Studying the DNA of 300 mice has flagged up genes which have been linked to hereditary (遗传的) sight loss for the first time. Researchers say because mice’s genes are so similar to humans’, their findings could lead to the treatment of more genetic diseases.
Scientists at the University of California, Davis studied information from a data bank of mice’s genetic material. They found 347 genes linked to eye problems, with just 86 of them having been studied in the past.
Only around 50 to 75 percent of hereditary eye diseases in human can be explained with present science. The researchers believe these hundreds of new genes found in mice could be a key to explaining-and therefore being able to treat the other 25-50 percent.
“This is extremely valuable for people with hereditary eye disease,” said researcher Professor Ala Moshiri. “All researchers are going to start using these data. In the past, we knew the problem was there but we didn’t know where to look. Now eye centers can call back patients and screen them for these new genes. We expected that more and more of these genetic diseases will be treatable.” Also, the fact is that more than 60 percent of eye problems at birth are ones resulting from the baby’s parents!
Thanks to data from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), which is trying to work out what every single gene in a mouse is responsible for, with the aim of translating it to humans, scientists are moving closer to figuring out all genetic causes of blindness. To do this, scientists separate a single gene from other ones at a time and then observe what effect it has on the mouse for a long time. This has so far been done more than 7,000 times and has achieved great success. Researchers are now working alongside eye care centers in Texas and Iowa in order to compare the mice’s genes to those of patients.
1.How many hereditary-sight-loss-related genes were newly found?
A. 86. B. 261.
C. 300. D. 347.
2.Why is the percentage of genetic eye problems mentioned in paragraph 3?
A. To show the significance of studying mice’s genes.
B. To prove mice’s genes are similar to humans’.
C. To warn the high risk level of suffering them.
D. To explain how common they are among people.
3.What should scientists do first to unlock secrets of genetic blindness?
A. Compare humans’ genes with mice’s.
B. Recognize each gene’s role of humans.
C. Set apart a gene of a mouse each time.
D. Figure out each gene’s function of a mouse.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. New Ways to Cure Sight Loss
B. Genes Found Behind Eye Problems
C. Genetic Diseases Discovered in Mice
D. Humans Genes Causing Eye Diseases
Learning how to face silence in conversation is an important skill, especially when working across cultures.
In international negotiations, experienced negotiator (谈判者) stay silent and impassive on purpose because that will make others feel uncomfortable and possibly make compromises without having to do anything. Americans especially can’t stand silence, so they often are the first to break the silence and sometimes might be at a disadvantage in negotiations.
So, what’s the best response? Set your jaw and wait it out. Don’t offer a compromise just because they are not speaking. If you have to say something, ask a direct question, such as “What’s your initial reaction to that offer?” Once a silence is getting into 45 seconds you could say, “Let’s come back to that in a minute and go on with the next part of our negotiation.”
In presentations, silence can be far more effective than dramatic passion (热情). Before starting, look at the audience and be silent for a moment because that says, “I’m in control. I know what I’m doing. I’m confident.”
A classic example was when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs launched the first iPhone. He introduced with many pauses so that you didn’t miss his key points. Because silence makes us nervous, our natural reaction is that we’d better pay attention, there’s something going on here.
Equally, when giving a speech to staff or trainees, pauses count-especially if there are negatives. If you keep talking you’re spoon feeding. Give people a moment of silence to get beyond the emotional response and to start thinking consciously and processing.
Silence can be an inward-focused thoughtful activity or an outward stillness where you give yourself the time to watch and think and listen to the world around you. Having observed the use of silence in Finland and also among the Blackfeet Nation, a North American Indian tribe in northern Montana in the US, we can see benefits far beyond wheeling and dealing.
Silence can be a very powerful point for understanding ourselves, understanding others, for developing better common understanding and more productive outcomes and that applies to business, politics, education, law, medicine, every area of human life.
1.What is most likely to be Americans idea?
A. Speaking less gives the upper hand. B. The shorter talking gaps are, the better.
C. A silent man is the best one to listen to. D. Speak out what you have in your mind.
2.What is the purpose of the example of Steve Jobs?
A. To show the wisdom of Steve Jobs.
B. To explain silence can be more effective.
C. To introduce how to make a presentation.
D. To prove silence can ease one’s nervousness.
3.What is the meaning of the underlined words “spoon feeding” in Paragraph 6?
A. Supporting some person with any selfless help.
B. Feeding somebody patiently with a small spoon.
C. Giving others some new ideas to think over carefully.
D. Using a way that discourages independent thought.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Silence is the best defense.
B. Silence in negotiations is of great help.
C. Learning the skills about silence is important.
D. Silence has different meanings in difficult culture.
When returning to south-western Germany, where my parents live, it is compulsory for me to go on a hike to connect with nature and reconnect with myself. So, that is exactly what I did the first sunny Sunday back in the beautiful Black Forest. The Huzenbacher See is a tarn in the middle of the northern Black Forest with abundant nature surrounding it. Approaching it after a good hour walk, I saw fascinating blue dragonflies in quantity that attracted us by the way they flew around. They didn’t stand still for a photo, as they landed on leaves for a split second. We were also surprised at the yellow water lilies that can be seen floating on its surface between June and July.
