American researchers found females are the more talkative sex because of a special “language protein(蛋白质)” in the brain.
The study, conducted by neuroscientists (神经学家)and psychologist from the University of Maryland, concluded that women talked more because they had more of the Foxp2 protein. The research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found that higher levels were found among humans that were women but in rats that were males. Their findings came after it was previously claimed that ladies speak about 20,000 words a day – over 13,000 more than men. “This study is one of the first to report a sex difference in the expression of a language-associated protein in humans or animals,” said Prof Margaret McCarthy, who led the study. In their study, the researchers attempted to determine what might make male rats more vocal than their female friends.
They separated four-day-old rats from their mothers and then counted the number of times they cried out in the “ultrasonic range”, the frequencies higher than humans can hear, over five minutes. While both sexes called out hundreds of cries, the males called out twice as often, they found. But when the pups were returned to their mother’s cage, she fussed over her sons first. Tests conducted on the parts of the brain known to be associated with vocalcalls showed the male pups have up to twice as much Foxp2 protein as the females. The researchers then increased the production in the brains of female pups and reduced it in males. This led to the female rats crying out more often and their mothers showing more interest to them. In contrast, males became less “talkative”.
The researchers then tested samples from ten children, aged between three and five, which showed that females had up to 30 per cent more of the Foxp2 protein than males, in a brain area key to language in humans.
“Based on our observations, we assume higher levels of Foxp2 in girls and higher levels of Foxp2 in male rats is an indication that Foxp2 protein levels are associated with the more communicative sex,” said Prof McCarthy. “Our results imply Foxp2 as a component of the neurobiological basis of sex differences in vocal communication in mammals. “From the second paragraph, we can learn that ________.
| A．women always speak more words than men |
| B．men and male rats have low levels of language protein |
| C．women and male rats have similar levels of Foxp2 |
| D．McCarthy isn’t the first to find females more talkative |
The underlined phrase “fussed over” in the third paragraph probably means______.
| A．paid attention to | B．related to | C．put pressure on | D．counted on |
The researchers carried out the experiments on rats in order to _______.
| A．test which part of the brain is key to language in rats and humans |
| B．prove the levels of Foxp2 protein in humans and rats are different |
| C．determine the reason why female rats are more talkative than male rats |
| D．discover the association between Foxp2 protein and vocal communication |
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage ?
| A．Tests on humans and rats |
| B．Why women are the talkative sex |
| C．Sex differences in Foxp2 protein |
| D．Foxp2 protein determines oral ability |
.
第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题，每题2分，满分40分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
When Paul was a boy growing up in Utah，he happened to live near a copper smelter（炼铜厂），and the chemicals that poured out had made a wasteland out of what used to he a beautiful forest. One day a young visitor looked at this wasteland and called it an awful area. Paul knocked him down. From then on，something happened inside him.
Years later Paul was back in the area，and he went to the smelter office. He asked if they had any plans or if they would let him try to bring the trees back. The answer from that big industry was“No”.
Paul then went to college to study the science of plants. Unfortunately，his teachers said there weren't any birds or squirrels to spread the seeds. It would be a waste of his life to try to do it. Everyone knew that，he was told. Even if he was knowledgeable as he had expected，he wouldn’t get his idea accepted．
Paul later got married and had some kids. But his dream would not die. And then one night he did what he could with what he had. As Samuel Johnson wrote，“It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. Attainable good is often ignored by minds busied in wide ranges.”Under the cover of darkness，he went secretly into the wasteland and started planting.
And every week，he made his secret journey into the wasteland and planted trees and grass. For fifteen years he did this against the plain common sense. Slowly rabbits appeared. Later，as there was legal pressure to clean up the environment，the company actually hired Paul to do what he was already doing.
Now the place is fourteen thousand acres of trees and grass and bushes，and Paul has received almost every environmental award Utah has. It took him until his hair turned white，but he managed to keep that impossible vow he made to himself as a child.
51．When Paul was a boy，______________.
A．he had decided never to leave his hometown
B．the economy of Utah depended wholly on the copper smelter
C．no laws were made to protect the environment against pollution
D．he had determined to stop the copper smelter polluting the area
52．Why did Paul go to college to study the science of plants?
A．He wanted to find out the best way to save the area himself.
B．He was interested in planting trees since he was young.
C．He wanted to get more knowledgeable people to help him.
D．He thought his knowledge would make his advice more persuasive.
53．The underlined phrase “the plain common sense” probable means that .
A．It was impossible for trees to grow on the wasteland
B．His normal work and life would be greatly affected
C．No once would like to join him in the efforts
D．He had to keep everything he did decret
54．The message of the passage is that _____________.
A．action speaks louder than words
B．perseverance will work wonders
C．God helps those who help themselves
D．many hands make light work
.
