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.
1.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.
2.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.
3.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
4.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
1.Where can you enjoy the hazelnut chips lollipop?
A Grand Mercure hotel. B Epicure on 45 C Bar 505 D Baiyulan Chinese restaurant
2.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
3.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
4.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.
1.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.
2.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.
3.How many major issues did the meeting cover according to a joint statement?
A Three B Four C Five D Six
4.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."
1.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
2.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
3.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
4.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.
Judging from recent surveys, most experts in sleep behaviour agree that there is virtually an epidemic （流行病）of sleepiness in the nation. “I can’t think of a single study that hasn’t found Americans getting less sleep than they ought to,” says Dr. David. Even people who think they are sleeping enough would probably be better off with more rest.
The beginning of our sleep-deficit crises can be traced back to the invention of the light bulb a century ago. From diary entries and our personal accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, sleep scientists have reached the conclusion that the average person used to sleep about 9. 5 hours a night. “The best sleep habits once were forced on us, when we had nothing to do in the evening down on the farm, and it was dark.” By the 1950s and 1960s, the sleep schedule had been reduced dramatically, to between 7. 5 and 8 hours, and most people had to wake to an alarm clock. “People cheat in their sleep, and they don’t even realize they’re doing it,” says Dr. David. “They think they’re okey because they can get by on 6. 5 hours, when they really need 7. 5, 8 or even more to feel ideally energetic. ”
Perhaps the most merciless robber of sleep, researches say, is the complexity of the day. Whenever pressures from work, family, friends and community increase, many people consider sleep the least expensive item on their programme. “In our society, you’re considered dynamic if you say you need only 5. 5 hours’ sleep. If you’ve got to get 8. 5 hours, people think you lack drive and ambition. ”
To determine the consequences of sleep-deficit, researchers have put subjects through a set of psychological and performance tests requiting them, for instance, to add columns of numbers or recall a passage read to them only minutes earlier. “We’ve found that if you’re in sleep deficit, performance suffers,” says Dr. David. “Short-term memory is weakened, as are abilities to make decisions and to concentrate. ”
1.What is the main topic of the passage?
A. Research on the causes and consequences of sleep-deficit.
B. The epidemic of sleepiness in the modern times.
C. The history of people’s sleeping patterns.
D. The minimum of our sleeping hours.
2.Which of the following is Dr. David’s opinion?
A. People who think they are sleeping enough are better off than those who don't.
B. Some people can remain energetic with only 6. 5 hours’ sleep a night.
C. If they get 8. 5 hours’ sleep, people will be full of drive and ambition.
D. People’s metal power suffers if they are lacking in sleep.
3.People in the 18th and 19th centuries slept about 9. 5 hours a night because _______.
A. they were forced by their parents to do so
B. they knew what was best for their health
C. they had no electricity
D. they were not so dynamic and ambitious as modern people are
4.What does the word “subjects” in paragraph 4 mean?
A. Persons or things being discussed or described.
B. Branches of knowledge studied in a school.
C. Persons or things being treated in a certain way or being experimented on.
D. Any member of a state apart from the the supreme ruler.
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
Parents who smoke often open a window or turn on a fan to clear the air for their children, but experts now have identified a related threat to children's health that isn't as easy to get rid of: third-hand smoke。
That's the term being 1to describe the invisible yet poisonous mixture of gases and particles(颗粒) clinging （依附）to smokers' hair and 2, not to mention cushions and carpeting, that stays long after second-hand smoke has cleared from a room. The remaining 3heavy metals, carcinogens(致癌物) and even radioactive materials that young children can get on their hands and take in, 4if they're crawling or playing on the floor。
Doctors from MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston coined the term "third-hand smoke" to 5these chemicals in a new study that 6on the risks they pose to infants and children. The study was published in the 7issue of the journal Pediatrics。
"Everyone knows that second-hand smoke is bad, 8they don't know about this," said Dr. Jonathan P. Winickoff, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School。
"When their kids are 9the house, they might smoke. Or they smoke in the car. Or they strap(用带子捆扎) the kid in the car seat in the back and crack the window and 10, and they think it's okay because the second-hand smoke isn't getting to their 11. We needed a term to describe these tobacco toxins that aren't 12."
The study reported on 13toward smoking in 1,500 households across the United States. It found that the vast majority of both smokers and nonsmokers were 14that second-hand smoke is harmful to children. Some 95 percent of nonsmokers and 84 percent of smokers 15with the statement that "inhaling smoke from a parent's cigarette can 16the health of infants and children"。
But 17fewer of those surveyed were aware of the 18of third-hand smoke. Since the term is so new, the researchers asked people if they agreed with the statement that "breathing air in a room 19where people smoked yesterday can harm the health of infants and children"。
Only 65 percent of nonsmokers and 43 percent of smokers agreed with that 20, which researchers interpreted as acknowledgement of the risks of third-hand smoke.
1.A told B discussed C used D mentioned
2.A shoes B clothing C body D mouth
3.A includes B covers C finds D improves
4.A especially B specially C immediately D regularly
5.A name B call C explain D describe
6.A focused B tended C tried D worked
7.A later B latest C best D previous
8.A but B and C however D or
9.A alongside B out of C in D beside
10.A cough B talk C observe D smoke
11.A cars B seats C kids D windows
12.A visible B invisible C poisonous D concrete
13.A policies B attitudes C bans D habits
14.A told B content C confident D aware
15.A opposed B agreed C fought D connected
16.A harm B destroy C improve D confuse
17.A quite B very C far D too
18.A chances B risks C abilities D conditions
19.A tomorrow B today C yesterday D weekend
20.A statement B mark C discussion D prejudice
