From talking robots and video phones, technology has become so advanced that the previously impossible seems to occur on a daily basis. And yet—we still have no cure for the common cold.
Why can’t we stop the common cold? According to Peter Barlow, a scientist at Edinburgh Napier University, the main challenge lies in the many different types of cold viruses that are produced by the rhinoviruses (鼻病毒). There are at least 160 types. They change so easily that they quickly become resistant to drugs. In other words, a single cure isn’t likely to work on every type of cold.
However, researchers from Stanford University have found a possible answer. They discovered a protein that the viruses need. Without it, they can't spread inside your body.
To identify the gene which produces the specific protein needed by the viruses, researchers used a gene-editing technique to test all genes one by one for thousands of cells. These modified (改变的) cells were then exposed to a range of rhinoviruses which cause the common cold.
All the viruses were unable to copy inside cells without a gene that produces a specific protein, called methyltransferase (甲基转移酶) SETD3.
Then, they tested genetically modified mice, which were completely unable to produce the protein. The mice were able to live healthy, normal lives without the protein.
“Lacking that gene protected the mice completely from the common cold,” associate professor Jan Carette, from Stanford, told the BBC.
“These mice would always die, but they survived and we saw a very strong protection.”
Carette said the plan is to find a drug which can keep back the protein for a limited time, rather than produce genetically modified humans.
“We have identified a fantastic target that all rhinoviruses require and depend on. Take that away and the virus really has no chance,” said Carette.
1.Why does the author mention talking robots and video phones in the first paragraph?
A.To stress the importance of technology.
B.To encourage readers to share their ideas.
C.To introduce the topic of the text.
D.To recognize the progress of science.
2.What can we learn about the protein needed by the viruses?
A.It helps the viruses copy inside our bodies.
B.It stops the viruses from changing easily.
C.It protects the viruses against drugs.
D.It forces the viruses to spread fast.
3.What does Jan Carette intend to do?
A.To identify a fantastic target.
B.To slow copying speed of some genes.
C.To produce genetically modified humans.
D.To find a drug to temporarily block the protein.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.A New Experiment on Viruses.
B.New Defense Found for Viruses.
C.A Chemical Curing Modified Viruses.
D.Gene-editing Technology to Control Viruses.
Environmental experts warn that our planet is drowning in plastic.
The world’s cities produce 2 billion tons of trash every year. By the year 2050 that number is expected to rise to 3 billion tons. The World Bank estimates that the largest amount of trash today, about 44 percent, is plastic. But we often have to buy packaged goods. And often that packaging is made of plastic.
Now, that may be changing. A new environmentally-friendly shopping model was recently launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This shopping model, called Loop, aims to replace throwaway containers with reusable ones.
Loop is the idea of Terra Cycle, an American-based recycling company. Its chief, Tom Szaky. told the Associated Press (AP) that “removing plastics from the ocean is not enough.” He said the point is to get away from single-use packages. Szaky said that Loop is the future of shopping. But it comes from an idea of the past.
He compared it to the “milkman model” of the 1950s in the United States. Back then, someone brought milk to your doorstep in glass bottles and then left with empty bottles. These could be cleaned and used again. The result is zero-waste.
Jennifer Morgan from the environmental non-profit organization Greenpeace also joined in the discussion about Loop at Davos. She said that “Greenpeace welcomes the aim of the Loop Alliance to move away from throwaway culture and disposability.” But Morgan questioned whether companies worldwide are ready to change their business models.
Loop is set to launch later this year in three eastern U.S. states, and also in Paris, France and some of the surrounding area. Then Loop plans to expand to the U.S. West Coast, Toronto, Canada and Britain by the end of this year or 2020.
1.What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 2?
A.Provide background information. B.Advocate zero-waste lifestyle.
C.Explain the reason for trash. D.Introduce a new topic.
2.Where does the idea “Loop” come from?
A.The World Economic Forum. B.Demand of some companies.
C.Zero-waste model. D.The milkman model.
3.Which countries is Loop expected to expand to by 2020?
A.United States and Switzerland. B.Switzerland and Britain.
C.Canada and Britain. D.France and Canada.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.A new shopping model. B.The development of future city.
C.The world’s environmental issue. D.The concerns of future shopping.
Every year, millions of people make the same New Year’s resolution(决心): to lose weight. But there’s a problem that requires as much resolution to change as weight: the societal prejudice surrounding weight and obesity.
