Recently there was a major discovery in the scientific research — the mapping of all DNA in a human gene(基因) is complete. Couple of years ago, this seems an impossible task for scientist to accomplish. All this progress in science leads us to believe that the day, when the human being will be cloned, is not far away. Human cloning has always been a topic of argument, in terms of morality(道德) or religion.
Taking a look at why cloning might be beneficial, among many cases, it is arguable that parents who are known to be at risk of passing a genetic limitation to a child could make use of cloning. If the clone was free of genetic limitations, then the other clone would be as well. The latter could be inserted in the woman and allowed to ripen to term. Moreover, cloning would enable women, who can’t get pregnant, to have children of their own.
Cloning humans would also mean that organs could be cloned, so it would be a source of perfect transfer organs. This surely would be greatly beneficial to millions of unfortunate people around the world that are expected to lose their lives due to failure of single (or more) organ(s). It is also arguable that a ban on cloning may be unlawful and would rob people of the right to reproduce and limit the freedom of scientists.
Arguments against cloning are also on a perfectly practical side. Primarily, I believe that cloning would step in the normal “cycle” of life. There would be a large number of same genes, which reduce the chances of improvement, and, in turn, development — the fundamental reason how living things naturally adapt to the ever-changing environment. Life processes failing to do so might result in untimely disappearance. Furthermore, cloning would make the uniqueness that each one of us possesses disappear, thus leading to creation of genetically engineered groups of people for specific purposes, and chances are that those individuals would be regarded as “objects” rather than people in the society.
Scientists haven’t 100% guaranteed that the first cloned humans will be normal. Thus, this could result in introduction of additional limitations in the human “gene-pool”.
Regarding such arguable topics in “black or white” approach seems very innocent to me personally. We should rather try to look at all “shades” of it. I believe that cloning is only legal if its purpose is for cloning organs; not humans. Then we could regard this as for “saving life” instead of “creating life”. I believe cloning humans is morally and socially unacceptable.
1. Which of the following is true according to the passage？
A. Genetic limitation will be beneficial for some women
B. A large number of genes will prevent us from developing
C. Prohibition(禁止) of cloning might limit the freedom of scientists
D. First cloned humans might be normal according to scientists
2.What’s the author’s opinion on cloning?
A. Cloning should be entirely banned
B. Cloning should be used in creating life
C. Cloning will take away the right to reproduce
D. Cloning is acceptable if it is used for cloning organs
3.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage
Why does a large education nation like China have so few world renowned scientists as the US? Educationists from China and the US try to find out the answer to questions like this at a forum on the basic education strategy.
The forum, held recently, was jointly organized by the Education Development Research Center of the Ministry of Education in China and the Postgraduate School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US. It aims to find out similarities and differences that exist between two countries in their educational system.
While some educationists in China keep a doubtful eye to the country’s educational system in recent years. Their American counterparts give a positive answer to the basic education in China, saying that it is still one of the best in the world.
An American educationist told reporters that the basic education in the US was criticized in recent years due to its political tendency. On the contrary, Chinese government’s stress on basic education and qualified teachers has set a good example.
At primary and middle school, pupils in China did better in math and science lessons than the US pupils. However, few grow to be world “masters”. Why? Educationists attributed this to China’s stress on examination rather than students’ interest.
Deputy Director of the postgraduate school of Pennsylvania University said American teachers encouraged students to focus on their strong points. In China, students are driven to study to pass the entrance examination test and they do not pay much attention to their own interest.
At the forum, director of the Education Development Research Center Mr. Zhang said in the future, the research center would make its middle and long-term basic education strategy by taking some references from other countries including the US.
He also revealed that for a long time in the future, China would make a breakthrough in setting the policy for quality education.
1.This passage is mainly about _________.
A. quality education development in the future
B. why China’s education cultivates(培养) few world masters
C. China’s good basic education
D. genius education at the primary stage
2.The underlined word “renowned” in the first paragraph probably means ________
A. famous B. active C. qualified D. experienced
3.Few pupils in China who did better in math and science lessons than the US pupils grow to be
world “masters”, because _________
A. The US government spends more money on basic education
B. American pupils are cleverer than Chinese pupils
C. basic education in China is not as successful as that of the US
D. Chinese people pay less attention to students’ interest
4. China’s educational system will _______ in the future.
A. help students to study even harder to pass the examination
B. apply more attention to quality education referring to systems of other countries
C. allow students to pay more attention to their own interest without their test results
D. copy the educational system in the US
The first and best of victories is for a man to conquer(征服) himself; to be conquered by himself is, of all things, the most shameful, says Plato. Self-control is at the root of all the advantages. Let a man give in to his impulses (冲动) and feelings, and from that moment he gives up his moral freedom.
