1 . June 26, 2000 — the Human Genome (基因组) Project, a great $3 billion, 15-year task aimed at drawing the genetic (遗传的) map of humans, is now more than 90 percent completed. The scientific and medical communities (团体) are very excited about the chances genetic research provides for getting rid of diseases and prolonging (延长) human life. But those communities and policy (政策) makers also are careful about the scientific door they are opening as the project uncovers the mysteries of life.

For the last few years, the genetic advances in the developing field of biotechnology (生物技术) have provides material for all kinds of work, but the developments of modern science in unlocking the secrets of the human genetic code (密码) have opened a world of possibilities for human health, as well as for the popular imagination.

While European and Japanese researchers are making rapid progress in decoding (解码) human DNA, the leading organization for genetic research is in the United States, which began in 1990, is “unlocking the code” of the human body to learn how to defeat fatal (致命的) diseases. Already, the Human Genome Project has become widely known and praised for finding the genes (基因) connected with terrible diseases as yet (迄今), and making progress toward separating the genes that show a sign of breast cancer or AIDS.

Once these genes are found and studied, researchers can develop new ways to attack infections (传染), and genetic diseases. Medical companies are very interested in mapping the human genome, as they expect to develop a lot of new drugs for these illnesses.

1. Why did the scientists work hard at mapping the human genome?

A．Because the human genome can destroy many illnesses.

B．Because the human genome’s completion can help them get rid of many diseases.

C．Because they wanted to be better known than others.

D．Because the human genome can provide a lot of chances of work.

2. Which country studied the genes most rapidly in the world?

A．Japan.

B．Germany.

C．The United States.

D．China.

3. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．If the genes can be found, scientists can study many new ways to cure illnesses.

B．The scientists have made great progress in connecting the genes with the cancers.

C．Many medical companies show great interest in drawing the human genome map.

D．The United States began the Genes Study early in the 19th century.

4. The author suggests that the Human Genome Project can cause         .

A．the policy makers to feel very worried and careful

B．the scientists to work harder

C．many people to find work easily

D．a lot of companies to produce many new drugs

5. The main idea of this article is about         .

A．unlocking genetic code

B．the genes’ discovery

C．the great human genome

D．the genes and the scientists

2 . Friends always ask why I, a middle-aged woman with no athletic (运动) talent (天赋), travel to perilous places — the jungles (丛林) of Thailand or Borneo, for example, where the water is often unsafe and the food risky; places with infectious diseases, poisonous snakes and the wildest animals.

I never know how to answer. Nine years ago I suffered a stroke (中风). To prevent another stroke, my doctors told me, I’d have to take dangerously high levels of blood thinner (血液稀释剂) for the rest of my life and any travel would be risky (冒险的).

I had to think about what was important to me: family, of course, and friends. But then what? No matter how many times I thought about it, I could not be happy without travel. Then I had to decide how I might manage the risk.

The first real test of my travel courage came nine months after my stroke when I joined my husband, Jack, on a business trip to China. After we’d toured the remains of a Tang dynasty temple on a high mountain, Jack wanted to ride down on a toboggan (长雪橇).

Before the stroke it would’ve seemed like fun. But now? I hesitated. My mental klaxon (高音喇叭) screamed warnings about the consequences of a cut, a fall, and a crash. Then, gaining confidence from who knew where, I lowered myself carefully into the toboggan, which marked my adventure (冒险) travel come back.

In the years since then, I’ve traveled about twenty-five percent of the time. Through it all, my lucks held out — no deadly falls, no car accidents or serious infections. For me, adventure travel is a risk worth taking. Travel broadens my world and keeps me connected to nature. What’s more, saying “yes” to travel keeps me connected to myself.

1. What does the underlined word “perilous” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．Energetic.

B．Dangerous.

C．Romantic

D．Famous.

2. What did the doctors advise the author to do?

A．Do proper exercise.	B．Enjoy the rest of her life.
C．Spend more time with her family	D．Keep away (远离) from traveling

3. Why did the author mention her travel to China?

A．It was her last adventure.	B．She recovered (恢复) her courage (勇气) through it.
C．She liked the beautiful scenery in China.	D．It was the most dangerous experience in her life.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A business trip to China	B．Stroke, a dangerous disease
C．How I overcame the fear of disease	D．Why I still travel to the wild

3 . “Tell me the story of me, Momma,” my daughter Sophie always asks when we sit on my grandmother’s rocking chair at the end of the day. “The first time I saw your beautiful face, it was nearly covered by a blue-and-white hat. You were surrounded by a soft blue blanket (毛毯). All I could see was a rosy face.” “And I looked like a tiny fairy baby?” she asks. “You did, and you weren’t older than a minute,” I always answer. “The nurse handed a tiny little girl to me, and I was so surprised because you felt so light. I thought if I threw off the blanket, I’d find no baby there at all, only air.”

