Scientists have connected the “fat gene” with...

Scientists have connected the “fat gene” with the “happy gene”. They believed there could be genetic evidence which explains why fat people are often happier than their skinny friends. The breakthrough could be an explanation for why fat characters, such as The Laughing Policeman and Father Christmas are often described as joyful and kind.

FTO is the major genetic contributor to being fat. But it is also connected with an eight percent reduction in the risk of depression. Researchers at McMaster University in Canada had been studying whether there was a connection between being fat and being depressed. They found the opposite was true．

They studied 17,200 DNA from participants in 21 countries. Results showed people with FTO gene — the fat gene — showed less signs of depression. This finding was supported by three additional international studies.

Professor David Meyre said, “We set out from the belief that being depressed and being fat both deal with brain activity. We thought that fat genes may be related to depression. However, we have discovered a molecule (分子) contributing to depression. It is the first evidence that an FTO fat gene is connected with protection against depression.

In a recent interview, actress Lisa Riley said she was more than comfortable with her size. She said she is a “big, really happy” girl who is lucky enough to be confident in her own skin, and added, “Many people want to be thinner. Not me. I love being different and it drives me mad that people don’t believe I’m happy with what I am.”

1.According to the passage, FTO is ________.

A. a molecule connected with happiness　　 B. a kind of DNA from participants

C. a gene that contributes to depression　　 D. a gene which leads to being fat

2.According to what Professor David Meyre said, we can know ________.

A. his former beliefs were right

B. fat genes are connected with depression

C. there was no evidence for the role of an FTO fat gene in the protection against depression before

D. there should be more people involved in the study

3.By mentioning the actress Lisa Riley, the author aims to show that ________.

A. Lisa Riley is unhappy with her size　　 B. it’s not easy to be an actress

C. many people want to be thinner　　 D. fat people are really happier

4.The passage is likely to appear in ________.

A. a health magazine　　 B. a lesson plan

C. an advertisement　　 D. an amusement program

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Scientists in Argentina have created the world’s first cow with two human genes that will enable it to produce human-like milk.

Genetic engineering was used to introduce the "mothers’ milk" genes into the animal before birth, according to the National Institute of Agribusiness Technology in Buenos Aires.

As an adult, the cloned cow "will produce milk that is similar to that of humans", which will prove "a development of great importance for the nutrition of infants(婴儿)", said the institute. "The cloned cow, named Rosita ISA, is the first in the world with two human genes that contain the proteins present in human milk," said the statement.

In April, scientists in China published details of research showing that they had created dairy cows which produced milk containing proteins found in human breast milk. But the Argentine team said the Chinese only introduced one human gene, while their research involved two, meaning the milk will more closely resemble that of humans.

“Our goal was to raise the nutrition value of cows’ milk by adding two human genes, which do good to the immune system of infants,” said Adrian Mutto, from the National University of San Martin which worked with the institute.

Cristina Kirchner, President of Argentina, said that the scientific institute made all Argentines proud. She also said that she had refused the "honor" of having the cow named after her. "They came to tell me that the name is Cristina, but what woman would like to have a cow named after her? It appeared to me to be more proper to call it Rosita.”

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. The importance of genetic engineering.

B. Ways to improve mothers’ milk.

C. Advanced agricultural technology in Argentina.

D. A cloned cow to produce human-like milk.

2.Which of the following can best replace “more closely resemble” in Para 4?

A. have more varieties than

B. have more nutrition than

C. be more similar to

D. be more different from

3.What can be inferred from Cristina Kirchner’s statements?

A. She was quite satisfied with the research done by the institute.

B. She considered it an honor to name the special cow.

C. She felt it improper to be named after the cow.

D. She refused to give a name to the cow out of self-respect.

4.What’s Adrian Mutto’s attitude to the genetic engineering?

A. negative　　 B. supportive

C. indifferent　　 D. mixed

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to connect the brain with computers. Brain-computer Interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two scientists, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytehnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, showed a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person’s thoughts. In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

“Our brain has billions of body cells(细胞). These send signals through the spinal cord(脊髓) to the body part to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the body part.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with outer world and also to control machines.”

The scientists designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer finds meanings of the signals and commands the wheelchair with an engine. The wheelchair also has two cameras that tell objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.

Prof. Millan, the team leader, says “Scientists keep improving the computer software that finds meanings of brain signals and turns them into simple commands. The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two kinds: communication, and controlling objects. One example is this wheelchair.

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can get advantages from. And the other is to ensure that they can use the technology over a long period of time.

1.BCI is a technology that can _______.

A. help to update computer systems　　 B. control a person’s thoughts

C. help the disabled to recover　　 D. connect the human brain with computers

2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A. By controlling his muscles.　　 B. By using his mind.

C. By moving his hand.　　 D. By talking to the machine.

3.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 4?

A. scalp→cap→computer→wheelchair　　 B. computer→cap→scalp→wheelchair

C. scalp→computer→cap→wheelchair　　 D. cap→computer→scalp→wheelchair

4.The team will test with real patients to_______.

