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.

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.

Which country studied the genes most rapidly in the world?

A. Japan.        B. Germany.          C. The United States.     D. China.

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.

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

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

Koala bears as pets might be appealing to many of us. However, there are quite a few points to consider even before thinking of adopting one.

         Koala bears are one of the most lovely Australian animals. In certain cases where the koala has been raised by hand, they have turned out to be quite affectionate pets. These people tied a piece of fur to a pillow and placed it beside a joey (a baby kola) as a substitute (替代物) for the mother koala. This trick seemed to work well with the baby koala. However, it is a known fact that human handling causes stress to koalas. In my personal opinion, this aspect clouds the fact that koala bears can be tamed (驯服).

         In Australia the koala is a priority animal as far as conservation status assessment is concerned. It was hunted to near extinction (灭绝) for its fur. In fact the koala had been wiped out from South Australia in the 1920s. However, rehabilitation efforts have brought the animal back in the state. As for the Australia government, the koala is not a threatened animal, but the US government does list the koala as one.

         Although they may live in 40 to 60 kinds of eucalyptus trees, they prefer only 10 to 14 specific kinds. Koalas sleep for most part of the day, which is about 16 to 18 hours, and for most of their waking hours all they do is eat. Koala bears eat the leaves of eucalyptus trees. A full-grown koala can eat almost 2 to 3 pounds of leaves in a day. Despite their slow movements and sweet look, koala bears can be vicious when hungry. Other than this, there are the stress caused to koalas due to human handling and the fights that start in koalas.

         Almost everyone finds koalas lovely in the zoo. However, as far as having koala bears as pets is concerned, there are legal issues to consider. Other than that, being able to provide for its diet and habitat is another point that needs some attention before any law legalizing their adoption as pets is passed.

1.What’s the author’s attitude towards people raising the koala?

A. Optimistic.              B. Grateful.                           C. Cautious.                          D. Enthusiastic.

2.Why did Australians hunt the koala?

A. To get its fur.     B. To eat its meat.                 C. To wipe it out.                 D. To have it for fun.

3.The underlined word “vicious” in Paragraph 4 probably means __________.

A. fierce and dangerous                                                  B. patient and friendly

C. afraid and defensive                                                    D. lovely and interesting

4.It can be inferred from the passage that __________.

A. koala bears tend to live in groups                            

B. koala bear care can be very demanding

C. koala bears are not particular about their food     

D. koala bears are the No. 1 threatened animal in the US

If Confucius(孔子)were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles（蜡烛）. He’d need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It’s nothing personal. Most Americans don’t even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn’t mean that Americans don’t care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past twenty years, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes(孔子学院) in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually included Chinese art, history and philosophy(哲学). Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing(比赛)to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker’s ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the west, even if his birthday is

1. 1.

   The opening paragraph is mainly intended to______

   1. A.
      provide some key facts about Confucius
   2. B.
      attract the readers’ interest in the topic
   3. C.
      show great respect for the ancient thinker
   4. D.
      prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations
2. 2.

   We can learn from Paragraph 4 that American students______

   1. A.
      have a great interest in studying Chinese
   2. B.
      take an active part in Chinese competitions
   3. C.
      try to get high scores in Chinese exams
   4. D.
      fight for a chance to learn Chinese
3. 3.

   What is the best title for the passage?

   1. A.
      Forgotten Wisdom in America
   2. B.
      Huge Fans of the Chinese Language
   3. C.
      Old Thinker with a Big Future
   4. D.
      Chinese Culture for Westerners
4. 4.

