The Intel Science Talent Search is the top science competition for high school students in the US. The 40 finalists were honored in Washington last week. They met with scientists and politicians. President Obama welcomed them to the White House.
These 40 students were selected from almost 2,000 contestants nationwide. They had to present original research to be judged by professional scientists. The students showed their research projects on large posters. The winners were announced on March 15th, 2011.
Wendy Hawkins is executive director of the Intel Foundation, who says the 40 finalists represented excellence across many areas of science.
Selena Li is from Fair Oaks, California. She wanted to find a more effective treatment for liver cancer. She began her research four years ago. A scientist at the University of California, Davis, taught her how to design and do experimental work in the laboratory. Ms. Li placed 5th in the Intel Science Talent Search and was awarded 30,000 dollars.
Scott Boisvert lives near Phoenix, Arizona. He began using a laboratory at the University of Arizona at the age of 14. Over four years, he completed a project studying a fungus(真菌) linked to the decrease in amphibians（两栖动物）around the world. He was trying to find out if different chemicals and substances in the water could kill the fungus. He collected and tested water samples across Arizona. He says, “My results were able to identify a list of chemicals that were significant in the growth and in the movement of the fungus.” He placed10th in the Intel competition and was awarded 20,000 dollars.
Evan O’Dorney of Danville, California, won the top award of 100,000 dollars in this year’s Intel Science Talent Search. For his mathematical project, he compared two ways to estimate the square root of an integer (整数) , a number with no fractional parts.
Wendy Hawkins at the Intel Foundation says these young people represent the next generation of scientists who will help shape America’s future.According to the passage, if you want to win the Intel Science Talent Search, you must________.
| A．have high academic achievement |
| B．be excellent in all areas of science |
| C．offer original research |
| D．do many experiments in a university lab |
Who will be probably engaged in math study in the future and become a mathematician?
| A．Wendy Hawkins. | B．Selena Li. |
| C．Scott Boisvert. | D．Evan O’Dorney |
Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Scott Boisvert found a new fungus linked to the decease in amphibians. |
| B．The 1st, 5th and 10th students in the competition come from California. |
| C．Scott Boisvert is the youngest winner among the 40 students. |
| D．The Intel Science Talent Search is an intense competition. |
The Wendy Hawkins’s attitude to these 40 finalists is ______.
| A．critical | B．negative | C．positive | D．mixed |
Every day 25 million U.S. children ride school buses. The safety record for these buses is much better than for passenger cars; but nevertheless, about 10 children are killed each year riding on large school buses, and nearly four times that number are killed outside buses in the loading zones. By and large, however, the nation’s school children are transported to and from school safety.
Even though the number of school bus accidents is not large, the safety of children is always of intense public concern. While everyone wants to see children transported safely, people are divided about what needs to be done-particularly whether seat belts should be compulsory.
People in favour of seat belts on school buses-many of them parents and medical organizations-argue that seat belts are necessary not only to reduce fatality and injury, but also to teach children lessons about the importance of using them routinely in any moving vehicle. A side benefit, they point out, is that seat belts help keep children in their seats, away from the bus driver.
People who object to seat belt installation suggest that children are already well protected by the school buses that follow the Nation Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) safety requirements set in 1977. They also believe that many children won’t wear seat belts anyway, and that may damage the belts or use them as weapons to hurt other children.
A new Research council report on school bus safety suggest that there are alternate safety devices and procedures that may be more effective and less expensive. For example, the study committee suggested that raising seat backs four inches may have the same safety effectiveness as seat belts.
The report sponsored by the Department of transportation at the request of Congress, re
views seat belts extensively while taking a broader look at safety in and around school buses.According to the passage, who has the greatest degree of control of the school buses “safety”?
| A．A new Research Council. | B．The Department of Transportation. |
| C．The Medical Organization. | D．National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. |
It may be inferred from this passage that . .
| A．many of the opponents(反对者) of seat belt installation are parents and officials of the Department of Transportation |
| B．proposals of seat belts on school buses would be seriously considered |
| C．an alternate safety device (raising seat backs four inches) may be taken into consideration |
| D．The Department of Transportation may either take the idea of seat belts or other measures when it reviews the whole situation |
The title below which best expresses the idea of the passage is“”.
| A．Making School Buses Even Safer for Children | B．Seat Belts Needed on School Buses |
| C．Alternate Safety Devices and Procedures | D．Safety in and around School Buses |
Have you ever dreamed of visiting a planet in the Milky Way (银河系)? While the trip sounds exciting, it would take years and years to reach your destination. So in the future, bedtime for astronauts may be more than a few hours of regular shut eye. They would have to sleep for years.
European researchers are now conducting hibernation experiments. The study may help them understand whether humans could ever sleep through the years it would take for a space flight to distant planets. "If there was an effective technology, it could make deep-space travel a reality," said Mark Ayre of the European Space Agency last month.
