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 clone 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 people around 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 rob people 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. Furthermore, cloning would make the uniqueness that each one of us possesses disappea. 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.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 |
What’s the author’s opinion 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 |
Where can you read this article?
A.In a story book. | B.In a magazine. | C.In a science fiction | D.In a brochure |
Which of the following shows the structure of the passage
Cotton farmers in some Indian villages are busily buying Coca-Cola and Pepsi, believing that the sugar in the fizzy(有 泡 沫 的 ) drinks kills pests.
Farmers say scientists advised them to mix pesticides with a sugary juice to control pests, and they found the mixture cheaper and more effective than pure chemicals— although soft drink makers and scientists dismissed the remarks. N. Hamunayya, who has become a famous person in his village in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, said his crop survived an attack of pests which had resisted other pesticides. “We found that all the colas had uniform effect on pests. The pests became dead and fell to the ground, ”he said. He said the drinks had all the elements they needed : they were cheaper, sticky, fizzy, and attracted ants, which ate the young of the pests. But Thinupathi Reddy, assistant director of the Regional Agri-Research Station, Guntur, says tests had proved such results wrong. “We conducted some field trials on cotton crop at our research station. There was no obvious productivity or destruction of pests, ”he says.
Statements from Pepsi and Coca-Cola said there was “ no scientific basis” for this practice. But their dealers are enjoying increasing sales. Mantan Wall, who sells soft drinks in 17 villages in the region, said sales rose up, thanks to the farmers. “ For the 10 days between August and September I had successful business. Instead of just 30 cases( each containing a dozen one-litre bottles) of cola, I started selling almost 200 cases, ”he said. “ We expected the sales to drop after the news over pesticide residues(残 留 ) in the cola drinks. Now I have to keep extra supply for the cotton farmers, ”he said.
In February, an Indian environment group made a report saying drinks made by Coca-Cola and Pepsi contained pesticides and called for tougher safety standards. The U. S firms strongly rejected the findings of the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment and said their products were safe.The writer’ s purpose of writing this passage is to.
A.tell an interesting incident |
B.warn people that some drinks might be dangerous to health |
C.suggest using Coca-Cola to kill pests. |
D.announce a new discovery of Coca-Cola |
The drink makers would not accept the fact that their drinks could kill pests because .
A.they thought it went against science |
B.they believed that the farmers didn’t tell the truth |
C.they might fear that it could bring harm to their business |
D.they insisted that no poison was left in their products |
The underlined part in Para. 3 “ this practice” probably refers to .
A.testing the mixture |
B.selling more drinks in India |
C.mixing the drinks with the pesticide |
D.attracting ants to eat the young pests |
The drinks can kill pests because .
A.there is some pesticide left in them |
B.they are sticky and fizzy |
C.they have elements that kill pests |
D.they made the pesticide more effective |
The Tropical Paradise Holiday
Welcome to St Anna, our tropical paradise just off the coast of Latin America. You can spend two weeks in our luxury four-star hotel. The cost of your flight is included in the holiday, and you can be picked up from your home by our special airport bus. On your arriving, our coach will be waiting to take you to the hotel. All flights leave from Heathrow on a Monday morning.
The Cowrie Hotel is built right on the beachfront, and many rooms have wonderful ocean views. If swimming and surfing are not enough for you, the hotel also offers horse rides on the island, and a discount membership of the golf club.
The Rain Forest Adventure Holiday
Every year Broughton holidays offer twelve days of unforgettable adventure in a tropical rain forest. You may have a choice of Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia, or even to the greatest rain forest of them all, the mighty Amazonian forest.
You will fly to our special base camps at the edge of the forest, where you will be given five days of survival training, and talks on the local wildlife.
Then you take a bus into the forest. You will have to walk the final five miles to the camp sites to avoid disturbing the local ecology. All of the camp sites have been carefully built to cause the minimal amount of disturbance to the local wildlife.
Remember that these adventure holidays take you deep into the wilderness, and they are not suitable for families with young children. Also remember that no more than two dozen guests can stay at any camp at one time, so if you want to go on one of these very special holidays, you will need to book early!What can we learn about the rain forest holiday?
A.Travelers will learn to talk with wild animals. |
B.Different means of transportation will be used. |
C.The holiday will end with a survival training. |
D.Booking early, travelers will get a discount. |
What kind of people will probably choose the rain forest holiday?
A.People loving water sports. |
B.People travelling with children. |
C.People preferring comfortable hotels. |
D.People concerned with environment and wildlife. |
Which of the following is mentioned in both holidays?
A.Transportation. | B.Price. |
C.Reservation. | D.Departure time. |
When Abraham Lincoln was young, he worked in a store. One day a woman came into the store and bought some things. They added up to two dollars and six and a quarter cents.
The bill was paid, and the woman was entirely satisfied. But the young storekeeper, not feeling
quite sure as to the accuracy of his calculations, added up the things again. To his surprise he found that it should have been but two dollars.
“ I’ve made her pay six and a quarter cents more, ”said Abe, disturbed.
It was an unimportant thing, and many clerks would have forgotten it, but Abe was too conscientious for that.
“ The money must be paid back, ”he decided.
At night, he closed the store, and walked to the home of his customer. He explained the matter, paid over the six and a quarter cents, and returned satisfied.
Here is another story of young Lincoln’s strict honesty. A woman entered the store and asked for half a pound of tea. The young clerk weighed it out. This was the last sale of the day.
