The German port of Hamburg has been offered $ 10,500 to change its name to “Veggieburg” by animal rights activists who are unhappy about the city’s association with hamburgers. “Hamburg could improve animal welfare and bring kindness to animals by changing its name to Veggieburg,” the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) WROTE IN A LETTER SENT TO Hamburg Mayor Ole von Beust. The German branch of PETA, which has 750,000 members worldwide, said the organization would give Hamburg’s childcare facilities 10,000 euros worth of vegetarian burgers if the city changed its name. But city officials in Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city which traces its roots to the ninth century, were unmoved. “I cannot afford to waste my time with this. I don’t even want to look at nonsense like this,” said Klaus May, a city government spokesman. “But that doesn’t mean we Hamburgers don’t have a sense of humor.” In its letter, PETA said the name Hamburg reminded people of “unhealthy beef patties(肉饼) made of dead cattle”. “Millions of people fall ill each year with deadly illnesses like heart disease, cancer, strokes and diabetes from eating hamburgers,” PETA said in the letter.

　　The original “hamburger steak”, a dish made of ground beef, traveled west with Germans to the United States in the 19th century. The first mention of “hamburgers” appeared on a menu in a New York restaurant in 1834. Some historians trace its beginning to a beef sandwich once popular with sailors in Hamburg. The city’s name “Hamburg” comes from the old Saxon words “ham” (bay) and “burg” (castle). PETA recently made a similar offer to the U.S. town of Hamburg, New York. But their $15,000 bid was refused.

　　1. Why did PETA suggest changing the name “Hamburg”?

　　A. Because the name reminded people of a food made of animal meat.

　　B. Because changing the name can prevent people from eating hamburgers.

　　C. Because it can bring children much food to change the name.

　　D. Because hamburgers cause so many diseases every year.

　　2. What does the new name “Veggieburg” suggest?

　　A. Stopping eating meat.

　　B. Eating vegetables instead of meat.

　　C. It’s better for children to eat vegetables.

　　D. Treating animals better.

　　3. Which of the following statements of the German name “Hamburg” is true?

　　A. The name came from a kind of food.

　　B. The name came from the old German language.

　　C. The name has a long history.

　　D. The name has something to do with sailors.

　　4. What do you think is the result of the suggestion raised by PETA?

　　A. The two cities will have new names.

　　B. The present names of the two cities will last.

　　C. The children in Hamburg will have nothing to eat.

　　D. People won’t eat hamburgers in the future.

　　解读：善待动物组织建议德国城市汉堡更名，因为它的名字很容易使人们联想到食物汉堡包，但遭到拒绝。

　　答案与解析

　　1. A 细节理解题。德国城市汉堡因为与食物汉堡包名字相似，很容易让人联想到汉堡包所带来的负面影响，所以善待动物组织建议更名。

　　2. B 词义推测题。结合全文，善待动物组织反对用动物肉做的汉堡包，Veggieburg的词头与蔬菜(vegetable)相近，意思应该是“用蔬菜做的汉堡包”，即提倡吃蔬菜。本题应用构词法去推断词的含义。

　　3. C 细节理解题。名字可追溯到九世纪，所以历史久远，由第9行“which traces its roots to the ninth century”可知答案为C。A、B、D三项表述均错误。

　　4. B 综合判断题。两个城市都继续用现在的名字，因为两个城市都拒绝了PETA要求更名的提议。文章有两处信息“But city officials in Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city which traces its roots to the ninth century, were unmoved.”及“But their $ 15,000 bid was refused.”有提示。