   The passage is likely to appear in a _______

   1. A.
      leaflet
   2. B.
      history paper
   3. C.
      newspaper
   4. D.
      philosophy textbook

As China becomes increasingly urbanized (城市化), it has to find space for its urban and
rural citizens as both groups become increasingly integrated. Experts suggest a possible model
way may be “re-inventing” a “garden city”.
China’s mega-cities are bursting at the borders and the country is now undergoing the quickest and biggest urbanization in the history of mankind. It is estimated that by 2025, China will have 400 million more people living in its cities, raising its urban population to 900 million. Besides, new satellite towns are mushrooming on the urban fringes while city ring roads are rippling outwards into the countryside at amazing speed. Satellite maps collected by Professor Joshua Bolchover at the University of Hong Kong bring the problem sharply into focus. They track the changing rural-urban framework in the past 30 years, and suggest that cities are cruelly destroying surrounding rural land and rapidly reducing the amount of arable（可耕种的）land, which gives way to new residential blocks, new industrial zones, new financial centers and the other inevitable signs and signatures of economic growth.
This, however, is not sustainable growth pattern, especially when China has the world’s largest population to feed. So concerned urban planners are starting to note the social and physical effects of diaspora（大移居）when replaced rural communities are forced into the cities.
On the other hand, a trend of thought is gradually taking shape and this is the concept of the “garden city”, a combination of country and city that is being proposed by architects and city planners. Hua Li, from Tao Architects, is among the many professionals with such a voice. His argument is supported by a long-term study on this subject. As Hua says, the answer is to preserve patches of productive farmland within urban boundaries. Less transportation means we have fresh agricultural products at lower costs and less carbon emission in the city. And urban farmland can also be showcased for agricultural tourism and education.
The concept is already practiced at the grassroot level. Agriculture has gone into the air, up to roof and balcony in some communities in the cities. It’s common to see organic “hanging garden” on the roof of some traditional courtyard home. According to some people, the rooftop project translate to tangible (=" practical)" benefits, such as safe, nutritious vegetables, a cooler home in summer. Some say thanks to the tomatoes they plant that are natural insect killers, there’re fewer mosquitoes. Apart from these, it also contributes to better bonding with neighbors. Zhang, a doctor in Beijing, began creating his hanging garden five years ago. Since his garden became home to 30 kinds of vegetables and fruit --- all enough to feed his family, neighbors have enjoyed dropping by for a relaxing chat or just to see how well the lovely vegetables and fruit are doing.
Although people like Zhang are still rare and the greening of roof space with vegetables and fruit takes skill and energy, with more positive media exposure and advanced technology there is the prospect that garden city will become common practice in the near future. By then, cities will no longer look so gray when seen from the satellites.
【小题1】What is the purpose of paragraph 2?

Few laws are so effective that you can see results just days after they take effect. But in the nine days since the federal cigarette tax more than doubled—to $1. 01 per pack—smokers have jammed telephone “quit lines” across the country seeking to kick the habit.   
This is not a surprise to public health advocates. They’ve studied the effect of state tax increases for years, finding that smokers, especially teens, are price sensitive. Nor is it a shock to the industry, which fiercely fights every tax increase.  
The only wonder is that so many states insist on closing their ears to the message. Tobacco taxes improve public health, health, they raise money and most particularly, they deter people from taking up the habit as teens, which is when nearly all smokers are addicted. Yet the rate of taxation varies widely.   
In Manhattan, for instance, which has the highest tax in the nation, a pack of Marlboro Light Kings cost ＄10.06 at one drugstore Wednesday. Charleston, S, C., where the 7-cent-a-pack tax is the lowest in the nation. The price was $4. 78.  
The influence is obvious.   
In New York, high school smoking hit a new low in the latest surveys—13.8%, far below the national average. By comparison, 26% of high school students smoke in Kentucky, Other low-tax states have similarly depressing teen-smoking records.   
Hal Rogers, Representative from Kentucky, like those who are against high tobacco taxes, argues that the burden of the tax falls on low-income Americans “who choose to smoke.”  
That’s true, But there is more reason in keeping future generations of low-income workers from getting hooked in the first place, As for today’s adults, if the new tax drives them to quit, they will have more to spend on their families, cut their risk of cancer and heart disease and feel better.  
66 The text is mainly about___________.   
A. the price of cigarettes                       B. tie rate of teen smoking  
C. the effect of tobacco tax increase              D. the differences in tobacco tax rate  
67 What does the author think is a surprise?  
A. Teen smokers are price sensitive.  
B. Some states still keep the tobacco tax low.   
C.  Tobacco taxes improve public health.   
D.  Tobacco industry fiercely fights the tax rise.   
68. The underlined word "deter” in Paragraph 3 most probably means ______ .   
A. discarding    B. remove    C. benefit      D. free  
69. Rogers’ attitude towards the low-income smokers might be that of _____ .  
A. tolerance   B. unconcern    C. doubt   D. sympathy  
70. What can we learn from the last paragraph?  
A. The new tax will be beneficial in the long run.   
B. Low-income Americans are more likely to fall ill.  
C. Future generations will be hooked on smoking.   
D. Adults will depend more on their families.