We all know fresh is best when it comes to food. However, most produce at the store went through weeks of travel and covered hundreds of miles before reaching the table. While farmer’s markets are a solid choice to reduce the journey, Babylon Micro-Farm (BMF) shortens it even more.
BMF is an indoor garden system. It can be set up for a family. Additionally, it could serve a larger audience such as a hospital, restaurant or school. The innovative design requires little effort to achieve a reliable weekly supply of fresh greens.
Specifically, it’s a farm that relies on new technology. By connecting through the Cloud, BMF is remotely monitored. Also, there is a convenient app that provides growing data in real time. Because the system is automated, it significantly reduces the amount of water needed to grow plants. Rather than watering rows of soil, the system provides just the right amount to each plant. After harvest, users simply replace the plants with a new pre-seeded pod (容器) to get the next growth cycle started.
Moreover, having a system in the same building where it’s eaten means zero emissions (排放) from transporting plants from soil to salad. In addition, there’s no need for pesticides and other chemicals that pollute traditional farms and the surrounding environment.
BMF employees live out sustainability in their everyday lives. About half of them walk or bike to work. Inside the office, they encourage recycling and waste reduction by limiting garbage cans and avoiding single-use plastic. “We are passionate about reducing waste, carbon and chemicals in our environment,” said a BMF employee.
1.1. What can be learned about BMF from paragraph 1?
A It guarantees the variety of food.
B It requires day-to-day care.
C It cuts the farm-to-table distance.
D It relies on farmer’s markets.
解析：选C。1.C 细节理解题。根据第一段“While farmer’s markets are a solid choice to reduce the journey, Babylon Micro-Farm (BMF) shortens it even more.”可知，虽然农贸市场是减少旅程的可靠选择，但巴比伦微型农场(BMF)甚至缩短了旅程。故选C。
2.2. What information does the convenient app offer?
A Real-time weather changes.
B Current condition of the plants.
C Chemical pollutants in the soil.
D Availability of pre-seeded pods.
解析：选B。2.B 细节理解题。根据第三段“Also, there is a convenient app that provides growing data in real time.”可知，有一个便捷的应用程序，可以实时提供增长数据。故选B。
3.3. What can be concluded about BMF employees?
A They have a great passion for sports.
B They are devoted to community service.
C They are fond of sharing daily experiences.
D They have a strong environmental awareness.
解析：选D。3.D 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“BMF employees live out sustainability in their everyday lives.”可知，BMF员工在日常生活中践行可持续发展；根据最后一句“We are passionate about reducing waste, carbon and chemicals in our environment”可知，BMF的一名员工表示他们热衷于减少环境中的废物、碳和化学物质，由此推断出，他们具有很强的环保意识。故选D。
4.4. What does the text mainly talk about?
A BMF’s major strengths.
B BMF’s general management.
C BMF’s global influence.
D BMF’s technical standards.
解析：选A。4.A 主旨大意题。本文第一段以新鲜食物的重要性及商店农产品运输的问题引入巴比伦微农场（BMF)这个话题，并指出其优势为可缩短运输路程。第二段讲到巴比伦微农场的另一个优势:其创新设计能为家庭及大型机构保证新鲜蔬菜供应。第三段说明其另一个优势：巴比伦微农场依靠新技术对作物进行实时监控，并在节水方面优势明显。第四段指出其在可持续发展方面的优势，由此可得出本文主要讲了BMF的主要优势。故选A。