A single angry word has lost many a friend. When Socrates found in himself any temper or anger, he would check it by speaking low in order to control himself. If you are conscious of being angry, keep your mouth shut so that you can hold back rising anger. Many a person has dropped dead in great anger. Fits of anger bring fits of disease. Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad. Keep cool, says George Herbert, for fierceness (狂怒) makes error a fault.
To be angry with a weak man is to prove that you are not strong yourself. Anger, says Pythagoras, brings with folly(愚蠢)and ends with regret. You must measure the strength of a man by the power of the feelings he conquers, not by the power of those which conquer him.
Self-control is man’s last greatest victory.
If a man lacks self-control he seems to lack everything. Without it he can have no patience, no power to govern himself; he can have no self-confidence, for he will always be controlled by his strongest feeling. If he lacks self-control, the very backbone and nerve of character are lacking also.
1.What does the reader learn from the first paragraph?
A. The greatest victory for a man is to conquer everything except himself.
B. One’s moral freedom is based on the control of himself.
C. To control oneself is the most difficult in one’s life.
D. If a person is too stubborn, he will feel most shameful.
2.If a man lacks self-control, he lacks all of the following EXCEPT _______.
A. the very backbone and nerve of character
B. the patience and power to control himself
C. strong feelings
D. self-confidence
3.The author’s main purpose in writing this article is to _______.
A. explain that self-control is the key to success
B. teach people how to control everything in order to make a great success
C. distinguish all kinds of self-control and suggest ways for keeping it
D. advise people not to lose temper so as to make and keep more friends
4.The passage is mainly developed by _____.
A. analyzing(分析)causes B. making comparisons(比较)
C. examining differences D. listing quotations(引证)
Driver Wanted
Clean driving license(执照).
Must be of smart appearance.
Age over 25.
Apply to(申请): Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.
Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted
Applicants(申请者) must be between 20 and 33 years old.
Height: 1.6 m to 1.75 m.
Education to GCSE standard.
Two languages. Must be able to swim.
Apply to: Recruitment(招聘) office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.
Teachers Needed
For private language school.
Having college education.
Teaching experience unnecessary.
Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston.
1. What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?
A. Fond of beer and wine.
B. Punished for speeding and wrong parking.
C. Unable to speak a foreign language.
D. Not having college education.
2.Ben, aged 22, fond of swimming and driving, has just graduated from a college.
Which job might be given to him?
A. Driving for Capes Taxi.
B. Working for Southern Airlines.
C. Teaching at Instant Languages Ltd.
D. None of the three.
3.What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?
A. She once broke a traffic law and was fined
B. She can’t speak Japanese very well.
C. She has never worked as an air hostess before.
D. She doesn’t feel like working long hours flying abroad.
4.Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?
A. Marriage. B. Male or female.
C. Education. D. Working experience.
He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were 36 her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised. In order not to appear 37 , she went along.
As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too 38 to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, "Could you please give me some 39 ? I'd like to put it in my coffee."
They stared at him. He turned 40 , but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. 41 , she asked, "Why salt with coffee?" He explained, "When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the sea ... I could feel its taste salty, like salty coffee. Now 42 I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I 43 it and my parents, who are still there."
She was deeply touched. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and 44 his family. He must be responsible.
She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.
They continued to 45 . She found that he met all her 46 . He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. She would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee!
So they 47 and lived happily together. And every time she made 48 for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.
After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:
My dearest, please 49 my life-long lie. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous I asked for salt instead of 50 .
It was hard for me to ask for a 51 , so I just went ahead. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would 52 everything.
Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it 53 so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you 54 me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, 55 it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life.
1.A. after B. before C. beyond D. behind
2. A. polite B. rude C. nice D. clever
3.A. good B. terrible C. pleased D. nervous
4.A. sugar B. salt C. fruit D. coffee
5. A. yellow B. black C. blue D. red
6.A. Curious B. Happy C. Nervous D. Frightened
7. A. some time B. every time C. no time D. any time
8.A. get B. know C. miss D. ask
9.A. care about B. care to C. take care D. do care
10.A. think B. live C. drink D. date
11.A. needs B. ways C. requirements D. conditions
12.A. married B. dated C. worked D. laughed
13. A. meal B. coffee C. tea D. soup
14.A. tell B. take C. excuse D. forgive
15.A. tea B. sweet C. sugar D. juice
16.A. word B. change C. leave D. talk
17.A. ruin B. get C. hurt D. injure
18.A. cared B. surprised C. satisfied D. mattered
19. A. of B. with C. to D. besides
20.A. as if B. because C. even if D. no matter
The research project has only been ______ for three months, so it's too early to comment on its success.
A. in the way B. by the way C. under the way D. under way
