2023届高考英语三轮复习冲刺押题外刊阅读理解训练 (15)

2023届高考英语三轮复习·冲刺押题 外刊阅读理解训练15 ——改编自Where chocolate comes from？ 【文章】 Chocolate is a beloved food in the UK and around the world, but the farmers who grow cacao trees often face extreme poverty. Millions of cocoa farmers work in challenging conditions, yet they struggle to earn a living income. On average, they receive just 6% of the final value of a bar of chocolate. This is concerning considering the amount of work that goes into its production. The process of making chocolate begins with plucking and opening the pods on cacao trees. Workers use machetes to cut the pod off the tree. Each pod can contain more than 50 cacao beans, which must be collected. These beans are not at all like the sweet chocolate they will eventually produce. After the beans are collected, they must ferment and breakdown. In West Africa, workers cover the beans with large banana leaves and leave them to heat in the sun, stirring them up every so often. The fermentation process results in the beans turning brown and taking on their signature flavour. After completing fermentation, the beans must dry. Farmers typically spread them on trays and leave them outside to dry for about a week before shipping them off to become chocolate. It's worth noting that in some African countries, children are unfortunately forced to produce chocolate. They work in hazardous environments, and it's a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Thankfully, initiatives such as Fairtrade are working tirelessly to make the world a fairer place. Fairtrade works to ensure that cocoa farmers receive a fair price for their hard work by providing them with access to international markets where they can sell their products and eliminating intermediaries who might prevent them from receiving a fair profit. It also works to improve working conditions and eliminate child labour. Through Fairtrade, consumers can ensure that the chocolate they enjoy comes from ethical sources and supports disadvantaged farmers. In conclusi