Sitting down at one of the benches surrounding the lake for a picnic was satisfying in two ways. I was aware of the world’s beauty that gave me the energy to continue up the mountain to reach the most amazing view looking over the lake. The other was to really fill myself up in order to continue the adventure adequately, full up on some snacks and refreshing water from the well.
The hike up wasn’t as hard as expected and a good path was provided with dirty rocks and slippery stones all under the shade of the tall trees. This took about an hour and a half until reaching the beautiful view of the lake and land below. Once we had taken in the astonishing views, the walk back down took another hour or so, making the hike a 3-to4-hour round trip, which was well worth it!
Simply being back in the Black Forest and having such pleasant hikes is definitely good for the soul and I highly recommend getting yourself outside, be it in the Black Forest or anywhere outdoors. Get your intake of vitamin D and, most importantly, take in the moments that nature has to offer.
1.What does the underlined word “tarn” in paragraph I refer to?
A. Tree. B. Tower.
C. Lake D. Village.
2.How did the author feel when sitting on the bench?
A. Tired. B. Content.
C. Surprised. D. Excited.
3.What did the author call on people to do?
A. Take vitamin D pills. B. Love and protect nature.
C. Save the soul and be yourself. D. Go outdoors and get close to nature.
4.According to the author, being back in the Black Forest and having pleasant hikes does good to one’s ________.
A. health B. spirit
C. character D. experience
Application Workshop
Join Citizens Committee for New York City and the NYC Department of Sanitation for a workshop on the Green Team Mini-Grant application on February 2, which lasts from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM!
The workshop will cover
·Applying for the Green Team Mini-Grant
·How to use the Zero Waste schools website
Creative Coding
We are hosting a free design workshop just for girls on March 7 from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM, in support of International Women’s Day! The focus of the workshop is on Creative Coding, with art and technology, but we’ll also have a few female designers to share their unique work with the attendees.
No experience necessary, this event is for girls between the ages of 9-12.
SAT & ACT Roadmap to Success
In this free 1-hour workshop, parents will discover the road map to SAT & ACT success. Topics included: Review of “goal scores” for SAT/ACT college admissions, national trends in college admissions, how to determine whether the SAT or the ACT is the best test for your student, steps to prepare for the Sat or ACT, best time to take the Sat or ACT. Join us on March 23.
Square School Family Information Night
Join us for our Family Information Night on March 14! We’ll gather at the future home for Square School for an introduction to the school model at 6:30pm.
This event is intended for families with young people entering grades six or seven in 2019 that want to be a part of a school community that attaches importance to a lifestyle of learning. Join us for this Family Information Night to see if Square School is the right choice for your family.
1.Which activity offers information about tests?
A. Creative Coding B. SAT & ACT Roadmap to Success
C. Public School Green Team Mini-Grant D. Square School Family Information Night
2.What is special about Creative Coding?
A. It is a free workshop. B. It takes place in March.
C. It is hosted by females. D. It is designed for girls.
3.Who might be interested in Family Information Night?
A. Designers. B. Teachers.
C. Parents. D. Students.
阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事
Steve was the most amazing person in all of Minneapolis, and he was my cousin. By the age of 19, Steve was a star baseball player at the University of Minnesota. I wanted to be exactly like him. So when Steve asked me to go with him on a spring fishing trip in northern Minnesota, I was excited!
After planning the trip, we gathered clothes and supplies, and began our great adventure. We reached the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota by early evening. On our way to the campsite, Steve pointed to a small house faraway in one of the mountains, saying that it was the ranger station (护林站) where the forester worked.
Finally, after a long walk, we reached the campsite and set up the camp as the sun was setting. Steve knew all the tricks of an experienced wilderness camper. After we gathered enough wood from the forest, he started the campfire using only stone and steel — no matches. For supper we feasted on freeze-dried beef, wild rice and pea soup. I ate greedily after all that work.
Tired enough, we climbed into our sleeping bags early and talked about our plans for fishing the next day. We were still talking quietly when a sudden north wind picked up; the temperature dropped and it began to snow. Steve found a way to increase the temperature inside the tent. He dragged a log (原木) from the forest to the opposite side of the campfire. Then he wrapped aluminum foil (铝箔) around the log. The heat from the fire reflected off the foil and into the tent. Soon images of lake fish were filling my dreams.
The snow had stopped, but sometime later a powerful wind must have kicked up the flames of our dying fire. I was abruptly awakened by Steve. Our tent was on fire. Frightened, I ran out of the tent immediately. The tent collapsed (倒塌) with Steve inside. Without any thought of endangering myself, I reached into the burning tent and pulled him to the icy lake. Fortunately, we were not seriously hurt.
注意:
1. 所续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；
3. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；
4. 续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Paragraph 1:
Later, as we stood by the burning tent to keep warm, we considered our difficult situation.
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Paragraph 2:
Suddenly, we heard a noise in the forest.
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假设你是李华，最近发现你所住的小区内增设了旧物捐赠箱(a donation box)，居民可以把自己的旧衣物、废弃的书报等投放其中。请你给你校英文报投稿。内容包括:
1. 介绍这一事物；
2.发表你的看法。
注意:1. 词数 100 左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连线贯。
Dear Editor,
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Yours,
Li Hua
