Ever since they were first put on the market in the early 1990s, gentically mondified (GM, 转基因) foods have been increasingly developed and marketed in many countries in the word,mainly on the basis of their promise to end the worldwide food crisis. But can GM technology solve world hunger problems? Even if it would ,is it the best solutiorr?
Despite what it promiises,GM technology actually has not increased the production potential of any corp. In fact
Studies show that the most crown GM croo.
GM soybeans, has suffered reduced productivity. For instance, a report than analysed nearly two decades of research on mojor GM food crops shows that GM engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop production.
Something else, however, has been on the rise, While GM seeds are expensive, GM companics tell farmers that they will make good profits by saving money on pesticides（杀虫剂）. On the contrary, US government data show that GM crops in the US have produced an overall increase in pesticide use compared to traditional crops. “ The promise was that you could use less chemicals and boost production. But nether is true,” said Bill Christison, President of the US National Farm Coalition.
At the same time, the authors of the book World Hunger: Twelve Myths argue that there actually is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is not caused by production, but by problems in food distribution and politics. These indeed deserve our efforts and money. Meanwhile, the rise in food prices results from the increased use of crops for fuel rather than food, according to a 2008 World Bank report.
As a matter of fact ,scientists see better ways to feed the world. Another World Bank report concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of worldwide poverty and hunger, because better ways out are available, among which “green” farming is supposed to be the first choice.
1.The author develops the second paragraph mainly .
A. by classification B. by comparison
C. by example D. by process
2.What does the underlined word “boost ” in the third paragraph probably mean?
A. Control. B. Evaluate C. Obtain. D. Increase.
3. GM companies promise farmers that they will benefit from ______________.
A. practicing “green” farming B. use of less chemicals
C. fair distribution of their crops D. using more crops for fuel
4.Which of the following best describes the attitude of the author towards GM technology?
A. Optimistic B. Defensive C. Disapproving D. Casual
In early autumn I applied for applied for admission to college. I wanted to go nowhere but to Cornell University,but my mother fought strongly againsnst it. When she saw me studying a photograph of my father on the sports ground of Cornell,she tore it up.
“You can’t say it’s not a great university,just because Papa went there.”
“That’s not it at all.And it is a top university.”She was still holding the pieces in her hand. “But we can’t afford to send you to college.”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking you for money.Do you want me to get a job to help suppont you and Papa?Things aren’t that bad,are they?”
“No,”she said. “I don’t expect you to help support us.”
Father borrowed money form his rich cousins to start a small jewellery shop,His chief customers were his old college friends.To get new customers,my mother had to help.She picked up a long-forgotten membership in the local league of women,so that she cound get to know more people. Whether those people would turn into customers was another question. I knew that my Parents had to wait for quite a long time before their small investment (投资) could show returns.What’s more ,they had not wanted enough to be roch and successful ；otherwise they cound not possibly have managed their lives so badly.
I was torn between the desave to help them and change,their lives,and the determinstion not to repeat their mistakes.I had a strong belief in my power to go what I wanted.After months of hard study I won a full college scholarship（奖学金）.My father could hardly contain his pride in me,and my mother eventually gave in before my success.
1.The author was not allowed to go to Cornell University mainly because
A. his father grduated from the university
B. his mother did not thinks it a great university
C. his parents needed him to help support the family
D. his parents did not have enough money for him
2.The father srarted his small shop with the money from
A.a local league B.his university
C.his relatives D.his college friends
3.Why did the mother renew her membership in the league?
A.To help with her husband’s business B.To raise money for her son
C.To meet her long-forgotten friends D.To better manage her life
4.According to the text,what was the author determined to do in that autumn? To get a well-paid job for himself
A. To improve relations with his mother
B. To go to his dream university
C. To carry on with his father’s business
Most people know that Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner.
Born in September, 1987, Irene Curie was the first of the Curies’ two daughters. Along with nine other children whose parents were also famous scholars, Irene studied in their own school, and her mother was one of the teachers. She finished her high school education at the College of Sévigné in Paris.