For decades, researchers have documented negative attitudes toward overweight people - a form of prejudice known as “weight bias (偏见).” People with obesity are commonly viewed as lazy, unintelligent, unattractive, and lacking willpower and self-control. Weight – based discrimination is found in educational, employment and health care settings, yet minimal legal protection exists for those who are targeted. In addition to experiencing weight bias from others, people with obesity tend to accept weight-biased beliefs, leading to lower self-worth.
Some people argue that bitter messages about weight are necessary to motivate those with obesity to take responsibility for their health and lose weight. After all, critics say, it’s their own fault that they are “fat,” and, if they really wanted to, they could control their weight. In this view, promoting body acceptance would only weaken behavior change and encourage obesity.
The problem with this argument is that it flies in the face of hundreds of scientific studies showing the negative health effects associated with experiencing and accepting weight-biased beliefs. The psychological effect of being undervalued due to one’s weight may not seem surprising: increased risk for depression, anxiety, and even self-harming thoughts and attempts in youth.
Also worth noting are the effects of weight bias on weight gain and obesity-related health. Studies show that weight bias is stressful, and when people are under stress, they tend to eat more. Further, when people worry about being judged due to their weight, they avoid fitness and health care setting.
In the coming year, whether or not weight loss is a goal, we can all make efforts to get rid of weight bias and be a little kinder to ourselves and others.
1.What do we know about obese people?
A.They are fond of making resolutions.
B.They are lacking in self-control.
C.They care little about others’ opinions.
D.They tend to undervalue themselves.
2.Why do some people support bitter messages about weight?
A.They can encourage obese people to lose weight.
B.They can improve self-worth in obese people.
C.They can promote body acceptance.
D.They can relieve depression.
3.What does the underlined part “flies in the face of” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A.Confirms. B.Copies. C.Splits up. D.Goes against.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.A healthy diet: good for your mind and body
B.New Year’s resolution: lose weight bias instead of weight
C.Control your weight by accepting the bitter messages readily
D.Eat your own way regardless of others’ thoughts
If you are a movie fan, here are the latest movies highly recommended by viewers and critics.
The Irishman (2019) Rate: 8.7/10 14,071
R | 3h 29min | Biography, Crime, Drama | 27 November 2019 (USA)
Legendary director Martin Scorsese spent a long time developing crime epic The Irishman; talk of the director reuniting with his old muse Robert De Niro for the project was happening as far back as 2010.
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Charles Brandt (book), Steven Zaillian (screenplay)
Stars: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci | See full cast & crew »
Frozen II (2019) Rate: 7.3/10 13,162
PG | 1h 43min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy | 22 November 2019 (China)
Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom.
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Writers: Jennifer Lee (screenplay by), Jennifer Lee (story by) | 4 more credits »
Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad | See full cast & crew »
Ford v Ferrari (2019) Rate: 8.3/10 35,096
PG-13 | 2h 32min | Action, Biography, Drama | 13 November 2019 (France)
American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.
Director: James Mangold
Writers: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth | 1 more credit »
Stars: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal | See full cast & crew »
Joker (2019) Rate: 8.8/10 488,619
R | 2h 2min | Crime, Drama, Thriller | 4 October 2019 (USA)
In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker.
Director: Todd Phillips
Writers: Todd Phillips, Scott Silver | 3 more credits »
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz | See full cast & crew »
1.Which of the movies lasts the shortest time?
A.The Irishman. B.Joker.
C.Frozen II. D.Ford v Ferrari.
2.According to the passage, the Irishman and Joker are similar in that _______.
A.they are both tragedies B.they are both about crime
C.they are produced in the USA D.they are released in the same month
3.What can we learn from the passage?
A.Frozen II has got the highest rating.
B.Arthur Fleck is ill-treated by some revolutionaries.
C.Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles are very determined.
D.Martin Scorsese wrote the stories for the movie himself.
假设你是红星中学高三学生李华。请根据以下四幅图的先后顺序，用英语写一篇短文向校刊“英语园地”投稿，记述你班上周组织主题为“平安校园”法制教育系列活动的全过程。
注意：词数不少于60。
提示词：平安校园：Safe Campus
法律意识： legal awareness
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假设你是红星中学高三学生李华，你的美国朋友Jim对北京的历史文化感兴趣。你校暑假期间将为交换生组织“Knowing Beijing”游览活动，请你写信邀请Jim来参加。内容包括：
1时间安排；
2活动内容；
3邀请参加。
注意：1．词数不少于50；
2．开头和结尾已经给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Jim,
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Yours,
Li Hua