What seems like a science fiction is not completely unlikely. Researchers have been able to use chemicals to put living cells into a sleep-like state where they don’t age. They have now moved on to the small, non-hibernating mammals (哺乳动物) like rats.
A major challenge is the fact that cells can be very simple systems, whereas body organs are far more complex (复杂的). "It’s like moving from a simple Apple computer to a supercomputer," said Marco Biggiogera, a hibernation researcher at Italy’s University of Pavia．Just like bears and frogs, the hibernation of human beings would cause a person’s metabolism (新陈代谢) to lower so they would need less energy.
Medical research, however, is just half of a space flight hibernation system. There is a challenge of designing a suitable protective shelter (栖身所). Such a shelter would provide the proper environment for hibernation, such as the proper temperature. It would also have to monitor (监控) life functions and serve the physiological needs of the hibernator.
According to Ayre, the six-person Human Outer Planets Exploration Mission (使命) to Jupiter’s moon (木星的卫星) Callisto could be an opportunity to use human hibernation. The mission aims to send six persons on a five-year flight to Callisto, where they will spend 30 days, in 2045.According to the article, the hibernation research ______.
| A．is just an idea | B．is always a science fiction |
| C．has already finished successfully | D．has made some progress |
In a hibernating state, a person needs ______.
| A．less sleep | B．more food | C．less energy | D．more movement |
The first try of the hibernation technology _____ the six-person Human Outer Planets
Exploration Mission to Jupiter’s moon Callisto.
| A．will be | B．has been planned for |
| C．is certain to be | D．may be |
What is the best title of the article?
| A．Hibernation Study For Space Travel | B．Welcome To Our Space Travel |
| C．To Hibernate, To Live Longer | D．Welcome To The Milky Way |
Never in the history of Sierra Leone’s elections have women so actively engaged in politics or competed for parliamentary seats. In the past, women did the dancing and cooking for elections campaigning. In the May 14th elections, we saw over 168 women candidates competitive for President, Vice President and Parliamentary seats.
One would think that about 60% of these women would have emerged as winners. But it was not so, because of our cultural perception of women. We need to change our culture. Women could be active politicians. The Christians in their own way encouraged women to be preachers(传教士) but the Muslim leaders say women should not head for officiating(主持) prayers.
The same happens in certain parts of the country where women are not part of decision taken in male secret societies. This prevents them from achieving some of their goals. A senior head in one of the ministries told me that she was getting problems with some of her staff members especially the male staff. Most women that come from the Northern part of country experience such problems. Some men are saying that a woman cannot be their leader.
Some women are also prejudiced against their women folks. In the last elections, most woman did not support their colleagues. In some parts of the country, because they are not members of secret societies they were not allowed to contest for chieftaincies (酋长或首领的位置). However, Sierra Leones not withstanding the cultural prejudice against women has witnessed women occupying high public offices. They have been appointed to head certain areas.
Sierra Leone is moving from its past culture. We need a change in our culture. Women all over the world are recognized one way or the other as they are now involved in the use of technology. We now see women as air pilots, and they even attempt to go to travel in space.In the past, women in Sierra Leone _______.
| A．took active part in politics | B．contested for parliamentary seats |
| C．danced and cooked for the election campaigning | D．shared the equal rights with men |
About 60% of the women engaged in election would have succeeded if . .
| A．there were less prejudice against women | B．less Muslim leaders had objected |
| C．more women had been engaged in the election | D．more preachers had supported them |
The author concludes that the women candidates can’t win the competitive vote because .
| A．women is more suitable for the dancing and cooking job |
| B．women candidates can’t get the support of their folks |
| C．women prejudice still exists in today’s society |
| D．women are not capable enough to be a chieftain |
The main idea of the passage is .
| A．the prejudice against women in various fields |
| B．women in Sierra Leone, striving for their political rights |
| C．women in Sierra Leone, challenge for men’s status |
| D．women in Sierra Leone, being involved in politics |
Animal Conservation
Many animal and plant species have become extinct（灭绝的）and many more are in critical danger. Finding ways to protect the earth's wildlife and conserve（保护）the natural world they inhabit（居住）is now more important than ever.
Dodo
The Dodo is a classic example of how human caused damage to the earth's biology. The flightless Dodo was native to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It lived off fruit fallen from the island's trees and lived unthreatened until humans arrived in 1505. The easily controlled bird became a source of food for sailors and was attacked by animals introduced to the island by humans such as pigs, monkeys and rats. The population of Dodos rapidly decreased and last one was killed in 1681.
