题目内容
The nuclear problem in Iran has now become _______ of worldwide media attention.
- A.the focus
- B.the base
- C.the middle
- D.the midst
分析句子可知该句大意为“伊朗核问题已成为世界媒体关注的……”,当然应该是媒体关注的中心或焦点。C、D两项是干扰项,两项都表示某位置或空间的中心,显然与题意不符。
With only about 1, 000 pandas left in the world, China is desperately trying to clone the animal and save the endangered species. That’s a move similar to what a Texas A & M University researchers have been undertaking for the past five years in a project called “Noah’s Ark”.
Noah’s Ark is aimed at collecting eggs, embryos(胚胎), semen and DNA of endangered animals and storing them in liquid nitrogen. If certain species should become extinct, Dr. Duane Kraemer, a professor in Texas A & M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says there would be enough of the basic building blocks to reintroduce the species in the future.
It is estimated that as many as 2, 000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles will become extinct in over 100 years. The panda, native only to China, is in danger of becoming extinct in the next 25 years.
This week, Chinese scientists said they grew an embryo by introducing cells from a dead female panda into the egg cells of a Japanese white rabbit. They are now trying to implant the embryo into a host animal. The entire procedure could take from three to five years to complete.
“The nuclear transfer of one species to another is not easy, and the lack of available(capable of being used) panda eggs could be a major problem,” Kraemer believes. “They will probably have to do several hundred transfers to result in one pregnancy (having a baby). It takes a long time and it’s difficult, but this could be groundbreaking science if it works. They are certainly not putting any live pandas at risk, so it is worth the effort,” adds Kraemer, who is one of the leaders of the Project at Texas A & M, the first-ever attempt at cloning a dog.
“They are trying to do something that’s never been done, and this is very similar to our work in Noah’s Ark. We’re both trying to save animals that face extinction. I certainly appreciate their effort and there’s a lot we can learn from what they are attempting to do. It’s a research that is very much needed.”
【小题1】 The aim of “Noah’s Ark” project is to _______.
A.make efforts to clone the endangered pandas | B.save endangered animals from dying out |
C.collect DNA of endangered animals to study | D.transfer the nuclear of one animal to another |
A.available panda eggs | B.host animals | C.qualified researchers | D.enough money |
A.China’s Success in Pandas Cloning | B.The First Cloned Panda in the World |
C.Exploring the Possibility to Clone Pandas | D.China —the Native Place of Pandas Forever |
A.Kraemer and his team have succeeded in cloning a dog |
B.scientists try to implant a panda’s egg into a rabbit |
C.Kraemer will work with Chinese scientists in clone researches |
D.about two thousand of species will probably die out in a century |
There are three separate sources of danger in supplying energy by nuclear power.
First, the radioactive material must travel from its form of production to the power station. Although the power stations themselves are strongly built, the containers used for the transport of the materials are not. Normally, only two methods of transport are in use, namely road or rail. Unfortunately, both of these may have an effect on the general public, since they are sure to pass near, or even though, heavily populated areas.
Secondly, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce waste that in most cases will remain radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to make these waste radioactive, and so they must be stored in one of the inconvenient ways that scientists have invented. For example, they may be buried under the ground, or dropped into deserted mines, or sunk in the sea. However, these methods do not solve the problem, since an earthquake could easily break the containers.
Third, there may occur the danger of a leak or an explosion at the power station. As with the other two dangers, this is not very likely, so it does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear program. However, it can happen.
Separately, these three types of dangers are not a great cause for worry. Taken together, though, the probability of disaster is extremely high.
【小题1】Which of the following is FALSE ?
A.It is possible that a leak or an explosion occurs at a power station. |
B.It is unusual for radioactive materials to be transported across land. |
C.The containers are likely to be broken by an earthquake. |
D.Nuclear wastes remain dangerous in most cases for many years. |
A.easy | B.impossible | C.reasonable | D.ineffective |
A.The power station is a safe place. |
B.The dangers of nuclear energy can be prepared. |
C.The general public are strongly against the nuclear program. |
D.Itself, none of the three dangers is very likely to cause much worry. |
A.uses of nuclear power |
B.Dangers from nuclear power |
C.Public anger at nuclear power |
D.Accidents caused by nuclear power. |
Nuclear energy has always been controversial. But since the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima (Japan) last year the issue is back in the headlines. And the world is divided— some countries are planning more nuclear plants, while others have promised to shut theirs down.
After Fukushima, Germany decided to switch off all its nuclear plants by 2022. Switzerland and Italy are also phasing out nuclear power. But France and the United States remain staunch supporters of atomic energy. In fact, almost 80% of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power, the highest percentage in the world. And in the US, the Obama administration said it “continues to support the expansion of nuclear power, despite the crisis in Japan.”
Nuclear supporters claim nuclear power can help the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power doesn’t create greenhouse gases. So, pro-nuclear countries argue that nuclear power allows them to generate energy without contributing to climate change. Britain’s chief scientific adviser (John Beddington) supports this view. He recently said that the world doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring nuclear energy.
Nuclear power is also relatively cheap. Renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power may be clean, but they’re expensive; and right now, they require a lot of investment. This higher cost of using “green energy” is usually passed onto the consumer. So, while many people may prefer their energy to come from a renewable source, not so many are prepared to pay higher energy bills. This is of particular concern while the world economy is in such bad shape.
The main argument against nuclear energy is that it isn’t safe. For a start, nuclear waste is very difficult to dispose of, and remains toxic to humans for thousands of years. And even before Fukushima, there were several high-profile nuclear disasters. The most famous is probably the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, in the Ukraine. The radiation from the meltdown spread all over Europe, affecting thousands.
The nuclear energy issue is very complex. And it doesn’t look like it’ll be resolved anytime soon. As a Japanese commentator recently said, “it’s been a bad year for the ‘nuclear village’, but I don’t think they’re down and out yet.” The battle continues.
1.Which of the following may NOT be the advantage of nuclear energy over other energy sources?
A.Nuclear energy doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases. |
B.Nuclear energy can help prevent the climate damage. |
C.Nuclear energy is more environmental-friendly than other green energy sources. |
D.Nuclear energy can save the consumers some money, compared to other renewable energies. |
2.What does the underlined word “this” refer to in paragraph 4?
A.The fact that many people prefer to use the green energy sources while unwilling to pay higher bill. |
B.The cost of using renewable sources |
C.The fact that the nuclear power is cheaper. |
D.The investment of renewable energy sources |
3.We can learn from the last paragraph that _______.
A.the Japanese commentator is positive about the future of nuclear energy |
B.the nuclear energy issue will be soon settled |
C.a battle will break out in the future |
D.Japan is considering to build a nuclear village in the future |
4.What is the author’s purpose of writing the passage?
A.To highlight the danger of using nuclear energy. |
B.To introduce some serious nuclear disasters. |
C.To show the argument between nuclear supporters and protesters. |
D.To give some advice on how to use nuclear energy safely. |