From that moment, I became a mother. But that moment was just special and magical as if she’d come from my body directly into my arms. From that day on, she was my daughter in every way that mattered.

It’s easy sometimes to forget there was another mother out there with whom I share my title. Sophie’s birth mother, who was also my friend, lost her life to cancer not long after giving birth to Sophie. And I’ll never forget that it was her difficult decision — her tears and her pain — that made me a mom.

As my daughter grows, she will understand that sometimes life is a relay race (接力赛), and you never know who in this world will hand you your baton (接力棒). It could be someone you know for years, or it could be someone who you even never meet, someone you will never be able to repay for giving you the life you always wanted.

1. How does the author start the text?

A．By remembering her grandmother.	B．By asking her daughter questions.
C．By describing her past life.	D．By showing a conversation.

2. How does the author feel towards Sophie’s birth mother?

A．Disappointed.

B．Worried.

C．Thankful.

D．Surprised.

3. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Taking up the baton	B．Being thankful for life
C．Two mothers’ love	D．The mystery of Sophie’s birth

4 . Vehicles on our roads are now mostly petrol and diesel (柴油) cars, but their days cannot continue for much longer. A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 percent of daily car journeys in the US. That figure could rise to 98 percent by 2020.

One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety” — drivers concerns about running out of electricity on a journey. While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems, the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed. That said, charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the USA.

Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed greatly over the last few years. Not that long ago, electric cars were met with distrust, and their high prices drove customers away. Thanks to improvements in battery capacity, recharging times, performance and price, the current generation of electric cars are starting to persuade picky consumers. Plug-in cars will soon give internal combustion engine (内燃机) models a run for their money.

As well as development on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies. Electric boats are among the oldest methods of electric travel, having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrol-powered outboard motors took over. Now, the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back. Steps towards electric air travel are also being made, with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery-powered planes. The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.

Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions (排放). If the US could replace 87 percent of its cars with electric vehicles, it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 percent. However, because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles, they cannot claim (声称) to be completely emission-free. That said, as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.

1. The underlined word “hurdle” in Paragraph 2 probably means________.

A．aim

B．difficulty

C．result

D．step

2. Why did many people refuse to buy the electric cars in the past?

A．They were very poorly made.	B．They were not widely promoted.
C．They were expensive.	D．They couldn’t travel at a high speed.

3. What is the function of Paragraph 4?

A．To introduce the history of electric travel.

B．To explain why the world needs more electric cars.

C．To show why more people have interest in electric cars.

D．To describe different ways electric vehicles can be used.

4. Which is the best title for this passage?

A．Driving into a Cleaner Future	B．History of Electric Cars
C．Problems with Petrol and Diesel Cars	D．Best Means of Transportation

6 . Thirteen-year-old Kaylee has a lot of friends — 532, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.

But is it possible that Kaylee’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.

Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not Words With Friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.

Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platforms (平台).

In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger, “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.

Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual words, we will have little time for our real-world friendships.” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need someone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.

1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

A．To summarize the text.	B．To tell about true friends.
C．To bring up a discussion.	D．To encourage online friendship.

2. What does the underlined part “in the flesh” mean in Paragraph 3?

A．In person.

B．In advance.

C．In any case.

D．In full measure.

3. What is Katie’s attitude towards online communication?

A．Worried.

B．Positive.

C．Confused.

D．Unconcerned.

4. What view does Rosen hold?

A．It’s wise to turn to friends online.

B．It’s easier to develop friendships in reality.

C．Social media help people stay closely connected.

D．Teenagers need focus on real-world friendships.

7 . A 4-year-old boy was given the chance to celebrate his favorite holiday early this year after a neighborhood in Illinois heard that he would miss the chance to trick or treat because of a vital Surgery (手术). Sonny Mead, who put on a Superman costume for the special day, hit more than 20 hours along his special trick-or-treat route and was even treated to a ride in a fire truck.

“He thinks today is Halloween,” Jackie Mead, the boy’s mom, told Fox 2 Now on Wednesday. “We let him pick his costume, and up until today he was going to be Spider-Man, and then he decided that he wanted to be Superman because he wants superpowers.”

Sonny was diagnosed with craniosynostosis (颅缝早闭), which causes the skull bones to fuse prematurely, affecting brain growth. Sonny had pieces of his skull removed to give his brain more room to grow in 2015, and the bone was supposed to grow back but never did.