Rhinos
The Rhino (犀牛) horn is a highly prized item for Asian medicine. This has led to the animal being hunted in its natural habitat. Once widespread in Africa and Eurasia, most rhinos now live in protected natural parks and reserves（保护区）. Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years, and the animals remain under constant threat from poachers（偷猎者）.
The Giant Panda
The future of the World Wildlife Fund's symbol is far from certain. As few as 1000 remain in the wild． The Chinese government has set up 33 panda reserves to protect these beautiful animals and made poaching them punishable with 20 years in prison. However, The panda's distinct black and white patched coat fetches a high price on the black market and determined poachers still pose（造成）one of the most serious threats to the animals continued existence.
Whales
The International Whaling Commission is fighting to ensure the survival of the whale species. Despite the fact that one-third the world's oceans have been declared whale sanctuaries（保护区）, 7 out of 13 whale species remain endangered． Hunted for their rich supply of oil, their numbers have decreased to just 300. Collisions（碰撞）with ships, poisonous pollution and being caught in fishing nets are other major causes of whale deaths.
Tigers
The last 100 years has seen a 95% reduction in the numbers of remaining tigers to between 5000 and 7000 and The Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers are already extinct. The South China tiger is precariously close to disappearing, with only 20 to 30 still alive. Like the Rhino horn, tigers’ bones and organs are sought after for traditional Chinese medicines. These items are traded illegally along with tiger skins.It implies that _______.
| A．The Dodo lacked the ability to protect itself from other animals |
| B．Sailors to the Island of Mauritius lived mainly on the Dodo |
| C．The Dodo used to be a strong animal that liked fighting. |
| D．The Dodo, pigs, monkeys and rats were the natives to the Island of Mauritius |
Which group of the following animals has already ceased to exist according to the text?
| A．The Dodo, Rhino and Giant Panda． |
| B．The Rhino, Whale and South China Tiger. |
| C．The Rhino, Panda, Whale and Tiger. |
| D．The Dodo and the Bali, Javan, and Caspian tigers. |
______ can serve as a cure for certain diseases.
| A．The whale’s rich oil |
| B．The panda's black and white patched coat |
| C．The Rhino horn and tigers’ bones and organs |
| D．The Dodo’s delicious meat |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．The number of South China tigers has reached crisis point. |
| B．Many animals are threatened with extinction as a result of human activity. |
| C．People hunt for the endangered animals for high profit. |
| D．The Whale is the representing mark for the World Wildlife Fund． |
The United States is trying to improve an edueation system that produces millions of citizens who cannot read, write, or add—let alone finding their country on a map.
In his first State of Union message since taking office a year ago, President George Bush promised to wipe out illiteracy(文盲) in the next decade and declared that“by the year 2008, U.S students must be first in the world in math and science achievements. ” They have a long way to go. American students were placed 14th in a recent general science test conducted in 16 countries. In a separate survey of chemistry students, the United States came 12 out of 14. In a mathematics test, they were last. According to Bush, there are 17 million illiterates in this country of 245 million people. Other estimates put the number as high as 23 million. In percentage terms, that ranks the United States alongside Niearague and below Cuba. “This nation,”Bush said in his State of the Union address, “will not accept anything but excellent in education.” Bush, who has declared himself “Education president”, and senior officals of his administration are warning that the United States will be unable to compete in the world without an educated workforce.
How to increase educational standards is a matter of debate in a country whose schools have no uniform national curriculum and are subject to a confusing variety of state and local controls. Most experts think that the problem lies at the elementary and high school'levels rather than with universities-but even their graduates show huge gaps in general knowledge. Among the root causes most frequently mentioned in education debates is the low respect in which U.S. society holds teachers-in contrast to Japan and Germany. In Japan teaching is a profession of high prestige(威望) and high pay. In the United States teachers are near the bottom of the society.By“the United States came 12 out of 14”(Para. 2), the author means .
| A．the United States ranked 12th not 14th in the chemistry test |
| B．the United States ranked 12th in the chemistry test conducted by 14 countries |
| C．the United States progressed from 14th to 12th in the chemistry test |
| D．the United States ranked 12th in chemistry test and 14th in general science test |
The cause of low educational level in America include the following EXCEPT that .
| A．some problems exist in primary and secondary education |
| B．society keeps teachers in low respect |
| C．America pays more attention to economy instead of education |
| D．America has no uniform national courses |
Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?
| A．President Bush carried out his promise made in his first State of Union message. |
| B．The education in Japan and Germany is in higher level. |
| C．According to Bush, the number of illiterates accounts for 9% of the total. |
| D．Teachers in the United States enjoy good treatment and great respect. |
Which of the following is the right order of the least-first of the percent of illiterates?
| A．Germany, Cuba, Nicaragua. | B．Germany, Nicaragua, Cuba. |
| C．Nicaragua, Japan, Cuba. | D．Cuba, Japan, Nicaragua. |