Every year farmers in areas which often suffer flood in Southeast Asia lose millions of tons of rice to high water that kills their crops.That large amount of waste may soon be a thing of the past:SUBIA, a gene discovered by researchers which the International Rice Research Insitule(IRRI)and the University of California, allows rice palnts carrying the gene to live completely under water for two weeks.
Flood–resistant(抗水浸)rice turned up among the 110,000 types of seed stored at the institute.It produced disappointingly low yields(产量), but scientistis were able to transfer the gene into more bountiful varieties.These have shown promising results in tests by growers in India and Bangladesh over the past two years.
This rice success story would not have been possible without the treasure of genetic diversity hidden in the IRRI's vault(underground room).As the world faces new agricultural challenge – charging climate, bugs and diseases that have developed resistance(抵抗力)to old defenses–such genetic resources are likely to become increasingly valuable.Fortunately, the IRRI is one of more than 1,000 organizations around the world working to protect crop genes.Most plant species grown for food have an associated bank that stores thousands of samples; seeds of landraces, wild relatives, and varieties that are rare, old, or adapted to very specific envionments.The banks ensure that it will be possible to develop new varieties in the future.
The need for these botanical libraries has its roots in modern agricultural practices.According to the U.N.Food and Agriculture Organization, 75 percent of plant diversity has been lost over the last century.Of more than 30,000 eatable species, humans grow just 200 for food; 60 percent of plant calories in our diet comes from wheat, rice, and corn.
(1)
Accordint to the second paragraph, what can we learn about the flood – resistant rice?
[ ]
A.
It produces a small amount of rice.
B.
Scientists have developed many more varieties of it.
C.
Sientists have managed to improve its output.
D.
It can produce more rice than the other 110,000 types at the institute.
(2)
From the passage we can infer that ________.
[ ]
A.
the newly – discovered gene will bring hope to the farmers in the areas often suffering flood
B.
scientists will not be able to change the fact that rice plants carrying the gene produce low yields
C.
the tests by growers in India and Bangladesh were hopeless
D.
110,000 types of seed stored at the Institute are flood-resistant
(3)
What's the main idea of the third paragraph?
[ ]
A.
The world faces new agricultural challenges.
B.
Such genetic resources are likely to become valuable.
C.
Scientists set up banks to store thousands of seed samples.
D.
We should owe the rice success story to the seed banks.
(4)
As to the botanical libraries, the writer thinks they are ________.
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?