C “Over the years the unthinkable has become ...

C　　 “Over the years the unthinkable has become thinkable and today we sense we are close to being able to alter human heredity(遗传)．” These were the words of David Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology，on December 1st，when he opened a three­day meeting in Washington to discuss the morality and use of human gene editing．Dr Baltimore is an old hand at these sorts of discussions，for he was also a participant in the Asilomar conference，in 1975，which brought scientists together to discuss a safe way of using the then­new technology of recombinant DNA，and whose recommendations influenced a generation of biotechnology researchers．

Four decades on，the need for a similar sort of chin­wag　 has arisen．The International Summit on Human Gene Editing has been held by the national scientific academies of three countries—America，Britain and China．They are particularly concerned about whether gene editing should be used to make heritable changes to the human germ line，something Dr Baltimore described as a deep and troubling question．Like those of Asilomar，the conclusions of this meeting will not be binding．But the hope is that，again like Asilomar，a mixture of common sense and peer pressure will create a world in which scientists are trusted to regulate themselves，rather than having politicians and civil servants do it for them．The meeting is being held against a backdrop of rapid scientific advance．Since 2012 research into a new，easy­to­use editing tool called CRISPR­Cas9 has blossomed．This technique involves a piece of RNA (a chemical messenger，which can be used to recognise a target section of DNA) and an enzyme(酶) called a nuclease that can snip unwanted genes out and paste new ones in．

Public interest was aroused in April，when Chinese scientists announced they had edited genes in non­viable(无活力的) human embryos，and again in November when British researchers said they had successfully treated a one­year­old girl who had leukaemia(白血病)，using gene­edited T­cells．T­cells are part of the immune system that attack，among other things，tumour cells．The researchers altered T­cells from a healthy donor to encourage them to recognise and kill the patient's cancer，to make them immune to her leukaemia drug，and to ensure they did not attack her healthy cells．

In another recent development，a firm called Edit as Medicine，which is based in Cambridge，Massachusetts，has said it hopes，in 2017，to start human clinical trials of CRISPR­Cas9 as a treatment for a rare genetic form of blindness known as Leber congenital amaurosis(伯氏先天性黑蒙)．Though other companies are already testing gene­editing therapies，these employ older，clunkier forms of the technology that seem likely to have less commercial potential．Moreover，researchers at the Broad Institute，also in Cambridge，said this week that they had made changes to CRISPR­Cas9 which greatly reduce the rate of editing errors—one of the main obstacles to the technique's medical use．

On the subject of germ­line editing，Eric Lander，the Broad's head，told the meeting it would be useful only in rare cases and said it might be a good idea to “exercise caution” before making permanent changes to the gene pool．The need for caution is advice that might also be heeded by those pursuing work in animals other than people，and in plants—subjects not being covered by the summit．

1.Which of the following is TRUE about CRISPR­Cas9?

A．It has fewer side effects．

B．It can modify human gene．

C．It can protect immune system．

D．It has less commercial potential．

2.The underlined word “chin­wag” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by ________．

A．discussion

B．negotiation

C．argument

D．comparison

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Dr．Baltimore started his research on modifying gene in 1975．

B．Scientists' opinions about the use of gene editing are consistent．

C．CRISPR­Cas9 has been applied to cure Leber congenital amaurosis．

D．More research should be made before the technology comes into wide use．

4.This passage is most probably a ________．

A．science fiction

B．scientific report

C．conference summary

D．commercial advertisement

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

"Over the years the unthinkable has become thinkable and today we sense we are close to being able to alter human heredity œ#)." These were the words of David Baltimore of the California Institute of Technology, on December 1st, when he opened a three-day meeting in Washington to discuss the morality and use of human gene editing. Dr Baltimore is an old hand at these sorts of discussions, for he was also a participant in the Asilomar conference, in 1975, which brought scientists together to discuss a safe way of using the then-new tcchnology of recombinant DNA, and whose recommendations influenced a generation of biotechnology researchers.

