Icy Microbes

1　In ice that has sealed a salty Antarctic lake for more than 2,800 years, scientists have found frozen bacteria and algae that returned to life after thawing. The research may help in the search for life on Mars, which is thought to have subsurface lakes of ice.

2　A research team led by Peter Doran of the University of Illinois at Chicago drilled through more than 39 feet of ice to collect samples of bacteria and algae. When Doran’s team brought them back and warmed them up a bit, they sprang back to life.

3　Doran said the microbes have been age-dated at 2,800 years old, but even older microbes may live deeper in the ice sheet sealing the lake, and in the briny water below the ice.¹ That deeper ice and the water itself will be cautiously sampled in a later expedition that will test techniques that may one day be used on Mars.

4　Called Lake Vida, the 4.5-square-kilometer body is one of a series of lakes located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, some ² ,200 kilometers due south2 of New Zealand. This lake has been known since the 1950s, but people ignored it because they thought it was just a big block of ice. While at the site for other research in the 1990s, Doran and his colleagues sent³ radar signals into the clear ice covering the lake and were surprised to find that 62 feet below there was a pool of liquid water that was about seven times more salty than seawater.

5　That prompted the researchers to return in 1996 with equipment to drill a hole down to within a few feet of the water layer. At the bottom of this hole, researchers harvested specimens of algae and bacteria.

6　The researchers will return in 2004 equipped with instruments that are sterilized. They will then drill through the full 62 feet of ice and sample some of the briny water from the lake for analysis. The water specimen will be cultured to see if it contains life. Specimens from the water are expected to be even older than the life forms extracted from the ice covering.

词汇： 

alga / ’ælgə/ n．水藻（复数algae）

thaw / θɔ: / v．解冻

briny / ’braɪnɪ/ adj．咸的，海水的

specimen / ’spesɪmɪn / n．样本，标本

sterilize / ’sterɪlaɪz / v．杀菌，消毒

culture / ’kʌltʃə(r)/ v．培养（微生物等）

注释：

1．... live deeper in the ice sheet sealing the lake, and in the briny water below the ice：in the ice sheet sealing the lake和in the briny water below the ice是介词短语，用作状语，修饰live。

2．due south：正南

3．While at the site for other research in the 1990s, Doran and his colleagues sent ... ：While at the site for other research in the 1990s是省略句，写全了就是：While Doran and his colleagues were at the site for other research in the 1990s ...

A　is found to be a great deal higher than that of seawater

B　was of little scientific value

C　may be older than that collected below 39 feet of ice

D　might have come from Mars

E　is to collect some briny lake water for analysisy

Scientists ignored Lake Vida because they thought that a lake of ice ________.

A:A B:B C:C D:D E:E F:F

Washoe Learned American Sign Language

1　An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and born in Africa died of natural causes late last month at the age of 42 at a research center in the American state of Washington. Washoe had become known in the scientific community¹ and around the world for her ability to use American Sign Language². She was said to be the first non-human to learn a human language. Her skills also led to debate³ about primates and their ability to understand language.

2　Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teaching Washoe sign language in 1966. In 1969, the Gardners described Washoe’s progress in a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grew to understand⁴ about 250 words. For example, Washoe made signs to communicate when it was time to eat. She could request foods like apples and bananas. She also asked questions like, “Who is coming to play?” Once⁵ the news about Washoe spread, many language scientists began studies of their own⁶ into this new and exciting area of research. The whole direction of primate research changed.

3　However, critics argued Washoe only learned to repeat sign language movements from watching her teachers. They said she had never developed true language skills. Even now, there are some researchers who suggest that primates learn sign language only by memory, and perform the signs only for prizes. Yet Washoe’s keepers disagree. Roger Fouts is a former student of the Gardners⁷. He took Washoe to a research center inEllensburg,Washington. There, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees, which are still alive.

4　Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe⁸ Washoe provided new information about the mental workings of chimpanzees. Today, there are not as many scientists studying language skills with chimps. Part of the reason is that this kind of research takes a very long time.

5　Debate continues about chimps’understanding of human communication. Yet, one thing is sure — Washoe changed popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence.

