According to an English newspaper, scientists could begin cloning human embryos in Britain in 2001. It is understood that the government has already agreed to use Frankenstein’s technology, believing the benefits are more important than ethical （伦理的）concerns .Researchers think it will be possible to grow brain tissue to cure the diseases that are likely to get worse as time passes like Alzheimer’s , and produce “spare part” organs like hearts and kidneys for transplant （移植）.
Ministers are aware that the change in the law will be as controversial as the law which legalized abortion (堕胎）more than 30 years ago. Some politicians reacted angrily , arguing that the government had already made up its mind without discussion. Church leaders and anti-abortion campaigners have long expressed their horror at the plans, arguing that even the earliest embryos are forms of human life.They believe that getting an embryo from cells is morally unacceptable . And it will also cause arguments about how far scientists should interfere with nature and lead to accusations that they are “playing God”.
The cloning of human embryos to provide spare parts is regarded by most experts to be the most important step forward in the 21st century medicine. Scientists say treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s will be the first application of cloning. The ability to clone embryos was first achieved by scientists in Scotland in the late 1990s and now the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs is being developed by American researchers. Combining the two technologies will mean an end to long waits for organs from donors and problems caused by rejection (排异反应） of transplanted tissues by the body.
Ian Wilmut, the man who cloned Dolly the sheep, has warned that British experts will go to America, where such work is legal, if the government does not permit it. The government has decided to allow scientists to clone human embryos because they think that ____.
| A．Frankenstein’s technology is advanced |
| B．Its advantages are more important than its disadvantages |
| C．Diseases like Alzheimer’s are a serious problem in their country |
| D．They can make a lot of money from it |
The underlined word “they”in Paragraph 2 refers to ______.
| A．Ministers | B．Scientists |
| C．Church leaders | D．Anti-abortion campaigners |
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
| A．Most experts think that the cloning of human embryos is beneficial. |
| B．Politicians were in favour of the government’s decision. |
| C．It is legal for scientists to clone embryos in America now. |
| D．American researchers are developing the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs. |
What’s the best title for this passage ?
| A．Science of cloning. |
| B．Cloning and abortion |
| C．Cloning human embryos |
| D．the argument between politicians and scientists |
For many centuries，countless scholars have asked the question：What is beauty? As designers update the latest fashions and artists create their masterpieces, what is considered beautiful changes at an alarming pace. Fifty years ago, the full-figured American actress Marilyn Monroe was a symbol of the American aesthetic(美学的)value；today, many Hollywood actresses different in appearance from Marilyn’s have taken her place. However，aesthetic values not only differ from generation to generation，but do so along cultural lines as well. Often, what is considered hating one civilization is just the aesthetic appeal in another. Thus it is difficult to give an absolute definition(定义)of beauty.
As fundamental(基础的)physicists，my colleagues and I like to believe that we are involved in a search for a beauty that affects definition. The beauty that we search for is not what is set up through the work of people and subject to the tastes, but rather what has been laid down by nature Physics allows its students to look past outer appearances，into a deeper beauty. As a human being, I am attracted by the visual appeal of a wave crashing on the beach. As a physicist, however I am able to see the deeper beauty of the physical laws that govern such a phenomenon.
In truth，since Albert Einstein put forward the idea that there might be one main physical theory that governs the universe，aesthetics have become a driving force in modern physics. Einstein and other later physicists have discovered that：Nature, as its most fundamental level，is beautifully constructed. The extraordinary simplicity (朴素)of the laws that govern the universe is really breathtaking. As Einstein said, it would seem more likely that we should find ourselves living in a “chaotic (无秩序曲)world，in no way graspable（能理解的） through thinking”. Yet we are now closer than ever to a full understanding of the universe’s beautiful clockwork. As new discoveries and technologies allow us to examine the physical world on deeper and deeper levels，we find that the beauty itself becomes much deeper.The reference to “Marilyn Monroe” in Paragraph 2 mainly serves to___________.
| A．provide an example of today’s beauty standards |
| B．show there is no fixed definition of aesthetics |
| C．compare traditions of the East to the West |
| D．discuss her abilities as an actress |
When appreciating a wave crashing on the beach，a physicist sees the beauty of_____.
| A．the visual attraction |
| B．the powerful sounds |
| C．the physical laws behind |
| D．the lovely creatures |
Why are Albert Einstein’s words mentioned in Paragraph 3?
