1 . Could your dog be prone to a fatal disease? Is your new shelter pup part beagle or boxer? Many pet owners seek answers to these questions, and as a result, direct-to-consumer dog DNA testing is booming.
Human interfering with dog DNA has long been the driving factor behind dogs’ breed diversity — or lack thereof. But a dog’s DNA can also be used to confirm their lineage (血统) or identify their breed, a boon for pet owners on the lookout for breed-specific health or behavioral challenges or those looking to confirm their dog really has the heritage claimed by a breeder or seller. During DNA analysis, labs sequence the dog’s DNA and look for similarities with a dataset of identified dog breeds.
But breed identification isn’t as simple as it might seem. In a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association last month, scientists looked into the accuracy of breed prediction in commercially available DNA tests that required a photo of the dog in addition to its DNA sample. The results were mixed, says Casey Greene, a professor who co-authored the study.
“Most tests could accurately distinguish the breed of purebred dogs,” says Greene. But the analysis suggested that some testing companies might rely on the photo more than the dog’s actual genetics — and revealed big differences between companies’ business practices and the genetic datasets they use to determine dog breeds.
The researchers submitted photos and DNA of 12 purebred dogs to a total of six commercial canine (犬的) ancestry identification services. Since each pup was purebred and possessed extensive American Kennel Club paperwork, the researchers knew their breed conclusively—but in some cases they provided a photo of a different dog to see if the photo influenced the DNA results. One of the companies misidentified a purebred Chinese crested dog — almost entirely hairless — as a long-haired Brittany spaniel, seemingly based on the photo alone. The other five did identify the registered breed correctly, but often gave different predictions for other “ancestor” breeds in dogs whose DNA suggested mixed breeding in prior generations. The researchers concluded that veterinarians and pet owners alike should “approach direct-to-consumer tests with caution” given the lack of industry standardization and at least one company’s reliance on photographs instead of DNA analysis.
Despite these concerns, though. dog DNA seems headed for a golden age — and the insights revealed through further study of Fido’s genome (基因组) have already reached far beyond the doghouse. Domesticated dogs have emerged as surprising superstars in medical research that benefits humans. According to researchers, that’s just the beginning. With implications ranging from entertaining to consequential, there’s no telling what dog DNA will continue to unleash.
1. The underlined word “boon” in paragraph two is closest in meaning to ________.A.blessing | B.substitute | C.duty | D.struggle |
A.it assists in accurately determining the breed a dog belongs to |
B.it helps to predict whether dogs are subject to certain diseases |
C.it provides pet owners with insights into dogs’ behavioral challenges |
D.it sequences the DNA of identified dog breeds to find their similarities |
A.Photos play a more significant role in identifying a dog’s breed than its actual genetics. |
B.It is a common phenomenon that the DNA analysis of dogs may yield mixed results. |
C.Commercial dog DNA tests still have limitations and should be dealt with cautiously. |
D.Direct-to-consumer tests overshadow DNA analysis in identifying purebred dogs. |
A.Controversies regarding its reliability are here to stay. |
B.It is bound to make breakthroughs in the fields of medicine and entertainment. |
C.It can step into a golden age as long as some research limitations are fixed. |
D.It may have far-reaching significance and be applied to a wider range of areas. |
IN CONTEXT BRANCH Geology BEFORE 6th century BCE The Greek thinker Thales of Miletus notes magnetic rocks, or lodestones (天然磁石). 1st century CE Chinese diviners make primitive compasses with iron spoon that can turn around to point south. 1269 French scholar Pierre de Maricourt sets out the basic laws of magnetic attraction, repulsion, and poles. AFTER 1824 French mathematician Siméon Poisson models the forces in a magnetic field. 1940s American physicist Walter Maurice Elsasser attributes Earth’s magnetic field to iron swirling in its outer core as the planet rotates. 