Section B: Information Matching
Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.
Are Forgotten Crops the Future of Food?
[A] Climate change and global warming threaten agricultural diversity across the world. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the crops that have fed humanity for centuries are facing unprecedented challenges. The need for more resilient food sources has never been more urgent.
[B] Today, over half of the world's consumed calories come from just three species: rice, wheat, and maize. Together with potatoes, these four crops account for more than 60 percent of global calorie intake. This heavy reliance on a handful of species makes the global food system dangerously vulnerable.
[C] Scientists have identified thousands of neglected and underutilized crop species that could help address this problem. These forgotten crops tend to be far more resilient than mainstream staples. They can withstand drought, resist pests, and thrive in poor soils without the need for chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
[D] Many forgotten crops are also significantly more nutritious than their commercial counterparts. Amaranth, millet, and sorghum, for example, contain higher levels of protein, fiber, and essential minerals than rice or wheat. In many cases, their nutritional profiles are markedly superior.
[E] The environmental advantages of these crops are equally impressive. Most forgotten crops require far less water than conventional staples. They can be grown on marginal lands that are unsuitable for mainstream agriculture, reducing pressure on fertile farmland and water resources.
[F] For farmers in developing countries, forgotten crops represent a unique economic opportunity. Rural communities can grow these resilient species for local consumption while also accessing international markets. Quinoa, once a little-known Andean grain, has become a global superfood, demonstrating the export potential of these crops.
[G] However, government policies have historically worked against forgotten crops. Agricultural subsidies overwhelmingly support the cultivation of mainstream staples such as rice, wheat, and maize. This has created a structural disadvantage that makes it difficult for farmers to invest in alternative species.
[H] Investment in infrastructure remains a critical obstacle. Without adequate processing facilities, storage systems, and distribution networks, even the most promising forgotten crops cannot reach consumers at scale. Governments and international organizations need to prioritize this area.
[I] A major challenge is the lack of knowledge about traditional recipes and preparation methods. As younger generations move away from rural areas, the cultural wisdom associated with these crops is being lost. Many people simply do not know how to cook with amaranth, millet, or sorghum.
[J] Consumer taste preferences have also shifted dramatically towards processed foods in recent decades. Convincing urban consumers to embrace unfamiliar traditional crops requires effective marketing and education. Some companies have begun developing convenient, ready-to-eat products made from forgotten crops to bridge this gap.
[K] Research institutions around the world have established gene banks to preserve the seeds of forgotten crops. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway houses over one million seed samples. These collections preserve vital genetic traits that could prove essential for future crop breeding programs.
[L] Several successful case studies demonstrate the potential of forgotten crops. In Ethiopia, the cultivation of teff, a tiny grain rich in iron and protein, has dramatically improved food security for millions. Similar results have been observed with finger millet in India.
[M] Public awareness campaigns are essential to change consumer behavior. When people understand the nutritional and environmental benefits of forgotten crops, they are more willing to incorporate them into their diets. Celebrity chefs and social media influencers have played a notable role in popularizing these foods.
[N] The potential contribution of forgotten crops to food security cannot be overstated. With the global population expected to reach nearly ten billion by 2050, diversifying our food sources is no longer optional — it is a necessity. These crops could feed millions in the world's most vulnerable regions.
[O] Ultimately, the question is not whether we can afford to invest in forgotten crops, but whether we can afford not to. The cost of inaction — crop failures, food shortages, and rising hunger — far outweighs the investment required to revive these ancient foods. The future of food may well lie in the past.
36. Forgotten crops offer a valuable economic opportunity for rural communities in developing nations.
37. Many underutilized crops are better able to survive in harsh growing conditions than mainstream staples.
38. Government subsidies have been heavily biased in favor of mainstream crops over alternative species.
39. Marketing and education are necessary to change consumer preferences that have shifted toward processed foods.
40. The lack of infrastructure for processing and distribution prevents forgotten crops from reaching consumers.
41. The cost of not investing in forgotten crops would be far greater than the investment required.
42. Many forgotten crops contain significantly more nutrients than commercial staple crops.
43. Traditional knowledge about how to prepare forgotten crops is disappearing as younger generations leave rural areas.
44. Forgotten crops require much less water and can grow on land unsuitable for mainstream agriculture.
45. Gene banks around the world are preserving seeds of forgotten crops for future breeding programs.
Answers & Explanations
36. F。解析：题干中 economic opportunity for rural communities in developing nations 对应 [F] 段 For farmers in developing countries, forgotten crops represent a unique economic opportunity，明确提到经济机会与发展中国家农村社区。
37. C。解析：题干中 better able to survive in harsh growing conditions 对应 [C] 段 These forgotten crops tend to be far more resilient... They can withstand drought, resist pests, and thrive in poor soils，强调被遗忘作物在恶劣条件下的适应力。
38. G。解析：题干中 subsidies... biased in favor of mainstream crops 对应 [G] 段 Agricultural subsidies overwhelmingly support the cultivation of mainstream staples... creating a structural disadvantage。
39. J。解析：题干中 consumer preferences... shifted toward processed foods 对应 [J] 段 Consumer taste preferences have also shifted dramatically towards processed foods... requires effective marketing and education。
40. H。解析：题干中 lack of infrastructure for processing and distribution 对应 [H] 段 Without adequate processing facilities, storage systems, and distribution networks, even the most promising forgotten crops cannot reach consumers。
41. O。解析：题干中 cost of not investing... far greater 对应 [O] 段 The cost of inaction... far outweighs the investment required to revive these ancient foods。
42. D。解析：题干中 more nutrients than commercial staple crops 对应 [D] 段 Many forgotten crops are also significantly more nutritious than their commercial counterparts。
43. I。解析：题干中 Traditional knowledge... disappearing as younger generations leave rural areas 对应 [I] 段 As younger generations move away from rural areas, the cultural wisdom associated with these crops is being lost。
44. E。解析：题干中 less water and can grow on land unsuitable for mainstream agriculture 对应 [E] 段 Most forgotten crops require far less water... They can be grown on marginal lands that are unsuitable for mainstream agriculture。
45. K。解析：题干中 Gene banks... preserving seeds for future breeding programs 对应 [K] 段 Research institutions... established gene banks to preserve the seeds... These collections preserve vital genetic traits that could prove essential for future crop breeding programs。
核心搭配与高分句型
【核心搭配与高频短语】
● pose a threat to：对...构成威胁（pose a threat to agricultural diversity）
● account for：占（比例）（account for more than 60 percent）
● withstand drought：耐旱（they can withstand drought）
● nutritional profiles：营养成分（their nutritional profiles are markedly superior）
● overwhelmingly support：压倒性地支持（subsidies overwhelmingly support）
● the cost of inaction：不作为的代价（the cost of inaction far outweighs）
【亮点句型解析】
As 引导的时间状语从句+现在进行时：
"As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the crops that have fed humanity for centuries are facing unprecedented challenges."