| A．To detail the functions of physical laws. |
| B．To highlight the range of Einstein’s influence. |
| C．To show that Einstein doubted the beauty of physics. |
| D．To stress the very simplicity of the laws of the universe. |
The passage is mainly to___________.
| A．present a special way of seeing beauty |
| B．emphasize the influence of physics |
| C．discuss the awareness of cross-culture |
| D．argue the traditional ideas on value |
In the countries of South and Southeast Asia, the elephant has been an important part of the culture, economy and religion for centuries. And nowhere more so than in Thailand. Unlike its African cousin, the Asian elephant is easily domesticated（驯化）. The rare so-called white elephants have actually lent the power of royalty (皇室)to its rulers，and until the 1920s the national flag was a white elephant on a red background. To the early Western visitors, the country's romantic name was“ Land of the White Elephant".
Today, however, the story is very different. Out of work and out of land, the Thai elephant struggles for survival in a nation that no longer needs it. The elephant has found itself more or less deserted by previous owners who have moved on to a different economic world and a society in the western part. And while the elephant's problems began many years ago, now it has a very low national advantage.
How does the national symbol turn into ignored animals? It is a story of worse environment and the changing lives of the Thais themselves. According to Richard Lair, Thailand's expert on the Asian elephant and author of the report Gone Astray, at the turn of the last century, there may well have been as many as 100,000 national elephants in the country.
In the north of Thailand alone, it was estimated（估计）that more than 20,000 elephants were employed in transport, 1,000 of them alone on the road between the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen.
This was at a time when 90 percent of Thailand was still forest---a habitat that not only supported the animals but also made them necessary to carry goods and people. Nothing ploughs through thick forest better than lots of sure-footed elephants.
By 1950 the elephant population had dropped, but still to the number of 13, 397. However, today there are probably no more than 3,800, with another l,350 wandering free in the national parks. But now, Thailand's forest covers only 20 percent of the land. This deforestation（采伐森林）is the central point of the elephant's difficult situation, for it has effectively put the animals out of work. This century, as the road network grew, the elephant's role as a beast of burden decreased.What can we know about African elephants from the passage?
| A．It is of little value to domesticate them. |
| B．It is hard to domesticate them. |
| C．They are living a better life than Asian elephants. |
| D．Their fate is quite similar to that of Asian elephants. |
Thailand was once called "Land of the White Elephant" because ________.
| A．white elephant was a national symbol until the 1920s |
| B．white elephant is rarely seen and thus very special |
| C．white elephant has helped kings to gain the ruling authority |
| D．this name was so romantic that it was popular among visitors |
Why is the Thai elephant "out of work", according to the author?
| A．Because there are too many elephants but too few jobs. |
| B．Because the elephants can't do labor work any longer. |
| C．Because the government pays little attention to the problem. |
| D．Because the elephants are no longer useful to their owners. |
The passage is most probably from ________.
| A．a travel guide |
| B．a history book |
| C．a popular science magazine |
| D．an official announcement |
Make Up Your Mind to Succeed
Kind-hearted parents have unknowingly left their children defenseless against failure. The generation born between 1980 and 2001 grew up playing sports where scores and performance were played down because “everyone’s winner.” And their report cards sounded more positive than ever before. As a result, Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, PhD, calls them “the overpraised generation. ”
Dweck has been studying how people deal with failure for 40 years. Her research has led her to find out two clearly different mind-sets that have a great effect on how we react to it. Here’s how they work:
A fixed mind-set is grounded in the belief that talent is genetic(遗传的) – you’re a born artist, point guard, or numbers person. The fixed mind-set believes he’s sure to succeed without much effort and regards failure as personal shame. When things get difficult, he’s quick to blame, lie, and even stay away from future difficulties.
On the other hand, a growth mind-set believes that no talent is entirely heaven-sent and that effort and learning make everything possible. Because the ego (自尊) isn’t on the line as much, the growth mind-set sees failure as a chance rather than shame. When faced with a difficulty, he’s quick to rethink, change and try again. In fact, he enjoys this experience.
