American farmers first planted genetically engineered(GE)crops in 1996.Today eighty percent of the cropland for soybeans, corn and cotton in the United States is transgenic(转基因的).Genetic engineering adds or changes genes in a plant to produce desired qualities.
The United States is one of the twenty-five countries where farmers planted genetically engineered crops in 2009.An agricultural biotechnology group says GE crops planting decreased in Europe.But the amount of cropland planted with GE crops rose by about seven percent worldwide.
The National Research Council, part of the National Academies in Washington, recently published a study.The study examined how genetically engineered crops have affected farming in the United States.It found that many farmers have better harvests, better weed control and fewer losses from insect damage compared to traditional crops.
LaReesa Wolfenbarger is a University of Nebraska biology professor and a member of the committee that wrote the report.She says they found that genetically engineered crops can be better for the environment.
LaReesa Wolfenbarger:“In general, we find that genetically engineered crops have had fewer harmful effects on the environment than non-GE crops produced conventionally.”
For example, she noted that crops designed to resist damage by glyphosate(草甘膦)need fewer pesticides(杀虫剂).Glyphosate is a chemical used in weed killing products.
But some farmers have used so much glyphosate that a number of kinds of weeds can now resist it.David Ervin of Portland State University in Oregon led the committee that wrote the report.Professor Ervin says this means that some farmers are again using more poisonous herbicides(除草剂)to control weeds.He says the problem needs immediate attention.
Earlier this year, a professor at the University of Western Australia commented on the overuse of glyphosate.Stephen Powles wrote about it in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States.He said glyphosate is as important in worldwide food production as penicillin(青霉素)is in medicine for fighting disease.He called for better use of glyphosate-resistant crop technology.
(1)
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
The amount of cropland planted with GE crops increased by seven percent in the US.
B.
The amount of cropland planted with GE crops decreased in Europe.
C.
American farmers first planted GE crops two decades ago.
D.
Eighty percent of the crops in the US are transgenic.
(2)
In comparison with traditional crops, GE crops __________.
[ ]
A.
need better soil
B.
need more glyphosate
C.
can resist insect attacks better
D.
are more likely to be bothered by weeds
(3)
According to David Ervin, __________.
[ ]
A.
to control weeds is quite easy
B.
glyphosate is of little use to planting
C.
glyphosate is as important as penicillin
D.
people should attach great importance to the overuse of herbicides
Below is a page adapted from an English dictionary.
stick
verb(stuck, stuck)
push sth in
[+adv./prep.] to push sth, usually a sharp object, into sth; to be pushed into sth:[VN] The nurse stuck the needle into my arm.◆ Don't stick your fingers through the bars of the cage.◆ [V] I found a nail sticking in the tyre.
attach
[+adv./prep.] to fix sth to sth else, usually with a sticky substance; to become fixed to sth in this way:[VN] He stuck a stamp on the envelope.◆ We used glue to stick the broken pieces together.◆ I stuck the photos into an album.◆ [V] Her wet clothes were sticking to her body.◆ The glue's useless-the pieces just won't stick.
put
[VN +adv./prep.](informal)to put sth in a place, especially quickly or carelessly:Stick your bags down there.◆ He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled off.◆ Can you stick this on the noticeboard? ◆ Peter stuck his head around the door and said, 'Coffee, anyone?' ◆(spoken)Stick 'em up!(=put your hands above your head-I have a gun)
become fixed
[V]~(in sth)to become fixed in one position and impossible to move:The key has stuck in the lock.◆ This drawer keeps sticking.
difficult situation
(BrE, informal)(usually used in negative sentences and questions)to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation or person:[VN] I don't know how you stick that job.◆ They're always arguing-I can't stick it any longer.◆ The problem is, my mother can't stick my boyfriend.◆ [V -ing] John can't stick living with his parents.
become accepted
[V] to become accepted:The police couldn't make the charges stick(=show them to be true).◆ His friends called him Bart and the name has stuck(=has become the name that everyone calls him).
[V] to not take any more cards
Idioms:stick in your mind(of a memory, an image, etc.)to be remembered for a long time:One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.
stick in your throat/craw(informal)
(of words)to be difficult or impossible to say:She wanted to say how sorry she was but the words seemed to stick in her throat.
