Anyone for rocket salad? The Chinese are now ...

Anyone for rocket salad? The Chinese are now growing huge vegetables from seeds they sent into space.

If you are the type who worries about the air miles travelled by fruits and vegetables, these beauties aren’t for you. It's because they have travelled a little further than most.

The seeds from which they grew were fired into space,  where they orbited the earth for two weeks. Once they returned they   were grown in hothouses, producing the monster kinds seen here.

China, which is behind these space fruits and vegetables, says they could be the answer to the world's food crisis.

The 21-pound tomatoes, nine-inch chillies,   15-stone pumpkins and large watermelons growing at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ hothouses   can feed many more than their smaller cousins, and may have more nutrients, the scientists say.

Researcher Lo Zhigang said, "Traditional agricultural development has taken us as far as we can go and demand for food from a growing population is endless. Space seeds offer the opportunity to grow fruits and vegetables bigger and faster. "

He admitted he and his colleagues could not explain why time in orbit caused the seeds to change genetic structure. But they guessed exposure to the cosmic（宇宙的）radiation that attacked the spacecraft in orbit, as well as   the near zero gravity conditions, microgravity, could play a part.

"We don't think there's any threat to human health because the genes themselves do not change; just their order changes," he said. "With genetically-modified（GM）crops you have seen environmental problems because they have added genes that can damage other organisms. But with space seeds they don't gain genes; they can only lose them. "

He also claimed the Vitamin C content in some space vegetables was nearly three times higher than in common vegetables, while levels of zinc are also increased.

Western scientists are doubtful. NASA researchers who have experimented with seeds in space say there is not enough benefit to show the cost is reasonable.

1.What do the underlined words "these beauties" in Paragraph 2 probably refer to ______?

A. Beautiful views along the air routes.

B. Travelling experiences in space.

C. Seeds fired into space.

D. Giant vegetables.

2.We can infer from Lo’s words in Paragraph 6 that _______.

A. our conventional agriculture has developed too slowly.

B. we are asking too much from nature

C. space seeds may help meet our demand for food

D. we'll grow crops in space in the future

3.Why the seeds changed their genetic structure _______.

A. remains to be proved

B. is discovered by Lo Zhigang

C. has something to do with the conditions in hothouses

D. is due to the radiation that attacked them directly

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A. Western scientists’ doubt is unreasonable.

B. Western scientists don’t believe that Chinese scientists have succeeded in the experiment.

C. Western scientists have proved space seeds to be of no benefit.

D. Western scientists think the cost of space seeds outweighs the benefits

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Anyone for rocket salad?        The Chinese are now growing huge vegetables from seeds they sent into space.

If you’re the type who worries about the air miles traveled by fruits and vegetables,  these beauties aren’t for you. It’s because they have traveled a little further than most.

The seeds from which they grew were fired into space, where they orbited the earth for two weeks. Once they returned they were grown in hothouses, producing the monster kinds seen here.

China, which is behind these space fruits and vegetables, says they could be the answer to the world’s food crisis.

The 21-pound tomatoes, nine-inch chilies, 15-stone pumpkins and large watermelons growing at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ hothouses can feed many more than their smaller cousins, and may have more nutrients, the scientists say.

Researcher Lo Zhigang said, “Traditional agricultural development has taken us as far as we can go and demand for food from a growing population is endless. Space seeds offer the opportunity to grow fruits and vegetables bigger and faster.”

He admitted he and his colleagues could not explain why time in orbit caused the seeds to change genetic structure. But they guessed exposure to the cosmic(宇宙的) radiation that attacked the spacecraft in orbit, as well as the near zero gravity conditions, microgravity, could play a part.

“We don’t think there’s any threat to human health because the genes themselves do not change; just their order changes,” he said. “With genetically-modified(GM) crops you have seen environmental problems because they have added genes that can damage other organisms. But with space seeds they don’t gain genes; they can only lose them.”

He also claimed the Vitamin C content in some space vegetables was nearly three times higher than in common vegetables, while levels of zinc are also increased.

Western scientists are doubtful. NASA researchers who have experimented with seeds in space say there is not enough benefit to show the cost is reasonable.

72. What do the underlined words “these beauties” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?

A. Beautiful views along the air routes.           B. Traveling experiences in space.

C. Seeds fired into space.                                     D. Giant vegetables.

73. We can infer from Lo’s words in paragraph 6 that       .

A. our conventional agriculture has developed too slowly

B. we are asking too much from nature

C. space seeds may help meet our demand for food

D. we’ll grow crops in space in the future

74. Why the seeds changed their genetic structure      .

A. remains to be proved

B. is discovered by Lo Zhigang

C. has something to do with die conditions in hothouses

D. is due to the radiation that attacked them directly

75. Comparing Gm crops and space crops, we can see that      .

A. space crops grow faster

B. space crops are more environmentally friendly

C. GM crops are less a threat to human health

D. GM crops have fewer nutrients

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Chinese GDP has been growing steadily year by year, _________ second in the world now.

A．to rank           B．ranked            C．ranking           D．ranks

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

— Now more and more Chinese senior students are applying for admissionto American universities through SAT．

—_______．But taking an SAT may cost more than 10,000 yuan．

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

We’ve used the wind as an energy source for a long time. The Babylonians and Chinese were using wind power to pump water for irrigating crops 4,000 years ago, and sailing boats were around long before that. Wind power was used in the Middle Ages, in Europe, to grind(磨碎) corn, which is where the term “windmill” comes from.