Four decades on, the need for a similar sort of chin-wag has arisen. The International Summit on Human Gene Editing has been held by the national scientific academies of three countries — America, Britain and China. They are particularly concerned about whether gene editing should be used to make heritable changes to the human germ line, something Dr Baltimore described as a deep and troubling question. Like those of Asilomar, the conclusions of this meeting will not be binding. But the hope is that, again like Asilomar, a mixture of common sense and peer pressure will create a world in which scientists are trusted to regulate themselves, rather than having politicians and civil servants do it for them. The meeting is being held against a backdrop of rapid scientific advance, Since 2012 research into a new, easy-to-use editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 has blossomed. This technique involves a piece of RNA (a chemical messenger, which can be used to recognise a target section of DNA) and an enzyme (酶) called a nuclease that can snip unwanted genes out and paste new ones in.

Public interest was aroused in April, when Chinese scientists announced they had edited genes in non-viable ( 无活力的) human embryos, and again in November when British researchers said they had successfully treated a one-year-old girl who had leukaemia ( 白血病), using gene-edited T-cells. T-cells are part of the immune system that attack, among other things, tumour cells. The researchers altered T-cells from a healthy donor to encourage them to recognise and kill the patient's cancer, to make them immune to her leukaemia drug, and to ensure they did not attack her healthy cells.

In another recent development, a firm called Edit as Medicine, which is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has said it hopes, in 2017, to start human clinical trials of CRISPR-Cas9 as a treatment for a rare genetic form of blindness known as Leber congenital amaurosis (伯氏先天性黑蒙). Though other companies are already testing gene-editing therapies, these employ older, clunkier forms of the technology that seem likely to have less commercial potential. Moreover, researchers at the Broad Institute, also in Cambridge, said this week that they had made changes to CRISPR-Cas9 which greatly reduce the rate of editing errors — one of the main obstacles to the technique's medical use.

On the subject of germ-line editing, Eric Lander, the Broad's head, told the meeting it would be useful only in rare cases and said it might be a good idea to "exercise caution? before making permanent changes to the gene pool. The need for caution is advice that might also be heeded by those pursuing work in animals other than people, and in plants — subjects not being covered by the summit.

1.Which ofthe following is TRUE about CRISPR-Cas9?

A. It has fewer side effects.

B. It can modify human gene.

B. It can protect immune system.

D. It has less commercial potential.

2.The underlined word "chin-wag" in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by______

A. discussion B. negotiation

C. argument 　　 D. comparison

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A.Dr. Baltimore started his research on modiffing gene in 1975.

B. Scientists' opinions about the use of gene editing are consistent.

C. CRISPR-Cas9 has been applied to cure Leber congenital amaurosis.

D. More research should be made before the technology comes into wide use.

4.This passage is most probably a______.

A. science fiction　　　 B. scientific report

C. conference summary　 D. commercial advertisement

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Over the past few years, smart home tech has become more and more accessible and it's increasingly easy to find that you've bought a product that includes smart home features. So what does a modern smart home look like, and how can you start building one? You could get to start making your home smarter by the following gadgets.

Ecobee 4

*Measuring both occupancy and temperature, its sensors signal your Ecobee to automatically switch to the right mode.

*It only takes about 30 minutes, thanks to an easy-to-follow installation guide and an in-app step-by-step walkthrough.

*Easily adjust temperature using your voice with built-in Alexa or from wherever you are using your mobile devices.

Amazon Smart Plug

*Amazon Smart Plug works with Alexa to add voice control.

*Schedule lights, fans, and appliances to turn on and　 off automatically, or control them remotely when you're away.

*It's simple to set up and use. Plug in,　 open Alexa app, and start using your voice.

The Philips Hue White Smart Bulb

*It works with Amazon Alexa to support dimming through voice control.

*Schedule your own custom lighting scenes. Set the smart bulbs to turn on and off at a pre-set time.

*To install, simply screw(拧) the smart bulbs into your desired light location.

*Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App.

August Smart Lock Pro

*It works with Alexa for voice control(Alexa device sold separately).