The next morning, when beginning his duties, Abe discovered a four-ounce weight on the scales. It flashed upon him at once that he had used this in the sale of the previous night, and so, of course, given his customers short weight. I am afraid that there are many country merchants who would not have been much worried by this discovery. But Abe weighed out the balance of the half pound, shut up the store, and carried it to the defrauded customer. I think my young readers will begin to see that the name so often given, in later times to President Lincoln, of “Honest Old Abe, ”was well deserved. A man who begins by strict honesty in his youth is not likely to change as he grows older, and mercantile honesty is some guarantee of political honesty.We know from the text that Abe .
A.charged less for the woman |
B.tricked the woman on purpose |
C.was careful and responsible |
D.was confident of his calculations |
From the underlined sentence, we can see that the author .
A.speak highly of Abraham Lincoln |
B.learns how to succeed in the political field |
C.comes to understand the importance of honesty |
D.hopes to give readers some personal suggestions |
What does the author mainly intend to tell us?
A.Better late than never. |
B.Honesty is the best policy. |
C.A good name is better than gold. |
D.Where there is a will there is a way. |
The author develops his idea mainly .
A.by reasoning | B.by making comparisons |
C.by giving examples | D.by recalling what he had seen |
A young fashion designer from Germany is revolutionizing high fashion by designing clothes from milk.
Domaske, 28, has developed a fabric(织物) called QMilch from high concentrations of the milk protein casein (酪蛋白). “It feels like silk and it doesn’t smell----you can wash it just like anything else,“ Domaske told Reuters. Made from all natural materials, QMilch has many health benefits, says Domaske. The amion acids (氨基酸)in the protein fight bacteria and aging, and can help regulate both blood circulation and body temperature, she says.
Domaske’s fashion label MCC is popular among people, and has now started weaving the milk fiber into its collection.
Currently MCC’s line of clothes----which feature flowing wrap dresses with modern cuts and bright patterns----are made from combinations of various fibers, including QMilch. But Domaske plans to design a collection made entirely from the milk fiber.
Milk fabric has been around since the 1930s, but was always produced in environmentally unfriendly ways that used a lot of chemicals. Unlike early forms, QMilch is made almost entirely from casein without chemicals.
“We have developed an all-natural fiber consisting of a very high concentration of casein, with a few other natural ingredients – and in only two years,” Domaske, a former microbiology student, say.
The casein is taken from dried milk powder and then heated up in a type of meat-mincing machine(绞肉机)with other natural ingredients. The fiber comes out in threads and is then made into yarn(纱线)on a spinning machine.
Domaske says it would take about 6 liters of milk to produce an entire dress, which costs about $200 to $270. Luckily, for that kind of money, the clothes don’t come with a date when they are no longer usable----during the heating process, the molecules(分子)bond in such a way that the protein won’t break down.
Due to its anti-bacterial qualities, the fiber can also be used in medicine and makeup, and some auto companies have ever looked into using it in car seat covering.Which of the following feature of QMilch is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A.It is beneficial to one’s health. |
B.It feels soft and has a special smell. |
C.It is easy to clean. |
D.It is a man-made fiber that uses no chemicals. |
We can learn from the passage that MCC’s line of clothes ?
A.are fashion labels created by Domaske’s students |
B.are characterized by their modern cuts and bright patterns |
C.are made completely from various chemicals |
D.are produced in environmentally unfriendly ways |
Put the following in order in which clothes can be produced from milk.
a. Casein is heated
b. Milk powder is acquired.
c. Casein is taken from dried milk powder.
d. The fiber is spun into yarn.
e. Threads of fiber are produced.
f. Clothes are woven.
A.a,c,b,e,d,f | B.b,c,a,d,e,f. |
C.b,c,a,e,d,f | D.c,a,e,b,d,f |
We can infer from the passage that .
A.this new type of clothing will never go out of fashion |
B.these new clothes are reasonably priced |
C.the new clothes are heat-resistant |
D.milk fiber will have a good sales market |
Having experienced a shocking electrical accident, which caused him to become both blind and deaf, James Franco’s world became completely dark and quiet for almost ten years. The loss of sight and hearing threw him into such sorrow that he tried a few times to put an end to his life. His family, especially his wife, did their best to tend and comfort him and finally he regained the will to live.
One hot summer afternoon, he was taking a walk with a stick near his house when a thunderstorms started all at once. He stood under a large tree to avoid getting wet, but he was struck by the lightning. Witnesses thought he was dead but he woke up 20 minutes later, lying face down in muddy water. He was trembling badly, but when he opened his eyes, he could hardly believe what he saw: a tree and muddy road. When Mrs. Franco came running up to him, shouting to their neighbors to call for help, he could see her and hear her voice for the first time in nearly ten years.
The news of James regaining his sight and hearing quickly spread and many doctors came to examine him. Most of them said that he regained his sight and hearing from the shock he got from the lightning. However, none of them could give a compellent answer as to why this should happen. The only reasonable explanation given by one doctor was that, since James lost his sight and hearing as a result of a sudden shock, perh
aps, the only way for him to regain them was another sudden shock.
The reason why James attempted to kill himself was that _________.
A.a terrible electrical accident happened to him |
B.nobody in the whole world cared about him |
C.he was struck by the lightning once more |
D.he had to live in a dark and silent world |
What was James doing when he was struck by the lightning?
A.Taking a walk with a stick |
B.Putting an end to his life |
C.Sheltering from the rain under a tree |
D.Lying on the ground |
What does the underlined word “compellent” in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Unexplained. | B.Convincing. |
C.Wrong | D.True |
Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.A Terrible Electrical Accident |
B.What a Sudden Shock |
C.An Unforgettable Experience |
D.James Franco and His wife |