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.
While bees hopping from one flower to another is vivid to watch, having bees disturbing a backyard barbecue certainly isn’t. They may seem like pesky creatures to get rid of, but there are quite a few things you may not know about bees, especially the impact they have on our livelihood.
The main purpose of bees, particularly honey bees, is to help pollinate the plants around them. According to the Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University, pollinators (such as bees) help to fertilize plants, which results in “the formation of seeds and the fruit surrounding seeds”. Pollinators are necessary for three-quarters of our major food crops, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts. An estimated 300,000 species of plants need pollinators. That’s around 80 to 95 percent of plant species. Without pollinators, the number of crops we have will take a serious hit.
Other pollinators can help out with this process including butterflies, beetles, and flies. Even some birds and bats can be pollinators. However, bees of various species are known for being natural pollinators for plants.
Unfortunately, for years there has been an alarming decline of bees around the globe. The University of Vermont published a study stating that 23 percent of the wild bee population declined between 2008 and 2013. 139 counties in parts of California, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, west Texas and the Mississippi River valley have taken the worst hit in wild bee declines. Since 39 percent of U.S. croplands rely on pollinators for their crop including those beloved apple orchards and pumpkin patches in the fall, we are facing a serious threat.
By taking care of the bees, our world is able to benefit in terms of agricultural income and nutritious food supply. You may not be able to make a huge change on an industrial level, but as someone with a landscape of your own, why not help save the bees?
1.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Bees Is Disappearing?
B.How You Can Save Bees?
C.How Bees Help Pollinate the Plants?
D.Why You Shouldn’t Kill Bees in Your Yard?
2.What is the main purpose of bees?
A.To provide delicious honey.
B.To disturb backyard barbecue.
C.To get rid of some pesky creatures.
D.To help pollinate the plants around them.
3.Why does the author list the numbers in Paragraph 2?
A.To show the diversity of plant species.
B.To show how we depend on plants.
C.To prove the importance of pollinators such as bees.
D.To make a comparison between plants which need pollinators and which don’t.
4.Why does the author say “we are facing a serious threat”?
A.Because the bee population has decreased sharply.
B.Because lots of wild bees have been hit by people.
C.Because many people are attacked by wild bees.
D.Because the croplands have produced less crops in the fall.
Wildfires were rapidly spreading through northern and southern California as powerful winds swept through the state, burning homes and forcing more than 200,000 people to leave their homes. Thousands of structures were destroyed in the massive fires. Firefighters and volunteers worked around the clock, risking their lives to save others, although thick clouds of wildfire smoke hung in the air.
But it's not just humans in danger’s path. A video of a horse running away from the rescue team to find his family of horses from CBS Los Angeles went viral. The public was touched by the horse's heroic act and shared their thoughts on the Internet.
Volunteers were rescuing several horses from the wildfire when one of the horses jumped away from the group. They were trying to help the horse, but he refused. They probably had no idea what was wrong with the horse, who just started running away from them. The horse raced back into danger to lead his family to safety, despite rescuers' best efforts to stop him. He knew he couldn't leave them behind. As the tension increased, several human strangers jumped in to help the animals — they went back to the burning barn where some of the horses remained.
You can watch the horse run back into the smoke-filled area, reconnect with the horses inside the fence, and quickly accompany them out of the fenced-off area. Though it's not clear from the video, CBS Los Angeles reported that all but one of the horses involved were saved. Disastrous as the California wildfires have been, the video and countless other rescue stories — humans and animals alike — are shining light on all acts of goodness taking place.
1.What does the author intend to show by telling the wildfires in detail in Para. 1?
A.What caused the big wildfires. B.How serious the wildfires were.
C.What rescuers did in the wildfires. D.How rapidly the wildfires spread.
2.What does the underlined phrases ''went viral'' mean?
A.Turned bad. B.Got attacked.
C.Became interesting. D.Grew popular.
3.Which words can best describe the horse?
A.Loyal but stubborn. B.Caring and courageous.
C.Responsible and clever. D.Flexible but aggressive.
4.What message does the author want to convey?
A.Fighting disasters needs joint efforts. B.Animals are always friends of man.
C.All good deeds deserve to be praised. D.Animals show goodness to each other.
Do you know an outstanding junior high or senior high school teacher, coach, guidance counselor (辅导员), librarian, or headmaster? Nominate (提名) that special teacher you’ll always remember and give him/her the chance to be recognized in a famous national magazine through “Educator of the Year Contest”!
Prizes
Cash awards will be given to those from across the country who are given the honor of Educator of the Year. Besides, your winning essays will also be published in our magazine.
Guidelines
We will only consider essays written by teens. Nominations must be for junior high or senior high school educators only. Elementary school educators are not suitable.
Convince us your educator is special. Tell us about his or her style of teaching, his or her role in school activities, and community service. What has your educator done for the entire school, for your class, for you or for other students? Tell us some stories about your teacher with specific details. Keep your essay between 200 and 1,000 words. Remember to include the first and last name, position, and school of your educator in your essay.
Don’t forget to submit your essays through our website. You can also read our submission guidelines for more information on this website.
Deadline
The deadline for submitting your essays is December 30. If your essays are accepted, they will appear in our magazine all over the year. Winners will be made public after the January issue is published.
1.What is the purpose of the contest?
A.To make the magazine popular.
B.To choose “Educator of the Year”.
C.To stress the importance of teachers.
D.To encourage people to be teachers.
2.Who can write the essay for the contest?
A.Librarians in senior high school.
B.Teachers in junior high school.
C.Students in junior high school.
D.Guidance counselors in senior high school.
3.What is the basic content of the essay for the contest?
A.Your teacher’s previous honors.
B.The basic information of your school.
C.Some examples of your special teacher.
D.Your appreciation of your teacher’s hard work.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the passage mainly about?
A.The origin of advertising.
B.The prosperity of advertising.
C.The convenience of advertising.
2.What’s the financial source of the mass media according to the material?
A.Advertisements. B.The private businesses. C.The local governments.
3.What does the speaker talk about at last?
A.Ways of advertising.
B.The popularity of advertisements.
C.People’s opinions on advertising.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does Dr.Gucci work?
A.In Paris. B.In London. C.In Bergamo.
2.When will Mr.Wilkinson leave for the airport?
A.At about 6:30 am. B.At about 5:30 am. C.At about 4:15am.
3.With whom will Mr.Wilkinson have lunch on Monday?
A.Gavin. B.Gianni Riva. C.Mr.Brown.
4.What is Linda most probably?
A.A secretary. B.A tour guide. C.A saleswoman.
