“That means they require more fuel to transport”可知，运输纸制品会增加燃料的使用，填increase/raise；
7. 根据第五段“The most environment-friendly solution...has been suggested”可知填solution；
8. 由第五段“Products like glass water bottles and steel straws can be used over and over again. They are much better than either paper products or plastic products”可知，此处表示“代替”，填instead。