*Control keyless access. It locks automatically behind you, and unlocks as you approach.

*Install in about 10 minutes with just a screwdriver(螺丝刀).

1.What do the four gadgets have in common?

A. Useful Philips Hue App.　　 B. Beautiful lighting scenes.

C. Easy installation and simple set-up.　　 D. Pleasant temperature.

2.This passage is intended to ________.

A. introduce the gadgets of smart home　　 B. provide advice for home decoration

C. compare the gadgets with others　　 D. show the popularity of the gadgets

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Over the past few years, smart home tech has become more and more accessible and it’s increasingly easy to find that you’ve bought a product that includes smart home features. So what does a modem smart home look like, and how can you start building one? You could get to start making your home smarter by the following gadgets.

Ecobee 4

* Measuring both occupancy and temperature, its sensors signal your Ecobee to automatically switch to the right mode.

* It only takes about 30 minutes. thanks to an easy-to-follow installation guide and an in-app step-by-step walkthrough.

* Easily adjust temperature using your voice with built-in Alexa or from wherever you are using your mobile devices.

Amazon Smart Plug

* Amazon Smart Plug works with Alexa to add voice control.

* Schedule lights, fans, and appliances to turn on and off automatically, or control them remotely when you’re away.

*It’s simple to set up and use. Plug in, open Alexa app, and start using your voice.

The Philips Hue White Smart Bulb

* It works with Amazon Alexa to support dimming through voice control.

* Schedule your own custom lighting scenes. Set the smart bulbs to turn on and off at a pre-set time.

To install, simply screw (拧) the smart bulbs into your desired light location.

* Control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App.

August Smart Lock Pro

* It works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately).

* Control keyless access. It locks automatically behind you, and unlocks as you approach.

* Install in about 10 minutes with just a screwdriver (螺丝刀) .

1.What do the four gadgets have in common?

A. Useful Philips Hue App. B. Beautiful lighting scenes.

C. Easy installation and simple set-up. D. Pleasant temperature.

2.This passage is intended to ________.

A. introduce the gadgets of smart home B. provide advice for home decoration

C. compare the gadgets with others D. show the popularity of the gadgets

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Believe it or not, the size of the human brain has become smaller over the past 20,000 years. Scientists argue over whether this means we are becoming more or less intelligent as a species.

“I’d call that a major downsizing in an evolutionary eye blink (眨眼),” John Hawks told Discover magazine.

Why is the brain becoming smaller?

There are different theories to explain it. One is that tens of thousands of years ago, before the decline began, to survive in cold and dangerous conditions, humans needed a stronger and larger body and therefore, a larger head. Also they had to chew the tough meat of rabbits, foxes and horses. As conditions improved, the brain stopped growing, according to supporters of this theory.

Another theory comes from a recent study by David Geary and Drew Bailey. They found that brain size decreased as population density(密度) increased.

“As complex societies appeared, the brain became smaller because people did not have to be as smart to stay alive.” Geary told AFP.

But smaller brain size does not necessarily mean that modern humans are less smart than their ancestors. “Modern humans simply developed different, more complex forms of intelligence,” said Brian Hare.

Hare’s studies focus on two types of great apes: chimpanzees and bonobos. Both are much like humans, but are physically quite different from one another. The bonobo has a smaller brain than the chimpanzee, and is also much less aggressive and more tolerant.

“When it comes to working out a problem,” Hare said, “chimpanzees are much less likely to accomplish it if it involves working together. Not so with bonobos.”

The smaller brain in modern humans may be evidence that we can cooperate,” Hare told the US National Public Radio.

1.Which of the following words can be used to replace the underlined word in Paragraph 2?

A. speed　　 B. increase

C. decline　　 D. change

2.We can learn from the passage that ____________.

A. the size of human brain has something to do with many factors

B. the brain size increases because of the increase of population density

C. the abilities of the bonobos and the chimpanzees are almost the same

D. modern humans can certainly do teamwork better than other species

3.According to Brian Hare, _____________.

