Across the world, humans purchase around 1.3 billion single-use plastic water bottles a day. Because only about 9% of plastic is recycled, the vast majority of those bottles wind up in landfills, the ocean, or elsewhere in nature.

When beach-loving Madison noticed those plastic bottles during her family’s trips to California, the 12-year-old “just felt like this needed to change,” she told Smithsonian Magazine.

So as she began thinking about what to do for her school science fair back in 2021, the idea of a project centered on reducing plastic pollution quickly came to her mind: she would design an eatable water bottle called the Eco-Hero.

“One of my biggest ambitions for my project was wanting to help the world,” the confident young inventor said in a video on the website.

To bring her idea to life, Madison built upon the already established method by experimenting with common food materials. She also took inspiration from previous versions of eatable water bottles, though she focused on making hers bigger and more durable. She found that the combination of water, lemon juice, natural gum, and Alginic acid (褐藻酸) resulted in a gel pouch that wouldn’t break, could hold up to 3/4 cup of water, and would last in the fridge for three weeks.

Though she’d like to improve the Eco-Hero by making it able to hold more water, she believes her current version would work well as a replacement for the paper cups used by runners in races. All one needs to do is bite a hole in the water ball, drink the water, and then eat the pouch or throw it away to biodegrade.

Madison hopes the Eco-Hero inspires others to take better care of the planet. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be in a big way,” she told Smithsonian. “People can still make a difference in the world, even if it’s just in a small way.”

【小题1】What inspired Madison’s design of an eatable water bottle?

A．Her school’s task.	B．Her family’s urge.
C．Her love for nature.	D．Her trips to the beach.

【小题2】What can we know about the Eco-Hero?

A．It is a copy of the previous versions.

B．It is made from unbreakable materials.

C．It is an improvement in size and durability.

D．It has a hole and should be disposed once used.

【小题3】Which of the following words can best describe Madison?

A．Ambitious and creative.	B．Talented and determined.
C．Courageous and confident.	D．Cooperative and committed.

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

A．A good beginning is half done.	B．Small people make big moves.
C．Where there is a will, there is a way.	D．God helps those who help themselves.