June 26, 2000 — the Human Genome(基因组) Project, a great $3 billion, 15-year task aimed at drawing the genetic(遗传的) map of humans, is now more than 90 percent completed. The scientific and medical communities are very excited about the chances genetic research provides for getting rid of diseases and prolonging(延长) human life. But those communities and policy makers also are careful about the scientific door they are opening as the project uncovers the mysteries of life.
For the last few years, the genetic advances in the developing field of biotechnologyhave provides material for all kinds of work, but the developments of modern science in unlocking the secrets of the human genetic codehave opened a world of possibilities for human health, as well as for the popular imagination.
While European and Japanese researchers are making rapid progress in decoding(解码) human DNA, the leading organization for genetic research is in the United States, which began in 1990, is “unlocking the code” of the human body to learn how to defeat fatal(致命的)diseases. Already, the Human Genome Project has become widely known and praised for finding the genes connected with terrible diseases as yet(迄今), and making progress toward separating the genes that show a sign of breast cancer or AIDS.
Once these genes are found and studied, researchers can develop new ways to attack infections, and genetic diseases. Medical companies are very interested in mapping the human genome, as they expect to develop a lot of new drugs for these illnesses.
1. Why did the scientists work hard at mapping the human genome?
A. Because the human genome can destroy many illnesses.
B. Because the human genome's completion can help them get rid of many diseases.
C. Because they wanted to be better known than others.
D. Because the human genome can provide a lot of chances of work.
2.Which country studied the genes most rapidly in the world?
A. Japan. B. Germany. C. The United States. D. China.
3. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. If the genes can be found, scientists can study many new ways to cure illnesses.
B. The scientists have made great progress in connecting the genes with the cancers.
C. Many medical companies show great interest in drawing the human genome map.
D. The United States began the Genes Study early in the 19th century.
4.The author suggests that the Human Genome Project can cause _______.
A. the policy makers to feel very worried and careful
B. the scientists to work harder
C. many people to find work easily
D. a lot of companies to produce many new drugs
5. The main idea of this article is about _______.
A. unlocking genetic code B. the genes' discovery
C. the great human genome D. the genes and the scientists
Breathe, wave and smile.Along with more than 300 other seniors, I marched into the stadium on the afternoon of May 10. The audience burst into deafening cheers. The huge stadium shook with all the whistling and clapping.
It was as if a Hollywood superstar had walked on stage. And indeed, every single senior that day was a star of the moment. Each deserved it. The seniors had been preparing for four years for this once-in-a-lifetime moment—the commencement(graduation ceremony).
Seated, I waited anxiously for the opening address. As a foreign exchange student, I was not able to receive a diploma. However, I still had the wonderful feeling of being part of things. Like the other graduates, I was dressed in marron cap and gown.
Our principal, Mr Glover, delivered a short, warm greeting. The US national anthem followed and then, hands on chests, a solemn Pledge of Allegiance(美国的爱国誓言).
Students who had excelled academically gave farewell speeches. The tears in some eyes convinced me that many had deep feelings about the occasion. It was as the class motto says, “Life brings us tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry; the smiles fade; but the memories last forever.”
Then came the core(the most important part) of the commencement. Hundreds of names were announced. Each graduate walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma from the principal. From the different cheers each graduate got, we had the funny sense that it was a kind of competition of who could cheer the loudest.
To be honest, the presentation of diplomas got boring. A girl sitting next to me even started yawning. But it wasn’t boring for those receiving the diploma: they would treasure the moment the principal placed the sacred brown document in their hands for the rest of their lives.
A new page in the book of that person’s life had turned. They were glimpsing their futures: futures of challenge, hardship, perhaps loneliness too, which would take all of their courage.
1. What’s the article mainly about?
A.An American high school’s graduation ceremony.
B.The opening ceremony of a sports meeting.
C.A presentation of college diplomas.
D.A US college’s farewell party.
2. Which of the following statements about the author is FALSE?
A. She was one of the graduates.
B. She was a foreign exchange student.
C. She was excited to receive her diploma.
D. She felt it great to be at the ceremony.
3. The right order of the following events is______.
a.Diplomas were presented to graduates. b.Students gave farewell speeches.
c.The US national anthem was played. d.The principal gave a short, warm speech.
e.Seniors went into the stadium.
A. b,c,a,d,e B. c,d,b,e,a C. d,b,e,a,c D. e,d,c,b,a
4.From the text, we can conclude that_______.
