GUATEMALA CITY（Reuters）--A fish that lives in mangrove swamps（红树沼泽）across the Americas can live out of water for months at a time, similar to how animals adapted（适应）to land millions of years ago, a new study shows.
The Mangrove Rivulus, a type of small killifish, lives in small pools of water in a certain type of empty nut or even old beer cans in the mangrove swamps of Belize, the United States and Brazil. When their living place dries up, they live on the land in logs (圆木), said Scott Taylor, a researcher at the Brevard Endangered Lands Program in Florida .
The fish, whose scientific name is Rivulus marmoratus, can grow as large as three inches. They group together in logs and breathe air through their skin until they can find water again.
The new scientific discovery came after a trip to Belize.
“We kicked over a log and the fish just came crowding out,” Taylor told Reuters in neighboring Guatemala by telephone. He said he will make his study on the fish known to the public in an American magazine early next year.
In lab tests, Taylor said he found the fish can live up to 66 days out of water without eating.
Some other fish can live out of water for a short period of time. The walking catfish found in Southeast Asia can stay on land for hours at a time, while lungfish found in Australia, Africa and South America can live out of water, but only in an inactive state. But no other known fish can be out of water as long as the Mangrove Rivulus and remain active, according to Patricia Wright, a biologist at Canada’s University of Guelph.
Further studies of the fish may tell how animals changed over time.
“These animals live in conditions similar to those that existed millions of years ago, when animals began making the transition（过渡）from water onto land,” Wright said.
54. The Mangrove Rivulus is a type of fish that _______.
A. likes eating nuts B. prefers living in dry places
C. is the longest living fish on earth
D. can stay alive for two months out of water
55. Who will write up a report on mangrove Rivulus?
A. Patricia Wright. B. Researchers in Guatemala.
C. Scientists from Belize D. Scott Taylor.
56. According to the text, lungfish can _______.
A. breathe through its skin B. move freely on dry land
C. remain alive out of water D. be as active on land as in water
57. What can we say about the discovery of Mangrove Rivulus?
A. It was made quite by accident.
B. It was based on a lab test of sea life.
C. It was supported by an American magazine.
D. It was helped by Patricia Wright.
B
Love, success, happiness, family and freedom----how important are these values to you? Here is one interview which explores the fundamental questions in life.
Question: Could you introduce yourself first?
Answer: My name is Misbah, 27 years old. I was born in a war-torn area. Right now I’m a web designer.
Q: What are your great memories?
A: My parents used to take us to hunt birds, climb trees, and play in the fields. For me it was like a holiday because we were going to have fun all day long. Those are my great memories.
Q: Does your childhood mean a lot to you?
A: Yes. As life was very hard, I used to work to help bring money in for the family. I spent my childhood working, with responsibilities beyond my age. However, it taught me to deal with problems all alone. I learnt to be independent.
Q: What changes would you like to make in your life?
A: If I could change something in my life, I’d change it so that my childhood could have taken place in another area. I would have loved to live with my family in freedom. Who cares whether we have much money, or whether we have a beautiful house? It doesn’t matter as long as I can live with my family and we are safe.
Q: How do your get along with your parents?
A: My parents supported me until I came of age. I want to give back what I’ve got. That’s our way. But I am working in another city. My only contact with my parents now is through the phone, but I hate using it. It filters(过滤) out your emotion and leaves your voice only. My deepest feelings should be passed through sight, hearing and touch.
60. In Misbah’s childhood, .
A. he was free from worry
B. he liked living in the countryside
C. he was fond of getting close to nature
D. he often spent holidays with his family
61. What did Misbah desire most in his childhood?
A. A colorful life. B. A beautiful house.
C. Peace and freedom. D. Money for his family.
62. How would Misbah prefer to communicate with his parents?
A. By chatting on the Internet. B. By calling them sometimes.
C. By paying weekly visits. D. By writing them letters.
63. If there were only one question left, what would it most probably be?
A. What was your childhood dream?
B. What is your biggest achievement?
C. What is your parents’ view of you?
D. What was your hardest experience in the war?
试题第三部分: 阅读理解 (共20小题,每小题2分,满分40分)
A
One morning more than thirty years ago, I entered the Track Kitchen, a restaurant where everyone from the humblest(卑微的) to the most powerful came for breakfast. I noticed an empty chair next to an elderly, unshaven man, who looked somewhat disheveled. He was wearing a worn-out hat and was alone. I asked if I might join him. He agreed quietly and I sat down to have my breakfast.
