Imagine being face-to-face with a woolly mammoth (猛犸象) . It would be quite a sight. Scientists believe it would tower above 11 feet tall and have a sloping back, a long, powerful trunk, and sharp, curved tusks that stretch up to 10 feet. Its thick hair would be up to three feet long. It would weigh six tons—about as heavy as a bus.
You’ve probably never seen a giant furry elephant before. Actually, you definitely haven’t. The species has been extinct for thousands of years.
But a few years from now, you might be able to see a woolly mammoth in person. Scientists believe they have the technology to recreate it.
A team of South Korean and Russian scientists plan to clone a woolly mammoth. How will they do it?
Several woolly mammoth bodies have already been discovered in Siberia, an icy region in Russia. The scientists plan to take cells from these frozen mammoths. In a laboratory, they’ll use them to create a new cluster (群) of cells called an embryo. The embryo will be placed into the womb of a living female elephant. That elephant will then give birth to a baby woolly mammoth.
The scientists believe the whole process will take five years. Many scientists and animal lovers can’t wait. It will be so exciting to be able to bring a creature that has been extinct for thousands of years back to life. People would travel from around the world for the chance to see a living woolly mammoth. By observing the way the creature looks and acts, scientists might make brand-new discoveries about the history of animal life.
Other experts aren’t so sure about the woolly mammoth project. One big question is what to do with a mammoth. The Earth has changed in the thousands of years since these animals roamed the planet. Where would the creature live, and would it be able to survive in today’s climate ? Some believe that the money being spent on the experiment could be better spent on other important scientific projects, such as fighting diseases.
But the South Korean and Russian scientists are sticking to their plan. They admit they have a big challenge ahead. There is no guarantee that they will succeed, but they’ re hopeful.
1.The first paragraph describes the mammoth’s ________.
A.habitat B.food
C.appearance D.lifespan
2.What is the challenge for scientists to clone a mammoth?
A.Whether they have enough money for the project.
B.Whether the mammoth can adapt to the new environment.
C.Whether the mammoth can survive the modern diseases.
D.Whether their plan wins support from the public.
3.The last paragraph implies that the attitude of scientists to cloning mammoths is ______.
A.negative B.disapproving
C.optimistic D.doubtful
4.What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.Scientists are finding ways to deal with mammoths.
B.Scientists try to find out the history of animal life.
C.Scientists plan to bring the mammoth back to life.
D.Scientists pay little attention to the return of the mammoth.
Sitting on the “Roof of the World”, Mount Qomolangma National Nature Reserve is one of the world’s hotspots for biodiversity protection. Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, is to be measured again by a Chinese team to make sure its exact height after last official measurement.
“Conducting research and protecting the region can help us learn more about the origin and development of the earth, as well as our human-beings and wildlife,” said Cheng Pengfei, president of the Chinese Academy of Surveying & Mapping (CASM).
The weather in the Mount Qomolangma area changes frequently. While the maximum temperature in the tent is more than 20 degrees Celsius, or even 30 degrees Celsius at noon, it may start snowing in the afternoon, and a gale may spring up at night, even blowing away the tents. Those taking part in the mission are ready for the task after preparing thoroughly at the base camp.
The complex geological environment has formed diverse landforms in the area. Distinctive snow mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers can be found. And the unique ecological environment has also established a special biological diversity.
1.What can we learn from the text?
A.The ecological environment around the Mount Everest has nothing to do with its biodiversity.
B.The height of Mount Everest has been measured before.
C.The weather in Mount Everest area is relatively steady with a small temperature change.
D.Learning more about wildlife in the area is one of the most important purposes of the research.
2.What does the underlined word possibly mean in the 3rd paragraph?
A.a name of an animal. B.a kind of grass.
C.a strong wind D.a name of a machine
3.Where can you most probably see the text?
A.In a geography textbook. B.In a travelling brochure.
C.In a government report. D.In a newspaper
Throughout most states of the USA, there are countless secret swimming holes, and following are 4 of them.