1958 Explorer 1 space mission shows Earth’s magnetic field extending far out into space. | By the late 1500s, ships’ captains already relied on magnetic compasses to maintain their course across the oceans. Yet no one knew how they worked. Some thought the compass needle was attracted to the North Star, others that it was drawn to magnetic mountains in the Arctic. It was English physician William Gilbert who discovered that Earth itself is magnetic. Stronger reasons are obtained from sure experiments and demonstrated arguments than from probable conjectures (推测) and the opinions of philosophical speculators. William GilbertGilbert’s breakthrough came not from a flash of inspiration, but from 17 years of careful experiment. He learned all he could from ships’ captains and compass makers, and then he made a model globe, or “terrella,” out of the magnetic rock lodestone and tested compass needles against it. The needles reacted around the terrella just as ships’ compasses did on a larger scale—showing the same patterns of declination (pointing slightly away from true north at the geographic pole, which differs from magnetic north) and inclination (tilting down from the horizontal toward the globe). Gilbert concluded, rightly, that the entire planet is a magnet and has a core of iron. He published his ideas in the book De Magnete (On the Magnet) in 1600, causing a sensation. Johannes Kepler and Galileo, in particular, were inspired by his suggestion that Earth is not fixed to rotating celestial spheres, as most people still thought, but is made to spin by the invisible force of its own magnetism. |
A.The North Star navigated their ships. |
B.The magnetic mountains in the Arctic guided their journey. |
C.Magnetic compasses helped them maintain the course. |
D.The forces in a magnetic field attracted the ships. |
A.Through trials and errors. |
B.Through some personal philosophical speculation. |
C.By acquiring some flash inspiration. |
D.By studying the ideas of some philosophers. |
A.The earth stays still. |
B.Gilbert successfully refuted the laws of magnetic attraction. |
C.Gilbert’s findings and conclusions are sensational. |
D.The earth has its own magnetic field. |
A. advances B. combed C. net D. heads E. automation F. modest G. comprehensive H. thinned I. prior J. underlie K. unearth |
Does technology replace more jobs than it creates? What is the
“There does appear to be a faster rate of automation, and a slower rate of augmentation, in the last four decades. from 1980 to the present, than in the four decades
The study finds that overall, about 60 percent of jobs in the U.S. represent new types of work, which have been created since 1940. To determine this, Autor and his colleagues
From about 1940 through 1980, for instance, jobs like elevator operator and typesetter tended to get automated. But at the same time, more workers filled roles such as shipping and receiving clerks, buyers and department
Ultimately, the research suggests that the negative effects of automation on employment were more than twice as great in the 1980-2018 period as in the 1940-1980 period. There was a more
In the fall of 1903, O. Henry was living in a room at the small Hotel Marty in New York City. He had published a few stories in local magazines, but was still relatively unknown when editors at the New York World newspaper sent a young reporter
O. Henry was the pen name used by William Sydney Porter, who was born in North Carolina. At the age of twenty, he moved to Texas.
In 1902 O. Henry moved to New York City and started trying to sell his stories. In a few years his luck changed for the better, and his position with the New York World helped make him a
5 . What can be done about mass unemployment? All the wise heads agree: there’re no quick or easy answers. There’s work to be done, but workers aren’t ready to do it — they’re in the wrong places, or they have the wrong skills. Our problems are structural, and will take many years to solve.
But don’t bother asking for evidence that justifies this bleak (暗淡的) view. There isn’t any. On the contrary, all the facts suggest that high unemployment in America is the result of inadequate demand. Saying that there’re no easy answers sounds wise, but it’s actually foolish: our unemployment crisis could be cured very quickly if we had the intellectual clarity and political will to act. In other words, structural unemployment is a fake problem, which mainly serves as an excuse for not pursuing real solutions.
The fact is job openings have plunged in every major sector, while the number of workers forced into part-time employment in almost all industries has soared. Unemployment has surged in every major occupational category. Only three states, with a combined population not much larger than that of Brooklyn, have unemployment rates below 5%. So the evidence contradicts the claim that we’re mainly suffering from structural unemployment. Why, then, has this claim become so popular?
Part of the answer is that this is what always happens during periods of high unemployment — in part because experts and analysts believe that declaring the problem deeply rooted, with no easy answers, makes them sound serious.
I’ve been looking at what self-proclaimed experts were saying about unemployment during the Great Depression; it was almost identical to what Very Serious People are saying now. Unemployment cannot be brought down rapidly, declared one 1935 analysis, because the workforce is “unadaptable and untrained. It cannot respond to the opportunities which industry may offer.” A few years later, a large defense buildup finally provided a financial stimulus adequate to the economy’s needs — and suddenly industry was eager to employ those “unadaptable and untrained” workers.
