Can people change their skin color without suffering like pop king Michael Jackson? Perhaps yes．Scientists have found the gene that determines skin color．
The gene comes in two versions, one of which is found in 99 per cent of Europeans．The other is found in 93 t0 100 per cent of Africans, researchers at Pennsylvania State University report in the latest issue of Science．
Scientists have changed the color of a dark - striped zebrafish(斑马鱼)to uniform gold by inserting a version of the pigment(色素)gene into a young fish．As with humans, zebrafish skin color is deter-mined by pigment cells，which contain melanin(黑色素)．The number, size and darkness of melanin perpigment cell determine skin color．
It appears that, like the golden zebrafish, light - skinned Europeans also have a mutation(变异)in the gene for melanin production．This results in less pigrnented skin．
However, Keith Cheng, leader of the research team, points out that the mutation is different in hu-man ancl zebrafish genes．
Humans acquired dark skin in Africa about 1.5 million years ago to protect bodies from ultra - violetrays of the sun．which can cause skin cancer．
But when modem humans leave Africa to live in northem latitudes, they need more sunlight on their skin to produce vitamin D．So the related gene changes, according to Cheng．
Asians have the same version of the gene as Africans, so they probably acquired their light skin through the action of some other gene that affects skin color, said Cheng．
The new discovery could lead to medical treatments for skin cancer．lt also could lead to research in-to ways to change skin color without damaging it like chemical treatment did on Michael Jackson．
(1)
Scientists have done an experiment on a dark -striped zebrafish in order to
[ ]
A．
fincl the different genes o humans'
B．
prove the humans' skin color is determined by the pigment gene
C．
find out the reason why the Africans' skin color is dark
D．
fincl out the ways of changing people's skin color
(2)
lt can be inferred from the passage that ________．
[ ]
A．
nowadays people who want to change their skin color have to suffer 8 lot from the damage caused by the chemical treatment
B．
Europeans and Africans have the same gene
C．
the new discovery could help to find medical treatments for skin cancer
D．
there are two kinds of genes
(3)
The passage mainly tells us that ________．
[ ]
A．
scientists have found out that people's skin color is determined by the gene
B．
the new discovery could lead to research into ways to change skin color safely
C．
pop king Michael Jackson often changed his skin color as he liked
D．
people can not change their skin color without any pain
(4)
The reason why Europeans are light - skinned is probably that ________．
[ ]
A．
they are bom light - skinned people
B．
light - skinned Europeans have mutation in the gene for melanin production
C．
they have fewer activities outside
D．
they pay much attention to protecting their skin
(5)
The writer's attitude towarcls the discovery is ________．
Israeli paintings－Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman will hold a personal show named “Flock of Sheep” from November 26 to December 20 at the China National Art Museum．On show are 550 colorful oil paintings of sheep heads．
His works have been on show in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and Tate Gallery in London over the past 30 years．
Time：9∶00 a. m.－4∶00 p. m., November 26-December 20．
Place：China National Art Museum,1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing．
Tel：6401-2252
Russia Ballet－The Kremlin Ballet from Russia will perform two immortal classical ballets－“Swiss Lake” and “The Nutcracker”－at the Beijing Beizhan Theatre．Set up in 1990, the theatre has a number of first-class ballet dancers with pride．Most of their performances are classical．
Time：7∶15 p. m., December 5 and 6(“Swan Lake”); 7∶15 p. m., December 7(“Nutcracker”)
Folk concert－The Central Conservatory of Music(音乐学院)will hold a folk concert in memory of the late musician Situ Huacheng．
On the programme are many popular folks such as “Moon Night on the Bamboo Tower” “Celebrating Harvest” “Deep and Lasting Friendship” “Golden Snake Dancers Wildly”, and “Children?s Holiday”．
Time：7∶30 p. m., November 25．
Place：Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhua Street．
Tel：6605-5812
(1)
If a child is very fond of dancing, his parent should take him to ________．
[ ]
A．
China National Art Museum
B．
Beizhan Theatre
C．
Beijing Concert Hall
D．
1 Wusi Street
(2)
Menashe Kadishman is well known for painting ________．
[ ]
A．
deer
B．
birds
C．
sheep
D．
flowers
(3)
Which of the following is TRUE?
[ ]
A．
The folk concert will last three days．
B．
The ballet “The Nutcracker” will be put on once．
C．
The Israeli paintings will be on show for a month．
D．
China National Art Museum lies in Xicheng District．
(4)
If you dial the telephone number 6605-3388 on Dec．8, you can ________．
[ ]
A．
go to the folk concert
B．
visit the Art Museum
C．
watch the ballet
D．
none of the above
阅读理解
ISC(HS)Reference No．S006864 New South Wales
Student Date of Birth：19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone：(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax：(612)9212 6721
http：//www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa．It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions：You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you：
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with：
－a parent
－a custodian(监护人); or
－a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character．
Note：You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider．
You must obey the following rules：
1．During term time you must：
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts．
2．On weekends you must：
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting．
3．You must return your guardian's telephone calls．
This will be your only warning．If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs．Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa．Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment．
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A．
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa．
B．
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again．
C．
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor．
D．
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations．
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A．
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents．
B．
He is required to come home every night according to the rules．
C．
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted．
D．
His student Visa has been cancelled．
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A．
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133．
B．
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs．
C．
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training．
D．
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007．