词汇： 

chimpanzee /,tʃɪmpæn’zi:/ n．黑猩猩

community / kə’mju:nɪtɪ/ n．社区，圈子

primate / ’praɪmeɪt / n．灵长类动物

critic / ’krɪtɪk / n．评论家，批评家

workingsn．活动，运行

chimp /tʃɪmp/ n．= chimpanzee

注释：

1．in the scientific community：在科学界，在科学家的圈子里

2．American Sign Language（ASL）：美国手语。利用手、脸部表情、身诔姿势表达思想的美国聋哑人语言。在加拿大、墨西哥等地也使用ASL。ASL与British Sign Language（BSL英国手语）不同，两者不能相互理解。

3．led to debate：引起辩论。lead to意为“导致”，to为介词，debate为名词。

4．she grew to understand about 250 words：她渐渐掌握约250个单词。grow to是“渐渐”的意思。

5．Once：—旦。Once是连接词。例：Children like to cycle once they have learned how.小孩一旦学会了如何骑自行车，就会喜欢上它。

6．of their own：属于自己的。of their own的含义与on their own不同，on their own是“独自”的意思。

7．the Gardners：Gardner夫妇

8．Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe ... ：像个体研究者Jane Goodall这样的科学家相信…like（像，跟……一样）是介词，本句的谓语是believe。句子中的private researcher意为“不受雇于任何单位，自己独立工作的科研人员。”

B　because she was cleverer than other chimps

C　when she wanted to eat

D　while she was at a research center in Ellensburg

E　because she could use sign language to ask for fruits

The experimenters thought Washoe was intelligent _____.

A:A B:B C:C D:D E:E F:F

Washoe Learned American Sign Language

    1　An animal that influenced scientific thought has died. A chimpanzee named Washoe and born in Africa died of natural causes late last month at the age of 42 at a research center in the American state of Washington. Washoe had become known in the scientific community¹ and around the world for her ability to use American Sign Language². She was said to be the first non-human to lean a human language. Her skills also led to debate³ about primates and their ability to understand language.

    2　Research scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner began teaching Washoe sign language in 1966. In 1969, the Gardners described Washoe’s progress in a scientific report. The people who experimented with Washoe said she grew to understand4 about 250 words⁴. For example, Washoe made signs to communicate when it was time to eat. She could request foods like apples and bananas. She also asked questions like, “Who is coming to play?” Once⁵ the news about Washoe spread, many language scientists began studies of their own⁶ into this new and exciting area of research. The whole direction of primate research changed.

    3　However, critics argued Washoe only learned to repeat sign language movements from watching her teachers. They said she had never developed true language skills. Even now, there are some researchers who suggest that primates learn sign language only by memory, and perform the signs only for prizes. Yet Washoe’s keepers disagree. Roger Fouts is a former student of the Gardners⁷. He took Washoe to a research center inEllensburg,Washington. There, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimpanzees, which are still alive.

    4　Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe⁸ Washoe provided new information about the mental workings of chimpanzees. Today, there are not as many scientists studying language skills with chimps. Part of the reason is that this kind of research takes a very long time.

    5　Debate continues about chimps’ understanding of human communication. Yet, one thing is sure — Washoe changed popular ideas about the possibilities of animal intelligence.

词汇：

chimpanzee /,tʃɪmpæn’zi:/ n．黑猩猩

community / kə’mju:nɪtɪ/ n．社区，圈子

primate / ’praɪmeɪt / n．灵长类动物

critic / ’krɪtɪk / n．评论家，批评家

workingsn．活动，运行

chimp /tʃɪmp/ n．= chimpanzee 黑猩猩

注释：

1．in the scientific community：在科学界，在科学家的圈子里

2．American Sign Language（ASL）：美国手语。利用手、脸部表情、身诔姿势表达思想的美国聋哑人语言。在加拿大、墨西哥等地也使用ASL。ASL与British Sign Language（BSL英国手语）不同，两者不能相互理解。

3．led to debate：引起辩论。lead to意为“导致”，to为介词，debate为名词。

4．she grew to understand about 250 words：她渐渐掌握约250个单词。grow to是“渐渐”的意思。

5．Once：—旦。Once是连接词。例：Children like to cycle once they have learned how.小孩一旦学会了如何骑自行车，就会喜欢上它。

6．of their own：属于自己的。of their own的含义与on their own不同，on their own是“独自”的意思。

7．the Gardners：Gardner夫妇

8．Scientists like private researcher Jane Goodall believe ... ：像个体研究者Jane Goodall这样的科学家相信…like（像，跟……一样）是介词，本句的谓语是believe。句子中的private researcher意为“不受雇于任何单位，自己独立工作的科研人员。”

B because she was cleverer than other chimps

C when she wanted to eat

D while she was at a research center in Ellensburg

E because she could use sign language to ask for fruits

The experimenters thought Washoe was intelligent _____.