Havasu Falls (Arizona) | This attractive waterfall in the Grand Canyon is undoubtedly a destination spot requiring a 10-mile walk to the falls. You can take a guided tour to the falls, or make it on your own. The Havasu Falls are on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which means you'll need to get a permit to visit — this has become increasingly difficult as more people discover this hidden place. |
Hamilton Pool (Austin) | Hamilton Pool was created when an underground river's roof fell down suddenly; exposing what is now the swimming hole and creating a 50-foot waterfall that flows over the above limestone(石灰岩). You'll have to reserve beforehand to gain entry to the Hamilton Pool Preserve. |
Chutes and Ladders (Maui) | To get to this secret swimming hole, you'll have to take a rope 40 feet down the face of a cliff, and then climb down about 8 feet of lava rock to the pool. Once there, however, you'll be glad you made the journey. The swimming hole is on the edge of the ocean — a natural pool, you could say — with a depth that invites you to jump in without crowds of people around to watch. |
Homestead Crater (Utah) | The Homestead Crater is hidden under a rock dome(圆顶) with an opening at the top that allows for sunlight and air. It was once only accessible by that top opening, but there is now easy access through a side path for visitors. Go for a swim in this beautiful mineral water spring. |
1.People need an official written statement to visit _________.
A.Havasu Falls B.Hamilton Pool
C.Chutes and Ladders D.Homestead Crater
2.What do you need to get to Chutes and Ladders?
A.A tour guide. B.An invitation.
C.More outdoor skills. D.Reservation in advance.
3.Which of the following can best describe the four places?
A.They are hidden in remote areas. B.They are shaped by limestone.
C.They are created by local people. D.They are accessible through a hole.
阅读下面材料,根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。
Polly, my stepmom, suggested the sweetest name to our pet dog: Mercy. We don't know why she gave the strange name. We soon learned it was just what this new dog would need.
My parents' bad tempered dog would jump out of bed and go-go-go all day long. So when they brought home a Christmas tree, they expected everything would be out of order. However, to their astonishment, Mercy didn't seem to take any care. She paid zero attention to the tree which suddenly grew in her living room. Nor did she react to the fancy presents under it, including a wrapped box of Milk-Bones.
Dad and Polly were quite careful; they'd never had a dog that didn't force them to move everything to higher ground as if they were expecting a flood. But Mercy seemed to take no notice. He didn't take any glance at it at all.
A few days before Christmas, Polly awoke early in the morning as usual. She passed the dusty living room and then stopped in surprise. Glancing back into the room, she saw that every last present was gone. Only the tree was still there.
Had they been robbed? Why hadn't Mercy barked? Where was she? Had the robbers taken her away? Polly noticed scrap of ribbon（丝带） on the floor, then bit of torn wrapping paper few feet away, some lights beyond that. The clues all made a mark leading toward the back door.
Polly put on the switch, bathing the backyard in light. The perpetrator's（肇事者）head lifted and froze. Alarm and guilt made her eyes wide. Oh, yes, it was Mercy.
She lay under her favorite tree in soft nest of shredde（碎片） wrapping paper, chewed-up boxes, and curling（缠绕） bits of ribbon. Presents, unpacked from their packages, were spread over everywhere. Beautifully wrapped boxes had gaping holes. Pieces of paper were mixed with the last remaining evidence of gifts. All the gift tags（标签） that could have been used as thank-you cards were destroyed.
Clearly Mercy's self-control had failed.
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As for Thank-you cards, Mercy provided the answer.
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假定你是李华,你想邀请你的留学生朋友Chris参加“青年回乡建设美丽乡村”的志愿活动，请你根据下面所给的要求给他写一封邮件：
1. 活动时间、地点；
2. 活动带来的收获。
要求：1. 词数：80左右；
2 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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根据汉语和首字母提示写出单词的正确形式,每空限一词。
1.All parts of the museum are a__________(可进入的) to wheelchairs
2.The doctor r____________(推荐) swimming as the best all-round- exercise
3.If it's a choice between higher pay and job_____________(保障), I'd prefer to keep my job.
4.She was bit a_____________(担心的) at how much weight she'd lost
5.It's been a pleasure and a p_____________(特别优待) to work with you all
