Police recently caught the suspected Golden State Killer using a tool they could only have dreamed of decades ago, when a shocking series of murders shook California: a database filled with people’s genetic data (基因数据).
Police used an open-source database called GEDmatch to find relatives who matched genetic material taken from an old crime scene, then worked backward to identify and catch 72- year-old former police officer Joseph James DeAngelo.
GEDmatch’s 950, 000 users voluntarily upload and share their genetic information, making it accessible to others who share their own data — including law enforcement (执法). More than a dozen other similar platforms also exist. “If your relatives have contributed and you are part of even a family tree that appears online in one of these shared resources, you can be indirectly tracked through the combination of their DNA and the publicly available family history,” says Dr. Robert Green, a medical geneticist at Harvard Medical School.
Data sent to commercial companies like 23andMe, which has over 5 million customers, is much tougher for outsiders to access, but the case has still highlighted the issue of genetic privacy.
Although many genetic-testing companies have been asked to cooperate with legal investigations (调查), and clearly warn customers of this possibility, not all requests are honored. “23andMe has never given customer information to law-enforcement officials, ” a company representative told TIME.
The risks of keeping such sensitive data private are high. The potential for abuse exists; for example, insurance companies could theoretically use genetic data to refuse coverage (保险项目), Green says. But the systems in place to prevent misuse appear to be working. One is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, a 2008 law that protects consumers from employment and insurance discrimination related to genetics. As long as that’s the case, Green says, the good of genetic tests outweighs the bad.
Sharon Zehe, a lawyer for the department of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic, takes a more cautious approach. “Family tree services can be fun, but make sure you are using a reputable organization that has strong privacy policies in place, ” she says. “Genetic data is biologically as important as a fingerprint.”
1.Who is the Golden State Killer?
A. Robert Green. B. Joseph James De Angelo.
C. The author. D. Sharon Zehe.
2.What drives the users to upload their genetic data?
A. The Police’s force. B. Their relatives’ advice.
C. The boss’s order. D. Their own willingness.
3.Who might misuse customers’ genetic data?
A. The police. B. GEDmatch.
C. Insurance companies. D. 23andMe.
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. Genetic data is equal to a fingerprint.
B. A 72-year-old killer was put into prison.
C. Murders causes concern for genetic privacy.
D. Genetic information is shared on the Internet.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Twenty-five young musicians from around the world have come to California to train and perform this month. They will take part in an international program called iPalpiti. The name comes from the Italian word for heartbeats.
Eduard Schmieder is the program's conductor and musical director, Schmieder and his wife started the program in 1997 with help from violinist and conductor Yehudi Menuhin.
This year, the musicians come from 19 countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Israel and Italy. Schmieder notes some of the musicians are from countries that are at war with each other.
And they are sitting next to each other, and they become friends, He says through their music and friendship, they are making the world more peaceful.
The musicians taking part in the program range in age from their late teens to their 30s.
Schmieder said they include winners of major music competitions. Peter Rainer is a violin player from Germany. He serves as concertmaster, the link between the musicians and conductor. "lt’s so great that you have so many sensitive musicians. They all are very alert and awake and listen to each other and it's a lot of fun. " Turkish viola player Can Sakul says the international group works we’ll together. "The experience is a cultural as well as a musical exchange," said Russian violinist SemyonPromoe. " Everyone has their own opinion of music, how to play every composition. It's very interesting to interact with everybody, to play together and to create one opinion for everybody. "
This year, the festival focuses on music from the 1600s to the 1900s. But cello player Franciaco Vila of Ecuador said the music has no geographic boundaries Vila added that the musicians get to know more about each other as they perform great music.
"It's interesting to see where we intersect(交集) , how many things we have in common. And also the music world is quite small, so you're only one person away from knowing everyone else" Can Sakul said the musicians who have taken part in the training and festival make up a big family. He added that he is proud to be a part of it.
1.When was the program founded?
A. This month. B. From 1600s C. From late teens. D. In 1997.
2.Mentioning that "Some musicians are from countries that are at war with each other.", Schmieder intends to present that .
A. musicians continue to fight in competitions B. music makes the world more harmonious
C. musicians are from different countries D. the world is not peaceful
3.What does the underlined word "sensitive ’' probably mean?
A. Flexible. B. Artificial. C. Brilliant. D. Energetic.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A. Musicians have much in common. B. A national music program.
C. Music has no geographic boundaries. D. Music competitions at war.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
Life affects friendships. As we grow, marry, fight in wars, move across the country or change jobs, old friendships fall away and new ones form. As long as we live, the things around us change, and as long as things change, friendships are affected.
When we were children, we had best friends. No matter what happened we were still friends. We live our lives, however, and do what life calls for us to do, and as we get older, memories fade, faces blur（变得模糊），and even friends’ names from childhood are forgotten.
Do you have a question about friendship？Do you wonder what to do with a friend who is no longer friendly？ Perhaps you will see that you can’t control others. If some people want to be your friends, it is their choice. All you can do is treat them well and do the best for them when you are with them. Then you wish them well when they leave.
