【正文】 on virologist (病毒學(xué)家 ) Klaus Stohr said that with the identification of this corona virus, it could now be possible to develop more specific diagnostic tests for the disease. “Now the research can be focused on this virus. The research will help us to develop 8 new drugs,” he said. “Now we can focus on one pathogen (病原體 ) which ahs been sequenced, which provides additional information for the development of tests. Now, one can perhaps think about a vaccine (疫苗 ) if need be. We are still, I think, optimistic that we can control the disease with the measures which have been implemented.” SARS is spread by droplets through close personal contact. Symptoms include high fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath. About 4% of its victims die. The scientists say this virus has long existed in nature, but it has never been seen in humans before. They say a new geic sequencing of the SARS virus proves conclusively that it came from animals. A scientist at the US Center for Disease Control, James Le Duc, says this is the first experience scientists have with this virus. “Therefore,” he says, “a lot remains unknown. So, I think it would be premature to suggest we are near the end of this outbreak.” 1. What is now identified as the cause of SARS according to the passage? A. the virus that causes the mon cold B. the virus that is pletely different from the virus that causes ordinary colds C. the virus that has never been tested in humans before D. the virus that has never existed before 2. Which of the following in NOT the significance of the successful identification of the cause of SARS? A. more specific diagnostic tests for the disease are likely to be developed B. the control of SARS bees very easy C. it will help us to develop new medicines D. the research of a vaccine for SARS can be started 3. What backs up the conclusion that the SARS virus came from animals? A. the geic analysis of the SARS virus B. the account of SARS patients C. the fact that some animals are found to have died of SARS D. the fact that all of the diseases human beings suffer are spread through animals 4. Which of the following statements about SARS is TRUE according to the passage? A. a person who suffers from high fever, dry cough and shortness of breath is sure to be infected with SARS B. scientists have a lot of experience in dealing with the SARS virus C. most of the SARS patients will die within 5 weeks D. the SARS virus is still a little mysterious to the scientists 5. The word “symptom” can be best replaced by _____. A. disease B. sign C. test D. trouble Passage Two Sweden, Britain and Denmark are the only members of the 15 nation European Union that do not use the euro (歐元 ). Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the result of the Swedish vote will have no effect on his plans to decide by early next year on whether to call a new referendum (公民投票 ) on the euro. Denmark voted no in 9 2022. British Labor Party member Chris Bryant, who is chairman of the Labor Movement for Europe, says that more than half of Britain’s trade is with Europe, and he hopes Britain will be joining the euro as soon as possible. British Prime Minister Tony Blair had said previously his government is mitted in principle to joining the euro, provided that economic conditions are right. In Sweden, meanwhile, euro opponents have hailed the defeat of the single currency. The leader of the Left Party, Ulla Hoffman, said the people have made it clear democracy es from the bottom, not from above. The Left Party, along with the environmentalist Greens, fought against the euro. But Prime Mimister Goran Persson, who led the movement for the euro, said Sweden would have worse opportunities without the mon currency in the long term. Euro supporters say it would have improved trade with the 12nation zone that uses the euro, and that a no vote would leave Sweden without a voice in EU economic decisions. Critics said the euro would mean higher prices and less money for Sweden’s cradletograve welfare state. 6. Among the following persons, who is a euro opponent according to the passage? A. Chris Bryant B. Tony Blair C. Ulla Hoffman D. Goran Persson 7. What does a yes vote of mon currency mean in the opponents’ eyes? A. Sweden will have worse opportunities B. Sweden will have a strong voice in EU economic decisions C. it is a democracy D. it will endanger Sweden’s cradletograve welfare state 8. Which of the following statements is FALSE according to the passage? A. Environmentalist Greens opposes to mon currency B. Denmark has decided to call a new referendum on the euro C. UK is very likely to join the euro if her economic conditions are good D. most members of the European Union use the euro 9. The word “hail” is closest in meaning to _____. A. cheer for B. feel unfortable for C. feel worried about D. analyze 10. What is the author’s tone in the passage? A. ironic B. objective C. indifferent D. disapproving Passage Three A United Nations report is sounding an alarm on the state of the earth’s natural resources, in advance of this month’s UNsponsored sustainable development summit in Johannesburg. The report says sea levels rose and forests were destroyed at unprecedented (前所未有的 ) rates during the last decade. It notes that more than 40 percent of the world’s 10 population 2 billion people now face water shortages. And it predicts that with the global population expected to increase from 6 billion to 8 billion people over the next 25 years, further environmental stress is expected. UN Undersecretary General Nitin Desai says the most important message in the report is that the world’s environmental crises are interrelated. As an example. He cites the “