用 As 引导的递进式从句描绘气候变化的双重影响，主句则用现在进行时+定语从句使句子层次分明、逻辑清晰。
"As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the crops that have fed humanity for centuries are facing unprecedented challenges."
用 As 引导的递进式从句描绘气候变化的双重影响，主句则用现在进行时+定语从句使句子层次分明、逻辑清晰。
Not whether... but whether 并列结构：
"The question is not whether we can afford to invest in forgotten crops, but whether we can afford not to."
通过两个 whether 从句的并列对比，构建出强烈的取舍逻辑，是议论文结尾段的高级写作手法。
"The question is not whether we can afford to invest in forgotten crops, but whether we can afford not to."
通过两个 whether 从句的并列对比，构建出强烈的取舍逻辑，是议论文结尾段的高级写作手法。
全文翻译
气候变化和全球变暖威胁着世界各地的农业多样性。随着气温上升和气候模式变得越来越不可预测，几个世纪以来一直养育人类的作物正面临前所未有的挑战。对更有韧性的食物来源的需求从未像现在这样迫切。
如今，全球超过一半的卡路里摄入仅来自三种作物：水稻、小麦和玉米。加上土豆，这四种作物占全球卡路里摄入量的60%以上。对少数几种作物的严重依赖使全球粮食系统面临危险的高脆弱性。
科学家已经确定了数千种被忽视和未充分利用的作物品种，它们可以帮助解决这一问题。这些被遗忘的作物往往比主流主食更具韧性。它们能够耐旱、抗虫，并在贫瘠的土壤中茁壮成长，无需化肥和农药。
许多被遗忘的作物在营养价值上也远超其商业化对应品种。例如，苋菜、小米和高粱的蛋白质、纤维和必需矿物质含量比水稻或小麦更高。在许多情况下，它们的营养成分显著更优。
这些作物的环境优势同样令人印象深刻。大多数被遗忘的作物所需水量远低于传统主食。它们可以在不适合主流农业的边缘土地上种植，从而减轻对肥沃耕地和水资源的压力。
对于发展中国家的农民而言，被遗忘的作物代表着独特的经济机遇。农村社区可以种植这些有韧性的作物供本地消费，同时进入国际市场。藜麦曾经是一种鲜为人知的安第斯谷物，如今已成为全球超级食品，展示了这些作物的出口潜力。
然而，政府政策在历史上一直不利于被遗忘的作物。农业补贴绝大多数支持水稻、小麦和玉米等主流作物的种植。这造成了一种结构性劣势，使农民难以投资替代性作物。
基础设施投资仍然是一个关键障碍。没有足够的加工设施、储存系统和分销网络，即使最有前景的被遗忘作物也无法大规模到达消费者手中。政府和国际组织需要优先考虑这一领域。
一个重大挑战是缺乏关于传统食谱和制作方法的知识。随着年轻一代离开农村地区，与这些作物相关的文化智慧正在流失。许多人根本不知道如何用苋菜、小米或高粱烹饪。
近几十年来，消费者的口味偏好也已急剧转向加工食品。说服城市消费者接受不熟悉的传统作物需要有效的营销和教育。一些公司已经开始开发用被遗忘作物制作的方便即食产品，以弥合这一差距。
世界各地的研究机构已建立基因库来保存被遗忘作物的种子。挪威的斯瓦尔巴全球种子库保存了超过一百万份种子样本。这些收藏保留了重要的遗传特性，对未来作物育种项目可能至关重要。
几个成功的案例研究展示了被遗忘作物的潜力。在埃塞俄比亚，画眉草这种富含铁和蛋白质的微小谷物的种植显著改善了数百万人的粮食安全。印度的指状小米也取得了类似成果。
公共意识宣传活动对于改变消费者行为至关重要。当人们了解被遗忘作物的营养和环境效益时，他们更愿意将其纳入饮食中。名厨和社交媒体网红在推广这些食物方面发挥了显著作用。
被遗忘作物对粮食安全的潜在贡献怎么强调都不过分。预计到2050年全球人口将接近百亿，多样化我们的食物来源不再是可选项——而是必需品。这些作物可以养活全球最脆弱地区的数百万人。
归根结底，问题不在于我们是否负担得起投资被遗忘的作物，而在于我们是否负担得起不投资。不作为的代价——作物歉收、粮食短缺和日益加剧的饥饿——远远超过复兴这些古老食物所需的投资。未来的食物很可能就在过去之中。