We each have a unique genetic (基因的，遗传的) make-up. Every cell of your body has the same set of about 100,000 separate genes made of DNA. These are the instructions for producing a person. Genes decide everything from the colour of your skin to the way your brain works. You have one of several billion binations of DNA which e from the random(随机的，任意的) mixing of your parents’ genes. Except for identical twins (同卵双胞胎), no one has the same bination as another person. You are unique! You are unique in another way too: in the way you are raised and all the experiences you have from before birth to adult life. These experiences influence you, your behaviour and attitudes, and the choices you make.

But are genes or life experiences more important in shaping your appearance and personality? Scientists are studying twins to find out. One set of twins occurs every 70 births---some are identical and others are non-identical twins. Identical twins are special because they share exactly the same genes and often the same environment. Non-identical twins are more like ordinary brothers and sisters.

Some identical twins have been adopted and brought up in different homes. With identical genes but a different home environment, scientists can study twins to see how much a particular feature depends on the genes we inherit. For example, we know that eye problems, like short-sightedness, are mostly genetic. But resistance to pain is largely dependent on experiences. Genes also influence our eating habits. Identical twins brought up apart often like to eat at the same time of day and feel full after eating the same amount. Non-identical twins in similar circumstances have more varied eating habits. Identical twins are also more likely to follow the same patterns for marriage and divorce than non-identical twins.

Scientists are trying to identify the different genes that influence our behaviour. Some people are thrill-seekers and get into risk-taking and adventurous activities. They take up extreme sports like bungee jumping and possibly take drugs. Scientists have discovered a gene which affects this.

We could ask, “Are our lives determined by our genes or our upbringing?” Scientists are learning more all the time, but it is certainly true that both are important in making us who we are.

1.What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

A. We cannot easily change our physical appearance.

B. How we turn out depends on our parents’ genes.

C. Everyone has a physical double somewhere in the world.

D. Both our genes and our experiences make us who we are.

2.Why are scientists studying twins?

A. To find out how many twins are born every year.

B. To discover what shapes us as individuals.

C. To pare differences between twins.

D. To study brother-and-sister relationships.

3.According to the passage, __________.

A. one in 70 twins are genetically identical

B. non-identical twins are usually not of the same sex

C. twins separated at birth behave exactly the same

D. identical twins are genetically the same

4.Which of the following is most affected by experience according the passage?

A. Eating habits. B. Eye-sight.

C. Pain resistance. D. Marriage patterns.

5.What does the underlined “this” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A. Our love of sport.

B. Our attitude to risk-taking.

C. Our skill at bungee jumping.

D. Our ability to take drugs.

Studying Abroad

Nowadays, studying abroad gains popularity in China. Many rich parents would rather send their children abroad to receive education than let them be educated in China.

As every coin has two sides, studying abroad is not an exception. There are advantages for people to attend schools abroad. In the first place, he can use the foreign language in his daily life so that his ability in the second language may be greatly improved, as it is obvious that there is no better chance to improve second language than living in the country where it is spoken. While studying in a foreign country, he will most likely meet many others from overseas and it is possible to make friends from all over the world. This is not only exciting on the social level, but could lead to important overseas contacts in his career as well. He can get familiar with the latest knowledge in science and make use of the first? rate facilities available. In this way, there is every chance that he is able to widen his horizon (眼界) and broaden his mind.

Of course, attending schools abroad may bring about a series of problems. The most serious problem is language barrier. Most of the students who go abroad don’t have enough skills in the language spoken there. As a result, on arriving there, they will find it difficult to understand what the teachers say. Besides, for lack of knowledge of the customs of the local people, they may constantly run into trouble in dealing with various situations.

Therefore, given an opportunity to attend a school abroad, one must consider both sides of the factors carefully before making up his mind.

Title: Studying Abroad

______ young in our village are now living _______much more comfortable life than we did.

A.A ; \ B. The ; the

C.Ａ; a D. The ; a

The English teacher tells the students to have ______ for different races and appreciate the diversity of other cultures .

A. mercy B. sympathy

C. respect D. regret

A harmonious society is very important , so all the laws must be strictly _________.

A. watched B. observed

C. carried D. handled

Our government’s plan to fight against air pollution will focus on _____ information and handling PM2.5.

A. expressing B. representing

C. gathering D. acknowledging

Generally speaking , almost all the kids are ______about how everything around them works.

A. curious B. careful

C. anxious D. excited

The questionnaire takes _________ ten to fifteen minutes to complete and can be used along with the assessment interview.

A.. mainly B. exactly

C. approximately D. precisely

__ Sally , our monitor , was late for class this morning .

__ _________ ? As far as I know , she never came late for class.

A. How come B. what for

C. So what D. Why not

______ these new treatments , people with high blood pressure can live a long and active life .

A. According to B. Thanks to

C. As for D. Instead of