At Diamond View Elementary School in Greenacres, the EcoCreators Design Club meets at least once a week. Led by 9-year-old Availa Johnson, members turn plastic waste into creative outfits while learning about ocean conservation. Availa started the club in 2024, hoping to tackle plastic pollution. “When I learned how plastic harms ocean animals, I wanted to help,” she says.

Oceans cover over 70% of Earth’s surface and are home to countless marine animals. However, they are filled with plastic trash, from large bottles to tiny pieces called microplastics. Availa often sees plastic waste on beaches. “It hurts my heart,” she says. Sometimes she mistakes plastic bags for jellyfish — a mistake sea creatures also make. When animals swallow plastic, it can make them sick or even kill them.

To address this problem, EcoCreators members learn to reduce waste by reusing bottles and bags. For their annual Earth Day fashion show, they collect plastic from classroom recycling bins and a local charity that reuses plastic materials. “I want to show people that we can save materials and turn them into something new,” Availa explains. The event has grown into a school-wide celebration, with many students eager to join.

In 2025, Availa was named an International Young Eco-Hero for her creative idea and love for the environment. The club has expanded from just a few friends to about 30 members, and there is even a waiting list. “It has grown from a small idea in her heart into something really big,” says Syndie White, the school’s STEM director. Availa is proud that her effort has made a real impact.

1.1. What led Availa to create the EcoCreators Design Club?

A Her love for fashion design.

B Her desire to win awards.

C Her concern for sea animals.

D Her school’s recycling program.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第一段中Availa所说的话“When I learned how plastic harms ocean animals, I wanted to help”可知，她创立俱乐部是出于对海洋动物的担忧。A项“对服装设计的热爱”，设计只是她采取的方式而非动机；B项“想获奖的愿望”，文中未提及此目的；D项“学校的回收项目”，回收只是俱乐部活动的一部分，并非创始原因。故选C。

2.2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A Availa’s beach cleanup work.

B Plastic’s harm to ocean life.

C Availa’s future plan in Connecticut.

D The formation of microplastics.

解析：选B。B段落大意题。第二段首先指出海洋被塑料垃圾充斥，然后具体说明从大瓶子到微塑料的各种垃圾，并强调动物吞食塑料后会生病甚至死亡，同时引用了Availa看到垃圾时“hurts my heart”的感受。这些内容均围绕“塑料垃圾对海洋生物的伤害”展开。A项“Availa的海滩清理工作”在文中并未出现；C项“Availa在康涅狄格州的未来计划”是第五段的内容；D项“微塑料的形成过程”仅是段中的一个细节，无法覆盖整段大意。故选B。

3.3. What is the Earth Day fashion show mainly intended to do?

A To entertain the whole school.

B To raise money for the club.

C To promote waste reuse.

D To win an environmental prize.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。第三段中Availa明确说道：“I want to show people that we can save materials and turn them into something new.”由此可以推断，地球日时装秀的主要目的是向人们展示废物可以再利用，推广环保理念，因此C项“To promote waste reuse”是对该意图的合理归纳。A项“娱乐全校”只是该活动带来的客观效果，并非主要目的；B项“为俱乐部筹款”文中未提及；D项“赢得环保奖项”发生在2025年，与本次时装秀的意图没有直接关联。故选C。

4.4. What idea does Syndie White’s statement convey?

A Strict rules are needed.

B Small starts yield big results.

C She should move back.

D Success was just luck.

解析：选B。B观点态度题。第四段中Syndie White评价道：“It has grown from a small idea in her heart into something really big.”这句话强调了一个微小的想法最终变成了影响很大的事物，传达出“微小的开端也能带来巨大成果”的观点。A项“需要更严格的规则”在文中完全未涉及；C项“她应该搬回来”属于对Availa搬家的过度推理，文中并未表达此意；D项“成功纯属运气”与White话中强调的从内心想法逐步成长的过程相悖。故选B。