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 (基因) 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.”

According to the article, which of the following is the most important if a person is to live to the age of 100?

A. Eating healthy food every day.

B. Having the right types of genes.

C. Having a healthy lifestyle.

D. Taking drugs that prevent ageing.

According to the article, the ApoC3 gene is found in ______ of people over 100 years old.

A. 10%           B. 20%          C. 30%       D. 50%

Which of the following statements is TRUE of the research led by Professor Nir Barzilai?

A. The team studied the genes of over 100 people over 100 years of age.

B. The researchers found that mutations in certain genes lead to longer life.

C. The researchers found ways to develop drugs that could cure age-related diseases.

D. The study suggested that most people have genes that could lengthen their lives.

According to David Gems, ______.

A. drugs to slow ageing will be very expensive

B. modern science will be able to find more longevity genes

C. it is the duty of medical scientists to fight the problems of ageing

D. scientists can make new genes that will allow longer life

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)

__________________________________________________________________________　

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

__________________________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________________________.　

Instead of hitting the beach, fourteen high school students traded swimming suits for lab coats last summer and turned their attention to scientific experiments.

     The High School Research Program offers high school students guidance with researchers in Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Jennifer Funkhouser, academic adviser for the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, directs this four-week summer program designed to increase understanding of research and its career potential.

Several considerations go into selecting students, including grades, school involvement and interest in science and agriculture. And many students come from poorer school districts, Funkhouser says, “This is their chance to learn techniques and do experiments they never would have a chance to do in high school.”

    Warner Ervin of Houston is interested in animal science and learned how to tell male from female mosquitoes(蚊子）.His adviser, Craig Coates, studies the genes of mosquitoes that allow them to fight against malaria and yellow fever. Coates thought this experience would be fun and helpful to the high school students.

       The agricultural research at A&M differs from stereotypes. It’s “molecular(分子）science on the cutting edge,” Funkhouser says. The program broadened students’ knowledge. Victor Garcia of Rio Grande City hopes to become a biology teacher and says he learned a lot about chemistry from the program.

     At the end of the program, the students presented papers on their research. They’re also paid $600 for their work-another way this program differs from others, which often charge a fee.

     Fourteen students got paid to learn that science is fun, that agriculture is a lot more than milking and plowing and that research can open many doors.

1.The research program is chiefly designed for  _______.

A. high school advisers from Houston

B. college students majoring in agriculture

C. high school students from different places

D. researchers at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

2.It can be inferred from the text that the students in poorer areas  ___________ .

A. had little chance to go to college

B. could often take part in the program

C. found the program useful to their future

D. showed much interest in their high school experiments

3.When the program was over, the students  ________.

A. entered that college            B. wrote research reports

C. paid for their research           D. found way to make money

4.The underlined expression “on the cutting edge” in paragraph 5 means “on the most  ___ position”.

A. important                     B. favorable

C. astonishing                   D. advanced

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.”

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

__________________________________________________________________________　

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

__________________________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________________________

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

__________________________________________________________________________.　

Good Genes Mean Long Life

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 (组合).

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 (寿命). 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 (义不容辞的) to take it.”

1.According to the article, which of the following is the most important if a person is to live to the age of 100?

2.According to the article, the ApoC3 gene is found in ________ of people over 100 years old.

3.Which of the following statements is TRUE of the research led by Professor Nir Barzilai?

4. According to David Gems, ________.