3 . On Monday, a lawsuit (诉讼) in the US got huge headlines around the world. It deals with a truly 21st century issue—whether human genes (基因) may be patented.

Myriad Genetics, a biotechnology company, discovered two genes — BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 — that are highly related to breast cancer. Myriad patented its discoveries and a group of researchers challenged that the patent was illegal.

The US patent law protects the temporary economic rewards inventors get from their inventions. But it also says a product of nature or a law of nature can’t be patented. For example, Einstein couldn’t patent on his discovery of E=mc².

And until relatively recently, many of the medical researchers voluntarily gave up patents on their inventions. When Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine (小儿麻痹症疫苗), was asked in 1955 whether he had a patent on the vaccine, he replied, “Could you patent the sun?”

Myriad Genetics, however, says that the genes it identified are not like the sun. It notes that there are 20,000 genes in the human body and that it has sorted through all those genes and found the two that are closely related to breast cancer.

Not so, say those challenging the patent. Human genes are products of nature. They are just a part of the human body. “All Myriad does is take the part out of the body,” says the challengers’ lawyer, Christopher Hansen. “Can the person who first takes the heart out of the body patent on hearts?”

Rochelle Dreyfuss, a patent expert who is not associated with this case, is a little more down to earth. “At some level it is about money,” he says, “because medicine doesn’t happen for free. The patent system is very important to encourage companies to spend more money on scientific research and development.”

Then how do other countries handle this tricky situation? Most countries approve patents on genes, but they also allow other scientists to use the genes freely to do research and develop new medicines and testing methods.

1. Which of the following can be patented according to the US patent law?

A．The law of gravity force.	B．A unique orbit found in space.
C．A new medicine based on BRCA 1.	D．The basic working principle of planes.

2. What is Christopher Hansen’s argument against the patent?

A．A product of nature can’t be patented.

B．Public interests should be put before profits.

C．It is unacceptable to the other countries in the world.

D．The connection between genes and cancers is not obvious.

3. What does the underlined phrase “down to earth” in paragraph 7 mean?

A．Angry.

B．Rude.

C．Smart

D．Practical.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．The consequences of the lawsuit.	B．Other countries’ solution to the case.
C．The public reactions to the news.	D．Some scientists’ support for the patent.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Incense (香) boasts a long history,    1    its roots in many cultures-ancient China, ancient Egypt, Babylon and beyond. People from all walks of life benefit from its countless qualities, whether they use it for pleasure    2    as medicine.

Since the Tang and Song dynasties, burning incense, hanging paintings, making tea, and enjoying music have been known as the “four arts for literati (文人)”.    3    (make) from seeds, leaves and flowers, incense has been used as an enjoyable     4    (pursue) for scholars.

Moreover, medical incense is an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which considers preventative healthcare as     5    far superior form of treatment when illness strikes.

    6    (basic), medical incense can kill bacteria in the environment, protecting people against infections. It is also believed     7    (possess) the ability to balance the flow of Qi, a vital energy force within the body. Once the medical elements within incense are breathed in, they soon find    8    (they) way into the bloodstream. From there they go directly to the organs    9    treatment assistance is needed. The specific types of incense    10    (choose) based on the individual’s condition, aiming to restore balance and promote well-being.

6 . I have been a healthcare assistant with Marie Curie for four years. What led me to join this remarkable organization was a deeply personal experience.

Seven years ago, my father was in the hospital, and I was informed that he was in the end-of-life stage. He had wanted to be at home during his final moments, so I arranged for him to return home. He spent only one more night there, but he wasn’t alone. A Marie Curie nurse was by our side. Facing the emotions that come with knowing a loved one is at the end of their life can be heartbreaking. Having a nurse with us made it easier to deal with these feelings. That’s when I made the decision to join Marie Curie.

Working for the charity, I find myself on duty during most Christmases. We operate every single day, including holidays. You might assume that being with families during their last Christmas, knowing it’s a difficult time for the person they’re caring for, would be a sad experience. But what may surprise you is that it’s not. The families, in my experience, are not sad. They make the most of the time they have left and they remain positive for everyone knows what’s coming. They understand that their loved one is dying, but it’s not a time for sorrow, it’s a time of togetherness and warmth. I remember one particular family — three sisters — and the fourth was in the end-of-life stage. When I arrived, she was in a critical condition, and I knew she might not make it through the night. But sitting with the sisters, talking about their childhood, recalling what happened in the past was a special time. They mentioned that their sister had asked for peaches and cream earlier that day, and they made sure she got what she wanted. She went to sleep, and we lost her that night.

We can’t change what happens to us, but we can make a difference. We provide support through the stages of sadness and struggles. And, surprisingly, people may not suffer that much.

1. What can we learn about Marie Curie from the passage?

A．It is a remarkable healthcare organization for benefit.

B．It is one of the most volunteer organizations in the world.

C．It won’t offer the service during some important festivals.

D．It can be a big comfort to those facing their beloved ones’ death.

2. Why does the author call the family mentioned in paragraph 3 “particular”?

A．Because of the special relationship between them.

B．Because of their unusual and abnormal behaviour.

C．Because of the countless hardship the family has suffered.

D．Because of the family’s courage and calmness facing misfortune.

3. What message does the author convey in the last paragraph?

A．Actions speak louder than words.	B．Misfortune might be an actual blessing.
C．Where there is action, there is difference.	D．All things are difficult before they are easy.

4. Which of the following can best describe the volunteers in Marie Curie?

A．Devoted and caring.	B．Gifted and generous.
C．Hardworking and honest.	D．Sensitive and determined.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did Eric get hurt?

A．He got hit by a ladder.

B．He tripped over a rock.

C．He fell from the height.

2. Which part of Eric's body got injured?

A．His arm.

B．His ankle.

C．His head.

3. What does the woman ask the man to do next?

A．Lift Eric onto the bed.

B．Send Eric to the hospital for an X-ray.

C．Apply ice to the injured part.

10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Who is the woman?

A．A student.

B．A teacher.

C．A doctor.

2. When did the man’s hole start to get bigger?

A．At the age of seven.

B．At the age of ten.

C．At the age of seventeen.

3. What is the woman’s attitude toward the man’s disease?

A．Frightened.

B．Unconcerned.

C．Worried.

4. What do we know about the man?

A．He is optimistic and helpful.

B．He can’t go to school anymore.

C．He has to go to the hospital every week.