Researchers want to further probe consumers' attitudes towards edible insects, and evaluate taste preferences and consumers5 willingness to buy such products. In an earlier online survey of 820 Australian consumers, the researchers found that 20% had tried edible insects. Of those surveyed, 46% said they'd be willing to try a cookie made from insect flour.

" In the earlier survey, consumers said they were most likely to try flavored or roasted insects and least likely to want to try cockroaches or spiders," Dr Crump says. "In this taste test, we've chosen products that consumers are most likely to react positively towards―apologies to anyone keen to try a cockroach or spider. The samples we'll be offering consumers provide a good spread of the available insect products in Australia' s marketplaces, some of which may be more acceptable than others."

Dr Crump says the research will help guide the development of an edible insect industry. In Australia, edible insects remain a new agricultural industry. Consumer research is needed to improve consumer acceptance of edible insects, so as to realize their potential as an alternative protein（蛋白质）source.

Professor Kerry Wilkinson says edible insects could play a role in global food security. "Problems such as climate change, increasing global population, shortage of agricultural land and rapidly changing consumer preferences are common, particularly in developing countries where there is an increasing demand for high quality animal protein," he says. "These food security problems will only be overcome by a change in food consumption habits. Edible insects could provide one solution. We want to look at ways of overcoming barriers to insect consumption in Australia.

【1】What does the underlined word "probe" in paragraph 2 most probably mean?

A.Explore.B.Influence.C.Describe.D.Compare.

【2】Why have the researchers chosen certain insect products for the taste test?

A.Because they are richer in protein than other insects.

B.Because it is not difficult to flavor or roast them.

C.Because they are widely acceptable in Australia.

D.Because they are probably to consumers' taste.

【3】In Kerry Wilkinson's opinion, how can consumers help remove food security problems?

A.By taking in less animal protein.

B.By changing their eating habits.

C.By expanding agricultural land.

D.By controlling their appetite.

【4】What can be the best title for the text?

A.Insects Make Food Security No Longer a Problem

B.Could Edible Insects Help Global Food Security?

C.Edible Insects Prove an Alternative Protein Source

D.What Counts Most When It Gomes to Edible Insects?

【答案】

【1】A

【2】D

【3】B

【4】B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章讲述了食用昆虫有助于解决全球的粮食安全问题。

【1】词义猜测题。根据第二段Researchers want to further probe consumers' attitudes towards edible insects, and evaluate taste preferences and consumers5 willingness to buy such products.可知，研究人员希望进一步了解消费者对食用昆虫的态度，评估消费者的口味偏好和购买此类产品的意愿。分析此句可知，probe为“探索，评估”之意，故选A。

【2】推理判断题。根据第三段In this taste test, we've chosen products that consumers are most likely to react positively towards―apologies to anyone keen to try a cockroach or spider.可知，在这次味觉测试中，我们选择了消费者最有可能对其做出正面反应的产品，故被选择的产品是迎合消费者口味的昆虫，故选D。

【3】细节理解题。根据第五段These food security problems will only be overcome by a change in food consumption habits.可知，只有改变食品消费习惯才能解决这些食物安全问题。故选B。

【4】主旨大意题。阅读全文我们可以得知，前三段讲述了一项调查：关于消费者对于可食用昆虫的态度；根据第四段的主题句 Dr Crump says the research will help guide the development of an edible insect industry.可知，这项研究将有助于指导可食用昆虫产业的发展。再根据第五段的主题句Professor Kerry Wilkinson says edible insects could play a role in global food security. 可知，食用昆虫可以在全球粮食安全中发挥作用。由此判断文章的主旨大意为：食用昆虫对于解决全球粮食安全问题是否有帮助，故选B。