The Government’s sugar tax on soft drinks has brought in half as much money as Ministers first predicted it would generate, the first official data on the policy has shown.
政府对软饮料征收的糖税所带来的收入只有最初预测的一半，这是该政策的第一个官方数据显示。

First announced in April, 2016, the tax which applies to soft drinks containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, was introduced to help reduce childhood obesity（肥胖）. It is believed that today’s children and teenagers are consuming three times the recommended level of sugar, putting them at a higher risk of the disease.
该税在2016年4月首次宣布，适用于每100毫升含有超过5克糖的软饮料，旨在帮助减少儿童肥胖问题。据信，如今的儿童和青少年每天摄入的糖分是推荐摄入量的三倍，使他们更容易罹患这种疾病。

Initially the sugar tax was expected to make £520m a year for the Treasury. However, data of the first six months showed it would make less than half this amount. At present it is expected to generate £240m for the year ending in April 2019, which will go to school sports.
最初，糖税预计每年将为财政部带来5.2亿英镑。然而，首六个月的数据显示它的收入不到这个金额的一半。据目前预计，到2019年4月结束时，该税将为学校体育项目带来2.4亿英镑。

It comes after more than half of soft drinks sold in shops have had their sugar levels cut by manufacturers（制造商）so they can avoid paying the tax. Drinks now contain 45 million fewer kilos of sugar as a result of manufacturers’ efforts to avoid the charge, according to Treasury figures. Since April drinks companies have been forced to pay between 18p and 24p for every litre of sugary drink they produce or import, depending on the sugar content.
制造商为了避免交税，已经削减了超过一半在商店销售的软饮料的糖分含量。根据财政部的数据，现在饮料中的糖减少了4500万公斤。自四月以来，饮料公司被迫支付每生产或进口一升含糖饮料18便士至24便士不等的税款，具体取决于糖的含量。

However, some high sugar brands, like Classic Coca Cola, have accepted the sugar tax and are refusing to change for fear of upsetting consumers. Fruit juices, milk-based drinks and most alcoholic drinks are free of the tax, as are small companies manufacturing fewer than 1m litres per year.
然而，一些高糖品牌，如可口可乐经典款，已接受了糖税并且拒绝改变，因为他们害怕会引起消费者不满。果汁、乳制饮料和大多数酒精饮料不受税收影响，同样受影响的还有每年生产不足100万升的小公司。

Today’s figures, according to one government official, show the positive influence the sugar tax is having by raising millions of pounds for sports facilities（设施）and healthier eating in schools. Helping the next generation to have a healthy and active childhood is of great importance, and the industry is playing its part.
根据一名政府官员提供的数据，今天的数字显示出糖税正在对体育设施和学校健康饮食筹集数百万英镑，并对推动下一代拥有健康活跃的童年起到了积极的影响。帮助下一代拥有健康和积极的童年非常重要，而这个行业也在为此做出贡献。

1. Why was the sugar tax introduced?
   A. To collect money for schools. B. To improve the quality of drinks.
   C. To protect children’s health. D. To encourage research in education.
   答案：C

2. How did some drinks companies respond to the sugar tax?
   A. They turned to overseas markets. B. They raised the prices of their products.
   C. They cut down on their production. D. They reduced their products’ sugar content.
   答案：D

3. From which of the following is the sugar tax collected?
   A. Most alcoholic drinks. B. Milk-based drinks. C. Fruit juices. D. Classic Coke.
   答案：D

4. What can be inferred about the adoption of the sugar tax policy?
   A. It is a short-sighted decision. B. It is a success story.
   C. It benefits manufacturers. D. It upsets customers.
   答案：B