英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

　　We all have it, and donating it can save up to three people's lives. The donation process only takes about 10 minutes of your time, but the benefits to yourself and others are priceless. What exactly is this simple act of kindness? It is donating blood. Every two seconds in the US, someone needs this precious resource1, and approximately 40,000 units of blood are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities every day. Without this selfless gift from their fellow2 Americans, an estimated five million people would die each year.

　　The need for blood donations is strongly felt during the winter months in the US. People are busy getting ready for the holidays, which can mean tight travel schedules, little rest, and no time to donate. In addition, the winter weather resultsin seasonal colds and more traumatic3 injuries which may require increased amounts of blood. All these add up to a shortage in blood supplies, which is especially noticeable in January. Luckily, since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor4 Month. The American Red Cross tries to raise more public awareness about the importance of donating blood. Local chapters5 have offered incentives6 like getting a pound of coffee for giving a pint7 of blood. Celebrities have even dropped by blood donation centers to thank donors that have already shared generously. They also encourage others to help save lives with the simple act of giving blood.

　　Banana peels have led to the misfortune of many cartoon characters for as long as falling down has been funny. _(1)_ Scientists in Brazil have discovered that when banana peels are dried and ground into a powder, they can be more effective in purifying contaminated water than many other filtering chemicals on the market.
　　Scientists discovered that banana peels contain nitrogen (氮), sulfur (硫), and most importantly, carboxylic acids (羧酸). _(2)_ These waters could have possibly been polluted with mining refuse, industrial waste, or runoff from farms. Perhaps more significant is the fact that the peels can be used repeatedly. _(3)_ This means that the use of banana peels as water purifiers provides a cheap,renewable, and environmentally friendly method of removing toxins from vital water sources around the world. Though the peels cannot remove bacteria from the water, their rate of extracting heavy metal contaminants can be as high as 65 percent per treatment. _(4)_
　　Brazil is a country in which bananas are incredibly abundant. Restaurants and markets in its major cities throw away tons of banana peels a week. _(5)_ However, cleaning water is not the only thing banana peels can do. As every good housewife knows, they can also be used to polish silver, burnish leather, and give houseplants a healthy new shine.

(A) These acids bind with metals, such as lead and copper, effectively removing them from polluted bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and streams.
(B) The potential for recycling such a large amount of food waste into asustainable water purifier is an environmentalist's dream.
(C) Now, it seems the slippery skin of the banana is finally developing areputation in the scientific community.
(D) As a matter of fact, the same peels can be used up to 11 times before they become ineffective as purifiers.