Question

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 solution?

Despite what it promises, GM technology actually has not increased the production potential    of any corp. In fact, studies show that the most widely grown GM crop. 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 companies 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

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章说明了转基因粮食对于解决世界饥荒的作用和存在的问题。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段“For instance, a report than analysed nearly two decades of research on major GM food crops shows that GM engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop production.”可知，该段采用的是举例子的方法。故选C。

2.词义猜测题。根据前句“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.( 相反，美国政府的数据显示，与传统作物相比，美国转基因作物的农药使用量总体上有所增加。)”可知，他们承诺为了帮助农民解决粮食问题，通过减少化学品的使用和提高（increase）粮食产量的方式实现。从而推出boost为“增加”之意。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段““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.( 我们的承诺是，你可以使用更少的化学品，提高产量。但事实并非如此，”美国国家农场联盟主席比尔•克里斯蒂森表示。)”可知。基因公司向农民承诺，他们将从减少化学品的使用中受益。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段“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.”可知，有很多更好的方法可以采用，所以对于转基因粮食持不赞成态度。故选C。