We cautiously began a conversation and spoke about a wide rang of things. We never introduced ourselves. I was concerned that he might have no money and not be able to afford something to eat. So as I rose to go back to the counter and buy a second cup of coffee, I asked,
“My I get you something ?”
“A coffee would be nice.”
Then I bought him a cup of coffee, We talked more, and he accepted another cup of coffee, Finally, I rose to leave, wished him well, and headed for the exit. At the door I met one of my friends. He asked,
“How did you get to know Mr. Galbreath?”
“Who?”
“The man you were sitting with. He is chairman of the Board of Churchill Downs.”
I could hardly believe it. I was buying, offering a free breakfast, and feeling pity for one of the world’s richest and most powerful men!
My few minutes with Mr. Galbreath changed my life. Now I try to treat everyone with respect, no matter who I think they are, and no matter another human being with kindness and sincerity.
56. What does the underlined word “disheveled” mean?
A. Unfriendly. B. Untidy. C. Gentle. D. Kind.
57. The author bought coffee for the old man because
A. he thought the old man was poor
B. he wanted to start a conversation
C. he intended to show his politeness
D. he would like to thank the old man
58. How did the author probably feel after he talked with his friend?
A. Proud. B. Pitiful. C. Surprised. D. Regretful
59. What is the message mainly expressed in the story?
A. We should learn to be generous.
B. It is honorable to help those in need.
C. People in high positions are not like what we expect.
D. We should avoid judging people by their appearances.
D
Recently there was a major discovery in the scientific research—the mapping of all DNA in a human gene（基因）is complete.Couple of years ago,this seems an impossible task for scientist to accomplish.All this progress in science leads us to believe that the day,when the human being will be cloned,is not far away.Human cloning has always been a topic of argument，in terms of morality or religion.
Taking a look at why cloning might be beneficial,among many cases,it is arguable that parents who are known to be at risk of passing a genetic limitation to a child could make use of cloning.If the clonc was free of genetic limitations。Then the other clone would be as well.The latter could foe inserted in the woman and allowed to ripen to term.Moreover，cloning would enable women,who can’t get pregnant,to have children of their own.
Cloning humans would also mean that organs could be cloned,so it would be a source of perfect transfer organs.This,surely would be greatly beneficial to millions of unfortunate peoplearound the world that are expected to lose their lives due to failure of single(or more) organ
（s）.It is also arguable that a ban on cloning may be unlawful and would reb pepole of the right to reproduce and limit the freedom of scientists.
Arguments against cloning are also on a perfectly practical side.Primarily,I believe that cloning would step in the normal “cycle”of life.There would be a large number of same genes.,which reduce the chances of improvement，and,in turn,development-the fundamental reason how living things naturally adapt to the ever-changing environment. Life processes failing to do so might result in untimely disappearance.Futhermore,cloning would make the uniqueness that each one of us possesses disapparance.Thus,leading to creation of genetically engineered groups of people for specific purposes and,chances are,that those individuals would be regarded as “objects”rather than people in the society.
Scientists haven’t 100 percent. guaranteed that the first cloned will be normal.Thus this could result in introduction of additional limitations in the human “gene-pool”.
Regarding such arguable topics in “black or white” approach seems very innocent to me personally.We should rather try to look at all “shades:of it.I believe that cloning is only legal if its purpose is for cloning organs,not humans.Then we could regard this as for “saving life”instead of “creating life”.I believe cloning humans is morally and socially unacceptable.
67.Which of the following is true according to the passage？
A.Genetic limitation will be beneficial for some women
B.A large number of genes will prevent us from developing
C.Prohibition of cloning might limit the freedom of scientists
D.First cloned humans might be normal according to scientists
68.What’s the author’s oponion on cloning?
A.Cloning should be entirely banned
B. Cloning should be used in creating life
C. Cloning will take away the right to reproduce
D. Cloning is acceptable if it is used for cloning organs
69.Where can you read this article?
A.In a story book
B.In a magazine
C.In a science fiction
D.In a brochure
70.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage
C
With alarming regularity,we read about oil tankers having accidents near land and the terrible consequences of the oil spills(泄露) on people,nature,and the environment.
