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The things that kids choose to play with can impact our Earth.The manufacturing of toys and games can produce harmful pollution and nonbiodegradable waste, which is harmful for our planet.But some toymakers are creating items for kids that aim higher.They use natural or nonharmful materials, and find ways to reuse and recycle.Toys and kits (成套工具) can also teach kids about environmentally friendly solutions.Here are a few of our favorite lowimpact, highfun toys.
Test the waters
Water is Earth’s most precious natural resource.Many people take it for granted, but not everybody in the world has access to clean water.Learn about the science behind one solution with Thames & Kosmos’ Global Water Quality Experiment Kit.The kit comes with tools and instructions for conducting eight important experiments including testing the quality of H2O and making dirty water cleaner.($15)
Plant tomatoes
When communities in dry, desert regions experience drought, it impacts their agricultural practices.Learn about water preservation and grow delicious cherry tomatoes with Back to the Roots’ SelfWatering Tomato Planter.It features technology that African desert farmers have been using for thousands of years: a miniature clay pot releases water, but only when the surrounding soil has dried up.($30)
Draw with veggies
Wee Can Too’s Veggie Sidewalk Chalk is made from fruit and vegetable powders — it’s practically safe to eat! The chalk, created using environmentally friendly ingredients, has none of the chemicals found in your typical sidewalk chalk.When the rain comes and washes away your masterpiece, no harmful pollutants will be entering the environment.($12)
Create with cardboard
When cardboard breaks down in a landfill, it creates methane, a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.Recycled cardboard can be transformed into a work of art with the Cardboard Tool Kit from UncommonGoods.The kit comes with 28 reusable parts for fastening cardboard pieces together.Now let your imagination go wild! ($13)
语篇解读：本文是一篇应用文。文章介绍了四个有利于环境的儿童玩具。
1．What is special about Back to the Roots’ small clay pot?
A．It is very pretty.
B．It is a recent invention.
C．It can improve tomatoes’ taste.
D．It uses antidrought technology.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据“Plant tomatoes”部分的“It features technology that African ...surrounding soil has dried up.”可知，这个陶罐使用了抗旱技术——在周围的土壤干了以后，它会渗出水分，以保护植物不被旱死。
2．Which product needs users to be imaginative?
A．Cardboard Tool Kit.
B．Veggie Sidewalk Chalk.
C．SelfWatering Tomato Planter.
D．Global Water Quality Experiment Kit.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据“Create with cardboard”部分末的“let your imagination go wild”可知，这个硬纸板工具箱需要使用者发挥想象力，利用废旧的硬纸板制作独具特色的艺术品。
3．What do the four products have in common?
A．They are hard to use.
B．They are Earthfriendly toys.
C．They are good for kids’ health.
D．They are great choices for artlovers.
解析：选B 细节理解题。本文第一段统领全文，根据该段中的“They use natural or nonharmful materials, and find ways to reuse and recycle ...teach kids about environmentally friendly solutions.”及下文的产品介绍可知，这四个产品都是有利于地球生态环境保护的玩具。
