1. (2022高三上·嘉定期中) 阅读理解

①What does it say about the future of meat when the country's largest processor of chicken, pork, and beef buys a stake(股份) in a start-up that aims to "perfectly replace animal protein with plant protein"?

②Tyson Foods announced this week that it purchased a 5 percent stake in Beyond Meat, the Southern California-based food-tech start-up that made headlines earlier this year with its veggie burger that reportedly cooks and tastes like real beef.

③To be sure, Beyond Meat's meatless creations have yet to take the country by storm. Although the 100 percent plant-based burgers have achieved plenty of positive press since they appeared for the first time in May, so far they're only available at Whole Foods stores in seven states. Even though the company's "chicken" strips, "beef" pies, and meatless frozen dinners are available nationwide, Beyond Meat is hardly a household name.

④That may be what makes the news of Tyson's investment all the more noteworthy. While the two companies declined to give details about the deal, it's doubtful that Tyson's 5 percent stake made much of dent(凹陷) in the meat giant's coffers(金库). The company posted $41.4 billion in sales last year; prior to the deal with Tyson, Beyond Meat had reportedly raised $64 million in project capital funding—about what Tyson earns before lunch on any given day.

⑤Tyson is doing pretty great. The company reported record third-quarter earnings per share in August and says that it expects overall meat production to increase 2 to 3 percent during the next financial year. But like a big oil company shelling out cash to invest in wind power, Tyson's toe-in-the-water move to team up with a start-up devoted to bringing more plant-based protein to American dinner tables seems to suggest the meat industry is starting to see which way the winds are blowing.

⑥Sales of plant-based protein, which totaled an estimated $5 billion last year, continue to pale compared with the market for meat in America—but vegetarian alternatives to meat are booming, with sales growing at more than double the rate for food products overall. The steady drumbeat of news about the negative health impacts, environmental problems, and animal welfare concerns associated with meat consumption appears to be sinking in. According to a survey released in April, more than half of Americans surveyed said they plan to eat more plant-based foods in the coming year.

1. （1） Beyond Meat's veggie burger made headlines probably because __________.

   A . it makes perfect use of animal protein B . it uses high tech in the making process C . it tastes as good as a genuine beef burger D . it represents the diet trend in South California
3. （2） Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the state of Beyond Meat?

   A . It is the creator of the country's first 100 percent plant-based burgers. B . It has been well received as its products are available nationwide. C . It is far from being a match to real food processing giants like Tyson. D . It provides high-quality dining experience in selected Whole Foods stores.
5. （3） What can we infer from paragraph 4?

   A . The purchase of the stake barely costs a thing for Tyson. B . The 5 percent stake in Beyond Meat means a lot to Tyson. C . Tyson's investment hasn't caught the attention of the media as expected. D . Tyson is relying on this investment to raise more project capital funding.
7. （4） What does the passage mainly talk about?

   A . Meat will still take over the market in spite of other alternatives. B . A major American meat company is betting on plant-based protein. C . Tyson and Beyond Meat work together to build a global meat giant. D . Plants have been found to contain protein that does more good to human beings.