A. bonobos are much likely to cooperate better than chimpanzees

B. chimpanzees tend to work well with others

C. modern humans are less smart their ancestors

D. small brains are certainly connected with intelligent beings

4.Which of following is probably the best title of the passage?

A. Bonobo or Chimpanzee—Which Smarter?

B. Smaller Brain--Less Intelligent?

C. Human and Animal—More Intelligent?

D. Human Brain-Why Downsizing?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Over the last 50 years, illegal trade in wildlife has become one of the greatest threats to our natural world. Traffickers (贩子) are exploiting communities in developing areas, driving them to illegally hunt down animals for their body parts. These criminal networks only pay a tiny portion of the final price they get for the animals they receive. Beautiful animals are shipped off to faraway markets, whole or apart.

Angry? We’ve barely started yet. The animal parts are being shipped along with weapons, drugs, even people". These heartless profiteers don’t care about the destruction they cause. Live animals are hidden during transport with no thought for their survival. Many of them don’t make it. Perhaps it’s a mercy when traffickers choose to kill and freeze the animals, before hiding them in the containers the size of a small bus. It’s not one or two animals here and there—it’s entire species that we are seeing driven towards extinction, lost forever from our global heritage. And for one reason alone: to put more money in the pockets of these criminals—whatever the cost.

Now, humans reap as they have sown. COVID-19 has “affected us all. It’s breaking our economies. It has sealed us in our homes and is attacking the weakest among us. In a short period? almost every person on the planet has been affected and we still don’t know the final toll. The source could well be these criminal profiteers. We don’t know for certain how the pandemic started. Some scientists suggest that the disease might have been transferred to a person from a pangolin (穿山甲) being traded illegally in one of these markets—these are most trafficked mammals in the world, with over a million consumed by the trade since 2000.

Yet we would never have imagined that these markets for body parts of wild animals would affect us in this way. It’s time to say “enough”. Dr, Rebecca Drury, Head of Wildlife Trade at Fauna & Flora International (FFI) says, We would like to see stronger action to stop illegal hunting, trafficking and consumption of illegally- sourced wildlife. It is no longer an option to ignore the dangers of illegal and unregulated wildlife trade and consumption, to human health and to healthy, functioning ecosystems needed for life on earth to thrive. We must ensure that the lessons from COVID-19 pandemic are applied to prevent repeats of this global crisis.

The governments of the world are doing what they can. But while bans are put in place, the greedy individuals driving the trafficking will try to use their illegal networks to keep selling, lining their pockets until they are stopped. It’s precisely because this is a trade that happens in the shadows, so we must stop it at source. That’s why FFI is raising funds—to help put a stop to this mean trade. To do so they are asking readers of The-Week to make an urgent contribution today.

1.What can we know from Paragraph 2?

A.Most of the live animals can’t survive the long trip.

B.Most of the live animals were killed and frozen during the trip.

C.Generally, the animal parts won’t shipped along with drugs or people.

D.Traffickers will give it a second thought when considering the cost of the trafficking.

2.What does the author want to convey mainly in Paragraph 3?

A.Humans are paying a price for the illegal animal trafficking.

B.COVID-19 has brought disasters to humans.

C.COVID-19 originates from the pangolin.

D.Scientists have known the transferring path of COVID-19.

3.Which of the following statement is TRUE?

A.Dr Rebecca Drury suggests stopping the trade of wildlife.

B.The most trafficked mammals in the world are the pangolin.

C.FFI is trying to find the source of the illegal wildlife trade.

D.Humans can prevent global crisis if they stop the illegal wildlife trade.

4.What is the purpose of the article?

A.To show us millions of endangered animals are being cruelly killed.

B.To confirm illegal wildlife trade threatens some of our beloved animals.

C.To discuss how to stop the trafficking.

D.To call on immediate action to end the illegal wildlife trade.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Chinese culture has become ______ interest for people all over the world since the Shanghai Expo and many foreigners are discovering ______ history of China .

