装备指挥技术学院2013年博士研究生招生考博英语真题

　　Passage 3

　　The study of genetics has given rise to a profitable new industry called biotechnology. As the name suggests, it blends biology and modern technology through such techniques as genetic engineering. It blends biology and modern technology through such techniques as genetic engineering. Some of the new biotech companies, as they are called, specialize in agriculture and are working enthusiastically to patent seeds that give a high yield, that resist disease, drought, and frost, and that reduce the need for hazardous chemicals. If such goals could be achieved, it would be most beneficial. But some have raised concerns about genetically engineered crops.

　　“In nature, genetic diversity is created with certain limits.” Says the Genetic Engineering, Food, and Our Environment. “a rose can be crossed with a different kind of rose, but a rose will never cross with a potato… Genetic engineering, on the other hand, usually involves taking genes from one species and inserting them into another in an attempt to transfer a desired property or character. This could mean, for example, selecting a gene which leads to the production of a chemical with antifreeze properties from an arctic fish, and joining it into a potato or strawberry to make it frost-resistant. It is now possible for plants to be engineered with genes taken from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans.” In essence, then, biotechnology allows humans to break the genetic walls that separate species.

　　Like the green revolution, what some call the gene revolution contributes to the problem of genetic uniformity---some say even more so because geneticists can employ techniques such as cloning and tissue culture, processes that produce perfectly identical copies, or clones. Concerns about the erosion of biodiversity, therefore, remain. Genetically altered plants, however, raise new issues, such as the effects that they may have on us and environment. “We are flying blindly into a new era of agricultural biotechnology with high hopes, few constraints, and little idea of the potential outcomes,” said science writer Jeremy Rifkin.

　　46. According to the author, biotech companies are _____________.

　　A. mostly specialized in agriculture

　　B. those producing seeds of better properties

　　C. mainly concerned about the genetically engineered crops

　　D. likely to have big returns in their business

　　47. Now biotech products are made _____________.

　　A. within the limits of natural genetics

　　B. by violating laws of natural genetics

　　C. without interference of humans

　　D. safer than those without the use of biotechnology

　　48. In nature, genetic diversity is created _____________.

　　A. by mixing different species

　　B. within the species itself

　　C. through natural selection

　　D. through selection or contest

　　49. Biotechnology has made it possible ___________.

　　A. for us to solve the food shortage problem in the world

　　B. for plants to be produced with genes of humans

　　C. for humans to assume the cold-resistant property

　　D. to grow crops with the taste of farm animals

　　50. According to the author, with the development of biotechnology __________.

　　A. the species of creatures will be reduced

　　B. our living environment will be better than it is now

　　C. humans will pay for its side effect

　　D. we will suffer from fewer and fewer diseases.

　　Passage 4

　　The young man who came to the door---he was about thirty, perhaps, with a handsome, smiling face---didn’t seem to find my lateness offensive, and led me into a large room. On one side of the room sat half a dozen women, all in white; they were much occupied with a beautiful baby, who seemed to belong to the youngest of the women. On the other side of the room sat seven or eight men, young, dressed in dark suits, very much at ease, and very imposing. The sunlight came into the room with the peacefulness that one remembers from rooms in one’s early childhood---a sunlight encountered later only in one’s dreams. I remember being astounded by the quietness, the ease, the peace, and the taste. I was introduced, they greeted me with a genuine cordiality and respect---and the respect increased my fright, for it meant that they expected something of me that I knew in my heart, for their sakes, I could not give---and we sat down. Elijah Muhammad was not in the room, Conversation was slow, but not as stiff as I had feared it would be. They kept it going, for I simply did not know which subjects I could acceptably bring up. They knew more about me and had read more of what I had written, than I had expected, and I wondered what they made of it all, what they took my usefulness to be. The women were carrying on their own conversation, in low tones; I gathered that they were not expected to take part in male conversations. A few women kept coming in and out of the room, apparently making preparations for dinner. We, the men, did not plunge deeply into any subject, for, clearly, we were all waiting for the appearance of Elijah. Presently, the men, one by one, left the room and returned. Then I was asked if I would like to wash, and I, too, walked down the hall to the bathroom. Shortly after I came back, we stood up, and Elijah entered. I do not know what I had expected to see. I had read some of his speeches, and had heard fragments of others on the radio and on television, so I associated him with strength. But, no---the man who came into the room was small and slender, really very delicately put together, with a thin face, large warm eyes, and a most winning smile. Something came into the room with him his---his worshipers’ joy at seeing him, his joy at seeing them. It was the kind of encounter one watches with a smile simply because it is so rare that people enjoy one another.

　　51. Which of the following is the best alternative word for “imposing (line 6)?

　　A. Enthusiastic B. Hostile C. Impressive D. Anxious

　　52. Which word best describes the atmosphere in the room?

　　A. Tranquil B. Solemn C. Chaotic D. Stressful

　　53. Which of the following statements is true about the author?

　　A. He talked little

　　B. He was puzzled

　　C. He enjoyed the conversation

　　D. He got more respect than he deserved

　　54. The men didn’t get deeply involved in any subject because they ___________.

　　A. had little knowledge

　　B. didn’t know one another well

　　C. wanted to relax themselves

　　D. awaited the arrival of someone important

　　55. What can we learn about Elijah?

　　A. He was admired by others.

　　B. He was very handsome.

　　C. He was a man with determination.

　　D. He was happy to give speeches.

　　Section B (10 points, 2 points each)

　　Directions: In this section, there is a passage with five questions. After have read the passage, answer each question in English with no more than 15 words. Write down your answer on the Answer Sheet.

　　Global warming poses a threat to the earth, but humans can probably ease the climate threats brought on by rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, global climate specialist Richard Alley told an audience at the University of Vermont. Alley said his research in Greenland suggested that subtle changes in atmospheric patterns leave part of the globe susceptible to abrupt and dramatic climate shifts that can last decades or centuries.

　　Almost all scientists agree that increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere created as humans burn fossil fuel is warming the planet. How to respond to the warming is a matter of intense political, scientific and economic debate worldwide.

　　Alley said he was upbeat about global warming because enough clever people existed in the world to find other reliable energy sources besides fossil fuels. He said people can get rich finding marketable alternatives to fossil fuel. “Wouldn’t it be useful if the United States were to have a piece of the action. Wouldn’t it be useful if some bright students from University of Vermont were to have a piece of the action,” Alley said.

　　Alley said that Europe and parts of eastern North America could in a matter of a few years revert to a cold, windy region, like the weather in Siberia. Such shifts have occurred frequently over the millennia, Alley’s research shows. A gradual change in atmospheric temperature, such as global warming, could push the climate to a threshold were such a shift suddenly occurs, he said.

　　“This is not the biggest problem in the world. The biggest problem is getting along with each other. But it’s part of that because we’re not going to get along with each other if we’re not getting along with the planet,” Alley said.

　　56. What did the global climate specialist Richard Alley told to the audience at the University of Vermont?

　　57. What causes the dramatic climate changes according to Alley’s research?

　　58. Why does Alley feel optimistic about global warming?

　　59. What does Ally suggest people to do in order to reduce global warming?

　　60. According to Alley, what is the biggest problem in the world?

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