(of a situation)to be difficult or impossible to accept; to make you angry
stick your neck out(informal)to do or say sth when there is a risk that you may be wrong:I'll stick my neck out and say that Bill is definitely the best candidate for the job.
stick to your guns(informal)to refuse to change your mind about sth even when other people are trying to persuade you that you are wrong
Phrasal Verbs:stick around(informal)to stay in a place, waiting for sth to happen or for sb to arrive:Stick around; we'll need you to help us later.
stick at sth to work in a serious and determined way to achieve sth:If you want to play an instrument well, you've got to stick at it.
stick by sb [no passive] to be loyal to a person and support them, especially in a difficult situation:Her husband was charged with fraud but she stuck by him.
stick by sth [no passive] to do what you promised or planned to do:They stuck by their decision.
stick sth<->down(informal)to write sth somewhere:I think I'll stick my name down on the list.
stick out to be noticeable or easily seen:They wrote the notice in big red letters so that it would stick out.
stick sth<->out(of sth)to be further out than sth else or come through a hole; to push sth further out than sth else or through a hole:His ears stick out.◆ She stuck her tongue out at me.◆ Don't stick your arm out of the car window.
stick to sth
to continue doing sth in spite of difficulties:She finds it impossible to stick to a diet.
to continue doing or using sth and not want to change it:He promised to help us and he stuck to his word(=he did as he had promised).◆ 'Shall we meet on Friday this week?' 'No, let's stick to Saturday.' ◆ She stuck to her story.
stick together(informal)(of people)to stay together and support each other:We were the only British people in the town so we tended to stick together.
stick up to point upwards or be above a surface:The branch was sticking up out of the water.
stick with sb/sth [no passive](informal)
to stay close to sb so that they can help you:Stick with me and I'll make you a millionaire!
to continue with sth or continue doing sth:They decided to stick with their original plan.
noun
from tree
[C] a thin piece of wood that has fallen or been broken from a tree:We collected dry sticks to start a fire.◆ The boys were throwing sticks and stones at the dog.◆ Her arms and legs were like sticks(=very thin).
for walking
[C](especially BrE)=WALKING STICK:The old lady leant on her stick as she talked.
in sport
[C] a long thin object that is used in some sports to hit or control the ball:a hockey stick
long thin piece
[C](often in compounds)a long thin piece of sth:a stick of dynamite ◆ carrot sticks ◆(AmE)a stick of butter
[C](often in compounds)a thin piece of wood or plastic that you use for a particular purpose:pieces of pineapple on sticks ◆ The men were carrying spades and measuring sticks.
in plane/vehicle
[C](informal, especially AmE)the control stick of a plane
[C](informal, especially AmE)a handle used to change the GEARS of a vehicle
for orchestra
[C] a BATON, used by the person who CONDUCTS an orchestra
criticism
[U](BrE, informal)criticism or harsh words:The referee got a lot of stick from the home fans.
country areas
(the sticks)[pl.](informal)country areas, a long way from cities:We live out in the sticks.
person
[C](old-fashioned, BrE, informal)a person:He's not such a bad old stick.
(1)
When Jimmy says:“Every morning, I have to take the crowded bus to school, which I really can't stick.”, he may feel _________.
[ ]
A.
worried
B.
curious
C.
annoyed
D.
discouraged
(2)
Due to her fashionable dress, the woman stuck out when she was walking in the street.“stuck out” in this sentence means “_________”.
[ ]
A.
be noticeable
B.
be followed
C.
be admired
D.
be envied
(3)
When I was in trouble, Paul was the only one who _________ to help me.
[ ]
A.
stuck in his throat
B.
stuck together
C.
stuck up
D.
stuck his neck out
(4)
Sally said to me:“Try a peaceful life out in the sticks, and you will experience something totally different.” She means _________.
[ ]
A.
I should go to the woods to enjoy a new life.
B.
I should ignore the criticism and enjoy myself.
C.
I should go to the remote areas to have a change.
D.
I should go out by plane instead of by train to change my feelings.