How long you live has a lot to do with your environment and lifestyle, but exceptional longevity may have even more to do with your genes. For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic recipe that accurately predicts who may live to 100 and beyond. Scientists led by Dr. Thomas Perls at the Boston University School of Medicine conducted a genetic analysis of more than 1,000 centenarians and their matched controls and found 150 genetic variants--or bits of DNA--that differed between the two groups. These variants identified people who lived to a very old age (past 100) with 77% accuracy, researchers found.
Further analysis identified 19 distinct genetic profiles associated with extremely long life; 90% of participants who lived to 100 possessed at least one of the signature genetic clusters. Each profile appeared to confer a different tendency to develop common age-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease or brain disorder. "We realize this is a complex genetic puzzle," Perls said. "We’re quite a ways away still in understanding how the integration of these genes--not just with themselves but with environmental factors--are playing a role in this longevity puzzle."
Perls has studied many factors that contribute to longevity, and he is the first to acknowledge that living longer isn’t likely to be simply a matter of genes. His previous work has shown, for example, that among most elderly people who live into their 70s and 80s, about 70% of their longevity can be ascribed to environmental factors such as not smoking; eating a healthy, low-fat, low-calorie diet; and remaining socially engaged and intellectually active throughout life.
Still, it seems clear that those who live to an exceptionally ripe old age are benefiting from a special DNA boost. In fact, Perls believes that the older a person gets, the more likely it is that his or her genes are contributing to those extended years. His current genetic findings support that theory: the 19 most common genetic profiles that distinguished the exceptionally long-lived appear to be correlated with lower incidence of certain diseases. For example, some profiles were associated with lower rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, while another was linked to a reduced risk of brain disorder.
Although most of us can’t expect to become centenarians, Perls is hoping that his work will lead to better ways--perhaps through pharmaceutical interventions based on the genetic clues to longevity--to help more of us live like them.
By analysing the genes of centenarians, scientists found that

A:environment and lifestyle contribute much to longevity. B:centenarians’ genes are the same as other people. C:many genetic variants may identify centenarians. D:19 genetic profiles of centenarians are different from others.

Text 4 　　When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned. 　　Why is that To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged. 　　Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes. 　　The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need. 　　There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60,000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%. 　　Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues. 　　But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015,is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition’s spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of large-scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would_______.

A:lower the costs of registered providers B:lessen the impact of government interference C:contribute to funding new developments D:relieve the ministers of responsibilities

Traditionally, universities have carried out two main activities: research and teaching. Many experts would argue that both these activities play a critical role in serving the community. The fundamental question, however, is how does the community want or need to be served
In recent years universities have been coming under increasing pressure from both the governments and the public to ensure that they do not remain "ivory towers" (象牙塔) of study separated from the realities of everyday life. University teachers have been encouraged, and in some cases compelled, to provide more courses which produce graduates with the technical skills required for the commercial use. If Aristotle wanted to work in university in the UK today, he would have a good chance of teaching computer science but would not be so readily employable as a philosopher.
A post-industrial society requires large numbers of computer programmers, engineers, managers and technicians to maintain and develop its economic growth but "man", as the Bible says, "does not live by bread alone." Apart from requiring medical and social services, which do not directly contribute to economic growth, the society should also value and enjoy literature, music and the arts. In these cost-conscious times, it has even been pointed out in justification for the funding of the arts that they can be useful money earners. A successful musical play, for instance, can contribute as much to the Gross National Product through tourist dollars as any other things.

According to the passage, literature, music and the arts （　）

A:contribute directly to economic growth B:are as necessary to man as medical and social services C:are justified since they bring profits D:are a good way of earning money

