1. 完形填空

In our modern world, when something wears out, we throw it away and buy a new one. The1 is that countries around the world have growing mountains of 2 because people are throwing out more rubbish than ever before.

How did we become a throwaway society? First of all, it is now easier to3 an object than to spend time and money to repair it. Thanks to modern manufacturing (制造业) and technology, companies are able to produce products quickly and inexpensively. Products are plentiful and 4.

Another cause is our5 of disposable (一次性的) products. As 6 people, we are always looking for ways to save time and make our lives easier. Companies 7 thousands of different kinds of disposable products: paper plates, plastic cups, and cameras, to name a few.

Our appetite for new products also8 to the problem. We are addicted to buying new things. Advertisements persuade us that 9 is better and that we will be happier with the latest products. The result is that we 10 useful possessions to make room for new ones.

All around the world, we can see the11 of this throwaway lifestyle. Mountains of rubbish just keep getting bigger. To 12 the amount of rubbish and to protect the 13, more governments are requiring people to recycle materials. 14, this is not enough to solve our problem.

Maybe there is another way out. We need to repair our possessions instead of throwing them away. We also need to rethink our attitudes about15. Repairing our possessions and changing our spending habits may be the best way to reduce the amount of rubbish and take care of our environment.