So on Friday, doctors will use a 3-D printer and bone from a dead body to rebuild Sonny’s skull. His recovery is expected to take between two and six months, meaning he’ll not be able to trick or treat when Oct.31 comes.

But once Amanda Richert heard that her friend’s son would miss out on the trick-or-treating fun, Goshen Meadows citizens, in Edwardsville, Illinois united in a group to make sure he had a chance for the trick-or-treat fun. Sonny’s mother said their reaction was overwhelming.

1. Why was Sonny Mead given a Chance to celebrate Halloween early this year?

A．Because of his brain growth.	B．Because of an important surgery.
C．Because of Sonny’s strong wish.	D．Because of the request of his neighborhood.

2. What can we know from the passage?

A．Sonny Mead had the chance to trick or treat with the help of his neighborhood.

B．Sonny Mead chose a Spider-Man costume for the special day at last.

C．Sonny Mead will have pieces of his skull removed on Friday.

D．Sonny Mead had his skull rebuilt with a bone from a cadaver in 2015.

3. What can we know about Amanda Richert?

A．She can rebuilt skulls.	B．She is a good friend.
C．She owns a fire truck.	D．She was diagnosed with craniosynostosis.

4. What does the underlined word “overwhelming” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．disappointing

B．interesting

C．easy-going

D．moving

8 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.

But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.

According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.

To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.

“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.

Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.

It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.

1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?

A．Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression.

B．The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids.

C．Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running.

D．The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood.

2. Why did the scientists give mice drugs in their experiment?

A．To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms.

B．To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high.

C．To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high.

D．To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released.

3. What does the underlined word “notion” mean?

A．Effect.

B．Goal.

C．Opinion.

D．Question

4. What can we know about regular workouts according to the UK’s National Health Service?

A．They can help ease depression symptoms.

B．They are the best way to treat depression.

C．They only work for those with serious depression.

D．They can help people completely recover from depression.

9 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the Supreme Court of the United States. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 25 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005)

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott (抵制). It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.

1. What is Jane Addams noted for in history?

A．Her social work.	B．Her teaching skills.
C．Her efforts to win a prize.	D．Her community background.

2. What was the reason for O’Connor’s being rejected by the law firm?

A．Her lack of proper training in law.

B．Her little work experience in court.

C．The discrimination against women.

D．The poor financial conditions.

3. What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?

A．They are highly educated.	B．They are truly creative.
C．They are pioneers.	D．They are peace-lovers.

10 . People who sleep fewer than six hours a night are more likely to die early, researchers in University of Warwick have found in a recent study. They discovered that people who slept for less than six hours each night were 12% more likely to die before the age of 65 than those who slept the recommended six to eight hours a night.

The researchers pointed out that previous studies had shown that the lack of sleep was associated with problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. However, the researchers also found that sleeping too much was linked to an early death. Those who slept for more than nine hours a night were 30% more likely to die early, as an article in the latest Sleep suggested. That directly contradicts another passage in the same journal last month suggesting that people who slept for ten hours or longer a night were more likely to live to 100. This was thought to be because people who lived into extreme old age were healthier and therefore slept better.

However, the authors of the latest research contradicted this and suggested that long sleep was a sign of underlying illnesses such as depression and low levels of physical activity. Professor Francesco Cappuccio at the University of Warwick said: “While short sleep may represent a cause of ill-health, long sleep is believed to represent more an indicator of ill – health.”

He also mentioned: Modern society has seen a gradual reduction in the average amount of sleep people take, and this pattern is more common among full-time workers suggesting that it may be due to social pressures for longer working hours. On the other hand, the worsening of our health is often accompanied by an extension of our sleeping time.”

Consistently sleeping six to eight hours per night may be good for health. However, whether to achieve the goal depends on various factors such as the environment as well as measures of public health aimed at favourable changes of the s working environments Professor Francesco Cappuccio added.

1. What did researchers in University of Warwick find?

A．Six to eight hours’ sleep can be appropriate for people.

B．People at an old age are healthier because they sleep longer.

C．People who sleep fewer than 6 hours each night die before 65.

D．Sleeping for more than 9 hours a night does good to one’s health.

2. What is Professor Francesco Cappuccio most likely to agree with?

A．How long we sleep depends on our education.

B．Our health becomes worse because we sleep less.

C．Modern people sleep less because they work longer.

D．Long sleep is what causes our health problems.

3. What did the researcher think may help people have proper sleep?

A．Social pressure	B．Extension of sleeping time.
C．Longer working hours	D．Changes of working environments.

4. What can be the best title for this passage?

A．Time to Sleep early	B．How Long Should We Sleep
C．The Importance of Sleep	D．Longer Sleep Makes Better Health