You can talk to old-timers and they will tell you that life is full of incredible（难以置信的）joy and incredible sorrow, and that what bothers you today will one day become a memory and the pain will be gone. Seniors might tell you that you will learn more as you get older. They will tell you that friendships come and friendships go. Sometimes when they go it will hurt you, but you will be okay with it. It’s theway life works, after all.
1.According to the text, what can we learn about friendship？
A.Friendship cannot be easily affected by one’s family.
B.Friends are always around us and will never go away.
C.Friends in childhood are sometimes forgotten by us.
D.Friends in childhood are the best no matter what happens.
2.In the author’s opinion, what should we do with friends who are no longer friendly？
A.Care about them and do the best for them when we are together.
B.Forget them and make new friends who have a lot in common with us.
C.Find the reason why our friendship has changed.
D.Do our best to control them and make them listen to us.
3.What the old-timers and seniors in the last paragraph tell you about friendship will ______.
A.make you have no good friends
B.help you have healthy understanding of friendship
C.remind you to always help your friends
D.lead you to be a powerful man WNIW HH
4.Which of the following could be the best title of the passage？
A.How to share happiness with friends
B.How to deal with unfriendly people
C.How to make good friends
D.How to face the changes in friendship
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The London Underground (The Tube)
The main source of public transport in London revolves around the Underground (or the Tube as it is known to Londoners). This network of 12 lines can get you to most places in the center of the city quickly.
It’s almost necessary to get an Oyster Card or a Travelcard. Single tickets are priced starting at the intentionally absurd price of £4.80 (Zone1-3), if you pay cash. Using an Oyster Card, a single fare is £2.30 if you are traveling within the central Zone 1.
On hot days it is also advisable to take a bottle of water with you as Underground trains are not air-conditioned.
Last trains leave central London at around 00:30 weekdays, 23:30 Sundays. First trains leave the suburbs at around 5:00.
The Bus System
Outside the center of London, Tube Stations are farther apart, so buses help fill the gaps. Also, the bus offers a cheaper alternative, even if it is a slower journey.
Cash fares for London buses have been abolished — you cannot pay cash. A bus fare costs £1.50 if people only use buses, and the fare is capped at £4.40 per day for Oyster or contactless card users.
Light Rail and Trains
You can think of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and the Tramlink as extensions of the Underground, Travelcards purchased at Tube Stations in East London. The DLR connects with a number of the other train services (including connections at Tower Hill or Bank Stations) and can be used to reach Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and Stratford.
River Services
There are a number of different routes along the River Thames. The faster commuter services operate all day from Greenwich Pier to Embankment and from Putney and Chelsea harbour to Blackfriars during Peak Hours only. These routes will pass a number of places of interest including the Houses of Parliament and London Bridge. A return fare from Putney to Blackfriars will cost about 12 pounds.
National Rail
Once you leave Central London or if you are traveling South of the River Thames, the best public transport option will often be National Rail. There are numerous connections to the Rail System from the Tube. Travelcards can be used for travel on the National Rail (but not the Heathrow Express). Oyster cards can be used up to Zone 6 except certain services including Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect and HS1.
1.When taking the London Underground, you _______.
A.should buy tickets with cash
B.can go to any place in London quickly
C.can save more money with a single ticket
D.are advised to take a bottle of water along on hot days
2.If you use river services along the River Thames, you will pass _______.
A.London Bridge B.Stratford
C.Canary Wharf D.Tower Hill
3.To travel South of the River Thames, it is recommended that you use _______.
A.the London Underground B.the Bus System
C.the DLR and the Tramlink D.National Rail
难度: 简单查看答案及解析
假定你是学生会主席李华,你校将举办主题为“祖国颂”的庆祝建国70周年文艺演出,你将邀请你的英国朋友Joe观看这场演出。请你写封邮件向他介绍有关情况,内容包括：
1．举办的时间和地点;
2．活动的目的;
3．活动的内容。
注意：
1．词数100左右;
2．可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯;
3．参考词汇：祖国颂Ode to Our Motherland;周年纪念日anniversary.
Dear Joe,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The concept of “the body” is closely related to the ideas of “illness” and “health”. 1. The main reasons for the differences are genetic, and the fact that people’s bodies change as they age. However, a huge range of research indicates that there are social factors too.
Poorer people are more likely to eat “unhealthy” foods, to smoke cigarettes and to be employed in repetitive, physically difficult work. 2. That is to say, the physical shapes of bodies are strongly influenced by social factors.
These social factors are also closely linked to emotional wellbeing. People with low or no incomes are more likely to have mental health problems. 3. For example, certain people with mental health issues may be at risk of becoming homeless, just as a person who is homeless may have an increased risk of illnesses such as depression.
4. Bodies are young or old, short or tall, big or small, weak or strong. Whether these judgements matter and whether they are positive or negative depends on the cultural and historical contexts. The culture, and media, of different societies promote very different valuations of body shapes. 5. Currently, in rich societies the idea of slimness is highly valued, but historically this was different. It is easy for people to feel undervalued because of factors they have no power to change, for example, their age and height. Equally, they can feel pressured into making changes to their appearance when there is a choice, which in some cases can lead to an unhealthy interest in weight loss. Therefore, sociologists are suggesting that we should not just view bodies and minds in biological terms, but also in social terms.