Irene entered the University of Paris in 1914 to prepare for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, Irene went to help her mother, who was using X-ray facilities（设备） to help save the lives of wounded soldiers.Irene continued the work by developing X-ray facilities in military hospitals in France and Belgrum. Her services were recognised in the form of a Military’s Medal by the French government.
In 1918, Irene became her mother’s assistant at the Curie Institute. In December 1924, Frederic Joliot joined the Institute, and Irene taugh him the techniques required for his work. They soon fell in love and were married in 1926. Their daughter Helene was born in 1927 and their son Pierre five years later.
Like her mother, Irene combined family and career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband, in 1935. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed leukemia because of her work with radioactivity（辐射能）. Irene Joliot-Curie died from leukemia on March 17, 1956.
1.Why was Irene Curie awarded a Military Medal?
A.Because she received a degree in mathematics.
B.Because she contributed to saving the wounded.
C.Because she won the Nobel Prize with Frederic.
D. Because she worked as a helper to her mother.
2.Where did Irene Curie meet her husband Frederio joliot?
A.At the Curie Institute. B.At the Cniversity of Paris.
C.At a military hospital. D.At the College of Sevigne.
3.When was the second child of Irene Curie and Frederic Joliot born?
A. In 1932. B. In 1927. C. In 1897. D. In 1926.
4. In which of the following aspects was Irene Cuire different from her mother?
A.Irene worked with radioactivity. B.Irene combined family and career.
C.Irene won the Nobel Prize once D.Irene died from leukemia.
1.If you want to join Live Card to save money on tickets, you can call . A.0844 847 2484 B.0800 587 5007
C.0844 499 6699 D.0161 245 6609
2.How can you pay for a ticket when you book by post?
A.By visiting the website of a post office.
B.By going to your local bank in person.
C.By enclosing your Live Card in an envelope.
D.By providing your credit card information.
3.What benefit can group bookers enjoy according to the text?
A.Delayed payment for tickets. B.Invitations to opening nights.
C.Reduced booking fees by phone D.Generous discounts on tickets.
In a land far away, once upon a time there was great poverty （贫困）,and only the rich could manage without great _26_. Three of those rich men and their servants were_27_together on a road when they came to a very_28_village.
The first could not stand seeing the poverty, _29 he took all the gold and jewels from his wagons (四轮载重马车) and shared _30 out among the villagers. He wished them all the best of luck, and he left.
The second rich man ,seeing the _31 situation, stopped for a short time and gave _32 all his food and drink, since he _33 see that money would be of little _34 to them. He made sure that they each _35 their fair share and would have enough food to _36 for some time . Then, he left.
The third rich man, on seeing such poverty, _37 and went straight through the _38 without stopping. The two other rich men saw this from a distance and commented with each other_39 the third rich man lacked sympathy. It was _40 that they themselves had been there to offer help.
However, three days later, they 41 the third rich man ,who was coming in the opposite direction . He was 42 travelling quickly, but his wagons, 43 the gold and valuables they had been 44 ,were now full of farming tools and bags of 45 .He was rushing back to help them out of poverty.
1. A. loss B. expectations C. success D. problems
2. A. standing B. travelling C. gathering D. running
3. A. faraway B. poor C. different D. ancient
4. A. unless B. because C. so D. if
5. A. them B. anything C. nothing D. those
6. A. curious B. worrying C. dangerous D. puzzling
7.A. the villagers B. his servants C. the others D. the rest
8. A. could B. might C. should D. must
9. A. interest B.concern C. use D. attraction
10. A. returned B. gained C. offered D. received
11.A.remain B.last C.supply D.share
12.A.turned back B.set out C. showed off D. speeded
13.A.village B.land C.field D.road
14.A.whether B.how C.where D.when
15.A.good B.certain C.true D.strange
16.A.welcomed B.met C.taccepted D.persuaded
17.A.still B.already C.always D.indeed
18. A. except B. instead of C. apart from D. along with
19.A. loading B. treasuring C. carrying D. earning
20.A. food B. jewels C. money D. seeds
Some insects________the colour of their surroundings to protect themselves.
A. take in B. take off C. take on D. take out