Millions of dollars have been used in developing special chemicals to help dismiss the spills and to clean up the animals,beaches,and land spoiled by the oil.Unfortunately,when many of these chemicals are used,,more damage is caused to the environment,especially to lives in the sea.
Of all of today’s environmental disasters ,an oil spill may actually be one of the least serious.Although oil is poisonous,it is a natual material.In the end,it breaks down naturally.There are,of course,long-term effects,but it is usually more serious in the short term.
Nature by itself woks better than chemical materials,but when there is a spill we demand that governments act immediately with as much hi-tech knowledge as possible.In 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon sank off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England and spilled 120,000 tones of oil into the ocean,If you go there today,you will find it hard to see any sign that it ever happened.
Governments seem to accept the risk of transporting millions of tons of oil by ship every day so that we can fill up our cars and drive around and cause even more environmental
damage.Interestingly the biggest companies in the world produce cars, and the next biggest supply the gasoline to make them run I
We shoule be thinking more about reducing our dependency on oil,Governments should be encouraging research into new technologies，such as cars run by solar power（太阳能），electricity,
hydrogen，and so on.Much of this research has ,in the past been held back by the oil,gas,and coal.
If the world’s millions of cars were 10% more efficient（高效的）—and the industry could easily produce cars at least twice as efficient？we would need many fewer tankers crossing the oceans each year.If this happened,the risks of oil spills would be reduced，and the air we breathe would be cleaner and fresher ,too.
63.What is the passage mainly talking about?
A.Oil spills pollution B.What oil pollution is
C.Oil tanker accidents D.How to reduce oil pollution
64.How does the author support the idea that oil spills are not as serious as people believe？
A.By giving a description B.By making an argument
C.By giving an example D.By drawing a diagram
65.What does the underlined word “risk”in paragraph 5 refer to?
A.Tansportation depending more on oil
B.Poisonous oil breaking down naturally
C.Millions of tons of oil spilling into the sea
D.More environmental damage being caused
66.Which suggestion，is made for reducing oil tank accidents according to the passage?
A.We should build safer tankers in the near future
B.We shoule develop new technologies to cut oil use
C.Tankers should not be allowed to sail near the coastlines
D.Countries should bulid more oil pipelines under the sea
B
FOR Chinese students the end of their senior year is filled with studying and stress as they prepare for the college entrance exams in June.But for American high school seniors the experience couldn’t be more different. The end of senior year is a celebration of their time in high school and involves parties,games and fun.
Senioritis is a commonly used expression.It means seniors have a disease which makes them unable to do work.This starts in April when seniors find out whether they have been accepted to university.
Unwilling to do school work,seniors have plenty of other activities to focus on.
Many schools have a “Senior Show”,in which only seniors are allowed to perform.Some seniors sing or dance but many of them perform skits（滑稽短剧），where they make fun of their favorite teachers or their friends.For example,a group of boys may dress up and imitate a group of their friends.It is all light-hearted.
The“Senior Show”is usually a part of Senior Week,which is a week specifically dedicated(专用的) to seniors.During this week,seniors usually get academic or athletic awards they have won over their high school careers.The seniors also vote for one of their male and female classmates who they believe is the best-looking or funniest or most involved,etc.These are then published in the yearbook.
The yearbook is an important part of high school for seniors.It is usually dedicated to them and has all their pictures and some words from them in it.Then seniors go around and get it signed by their friends so they can always remember their time together.
Of course during all of this time,seniors are preparing for the Senior Prom,which is an important moment in American culture.It is the most important dance in a young American’s life.
The end of senior year is a truly special and wonderful time for American students.It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
60.Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the underlined sentence in paragraph1?
A.For American high school seniors,things are quite different.
B.It doesn’t make difference at the end of the senior year.
C.For American high school seniors,it is the best time of the year.
D.It is the period filled with stress and workload.
61.What activities that seniors would like to do according to the passage?
A.School work B.Voting for the film star
C.Singing or dance contests D.Senior Show and Senior Prom
62.What will most probably be talked about in the next paragraph of the passage?
A.Activities on the sports field
B.The graduation ceremony where they receive their high school diploma
C.Their favorite film stars
D.The health of seniors