We can use the energy in the wind by building a tall tower, with a large propellor（螺旋桨） on the top. The wind blows the propellor round, which turns a generator to produce electricity. We tend to build many of these towers together, to make a “wind farm” and produce more electricity. The more towers, the more wind, and the larger the propellors, the more electricity we can make. It’s only worth building wind farms in places that have strong, steady winds, although boats and caravans（大篷车）increasingly have small wind generators to help keep their batteries charged.

The best places for wind farms are in coastal areas, at the tops of rounded hills, open plains and gaps in mountains — places where the wind is strong and reliable. Some are offshore. To be worthwhile, you need an average wind speed of around 25 km/h. Most wind farms in the UK are in Cornwall or Wales. Isolated places such as farms may have their own wind generators. In California, several “wind farms” supply electricity to homes around Los Angeles.

The propellors are large, to obtain energy from the largest possible volume of air. The blades can be angled to cope with varying wind speeds. Some designs use vertical turbines (垂直涡轮机), which don’t need to be turned to face the wind. The towers are tall, to get the propellors as high as possible, up to where the wind is stronger. This means that the land beneath can still be used for farming.

1.The first paragraph aims to introduce to us _______.

A. the function of wind power                  B. the source of wind power

C. the nations using wind power                            D. the history of using wind power

2.The best places for building the wind farm are places where _______.

A. boats and caravans can often be seen       B. isolated farms don’t have enough electricity

C. there are less human activities                     D. the wind is strong and reliable

3.We can infer from the passage that _______.

A. wind farms will not take up too much farming land

B. wind farms need no fuel because wind is free

C. the blades can be angled to turn to face the wind wherever it comes from

D. the higher and larger the towers are, the stronger the wind is

4.What can be a suitable title for the passage?

A. Where to build a wind farm.                        B. ABC of the using of wind energy.

C. How to make best use of wind.                    D. Wind energy is the best energy.

5.The underlined sentence in the last paragraph means______________________.

A. The blades can increase wind speeds

B. The blades can decrease the wind speeds

C. The speed of blades can be changed.

D. The blades can be adjusted to face different wind speeds

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

With a huge amount of food ________，all of the staff are busy preparing for the dinner tonight.

A．would serve       B．served            C．to serve           D．serving

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Why isn’t the man’s brother bringing Jennifer to the party?

A. They are divorced now.　　 B. They live very far away.　　 C. Jennifer broke her leg.

高二英语短对话简单题查看答案及解析

_________, I’ve never seen anyone who’s as capable as Kate.

A. As long as I have travelled B. Now that I have travelled so much

C. As I have travelled much D. Much as I have travelled

高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析

You’ve likely noticed them by now. School buses are back on the street packed with students. Many of those kids step off the buses with a potential health danger over their shoulder — a backpack filled with homework.

Backpacks come in all shapes, sizes and colors. It is a fun way for any girl or boy to express their styles. Some are simple, some covered with cartoon characters, many equipped with special compartments for every tool a student needs, like pencils, notebooks and books.

Yes, they are practical, but a heavy backpack can injure muscles and joints. Wearing a backpack incorrectly can lead to severe back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems. When a backpack filled with books is placed on a boy or girl’s shoulders incorrectly, the force of the weight can pull the child backward, so the child may bend their hips forward or arch their back.

Pay attention to detail when selecting a backpack; choose one that is equipped with a comfortable back, waist and wide shoulder straps. Narrow straps can dig into a child’s shoulders and affect circulation and nerves. The heavy load danger is not just for kids 12 and under. Middle and high school are at risk, too. They are carrying heavier books home daily.

Luckily, back pain created by backpacks is preventable. Parents should talk to their kids about lightening the load. You can even use a bathroom scale. The backpack should not weigh more than 10 percent to 15 percent of your child’s weight. If your child weighs 80 pounds, the pack should not weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds. If your child weighs 140 pounds, the pack should not be heavier than 21 pounds. Most importantly, if your child talks about numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, contact a physician.

1.What do students’ backpacks reflect according to paragraph 2?

A.Their hobbies. B.Their styles.

C.Their characters. D.Their needs.

2.What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A.Students’ heavy loads. B.Wearing backpacks incorrectly.

C.Dangers of heavy backpacks. D.Weight of heavy backpacks.

3.Which backpack is more suitable for a child weighing 100 pounds?

A.With wide shoulder straps weighing about 10 pounds.

B.With narrow shoulder straps weighing 16 pounds.

C.With wide shoulder straps weighing 20 pounds.

D.With narrow shoulder straps weighing 15 pounds.

4.Who are the intended readers of the text?

A.Children. B.Doctors.

C.Teachers. D.Parents.

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The market is a concept. If you are growing tomatoes in your backyard for sale you are producing for the market. You might sell some to your neighbor and some to the local manager of the supermarket. But in either case, you are producing for the market. Your efforts are being directed by the market. If people stop buying tomatoes, you will stop producing them.

If you take care of a sick person to earn money, you are producing for the market. If your father is a steel worker or a truck driver or a doctor or a grocer, he is producing goods or service for the market.

When you spend your income, you are buying things from the market. You may spend money in stores, supermarkets, gas stations and restaurants. Still you are buying from the market. When the local grocer hires you to drive the delivery truck, he is buying your labor in the labor market.

The market may be something abstract (抽象的). But for each person or business that is making and selling something, it is very concrete. If nobody buys your tomatoes, it won’t be long before you get the message. The market is telling you something. It is telling you that you are using energies and resources in doing something the market doesn’t want you to do.

1. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?

2.All of the following acts are producing for the market except________.

3.You are buying from the market when you________.

4.The word “concrete” in the last paragraph may most probably mean________.

高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析