Scientists have discovered that living to the age of 100 may have nothing to do with the lifestyle you lead and everything to do with the type of genes you have.

For the lucky carriers of “Methuselah” genes, worries over smoking, eating unhealthily and not getting enough exercise may not be as necessary as to those of us without the special gene pattern.   The “Methuselah” genes could give extra protection against the diseases of old age such as cancer and heart disease. They could also protect people against the effects of the unhealthy lifestyles that we believe will lead us to an early death, scientists say. However, the genes are very rare.

The genes include ADIPOQ, which is found in about 10 percent of young people but in nearly 30 percent of people living past 100. They also include the CETP and the ApoC3 genes, which are found in 10 percent of young people, but in about 20 percent of people over 100 years old.

Some of those genes were discovered by a research group at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, led by Professor Nir Barzilai. The team studied the genes of over 500 people over 100 years old, and their children.

The studies show that tiny mutations (变异) in the make-up of some genes can greatly increase a person’s lifespan. Barzilai told a Royal Society conference that the discovery of such genes gave scientists clear targets for developing drugs that could prevent age-related diseases, allow people to live longer and stay healthy.

David Gems, a researcher at University College London, believes that drugs to slow ageing will become widespread.

“If we know which genes control longevity (长寿) then we can... target them with drugs. That makes it possible to slow down ageing,” he told The Times.

“Much of the pain and suffering in the world are caused by ageing. If we can find a way to reduce that, then we are obliged to take it.”

Which genes could give extra protection against the diseases of old age? (No more than 3 words) (2 marks)

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Whom did Barzilai’s team study? (No more than 10 words) (2 marks)

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What can greatly increase a person’s lifespan? (No more than 10 words) (3 marks)

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What can scientists do if they are aware which genes control longevity?(No more than 6 words) (3 marks)

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Stepfamilies are commonplace in the United States and their number continues to grow.While stepfamilies differ widely in their make-up, they all consist of a parenting couple and children, one or more of whom is of a previous union.Such combinations of his kids, her kids, and then, possibly, kids of the new union make for complicated and often trying difficulties, more challenging than those of traditional families.

       Since stepfamilies involve more people and, consequently, more potential problems from the start than do childless new marriage, it is wise for the couple to do some careful planning prior to (=before) marriage.Not only do the prospective(预期的) marital partners need agreement about their own carriers, life goals, finance and special interests, they must also prepare for new relationship with their children and attempt to accommodate their individual needs and feelings.Furthermore, there are often the rights of other relatives to consider.

       As for any family, the basic ingredient(成分) of a successful stepfamily are affection, kindness and mutual(相互的) respect.However, love alone is not enough.Certainly love is the cornerstone upon which the foundation of any family is built, but there are also many other important ingredients involved in building a successful stepfamily.

       Surveys reveal that successful families regard the ability to communicate openly as the most important factor in their success.Communication is what keeps families on track and functioning as a unit.Although healthy communication is easier for some people than for others, this skill can be learned and improved.Healthy communication involves speaking clearly and listening carefully.

       By their very nature, stepfamilies often are complicated by past events that give rise to ambivalent(矛盾的) loyalties, lingering(持久的) hurts, fears, feelings of guilt and unrealistic dreams.The difficulties that arise within the stepfamilies are human and understandable.However, there are ways to confront(面临) and resolve them.For example, support groups and professional counselors(法律顾问) are available in most communities to provide help and guidance when communications stopped and problems seem overwhelming(压倒性的).

       Planning and building a stepfamily is not a responsibility to take lightly.It can be a very trying and, at times, seemingly impossible effort.Many potential troubles can arise and threaten to destroy the stepfamily.Nevertheless, meeting and mastering these special challenges can bring unexpected satisfactions and rewarding depths of family closeness and affection.

According to the passage, there are      in the United States.

       A.no stepfamilies                       B.more stepfamilies than ever before

       C.fewer stepfamilies than ever before      D.fewer stepfamilies than traditional ones

Which of the following can help avoid the potential problems arising in a stepfamily?

       A.The pursuit of the same careers.        B.Professional interventions(干涉).

       C.The development of special interests.   D.Careful planning before the marriage.

Many people believe that      contributes most to the building of a successful stepfamily.

       A.everlasting loyalties              B.open communication

       C.kindness and mutual respect        D.persistent(持久稳固的) affection

It is natural for a stepfamily to be     .

       A.unrealistic     B.complicated          C.ambivalent           D.guilty

According to the author, planning and building a stepfamily is     .

       A.impossible                             B.satisfying and rewarding

       C.discouraging and frustrating                 D.a difficult and trying experience


E
In the old days, children were familiar with birth and death as part of life. Now this is perhaps the first generation of American youngsters who have never been close by during of the birth a baby and have never experienced the death of a family member.
  Nowadays when people grow old, we often send them to nursing homes. When they get sick, we send them to a hospital, where children are forbidden to visit patients— even when those patients are their parents. This deprives(剥夺)the dying patient of family members during the last few days of his life and it deprives the children of an experience of death, which is an important learning experience.
  Some of my colleagues and I once interviewed and followed about 500 in order to find out what they could teach us and how we could be of more benefit, not just to them but to the members of their families as well. We were most impressed by the fact that even those patients who were not told of their serious illness were quite aware of its potential outcome.
  It is important for family members, and doctors and nurses to understand these patients’ communication in order to truly understand their needs, fears and fantasies. Most of our patients welcomed another human being with whom they could talk openly, honestly, and frankly about their trouble. Many of them shared with us their reat need to be informed, to be kept up-to-date on their medical condition and to be told when the end was near. We found out that patients who had been dealt with openly and frankly were better able to deal with the coming of death and finally to reach a true stage of acceptance before death.
82.The elders of today's Americans________ .
  A. are often absent when a family member is born or dying
  B. usually see the birth or death of a family member  
C. are unfamiliar with birth and death
  D. have often experienced the fear of death as part of life
83.Children in America are deprived of the chance to________.
  A. visit a patient at hospital                                 B. visit their family members
  C. look after the patients                                              D. learn how to face death 
84.The need of a dying patient for people to accompany him shows________.
  A. his wish for communication with other people               
B. his fear of death
  C. his unwillingness to die                          
D. he feels very upset about his condition
85.It may be concluded from the passage that________.
  A. dying patients should be truthfully informed of their condition
  B. dying patients are afraid of being told of the coming of death
  C. most patients are unable to accept death until it can’t be avoided
D. dying patients are not likely to be informed about their condition         

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