Traditionally, universities have carried out two main activities: research and teaching. Many experts would argue that both these activities play a critical role in serving the community. The fundamental question, however, is how does the community want or need to be served
In recent years universities have been coming under increasing pressure from. both the governments and the public to ensure that they do not remain "ivory towers(象牙塔)" of study separated from the realities of everyday life. University teachers have been encouraged, and in some cases constrained (强逼), to provide more courses which produce graduates with the technical skills required for the commercial use. (78) If Aristotle wanted to work in a university in the UK today, he would have a good chance of teaching computer science but would not be so readily employable as a philosopher.
A post-industrial society requires large numbers of computer programmers, engineers, managers and technicians to maintain and develop its economic growth but "man", as the Bible says, "does not live by bread alone." (79) Apart from requiting medical and social services which do not directly contribute to economic growth, the society should also value and enjoy literature, music and the arts. Because they can also promote economic growth. A successful musical play, for instance, can contribute as much to the Gross National Product through tourist dollars as any other things.
According to the passage, literature, music and the arts______

A:do not contribute to economic growth at all B:are less useful to the society because they do not make direct contribution to economic growth C:are similar to medical and social services in their way of promoting economic growth D:should develop only when they are good for economic growth

Traditionally, universities have carried out two main activities: research and teaching. Many experts would argue that both these activities play a critical role in serving the community. The fundamental question, however, is how does the community want or need to be served
In recent years universities have been coming under increasing pressure from. both the governments and the public to ensure that they do not remain "ivory towers(象牙塔)" of study separated from the realities of everyday life. University teachers have been encouraged, and in some cases constrained (强逼), to provide more courses which produce graduates with the technical skills required for the commercial use. (78) If Aristotle wanted to work in a university in the UK today, he would have a good chance of teaching computer science but would not be so readily employable as a philosopher.
A post-industrial society requires large numbers of computer programmers, engineers, managers and technicians to maintain and develop its economic growth but "man", as the Bible says, "does not live by bread alone." (79) Apart from requiting medical and social services which do not directly contribute to economic growth, the society should also value and enjoy literature, music and the arts. Because they can also promote economic growth. A successful musical play, for instance, can contribute as much to the Gross National Product through tourist dollars as any other things.

According to the passage, literature, music and the arts（）

A:do not contribute to economic growth at all B:are less useful to the society because they do not make direct contribution to economic growth C:are similar to medical and social services in their way of promoting economic growth D:should develop only when they are good for economic growth

Passage 2

According to the passage, literature, music and the arts______

A:do not contribute to economic growth at all B:are less useful to the society because they do not make direct contribution to economic growth C:are similar to medical and social services in their way of promoting economic growth D:should develop only when they are good for economic growth

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to happiness?

A:A well-paid job. B:Very poor health. C:A loving affectionate relationship. D:A good education.

? ?The Pentagon, headquarters of the Department of Defence in US, is one of the world’s largest office buildings. It is twice the size of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, and has three times the floor space of the Empire State Building in New York. There are very few people throughout the United States who do not have some knowledge of the Pentagon. Many have followed news stories emanating from the defence establishment housed in this building. However, relatively few people have had the opportunity to visit.
? ?The Pentagon is virtually a city in itself. Approximately 23,000 employees, both military and civilian, contribute to the planning and execution of the defence of the country. These people arrive daily from Washington, D.C. and its suburbs over approx imately 30 miles of access highways, including express bus lanes and one of the newest subway systems in the country. They ride past 200 acres of lawn to park approximately 8,770 cars in 16 parking lots; climb 131 stairways or ride 19 escalators to reach offices that occupy 3,705 square feet. While in the building, they tell time by 4,200 clocks, drink from 691 water fountains, utilize 284 rest rooms, consume 4,500 cups of coffee, 1,700 pints of milk and 6,800 soft drinks prepared or served by a restaurant staff of 230 persons and distributed in 1 dining room, 2 cafeterias, 6 snack bars, and an outdoor snack bar. The restaurant service is a privately run civilian operation under contract to the Pentagon.
? ?Stripped of its occupants, furniture and various decorations, the building alone in an extraordinary structure. Built during the early years of World War Ⅱ, it is still thought of as one of the most efficient office buildings in the world. Despite 17.5 miles of corridors it takes only seven minutes to walk between any two points in the building.

Which of the following statements about the Pentagon is true?

A:Most Americans know about it. B:It is now open to the public. C:Around 23,000 workers contribute to its planning. D:It is one of the world’s tallest buildings.

Theorists contribute to ______.

Jack contributed fifty dollars, but he wishes he could contribute______.

A:one other fifty dollars B:the same amount also C:another fifty D:more fifty dollars