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[科普知识型阅读理解(一)]
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(一)
DNA left at a crime scene could be used in the future to build up a picture of an offender's face, which was revealed tonight.
A first step towards genetic mugshots has been taken by researchers in the US who link specific DNA markers with face shapes. To identify the genes, they focused on known mutations(突变) that cause changes of the face and head. Normal versions of these genes were found to influence individual features. For instance, one gene affected the lips, another the shape and configuration of bones around the eyes, and a third the appearance of the mid-face and skull. In total, 20 genes had “significant effects” on facial appearance.
Lead scientist Professor Mark Shriver, from the Pennsylvania State University, said, “We use DNA to match to an individual or identify an individual, but we can get so much more from DNA. Currently we can't go from DNA to a face, or from a face to DNA, but it should be possible.” The implications are far-reaching, raising the possibility of creating a data bank of facial types based on genetic markers. DNA from a crime scene could then be used to produce a rough image of the face of an offender or victim. Such genetic mugshots may be more reliable than computer-generated “E-fits” based on witnesses' memory. Other uses of the technique might include proving the identities of fathers in paternity cases, or visualizing our remote ancestors from fossil DNA.
The scientists wrote in the online journal Public Library of Science Genetics，“Such predictive modelling could be forensically useful. For example, DNA left at crime scenes could be tested and faces could be predicted in order to help to narrow the pool of potential suspects. Further, our methods could be used to predict the facial features of descendants, deceased ancestors, and even extinct human species. In addition, these methods could prove to be useful diagnostic tools.” The team developed a model which first established a range of physical face shapes from people of mixed West African and European ancestry from the US, Brazil and Cape Verde. Measurements were taken of thousands of point coordinates on grids placed over 3-D images of the faces.
Statistical methods were then used to determine the relationship between facial differences and the effects of genders, ethnic ancestry and individual gene variants.
1．The underlined word “mugshots” in the second paragraph most probably means “________”．
A．different faces B．characteristics C．pictures of faces D．genders
2．What can be inferred from the passage?
A．DNA has been used to build up a picture of an offender's face. B．It may be much easier to catch criminals with the help of DNA. C．In all, 20 genes had“significant effects”on facial appearance. D．One gene can affect more than one part of your face. 3．According to Professor Mark Shriver, we know________.
A．they can merely match to an individual or identify an individual B．there is a possibility of going from DNA to a face
C．DNA could be used to produce a rough image of an offender's face D．this technology is more reliable than computer-generated “E-fits”
4．What is the most possible title of the passage? A．Creating a data bank of DNA
B．Recognizing the DNA of criminals
C．Predicting the locations of offences using DNA
D．Building up an image of an offender's face from DNA
(二)
The extraordinary Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital city, is said to be the only one in the world to use the same cooling and heating principles as the termite mound(白蚁堆)．
Architect Mick Pearce used precisely the same strategy when designing the Eastgate Building, which has no air conditioning and almost no heating. The building—the country's largest commercial and shopping complex—uses less than 10% of the energy of a conventional building of its size. The Eastgate's owners saved 3.5 million on a 36 million building because air conditioning plant didn't have to be imported.
The complex is actually two buildings linked by bridges across a shady, glass-roofed atrium(天井) open to the air. Fans suck fresh air in from the atrium, blow it upstairs through hollow spaces under the floors and from there into each office through baseboard vents(通风口). As it rises and warms, it is drawn out via ceiling vents and finally exists through forty-eight brick chimneys.
During summer's cool nights, big fans blow air through the building seven times an hour to cool the empty floors. By day, smaller fans blow two changes of air an hour through the building to circulate the air which has been in contact with the cool floors. For winter days, there are small heaters in the vents.
This is all possible only because Harare is 1,600 feet above sea level, and has cloudless skies, little dampness and rapid temperature swings—days as warm as 31℃ commonly drop to 14℃ at night.“You couldn't do this in New York, with its fantastically hot summers and fantastically cold winters，”Pearce said.
The engineering firm of Ove Arup&Partners monitors daily temperatures. It is found that the temperature of the building has generally stayed between 23℃ and 25℃， with the exception of the annual hot period just before the summer rains in October and three days in November, when a doorkeeper accidentally switched off the fans at night. And the air is fresh—far more so than in air-conditioned buildings, where up to 30% of the air is recycled.
5．Why was Eastgate cheaper to be built than a conventional building? A．It was designed in a smaller size. B．No air conditioners were fixed in. C．Its heating system was less advanced.
D．It used rather different building materials.
6．What does the underlined word “it” refer to in Paragraph 3? A．Fresh air from outside. B．Heat in the building. C．A hollow space. D．A baseboard vent.
7．Why would a building like Eastgate not work efficiently in New York? A．New York has less clear skies as Harare. B．Its dampness affects the circulation of air. C．New York covers a larger area than Harare.
D．Its temperature changes seasonally rather than daily.
8．The data in the last paragraph suggests Eastgate's temperature control system________.
A．allows a wide range of temperatures B．functions well for most of the year C．can recycle up to 30% of the air
D．works better in hot seasons
(三)
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory(APL) in Howard County, Maryland have designed a new human-like robot. Its name is Roho Sally. The machine can be controlled from a distance and can be used to do work that is dangerous for human beings.
Roho Sally has two long arms with human-like hands. She can use her fingers to pick up small objects, examine them in detail and do most things that human hands can do. Each finger contains a tiny motor, capable of squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force, enough to defuse a bomb under the direction of an operator. She sits on a metal base with wheels that let her move around, turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects.
Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Programme.“The purpose of that programme is to develop prosthetic arms that have all the capability of your natural arms, and you do all the complex motions that you can do with the natural arms—with the robot.”
It was a difficult job. Mr McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors to have the ability to do what a human hand does. It also needed to have human-like strength. The thumb was especially difficult because it permits the hand to hold objects. And everything had to fit into a space about the size of a human hand.
The next problem, he says, was to figure out how to control the artificial hand.“So we had to figure out how to make the connection between the brain and this arm.”
For search-and-rescue duties, Roho Sally will be operated by a human being using a wireless machine that is far from the robot. The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses. The glasses permit the operator to see the robot's hands, even though they are far away.
Mr McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used in what he calls “dull, dirty or dangerous” situations where fine human finger movements are required. He says the technology is not ready for everyday application, but he predicts that within five years we will see some wonderful improvements.
9．The underlined word “defuse” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to “________”．
A．remove B．discover C．equip D．produce
10．According to Paragraph 2, which picture is Roho Sally?
A． B． C． D.
11．What can we learn about the prosthetic arms according to the passage? A．They are expected to function as well as natural ones. B．They have many large motors controlled by robots. C．They have human-like strength to control the robot. D．They are connected with human brains.
12．Which of the following is TRUE about Robo Sally according to Mr McLoughlin? A．Its operator doesn't need any equipment.
B．It has been widely used in everyday life in the USA.
C．It can work in situations which are dangerous for humans. D．It has made much money for the designers.