Scientists have not come close to understanding all the different kinds of life on the planet, but US researcher Craig Venter is already working on creating the first artificial（人造的）life.
Venter and his researchers made a breakthrough late last month, They successfully moved the DNA of one type of bacteria(细菌) to a yeast cell（酵母）, changed it, then put it into another bacterial cell.
“Bacteria have systems that protect them from foreign DNA” Venter explained to the BBC, In the experiment, the team managed to block this system.
The experiment was performed on a simple type of bacteria celled mycoplasma mycoides. The team took the bacteria’s genes and put them into a yeast cell.
Putting a DNA in a yeast cell allowed the team to change the genes in this case, taking out a gene that was not necessary for the bacteria to live.
They then put the gene into a host bacteria cell. The cell went on to divide normally, producing new healthy bacteria.
In January, the team created artificial genes of a new type of bacteria. Their next goal is to put the artificial DNA into a host cell to create a new species, according to a report in Science magazine.
“lf we don’t make any errors, I think it should work and we should have the first artificial species by the end of the year.” Venter said in the report.
The first artificial life form is likely to be a simple man-made bacteria, to prove that the technology can work.. But that form will be followed by more complex bacteria that turn coal into cleaner natural gas, or algae that can take in carbon dioxide and change it into fuel.
Many scientists think it’s good news to have this artificial life, but others are worried that the technology to create new organisms might end up in the wrong hands, with dangerous result.
57．Which of the following is true according to the text ?
A Bacteria have systems that protect them from yeast cell.
B If we put a gene into a host bacteria cell,the cell will not go on to divide as usual.
C Venter and his researchers completely achieved all their goals.
D All the scientists didn’t agree to this artificial life.
58. What can we learn from the underlined sentences?
A. Venter and his researchers had succeeded in this project.
B. Venter predicted that they would make errors in the future,so he decided to give it up.
C. Venter would go on the study and he was full of confidence.
D. Venter was a clearer man but a little shy.
59. Which of the following shows the order of the passage ?
1.change the genes
2. put the gene into a host bacteria cell
3. moved the DNA of one type of bacteria to a yeast cell
4. The cell went on to divide normally
5. put it into another bacteria cell
A. 3-5-1-4-2 . B. 3-5-1-2-4 C. 4-2-5-1-3 D. 2-3-5-1-4
60.What will be mentioned in the next paragraph?
A. The wrong hands that created by the artificial life.
B. The advantages and disadvantages about the artificial life.
C. The future about this project.
D. The author’s attitude.
.
Fish market
The Hongqiao Shanghai Grand Mercure Hotel is inviting all seafood lovers to its Asiatique restaurant this December to enjoy a five star fish market for 178 yuan plus a 15-percent surcharge（附加费） on Wednesdays and Fridays. Guest can choose from tuna, salmon, sea bass or yellow-tail, and the chefs at the Grand Mercure will happily grill, steam or fry the 'catch' to their liking. The deal includes a complimentary glass of white wine. Children under 1.2 m can eat for free.
021-5153-3300 ext 3708
Christmas menu
Epicure on 45 is ushering in the festive season with a special Christmas menu next month. Highlights include steamed lobster and spinach salad with mango, nuts, raspberry and walnut dressing (165 yuan), and traditional roast turkey with filling, giblets and cranberry sauce with fresh vegetables (198 yuan). Epicure on 45 is a revolving restaurant located on the 45th floor of the Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World Hotel.
021-6359-9999 ext 4210
Chocolate delight
Bar 505 at the Sofitel Shanghai Hyland is offering a Sweet alternative to afternoon tea this season with its set of milk chocolate and hazelnut chips lollipop, bittersweet chocolate tartlet and jam with brioche along with creamy hot chocolate every day from 1 pm to 6 pm for 98 yuan.
021-6351-5888 ext 4281
Hot soups
The Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai's Baiyulan Chinese restaurant is serving up four nourishing winter soups this December for 98 yuan for two plus a 15-percent service charge. They include chicken soup with American ginseng and wild mushroom, and beef tendon stew with apricot and Chinese wild yam.
021-6415-1111 ext 5215
53.Where can you enjoy the hazelnut chips lollipop?
A Grand Mercure hotel. B Epicure on 45 C Bar 505 D Baiyulan Chinese restaurant
54.How much should be paid if two adults take a child under 1.2m on Friday in Fish market ?
A 178 B 356 C 386 D 409
55.If you want to taste steamed lobster,which number do you need?
A 021-5153-3300 ext 3708
B 021-6359-9999 ext 4210
C 021-6351-5888 ext 4281
D 021-6415-1111 ext 5215
56.If you are in Baiyulan restaurant,you can enjoy the following except__________.
A chicken soup B wild mushroom C beef tendon stew D salmon
.