A.There are other types of social factors too.
B. All of these factors affect the condition of a person’s health.
C. Their housing conditions and neighbourhoods need to be improved.
D. What is considered as attractive or ugly, normal or abnormal varies greatly.
E. All of us exist in “bodies” of different shapes, heights, colours and physical abilities.
F. Social factors in general play an important role in the development of people’s body conditions.
G. It is not clear, however, whether the situation of being poor causes mental illness, or whether it is the other way around.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析
My parents managed to clear their debt before we moved to America. Neither of them spoke fluent English and neither had a professional career. Growing up, I was always aware of my family’s ________ financial situation. I also found that Iwas responsible for my parents’ hardships. I decided that my goal in life was to become successful, get a well-paying job and _______ them. So naturally, I took my studies seriously and worked hard to become an _________ high-achieving student. I dreamt to enroll in a top college to pursue greater knowledge. Like many students, I spent a lot of energy and time ______ my college resume. Despite my ______ schedule, I managed to complete the lengthy, complex______. I believed it, from essays to recommendation letter, was flawless—a guaranteed acceptance into this competitive program. But I had one last______ to overcome: to ______ mail the application. On the instruction sheet, it said in captalized , bold letters: “ WE DO NOT ACCEPT CERTIFIED MAIL(挂号信)”. I should have posted the application myself because it had special directions, but my father kindly insisted that he ______ it. I had my ______ because my parents didn’t speak great English, but I finally ______ and wrote the instructions for him.
While I was in school, my father sent me a text saying that he had finished the task______. He had found a worker at the post office to help him. I was ______. Yet, later, I found out that he had done one thing very______: he sent application as “certified mail”.
Right then and there, my perfect application became an automatic ______. But in the moment of despair and frustration and danger, I ______him. I locked myself in my room and sobbed until my face was covered in tears, my floor in used tissues. Then as I ______ my room, my father also came out of his. My mother, who was watching from a(n) ______ distance, joined the hug, and we three cried together. I knew my ______ need for success came from my selfless desire to make my parents happy, and my temporary hatred toward them was a result of my love for them. My intentions were pure, but things were ______ later. I’m just glad finally they were all straightened out.
1.A.total B.complex C.important D.difficult
2.A.leave B.value C.support D.request
3.A.equally B.immediately C.artificially D.academically
4.A.building B.copying C.applying D.posting
5.A.good B.tight C.daily D.proper
6.A.records B.worksheets C.program D.application
7.A.hope B.task C.shortcoming D.obstacle
8.A.freely B.easily C.frequently D.physically
9.A.take care of B.take notice of C.look for D.stand for
10.A.emotion B.sign C.concern D.favor
11.A.refused B.canceled C.regretted D.agreed
12.A.perfectly B.dramatically C.formally D.partly
13.A.disappointed B.delighted C.worried D.shocked
14.A.wrong B.fair C.satisfying D.confusing
15.A.force B.fright C.reject D.reply
16.A.abandoned B.accepted C.protected D.blamed
17.A.cleaned B.entered C.exited D.passed
18.A.ordinary B.careful C.individual D.safe
19.A.selfish B.correct C.necessary D.awful
20.A.simple B.wonderful C.twisted D.delayed
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Nowadays, it seems like everything is going digital. From news articles and recipes to yoga classes, you can find almost everything on the Internet. Many people find this way of life more 1. (convenience). Perhaps that’s why some people choose 2. (shop) for their clothes online.
With the click of a button, you can order anything you want, and have it 3. (deliver) directly to your front door. For someone with a busy lifestyle, this seems ideal. Firstly, online shopping can be far less stressful 4. hitting the high street shops. There are no huge crowds of people 5. boringly long queues. With online shopping, it’s just you and your computer. Secondly, online 6. (store) don’t have opening time and closing time. If you want to, you can even place an online shopping order at three o’clock in the morning!
However, there are also several cons. With online shopping, you can’t try before you buy, which 7. (be) a clear disadvantage. When your new clothes arrive, you may find they don’t fit very 8. (perfect). It’s always 9. (annoy) when a dress is a little too big, or when sleeves are awkwardly short. Sometimes, the clothes are not 10. you are expecting. A piece of clothing might look great in photos online, but quite different in real life.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
China and Western country may have different cultural beliefs about certain animals. But when it comes to pigs, we somehow reach an agreement that pigs are lazy, ugly, stupidly and shameless. Neither of these words describing pigs are exactly positive. Moreover, the truth is what pigs have some good qualities. And there’s probably no good time to clear their names than now, with the arrival of the Year of the Pig on Chinese Spring Festival, which fell February 5 this year. According to a paper publishing in 2017, pigs can tell between those who treat them well or those who don’t. Perhaps these are the qualities of pigs to keep it in mind—their intelligence, cuteness and patience.
难度: 困难查看答案及解析