A:A B:B C:C D:D E:E F:F

I recently went to a charity party At the of visit our hast told us that the parting Monday was his birthday he asked(21)as a gift to him, We would do something kind for someone else on that day. I thought that was a terrible birthday(22) 　　The following Monday, I saw my neighbor a new mother, in the garden with her baby. I went outside to say”hello”to her. During the talk, she told me, not in a complaining(23)but just as a matter of fact, about the sleeplessness and challenges to get anying done with a baby followed by. In(24)the charity party hast`s reguest and said, “hey! Why don`t (25)watch your take an hour to youself.” 　　She was so surprised that she came outside with a smile on her face.”I have(28)so much done!”she told me,and I told her that I had sang every kid`s song I knew and had a good time hanging out with the baby,too. And I was so happy to see her smiling like that. 　　It was one of the best(29).I`ve ever given, and it has given me the desive to ask the same(30)all my friends the year.I know it will make me feel great to know my friend this year.I know it will make me feel great to know my friends are out there sharing their wisdom and time with people who can really use it.

A:asked B:thought C:remembered D:teminded

Long ago, in a small village of Wakefield lived two farmers, Harry and Peter. Harry was very hard-working while Peter was (1) Every day Harry got up early and came home late, but Peter walked around for fun.One summer there was no (2) and the crops were dying. Harry thought, "I must do something to save these crops, or they shall die." With this (3) in mind, he went out to find a river so that he could dig a canal to his field. He walked on and on, feeling tired and thirsty. After a (4) search, he found a river full of blue water. He was very happy. He started digging a canal to his field. (5) it was noon his wife sent their daughter to bring Harry home (6) lunch. But Harry did not go. He did not want to leave his work unfinished. He completed his work (7) at night. He was very satisfied. He went home, had a good meal and (8) into a sound sleep.Peter did the same. But he was not at all determined. He also (9) digging a canal to his field but he didn’t have his work completed. His field did not get (10) water and all his crops died.Harry’s field would be watered when needed. He had a good harvest because of his hard work.第（3）空应选择（）

A:feeling B:dream C:problem D:thought

The idea that some groups of people may be more intelligent than others is one of those hypotheses that dare not speak its name. But Gregory Cochran is (1) to say it anyway. He is that (2) bird, a scientist who works independently (3) any institution. He helped popularize the idea that some diseases not (4) thought to have a bacterial cause were actually infections, which aroused much controversy when it was first suggested.
(5) he, however, might tremble at the (6) of what he is about to do. Together with another two scientists, he is publishing a paper which not only (7) that one group of humanity is more intelligent than the others, but explains the process that has brought this about. The group in (8) are a particular people originated from central Europe. The process is natural selection.
This group generally do well in IQ test, (9) 12-15 points above the (10) value of 100, and have contributed (11) to the intellectual and cultural life of the West, as the (12) of their elites, including several world-renowned scientists, (13) . They also suffer more often than most people from a number of nasty genetic diseases, such as breast cancer. These facts, (14) , have previously been thought unrelated. The former has been (15) to social effects, such as a strong tradition of (16) education. The latter was seen as a (an) (17) of genetic isolation. Dr. Cochran suggests that the intelligence and diseases are intimately (18) . His argument is that the unusual history of these people has (19) them to unique evolutionary pressures that have resulted in this (20) state of affairs.

A:thought B:sight C:cost D:risk

Passage Three

A:they thought the tree was useless B:they thought the tree was going to die C:they had changed their belief D:they had no other ways to deal with their problems

When I was young, my parents ran a snack bar in our small town.One evening in early April, my mother told me to fill in at the snack bar (1) a worker who had the flu. I told her I would mess it up, (2) I had never worked at the bar before. I (3) that instead of making money, I would end up owing it."You can do it," said my mother," (4) , you won’t get much business until lunch. ""But I’ll never remember the orders, and I’m no good (5) money. Please, Mom, don’t (6) me."Then I’ll help you", she said.I shrugged my shoulders. I thought my mother’s (7) was a bad one, but I (8) .When I got to the bar the next day, I found my mother was (9) . Because the weather that day was rainy and cold, people wanted hot snacks and drinks. (10) , I was really slow at taking the orders and making change. The line of people grew, and everybody seemed (11) , I was so nervous that my hands shook, and I (12) a cup into pieces. What a mess! Then my mother came to (13) me, and she also showed me how to make (14) . If someone gave me $ 5 for something that cost $ 3.25, I handed over (15) quarters and a dollar and said, "75 cents makes four dollars, plus one dollar makes five. " Things went more (16) after that.By the end of the day, I could remember orders, (17) the bill, and make change quickly with a smile. I was even a little (18) when the sun came out and dried up business. My mother said she was proud of me, and when she (19) that I work at the snack bar again next year, I did not even shrug. I was too busy (20) the restaurant I would open one day.
 

A:thought B:stated C:announced D:suggested