US President Barack Obama made his first visit to China early this week, during which he sent out signals to China that the US sees China as its partner, not a rival.
During his Asian tour, Obama emphasized that the US isn't looking to contain the rise of a strong, prosperous China.
“China-US relations are very important. Maintaining such ties is the responsibility of both sides,” President Hu jintao told reporters after his meeting with Obama. Hu described the meeting as candid(坦诚的), constructive and fruitful, a “very good” talk.
The two leaders agreed that the key to China-US relations was to respect each other's interests and major concerns, but that national differences were normal.
A joint statement released after the meeting said it covered major issues, from nuclear proliferation to global warming to financial crisis and trade protectionism. “China-US relations go beyond any single issue,” said Obama.
China holds a large amount of US government debt – over $800 billion (5.5 trillion yuan) in Treasury bonds. Just before Obama's China visit, The New York Times described it as a trip to “pay his respects to his banker”.
The US is the China's biggest export market, accounting for more than 70 percent of China's exports. Total trade between the two was worth $400 billion (2.7 trillion yuan), in 2008.
In addition to the financial interdependence, there are educational exchanges to be considered. More than 11,000 Americans studied in China last year, for a 25 percent increase over the previous year, according to the Institute of International Education in the US. Meanwhile, Chinese students are the second largest group of foreign students in the US, and their numbers are on the rise. Last year, 81,000 mainland students went to the US, a 20 percent increase from 2008. According to the joint statement issued on Tuesday, for the next four years, over 100,000 American students will be sent to the China for study.
Still, people in the two countries may have a long way to go in improving their opinions.
49.What’s the text mainly about?
A The significance of Obama’s visit to China
B The effects of Obama on China –US relations.
C How the two leaders solve the political and financial problems between each other.
D The educational exchanges between the two countries.
50. What does the underlined sentence in the second paragraph mean?
A The US is looking forward to becoming as prosperous as China.
B Obama believes China is the most prosperous country in Asia.
C Obama’s government sees China as its partner,not a rival.
D Obama emphasized China would be more prosperous than the US in the future.
51.How many major issues did the meeting cover according to a joint statement?
A Three B Four C Five D Six
52. We can infer from the text_____________
A China is the largest debtor of US government in terms of treasury bonds
B Obama expressed his strong wish to visit China again
C Chinese students are the largest group of foreign students in America since 2008
D Although the two countries have made progress in cooperation ,national differences still exist.
.
CISHAN,Aug 12-Hundreds of people were still missing today in remote villages in southern Taiwan and disaster officials said they were uncertain how many people might have been killed by mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot.
Morakot, which did terrible damage to Taiwan over the weekend, has killed about 70 people across the island and caused farm-related loss of more than NT $9 billion (RMB 964 million). More than 100 people have been killed in Asia due to Morakot and tropical storm Etau.
But several hundred villagers listed as missing were found alive in areas where roads were washed out and access was limited to helicopters. The government sent special forces with satellite phones to the hardest hit areas."We are anxious to do our best to get the trapped people out," said Hu Jul-chou, an army official involved in the rescue effort. "Hopes are getting slimmer as the days go by."Hu said it was unclear how many people were buried and feared dead in villages in southern Taiwan.
"I have to say I feel pretty good to be alive," said Lin Dong-wen, 45, from the village of Namahsia, sitting in front of a pile of medicine after being hoisted away by a rescue helicopter."If I had been left there any longer, I wouldn't have made it. I saw the mudslide coming," said Lin after arriving in Cishan, hub of rescue efforts."It was really huge, and I passed out. When I awoke, there was mud all over and I climbed out of it."
Helicopters dropped food and supplies to survivors .Other rescue teams piloted rubber dinghies through raging muddy rivers.
Groups of anxious relatives awaited the arrival of helicopter flights at the makeshift rescue base.Some survivors tried to call relatives on mobile phones."Right after the mudslide, we managed to get in touch with our family members through mobile phones and text messages," said 41-year-old teacher awaiting news at the rescue hub. "But later they switched off their phones to save power."
45. From the text we know that _________________
A Morakot has made more than 100 people dead in Taiwan
B Morakot has caused as much loss to Taiwan as other parts
C Morakot stayed over Taiwan over the week
D Morakot has brought worries to the officials
46. The villagers who were thought to be missing_________.
A were trapped in some areas
B wouldn’t get in touch with others
C only liked to be taken out by helicopter
D wanted to keep the buried company
47.According to Lin Dong-wen,________
A the disaster lasted for a long time
B the village was destroyed in a flash
C he wanted to hold the mudslide
D the mudslide frightened him into unconsciousness
48.Which of the following is true according to the text ?
A All the survivors trapped have been rescued by helicopters.
B All the relatives can ring the survivors
C The government has adopted other rescue forms.
D The mudslide will become more serious.