A. make money from them　　 B. prove the technology useful to them

C. make them live longer　　 D. learn about their physical condition

5.Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A. Scientists have been looking for ways to link the brain with computers.

B. The wheelchair designed by Millan and Tavella is directed by a person’s thoughts.

C. Spinal cord injuries can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the body part.

D. The wheelchair has been put in use and benefited real patients.

高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

The police have put up posters with photos of the man they ________ in connection with the killing of two customers inside an ATM cabinet.

A. seek　　 B. are seeking

C. have sought　　 D. were seeking

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

从方框中选出适当的短语，并用其正确形式填空。

1.She open the door ___________ the knock.

2.The number of people asking to go there is ____________.

3.The little boy ____________ little ____________ with his father.

4.Where is Jane? All of us ___________ her safety.

5.The police found that his escape from prison ___________the murder.

高二英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

Every thing on the news _____ a whole new meaning when you have a personal connection with the people.

A. takes up　　　　　　　　 B. takes on

C. takes away　　　　　　　　 D. takes off

高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (界面) (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two researchers, Jose Milan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated（展示）a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.

In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles,” Tavella says.　 “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices.”

The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.

Prof. Milan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair.”

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.

1. BCI is a technology that can _________________.

A. help to update computer systems

B. link the human brain with computers

C. help the disabled to recover

D. control a person's thoughts

2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A. By controlling his muscles.

B. By talking to the machine.

C. By moving his hand.

D. By using his mind.

3.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?

A. scalp→computer→cap→wheelchair

B. computer→cap→scalp→wheelchair

C. scalp→cap→computer→wheelchair

D. cap→computer→scalp→wheelchair

4. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled

B. New Findings about How the Human Brain Works

C. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center

D. Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated(展示) a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.

In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

"Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord(脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles, "Tavella says. "Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices."

The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.

Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. "The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair."

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.

1.BCI is a technology that can ________.

A. help to update computer systems

B. link the human brain with computers

C. help the disabled to recover

D. control a person's thoughts

2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A. By controlling his muscles.

B. By talking to the machine.

C. By moving his hand.

D. By using his mind.

3.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?

A. scalp →computer→ cap→ wheelchair

B. computer →cap→ scalp→ wheelchair

C. scalp →cap→ computer →wheelchair

D. cap →computer →scalp →wheelchair

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (界面) (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two researchers, Jose Milan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic schooling Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated(展示)a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.

In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

"Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord(脊髓)to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles," Tavella says.  "Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices."

The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.
     Prof. Milan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. "The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices.  One example is this wheelchair."

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.

1.BCI is a technology that can _________________.

A. help to update computer systems

B. link the human brain with computers

C. help the disabled to recover

D. control a person's thoughts

2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A. By controlling his muscles.

B. By talking to the machine.

C. By moving his hand.

D. By using his mind.

3.The team will test with real patients to  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________ .

A. make profits from them

B. prove the technology useful to them

C. make them live longer

D. learn about their physical condition

4.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center

B. New Findings About How the Human Brain Works

C. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled

D. Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

US scientists say they have poured cold water on the theory that washing hands with hot water kills more germs (细菌) than unheated water. The small study of 20 people found using water at 15℃ (59F) left hands as clean as water heated to 38℃ (100F).

National Health Service (NHS) recommends that people wash their hands in either cold or warm water. In this study, scientists at Rutgers University — New Brunswick wanted to find out if popular assumptions about the benefits of warm or hot water and official guidance on hot water — given to the food industry in the US — held true. They asked 20 people to wash their hands 20 times each with water that was 15℃ (59F), 26℃ (79F) or 38 degrees (100F). Volunteers were also asked to experiment with varying amounts of soap. Before they started the tests, their hands were covered in harmless bugs. Researchers say there was no difference in the amount of bugs removed as the temperature of the water or the amount of soap changed.

Prof Donald Schaffner said, “People need to feel comfortable when they are washing their hands but as far as effectiveness goes, this study shows us that the temperature of the water used did not matter.”

However, the researchers accept their study is small and say more extensive work is needed to determine the best ways to remove harmful bacteria.

In the UK, NHS experts say people can use cold or hot water to wash their hands. They say hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds and stress the importance of using enough soap to cover the whole surface of the hands. Their guidance focuses on rubbing hands together in various ways to make sure each surface of each hand is clean.

1.What does the underlined phrase “poured cold water” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A. Proved.

B. Contradicted.

C. Created.

D. Accepted.

2.After they washed their hands with either hot or cold water, _______.

A. volunteers all didn't feel very comfortable

B. volunteers all talked about American food industry

C. volunteers still had much germ on their hands

D. volunteers nearly had the same amount of germ removed

3.How do researchers feel about their study?

A. It is popular.

B. It is convincing.

C. It is incomplete.

D. It is abstract.

4.Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A. Using Cold Water Instead of Hot Water

B. How to Use Cold Water to Wash Hands

C. It’s Better to Wash Hands in Cold Water

D. Washing Hands in Cold Water as Good as in Hot Water

高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析