1 . Far from the land of Antarctica, a huge shelf of ice meets the ocean. At the underside of the shelf there lives a small fish, the Antarctic cod.
For forty years scientists have been curious about that fish. How does it live where most fish would freeze to death? It must have some secret. The Antarctic is not a comfortable place to work and research has been slow. Now it seems we have an answer.
Research was begun by cutting holes in the ice and catching the fish. Scientists studied the fish’s blood and measured its freezing point.
The fish were taken from seawater that had a temperature of -1.88℃ and many tiny pieces of ice floating in it. The blood of the fish did not begin to freeze until its temperature was lowered to -2.05℃. That small difference is enough for the fish to live at the freezing temperature of the ice-salt mixture.
The scientists’ next research job was clear: Find out what in the fish’s blood kept it from freezing. Their search led to some really strange thing made up of a protein never before seen in the blood of a fish. When it was removed, the blood froze at seawater temperature. When it was put back, the blood again had its antifreeze quality and a lowered freezing point.
Study showed that it is an unusual kind of protein. It has many small sugar molecules held in special positions within each big protein molecule. Because of its sugar content, it is called a glycoprotein. So it has come to be called the antifreeze fish glycoprotein. Or AFGP.
1. What is the text mainly about?A.The terrible conditions in the Antarctic. |
B.A special fish living in freezing waters. |
C.The ice shelf around Antarctica. |
D.Protection of the Antarctic cod. |
A.The seawater has a temperature of -1.88℃. |
B.It loves to live in the ice-salt mixture. |
C.A special protein keeps it from freezing. |
D.Its blood has a temperature lower than -2.05℃. |
A.A type of ice-salt mixture. | B.A newly found protein. |
C.Fish blood. | D.Sugar molecule. |
A.sugar | B.ice |
C.blood | D.molecule |
A.at | B.beyond | C.within | D.upon |
A.to be sent | B.to send | C.being sent | D.sending |
Big messaging apps abroad
While WeChat is China's biggest mobile messaging app (应用软件), there are many equivalent apps in other countries that offer similar features.
WhatsApp (US)
Users: more than 300 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry
Features: text chats, pushtotalk, file sharing, location sharing
With more than 300 million active users, WhatsApp is one of WeChat's biggest competitors. Developed by two exYahoo employees in 2009, WhatsApp originally focused on text chats, but on Aug. 6 it also started pushtotalk service. It's noted for its accessibility, ease of use and the absence (没有) of adverts. The service is free for the first year, after which D|S0.99 (6.06 yuan) is charged for a oneyear subscription.
Kakao Talk (South Korea)
Users: more than 100 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Bada (an operating system developed by Samsung)
Features: text chats, group chats, pushtotalk, group calls, file sharing
With more than 100 million users in more than 230 countries, Kakao Talk is a multiplatform (多平台) texting application that allows users to send and receive messages for free. With Kakao Talk, users can message each other oneonone or in group chats with unlimited numbers of friends. You can also choose from more than 250 animated emoticons and share them with friends.
Line (Japan)
Users: more than 200 million
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and PC
Features: text chats, group chats, pushtotalk, file sharing, location sharing, gaming, stickers
Line tops the list of the most downloaded free apps in 52 countries. Apart from text and voice messaging, Line provides its users with more than 250 original stickers and emoticons to buy from its own shop. In the first quarter of 2013 alone, it made D|S17 million just from stickers. The popular app also allows friends to battle each other in the Line games.
1. The first paragraph of the passage is used to ________.
A.introduce the most popular mobile messaging apps in China |
B.talk about new features in the latest mobile messaging apps |
C.draw readers' attention to various popular mobile messaging apps |
D.explain how mobile messaging apps have become so popular |
A.Group mobile games. |
B.Free stickers and emoticons. |
C.Free download of the app. |
D.Text and group chats. |
A.can send and receive messages for free |
B.can enjoy live video chats within groups |
C.don't need to worry about unwanted ads |
D.regularly get free stickers and emoticons |
A.slowly and gentle | B.slowly and gently |
C.slow and gentle | D.slow and gently |
A.put away | B.put up | C.put out | D.put off |