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Chinese culture has become ______ interest for people all over the world since the Shanghai Expo and many foreigners are discovering ______ history of China ．

A．the ; x       B ．an ; the             C．an ; x           D．the ; the

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Over the past decade, cheating—an act of academic dishonesty—has become more and more common.

The latest statistics shows more than two thirds of high school students admitted cheating on an exam last year, and—even more surprising—often the best students cheat to get to the top of their class—and they don’t think it is wrong. It’s not a big deal. Everybody is doing it.

It is a big deal! Cheating is basically wrong and must be punished.

If students easily get away with it, they might be encouraged to do it again. They won’t realize that this—in the broadest sense—is an attack on our society, which is based on values like honesty and fairness. The present spreading of cheating indicates a loss of those values and cannot be tolerated. An appropriate punishment for cheating incidents would make students aware of their misbehavior.

If no one were punished for cheating, who would ever study for an exam? Tons of papers would be lifted from websites, writing crib sheets would be more important than reviewing the subjects, and highly sophisticated cheating arts would be invented. Knowledge would only exist on the Internet and on cleverly created cheat sheets, but not in the minds of the students—a rather bad precondition to enrich our society wisely and intelligently.

Students have to learn that they have to learn. Only doing what’s right will bring them a feeling of pride and accomplishment and create self-confidence—the building blocks for a successful and satisfying life and a society that keeps its values.

1.What is more surprising is that ________.

A．cheating is very common in schools

B．over 2/3 of the students cheat last year

C．even the best students cheat on exams

D．teachers are not aware of the problems

2.How do they make the students realize their misbehavior?

A．By letting them getting away with it.

B．By telling them what is right.

C．By catching them on the spot.

D．By giving them some punishment.

3.How can students create self-confidence?

A．By knowing they have to learn.

B．By doing what is right.

C．By learning the right things.

D．By being punished when cheating.

4.What does the underlined word “lifted” mean?

A．taken            B．removed          C．copied            D．written

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

In today's world, online social media has become more powerful and the most destructive thing over worldwide , although with time all generations have come to accept the changes social network has brought about, teenagers and young adults are the most enthusiastic users of these sites. According to various research studies in the field of online social networks, it has been revealed that these sites are impacting the lives of the youth greatly. When using these sites such as Twitter, Facebook or Myspace, there are both positive and negative effects on the youth.

Firstly, social media helps the youth and any other user updated with what is happening around the world, and helps the teenagers stay connected and interact with each other even if they are many miles apart. This strengthens their relationship. Even if they finished school and moved to different locations, they stay connected and update one another.

In addition, social media sites have provided a platform whereby the youth can create groups and pages based on their common discipline and end up building connections and opportunities for their respective careers by updating different topics to discuss. Youth who have been interviewed say that social media has become their lifestyle and it makes their lives easier and more efficient.

While on the one hand social network sites seem to bring people together and stay connected, on the other hand it causes many physical and mental health problems such as eyes infection, back problems, etc. Other negative effects of social networking various people suggested included encouraging poor spelling and grammar , exposing underage to online predators （捕食者）,allowing spread of misinformation that is seen as fact, decreasing productivity as those who are supposed to be working spend time in the sites to chat, providing a perfect platform for cyberbullying and providing details that increase risks of identity theft.

"The more social media we have, the more we think were connecting, yet we are really disconnecting from each other. " One researcher said.

In conclusion, social networking clearly portrays both positive and negative effects on the youth. It is the decision of individuals whether to use it in a right way or wrong.

1.Why do young people adopt the platform offered by social media sites?

A.To practice their debate skills.

B.To change their way of living.

C.To improve their academic performance.

D.To lay the foundation for their future careers.

2.It can be inferred that the main disadvantages of social networking may _______.

A.put young people in danger

B.allow spread of information

C.let out users' health problems

D.reduce the using of poor spelling

3.What is the passage mainly about?

A.The research on online social media.

B.The correct way to use online social media.

C.The introduction of online social media history.

D.The influence of online social media on the youth.

4.What is the authors attitude towards social media?

A.Disapproving. B.Objective.

C.Positive. D.Indifferent.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析