There was a famous temple on a high hill in Assam. The priest (神父）of this temple was widely respected. When he grew old, he started searching for a younger priest to Replace him after his death. However? much to his disappointment ,he could not find any suitable person. As the priest lay on his deathbed, he called his assistant and told him，“After my death, make sure that only a 'human being ，replaces me as the priest of this temple. ” As soon as he said these words, he died.

Information soon travelled far and wide. A day was set for the selection of the successor (继任者）.That day, many people started coming to the temple. The route to the temple was full of thorns (荆棘）and stones. By the time most people reached the temple, they had had cuts on their feet and hands.

By afternoon, as the selection process was about to end, one young man walked slowly into the temple. The assistant noticed him and said，"Young man, you are very late. ” The man replied, “I know I am late, so I will not participate in the competition. ” But the assistant was curious to know about this man. He asked again, “But how did you hurt yourself so badly? Didn't you follow the same route as the others?” “I did, “replied the man, “But I thought I must remove the thorns and sharp stones from the path so that when people come to pray in this temple they won't get hurt. ”

Hearing this, the assistant smiled and said, "Congratulations, you have been chosen.，’ This greatly annoyed the other participants. “ How can you choose him as he has not gone through any of the tests?’，they demanded.

The assistant replied, "Our old priest used to say that only a human being, knows how to watch for other people's interests. All of you climbed the same path. But only this man thought about the others and cleared the path so that no one would get hurt. By this definition (定义），only he qualifies as a human being ，and therefore only he should be the successor to the great old priest. "

68.　 What happened immediately after the old priest died?

A. The assistant took the old priest's position.

B. Many people climbed to the temple to say goodbye to him.

C. The assistant shut the temple and started mourning for the old priest.

D. Word spread that there was an urgent need for the old priest's successor.

69.　 Why was the young man late for the competition?

A. He had forgotten his way and thus had taken a longer route to the temple.

B. He removed all the sharp stones and thorns from the path leading to the temple.

C. He offered water to the other participants on their way to the temple.

D. He had forgotten all about the competition in the morning.

70.　 How did the other participants react to the assistant's decision?

A. They took it easy and learnt a lesson from the incident.

B They praised the assistant for being so wise and fair.

C. They got angry and opposed the assistant's decision.

D. They felt ashamed of themselves and left immediately.

71. What was the old priest's definition of a "human being”？

A. Someone who cares about other people's interests.

B. Someone who succeeds in liffe and earns a lot of money.

C. Someone who removes sharp stones that block the path.

D. Someone who knows how to make other people enjoy life.

    Special trees that grow faster, fight pollution, produce better wood, and even sense chemical attacks are being planted by scientists in the US.

    When 40 percent of Hawaii's US$14 million-a-year papaya (木瓜)industry was destroyed by a virus five years ago, work began on creating genetically engineered (转基因的) trees.

    Researchers successfully introduced seeds that were designed to resist the virus. Since then, more and more people have been testing genetically engineered trees.

    Some researchers put special bacteria into trees to help them grow faster and produce better wood. Others are trying to create trees that can clean polluted soil.

    Meanwhile fruit farmers are looking for trees that are strong enough to resist worms, and paper companies want trees that produce more wood and therefore more paper.

    The Pentagon (五角大楼) even gave the researchers US$500,000 this year after they developed a pine tree that changes its colours if it senses a chemical attack.

    So far, the poplar, eucalyptus (杨树与桉树), apple and coffee trees are among those being engineered. All this can be done today because we have a better understanding of tree genomes (基因组).

    However, some people fear that the genetically engineered trees will cause dangerous results. They are worried that the new trees will breed (繁殖)with natural species and change the balance of the forest environment.

    "It could be destructive," said Jim Diamond, an environmentalist. '"Trees are what is left of our natural environment and home to many endangered species."

    But researchers insist that science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.

    They hope to answer the critics （批评家）by stopping the new trees from breeding, so their effect on the environment can be controlled.

68. Which kind of tree is not the ones that scientists are planting in the US?                               

A. Trees that worms can't hurt.

B. Trees that can sense a chemical attack.

C. Trees that can resist wind better.

D. Genetically engineered trees.

69. What caused the American scientists to work on special trees directly? 

A. They think science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.

B. Great numbers of trees have been lost due to attacks by viruses.

C. Researchers successfully introduced seeds designed to resist the virus.

D. Tree genomes are mapped out so scientists know how to improve trees.

70. Which of the following was probably the first kind of trees being engineered? 

A. Papaya.           B. Pine.          C. Apple.             D. Poplar.

71. Why did critics think engineered trees dangerous? Because _________.

A. these trees can destroy the balance of nature

B. everything except trees has been genetically engineered

C. trees are home to many endangered species

D. these trees may affect normal trees

Special trees that grow faster, fight pollution, produce better wood, and even sense chemical attacks are being planted by scientists in the US.

    When 40 per cent of Hawaii's US$14 million-a-year papaya (木瓜)industry was destroyed by a virus five years ago, work began on creating genetically engineered(转基因的) trees.

    Researchers successfully introduced seeds that were designed to resist the virus. Since then, more and more people have been testing genetically engineered trees.

    Some researchers put special bacteria into trees to help them grow faster and produce better wood. Others are trying to create trees that can clean polluted soil.

    Meanwhile fruit farmers are looking for trees that are strong enough to resist worms, and paper companies want trees that produce more wood and therefore more paper.

    The Pentagon (五角大楼) even gave the researchers US$500,000 this year after they developed a pine tree that changes its colours if it senses a chemical attack..

    So far, the poplar, eucalyptus (杨树与桉树), apple and coffee trees are among those being engineered. All this can be done today because we have a better understanding of tree genomes(基因组).