A.a diploma ensures a good job
B.a diploma guarantees a bright future
C.the commencement symbolizes the beginning of a new stage in life
D.everyone felt excited at the presentation of the diploma
5. According to the passage, which of the following statement is true?
A. Hollywood superstars went to attend the commencement.
B. Every single senior became a superstar on the commencement day.
C. All graduates would treasure the diploma for the rest of their lives.
D. When each graduate got his or her diploma, there were loud cheers.
The number of speakers of English in Shakespeare’s time is estimated(估计) to have been about five million. Today it is estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the standard varieties of English found in these areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties of the language as well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and written forms.
In fact, it is impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate(足够的) working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The purpose for English learning and the situations in which such learning takes place are so varied that it is difficult to explain and still more difficult to judge what forms an adequate working knowledge for each situation.
The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its present-day importance as a world language. Besides serving the indefinite needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some of important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced, and not always by native speakers. It is widely used for such purposes as meteorological and airport communications, international conferences, and the spread of information over the radio and television networks of many nations. It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries, especially former British colonies. Many of these countries have multilingual populations and need a language for internal communication in such matters as government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for international communication and for entrance to the scientific and technological developments in the West.
1.What would be the best title for this passage?
A. The Difficulties of Learning English
B. International Communications
C. The Standard Varieties of English
D. English as a World Language
2.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Some 260 million people in the world have an adequate working knowledge of English.
B. There are some 260 million native speakers of English in the world.
C. It is almost impossible to estimate the number of people with an adequate working knowledge of English.
D. People learn English for a variety of reasons.
3.According to the passage, what is the main reason for the widespread use of English?
A. It was popular during Shakespeare’s time.
B. It is used in former British colonies.
C. It serves the needs of its native speakers.
D. It is a world language that is used for international communication.
4.What forms an adequate working knowledge of English?
A. The ability to read a newspaper.
B. It is difficult to judge because it differs for each situation.
C. Being a multilingual.
D. Being a native speaker.
5. What type of developing countries would be most likely to use English?
A. Those geographically close to the United States.
B. Those interested in the culture of the United States.
C. Former colonies of Great Britain.
D. Countries where international conferences are held.
完形填空（共20小题；每小题1分，满分20分）
One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered．and they all admired his heart for it was 41 . There was not a scar in it. Suddenly, an old man appeared and said, “Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as 42 .”
The crowd and the young man looked at the old man’s 43 . It was full of scars, it had places 44 pieces had been removed and other pieces 45 in, but they didn’t fit quite right, and there were several 46 edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gaps where whole pieces were missing.
The young man laughed. “ 47 your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars.”
“Yes,” said the old man, “Yours 48 perfect but I would never trade with you. You see, every 49 represents a person 50 I have given my love. I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they 51 me a piece of their heart that fits into the 52 place in my heart. But because the pieces aren’t exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we 53 .
“Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart 54 , and the other person hasn’t returned a 55 of his or her heart to me. These are the empty gaps—giving love is 56 a chance. Although these gaps are painful, they 57 open, reminding me of the love I have for those people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have been waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?’’
The young man walked up to the old man, 58 his perfect heart, and tipped a piece out. He 59 it to the old man.
The old man placed it in his heart, then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man’s heart. It 60 , but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.
The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man’s heart flowed into his.
They embraced and walked away side by side.
1.A．ugly B．perfect C．beautiful D．hurt
2.A．mine B．his C．theirs D．ours
3.A．coat B．appearance C．face D．heart
4.A．that B．which C．where D．whose
5.A．cut B．set C．put D．brought
6.A．smooth B．rough C．broken D．pretty
7.A.Comparing B．Compared C．Compare D．Compares
8.A．looks B．seems C．is D．fits
9.A．one B．heart C．piece D．scar
10.A．on whom B．in whom C．with whom D．to whom
11.A．take B．give C．lend D．pass
12.A．empty B．full C．original D．first
13.A．had B．gave C．shared D．owned
14.A．in B．away C．off D．up
15.A．lot B．sheet C．piece D．pile
16.A．making B．taking C．keeping D．bringing
17.A．keep B．cut C．come D．stay
18.A．carried away B．reached into C．took out D．brought up
19.A．offered B．took C．passed D．served
20.A．fit B．hit C．beat D．set
Don’t be so discouraged. If you ________such feelings, you will do better next time.
A. carry on B. get back C. break down D. put away
--- Do remember to take this medicine three times a day with warm boiled water.
---________.
A. Heard it B. Got it C. Take it D. Make it