We are all born with growth mind-sets. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to live in the world. But parents, teachers, and instructors often push us into fixed mind-sets by encouraging certain actions and misdirecting praise. Dweck’s book, Mind-set: The New Psychology of Success, and online instructional program explain this in depth. But she says there are many little things you can start doing today to make sure that your children, grandchildren and even you are never defeated by failure.What does the author think about the present generation?
| A．They don’t do well at school. |
| B．They are often misunderstood. |
| C．They are eager to win in sports. |
| D．They are given too much praise. |
A fixed mind-set person is probably one who ___ .
| A．doesn’t want to work hard |
| B．cares a lot about personal safety |
| C．cannot share his ideas with others |
| D．can succeed with the help of teachers |
What does the growth mind-set believe?
| A．Admitting failure is shameful. |
| B．Talent comes with one’s birth. |
| C．Scores should be highly valued. |
| D．Getting over difficulties is enjoyable. |
What should parents do for their children based on Dweck’s study?
| A．Encourage them to learn from failures. |
| B．Prevent them from making mistakes. |
| C．Guide them in doing little things. |
| D．Help them grow with praise. |
With so many unique attractions, world-famous museums and skyscrapers, there is always plenty to do in New York. However, sightseeing in New York City might not be the easiest or the cheapest experience.
This is why our team of real, life-long New Yorkers have created the New York Pass. If you want to discover the best of what this amazing city offers as well as save time and money during your visit, the New York Pass is something you should be interested in. In 2012, New York Passes have been used over 2,500,000 times. Get your Pass today and join the big savings it offers:
The purpose of this passage is to _________.
| A．promote New York Pass |
| B．introduce New York City |
| C．introduce New York attractions |
| D．show New York attractions tickets fee |
What could be the lowest price for a Three-day adult pass and a Two-day child pass?
| A．$ 246. 5. | B．$263. |
| C．$273. 5. | D．$ 290. |
Which of the following is TRUE about New York Pass?
| A．Its holders can save up to $1300 entrance fees. |
| B．Its holders needn’t pay for the attractions it covers. |
| C．Its holders needn’t queue to enter the attractions it covers. |
| D．It can be picked up at Times Square at any time after you order it. |
The underlined phrase “are entitled to” most probably means “are given_____ of”.
| A．the name | B．the honor |
| C．the title | D．the privilege |
Rocky Lyons was five years old when his mother, Kelly, was driving along the country road with him. He was asleep on the front seat of their truck, with his feet resting on her lap. As his mom drove carefully down the winding country road, she turned onto a narrow bridge. The truck hit a rock and slid off the road. She tried to bring it back up onto the road by pressing hard on the gas pedal and turning the steering wheel to the left. But Rocky’s foot got caught between her leg and the steering wheel and she lost control of the truck.
The truck fell into a 20-foot ravine（峡谷）. When it hit bottom, Rocky woke up. “What happened, Mama?” he asked. “Our wheels are pointing toward the sky. ”Kelly was seriously wounded and blinded by blood. “I’ll get you out, Mama,” announced Rocky, who had surprisingly escaped injury. He climbed out from under Kelly, slid through the open window and tried to yank（用力拉）his mother out. But she didn’t move.
“Just let me sleep,” begged Kelly, who was out of consciousness. Rocky insisted, “Mom, you can’t go to sleep.”
Rocky managed to push Kelly out of the truck and told her he’d climb up to the road and stop a car to get help. Fearing that no one would be able to see her little boy in the dark, Kelly refused to let him go alone. Instead they slowly moved up to the road. The pain was so great that Kelly wanted to give up, but Rocky wouldn’t let her.
Rocky kept repeating the inspirational phrase, “I know you can, I know you can.” When they finally reached the road, Rocky broke into tears seeing his mother’s torn face clearly for the first time. Waving his arms and shouting, “Please stop!” the boy stopped a truck. His mother was sent to hospital.
It took 8 hours to rebuild Kelly’s face. She looks quite different today---“I used to have a straight long nose, thin lips and high cheekbones; now I’ve got a flat cheeks and much bigger lips”--- but she has few scars and has recovered from her injuries.
Rocky’s heroics were big news. Everyone was surprised at this little boy’s power. “It’s not like I wanted it to happen,” The boy explained. “ I just did what anyone would have done. ” “If it weren’t for Rocky, I’d have died,” said his mother.According to the text, Rocky and Kelly _________ .
| A．were lost on a country road |
| B．had limited time to find their way |
| C．were involved in a truck accident |
| D．knew little of what happened to them |
When he woke up, Rocky ___________ .
| A．was frightened by his mother’s blood |
| B．found his mother had fallen asleep |
| C．was stuck against the door of the truck |
| D．found the car was turned over |
What happened to Kelly at last?
| A．She passed away. |
| B．She survived and recovered from injuries. |
| C．She became a hero. |
| D．She had a different life. |
What is the best title for the text?
| A．A Boy and His Mother |
| B．How to Behave Well？ |
| C．I Think I Can |
| D．Nothing is Lost |