But now, as then, powerful forces are ideologically opposed to the whole idea of government action on a sufficient scale to jump-start the economy. And that, fundamentally, is why claims that we face huge structural problems have been multiplying: they offer a reason to do nothing about the mass unemployment that is crippling (损害) our economy and society.
So what you need to know is that there’s no evidence whatsoever to back these claims. We aren’t suffering from a shortage of needed skills; we’re suffering from a lack of policy resolve. As I said, structural unemployment isn’t a real problem, it’s an excuse — a reason not to act on America’s problems at a time when action is desperately needed.
1. What does the author think of the experts’ claim concerning unemployment?A.Self-evident. | B.Thought-provoking. | C.Groundless. | D.Objective. |
A.The booming defense industry. | B.The wise heads’ benefit package. |
C.Nationwide training of workers. | D.Thorough restructuring of industries. |
A.Economists, failure to detect the problems in time. |
B.Very Serious People’s attempt to cripple the economy. |
C.Evidence gathered from many sectors of the industries. |
D.Powerful opposition to government’s stimulus efforts. |
A.To confirm the experts’ analysis of America’s problems. |
B.To offer a feasible solution to the structural unemployment |
C.To show the urgent need for the government to take action. |
D.To alert American workers to the urgency for adaptation. |
A. alternative B. astonishing C. computerized D. contribution E. developing F. rate G. modified H. perfect I. reject J. relevance K. sufficient |
Using animals to test drugs intended for humans is controversial, with critics arguing there are other ways to ensure new medicines are safe and effective. But the scientists who carry out the research say animal studies remain necessary. Statistics indicate that in the UK around three million mice are being used for research and tens of millions worldwide.
Despite the difference in appearances, the genetic similarities with humans are
Animal Defenders International (ADI) is one of the groups that campaigns for an end to the use of animals in research. “We would argue that it is extremely outdated, and not very good science for humans,” says Fleur Dawes of ADI. Ms. Dawes believes the suffering that the animals go through does not legalize their
However, Dr. Wells from Mary Lyon Centre (MLC) says they are constantly trying to
If we
Fleur Dawes agrees one alternative is not enough. But she says, “By combining the different alternatives, you can actually get a much better picture that is of much better
7 . My father decided to start learning French when he was 57. On the surface, his retirement hobby seems a little random — our family has no connection to French-speaking countries — but his
Lots of activities are linked to better brain health in old age, like getting more education when you’re younger and physical activity. Experts say regularly speaking multiple languages may be especially
The age at which you learn another language appears to be less important than how
However, evidence for the benefits of learning a second language as a hobby in your 60s is
The scientists who conducted those studies offered a few potential
A.affection | B.contribution | C.motivation | D.struggle |
A.delay | B.prevent | C.signal | D.stimulate |
A.additional | B.educational | C.lasting | D.potential |
A.beneficial | B.common | C.impractical | D.rare |
A.carelessly | B.constantly | C.creatively | D.delicately |
A.long | B.often | C.soon | D.well |
A.command | B.practice | C.restrict | D.spread |
A.function | B.psychology | C.system | D.training |
A.damages | B.operations | C.pains | D.signs |
A.decline | B.improve | C.matter | D.restore |
A.available | B.mounting | C.stronger | D.weaker |
A.difference | B.involvement | C.point | D.reduction |
A.applications | B.explanations | C.findings | D.suggestions |
A.diversities | B.improvements | C.outcomes | D.possibilities |
A.content | B.intention | C.length | D.requirement |
8 .
Wonders of Australia 22 days from only £6.245 per person Day 1: Depart UKDays 2-5: Singapore Enjoy a city tour including Merlion Park, Marina Bay, and fabulous gardens. As an alternative, you may choose to stop in Dubai at no extra cost. Days 6-11: Melbourne Visit Victoria Markets and Federation Square. Perhaps take an optional excursion to explore Fairy Penguin Parade. Day 12-14: The Ghan Experience one of the world’s most impressive rail journeys. Covering 1,555 kilometres, we see the everchanging landscape as we journey north. Enjoy all inclusive Gold Service with on board meals included as are a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Day 15-17: Uluru (Ayers Rock) We enjoy a refreshing glass of sparkling wine and witness the changing colours as the sun sets. There is a chance to explore the rock in the morning, before visiting the impressive Olgas.Days 18-21: Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef Dive in the sheltered coral lake and view the reef from underwater observatory. Lunch is included. Optional tours on our Freedom Days in Cairns include a scenic railway journey to Kuranda, and a day trip to the nearby World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. Day 22: Arrive UK We arrive at your chosen airport, bringing an end to our incredible adventure.