    However, some people fear that the genetically engineered trees will cause dangerous results. They are worried that the new trees will breed with natural species and change the balance of the forest environment.

"It could be destructive," said Jim Diamond, an environmentalist. "Trees are what is left of our natural environment and home to many endangered species."

    But researchers insist that science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.

    They hope to answer the critics by stopping the new trees from breeding, so their effect on the environment can be controlled.

What trees are NOT the ones that scientists are planting in the US?

A. Trees that worms can't hurt.   

B. Trees that can protect themselves at a chemical attack.

C. Trees that can resist wind better.    

D. Trees that can improve soil conditions.

What caused the American scientists to work on special trees?

A. They think science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.

B. Great numbers of trees have been lost due to attacks by viruses.

C. Researchers successfully introduced seeds designed to resist the virus.

D. Tree genomes are mapped out so scientists know how to improve trees.

Which of the following was probably the first kind of trees being engineered?

A. Papaya.                    B. Pine.                 C. Apple.               D. Poplar.

The best title of the passage is         .

A. The improvement of environment

B. The side-effects of special trees

C. The development of special trees

D. the program of genetically engineered trees

Special trees that grow faster, fight pollution, produce better wood, and even sense chemical attacks are being planted by scientists in the US.

When 40 per cent of Hawaii's US$14 million-a-year papaya (木瓜)industry was destroyed by a virus five years ago, work began on creating genetically engineered (转基因的) trees.

Researchers successfully introduced seeds that were designed to resist the virus. Since then, more and more people have been testing genetically engineered trees.

Some researchers put special bacteria into trees to help them grow faster and produce better wood. Others are trying to create trees that can clean polluted soil.

Meanwhile fruit farmers are looking for trees that are strong enough to resist worms, and paper companies want trees that produce more wood and therefore more paper.

The Pentagon (五角大楼) even gave the researchers US$500,000 this year after they developed a pine tree that changes its colours if it senses a chemical attack.

So far, the poplar, eucalyptus (杨树与桉树), apple and coffee trees are among those being engineered. All this can be done today because we have a better understanding of tree genomes (基因组).

However, some people fear that the genetically engineered trees will cause dangerous results. They are worried that the new trees will breed with natural species and change the balance of the forest environment.

"It could be destructive," said Jim Diamond, an environmentalist. "Trees are what is left of our natural environment and home to many endangered species."

But researchers insist that science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.

They hope to answer the critics by stopping the new trees from breeding, so their effect on the environment can be controlled.

Which kind of tree is not the ones that scientists are planting in the US?

A. Trees that worms can't hurt.

B. Trees that can protect themselves at a chemical attack.

C. Trees that can resist wind better.

D. Genetically engineered trees.

What caused the American scientists to work on special trees?

A. They think science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and        man-made dangers.

B. Great numbers of trees have been lost due to attacks by viruses.

C. Researchers successfully introduced seeds designed to resist the virus.

D. Tree genomes are mapped out so scientists know how to improve trees.

Which of the following was probably the first kind of trees being engineered?

A. Papaya.                    B. Pine.                 C. Apple.                      D. Poplar.

Why did critics think engineered trees dangerous? Because _______.

A. these trees can destroy the balance of nature

B. everything except trees has been genetically engineered

C. trees are home to many endangered species

D. these trees may affect normal trees

Special trees that grow faster, fight pollution, produce better wood, and even sense chemical attacks are being planted by scientists in the US.
When 40 per cent of Hawaii's US$14 million-a-year papaya (木瓜)industry was destroyed by a virus five years ago, work began on creating genetically engineered(转基因的) trees.
Researchers successfully introduced seeds that were designed to resist the virus. Since then, more and more people have been testing genetically engineered trees.
Some researchers put special bacteria into trees to help them grow faster and produce better wood. Others are trying to create trees that can clean polluted soil.
Meanwhile fruit farmers are looking for trees that are strong enough to resist worms, and paper companies want trees that produce more wood and therefore more paper.
The Pentagon (五角大楼) even gave the researchers US$500,000 this year after they developed a pine tree that changes its colours if it senses a chemical attack..
So far, the poplar, eucalyptus (杨树与桉树), apple and coffee trees are among those being engineered. All this can be done today because we have a better understanding of tree genomes(基因组).
However, some people fear that the genetically engineered trees will cause dangerous results. They are worried that the new trees will breed with natural species and change the balance of the forest environment.
"It could be destructive," said Jim Diamond, an environmentalist. "Trees are what is left of our natural environment and home to many endangered species."
But researchers insist that science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.
They hope to answer the critics by stopping the new trees from breeding, so their effect on the environment can be controlled.

1. 1.

   What trees are NOT the ones that scientists are planting in the US?

   1. A.
      Trees that worms can't hurt.
   2. B.
      Trees that can protect themselves at a chemical attack.
   3. C.
      Trees that can resist wind better.
   4. D.
      Trees that can improve soil conditions.
2. 2.

   What caused the American scientists to work on special trees?

   1. A.
      They think science could give nature a fighting chance against both natural and man-made dangers.
   2. B.
      Great numbers of trees have been lost due to attacks by viruses.
   3. C.
      Researchers successfully introduced seeds designed to resist the virus.
   4. D.
      Tree genomes are mapped out so scientists know how to improve trees.
3. 3.

   Which of the following was probably the first kind of trees being engineered?

   1. A.
      Papaya.
   2. B.
      Pine.
   3. C.
      Apple.
   4. D.
      Poplar.
4. 4.

   The best title of the passage is         .

   1. A.
      The improvement of environment
   2. B.
      The side-effects of special trees
   3. C.
      The development of special trees
   4. D.
      the program of genetically engineered trees