Passage 1

　　june 26, 2000 — the human genome(基因組) project, a great $3 billion, 15-year task aimed at drawing the genetic(遺傳的) map of humans, is now more than 90 percent completed. the scientific and medical communities(團(tuán)體) are very excited about the chances genetic research provides for getting rid of diseases and prolonging(延長) human life. but those communities and policy(政策) makers also are careful about the scientific door they are opening as the project uncovers the mysteries of life.

　　for the last few years, the genetic advances in the developing field of biotechnology(生物技術(shù)) have provides material for all kinds of work, but the developments of modern science in unlocking the secrets of the human genetic code(密碼) have opened a world of possibilities for human health, as well as for the popular imagination.

　　while european and japanese researchers are making rapid progress in decoding(解碼) human dna, the leading organization for genetic research is in the united states, which began in 1990, is “unlocking the code” of the human body to learn how to defeat fatal(致命的)diseases. already, the human genome project has become widely known and praised for finding the genes(基因) connected with terrible diseases as yet(迄今), and making progress toward separating the genes that show a sign of breast cancer or aids.

　　once these genes are found and studied, researchers can develop new ways to attack infections(傳染), and genetic diseases. medical companies are very interested in mapping the human genome, as they expect to develop a lot of new drugs for these illnesses.

　　1. why did the scientists work hard at mapping the human genome?

　　a. because the human genome can destroy many illnesses.

　　b. because the human genome''s completion can help them get rid of many diseases.

　　c. because they wanted to be better known than others.

　　d. because the human genome can provide a lot of chances of work.

　　2. which country studied the genes most rapidly in the world?

　　a. japan. b. germany. c. the united states. d. china.

　　3. which of the following is not true?

　　a. if the genes can be found, scientists can study many new ways to cure illnesses.

　　b. the scientists have made great progress in connecting the genes with the cancers.

　　c. many medical companies show great interest in drawing the human genome map.

　　d. the united states began the genes study early in the 19th century.

　　4. the author suggests that the human genome project can cause _______.

　　a. the policy makers to feel very worried and careful

　　b. the scientists to work harder

　　c. many people to find work easily

　　d. a lot of companies to produce many new drugs

　　5. the main idea of this article is about _______.

　　a. unlocking genetic code

　　b. the genes'' discovery

　　c. the great human genome

　　d. the genes and the scientists

Passage 2

　　the space shuttle columbia flared and broke up in the skies over texas on saturday, february 1,2003, killing the seven astronauts on board in what nasa and president bush called a tragedy for the entire nation. nasa launched an investigation into the disaster and began searching for the astronauts'' remains. it said that although there had been some data failures it was too early to nail down a precise cause. the break-up, 16 minutes before the shuttle was due to land at kennedy space center in florida, spread possibly toxic debris(有毒的殘骸) over a wide swath of texas and neighboring states.

　　dramatic television images of the shuttle''s descent clearly showed several white trails(痕跡) streaking through blue skies after the shuttle suddenly fell apart. it was almost 17 years to the day that the challenger shuttle exploded on jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts on board.

　　take-off and re-entry into earth''s atmosphere are the most dangerous parts of a space mission. in 42 years of us'' human space flight, there had never been an accident in the descent to earth or landing. challenger exploded just after take-off.

　　rescue teams scrambled to search for the remains of the crew, which included the first israeli to fly on the shuttle, former combat pilot col. ilan ramon. there were warnings that parts of a vast 120-mile-long corridor of debris could be toxic because of poisonous rocket propellant(推進(jìn)器).

　　"we are not ready to confirm that we have found any human remains," nacogdoches county sheriff thomas kerrs said. he added that among the roughly 1,000 calls reporting debris, some people said they found remains of crew members.

　　"the columbia is lost. there are no survivors, …their mission was almost complete and we lost them so close to home. … america''s space program will go on," said a grim-faced bush in a message broadcast on television, which included condolences to the families of the dead astronauts.

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