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Book by 30th April 2024 and enjoy a twin room for a two-night stopover from only £29 per person (£48 for single occupancy). Stopover choices are Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, or Bali and include return transfers and four-star accommodation with breakfast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For more details and full booking conditions, please request a brochure or visit www.distantjourneys.co.uk. Call FREE for a brochure 0800 141 3719. |
A.Cairns and the Ghan |
B.Uluru and Melbourne |
C.Melbourne and the Ghan |
D.Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef |
A.You may be charged an extra £349 in total for daily breakfasts. |
B.You will enjoy a day trip to Daintree Rainforest, a world heritage. |
C.You may choose to stop in both Singapore and Dubai at no extra cost. |
D.You will be offered a meal with drinks when heading north by train in the Ghan. |
A.£17,791 | B.£18,822 | C.£18,841 | D.£19,572 |
9 . Sandhya Sriram is impatient. The stem-cell (干细胞) scientist wanted to put her knowledge to use, developing cultivated seafood. Yet no one was doing that in Singapore. So four years ago, she set up a company to create lab-grown crustacean (甲壳纲动物) meat.
Today, the results of her
Shiok Meats has already revealed shrimp, lobster, and crab prototypes (最初形态) to a select group of tasters, and it plans to
But even if that ambitious
“We’re at an interesting stage of a startup; it’s called the Valley of Death,” says Sriram. “We are in the space where we haven’t submitted for regulatory approval yet, but we’re looking to commercialize in the next two years.” Nevertheless, the impatient entrepreneur is
In a word, when science meets seafood, many wonderful things happen naturally.
1.A.Eagerly | B.Hurriedly | C.Incidentally | D.Interestingly |
A.dieter | B.foodie | C.taster | D.vegetarian |
A.discipline | B.enthusiasm | C.discovery | D.mindset |
A.growing | B.investigating | C.increasing | D.targeting |
A.accept | B.adopt | C.grant | D.seek |
A.farm | B.race | C.section | D.line |
A.available | B.affordable | C.competitive | D.profitable |
A.additive | B.cruelty | C.meat | D.salt |
A.guideline | B.transformation | C.condition | D.timeline |
A.demanding | B.directing | C.persuading | D.training |
A.delightful | B.insightful | C.open-minded | D.optimistic |
A.difference | B.emergence | C.sacrifice | D.leap |
A.Tracking | B.Supervising | C.Popularizing | D.Sampling |
A.feeding | B.killing | C.mistreating | D.trapping |
A.captured | B.stranded | C.consumed | D.produced |
10 . The way of recording things has never ceased to develop. In the 1980s, as sales of video recorders went up, old 8mm home movies were gradually replaced by VHS (video home system)tapes. Later, video tapes of family holidays lost their appeal and the use of DVDs
Digitising historical documents brings huge benefits—files can be
But the news that the Ministry of Justice of the UK is proposing to scan the 110 million people’s wills it holds and then destroy a handful of
Scholars
The government says that it will save the original wills of “famous people for historic record”, such as that of Princess Diana’s. However, assuming that we know who will
The digitisation of old documents is a valuable, even essential measure. But to destroy the originals once they have been scanned, is not a matter of great
A.paused | B.boomed | C.recovered | D.disappeared |
A.getting outdated | B.coming into style | C.being fined | D.making an error |
A.deleted | B.named | C.copied | D.altered |
A.fight or flight | B.life or death | C.wear and tear | D.awe and wonder |
A.unfortunately | B.additionally | C.in summary | D.for example |
A.the originals | B.the essentials | C.the visualised | D.the digitised |
A.preservation | B.classification | C.publication | D.destruction |
A.applaud | B.disagree | C.discriminate | D.withdraw |
A.revising | B.abandoning | C.uncovering | D.enduring |
A.meaningful | B.favourable | C.resistant | D.delicate |
A.inventing | B.adjusting | C.accessing | D.damaging |
A.outcomes | B.safeguards | C.deadlines | D.byproducts |
A.matter | B.respond | C.lose | D.live |
A.spared | B.discussed | C.forgotten | D.protected |
A.sacrifice | B.courage | C.efficiency | D.admiration |