9．Millions of people die of hunger in southern Africa every year，but when Zambia was offered thousands of tons of free maize by the US，the government politely said no．
"We don't know whether the food is safe，"said Zambia's commerce，Trade and Industry Minister Dipak Patel．
His worries are shared by countries around the world that are in two minds about America's genetically modified（GM，转基因的）crops．Just last week，EU（欧盟）member nations were discussing whether or not to import GM sweet corn from the US．
Ever since people started farming，they have tried to crossbreed（杂交）plants to make them stronger or better tasting．At one time，only related plants could be crossed with each other．
But when GM techniques were developed in the 1970s，scientists were able to put a single gene from a living creature into an unrelated creature．
This means they can make crops more productive and resistant to disease by adding genes from other species．They can also create food with special characteristics，such as"golden rice"，which is enriched with vitamin A．But many people believe GM foods are a health risk．
At the moment，the official argument is that GM foods"are not likely to present risks for human health"．But there are still many questions to be answered as the foods are produced in different ways．
Some experts believe the genetic material added to plants can transfer to humans and give damage to our bodies．Further harm could be caused by the genes from GM plants crossbreeding with naturally produced crops．
People in China are also getting worried about GM foods．More than 70 percent of the
country's soybean oil is produced from imported GM soybeans．Meanwhile，an investigation last November found that 12 of 60 famous foods sold across the country were GM products．The government has begun to introduce a marking system for GM goods so that people can choose whether or not to eat them．
26．Why has Zambia refused the American free maizeC
A．they decide to follow EU member's advice
B．they care little about the problem of starvation
C．they are concerned about the safety of GM foods
D．they are too proud to accept free offer
27．It has been proved thatA．
A．GM techniques can increase the production of crops
B．GM food is no better than naturally produced foods
C．only related plans could be crossed with each other
D．GM foods are harmful to people's health
28．Which of the following statement is TRUEB
A．GM foods are a health risk．
B．Some experts believe human bodies can absorb genetic material from GM foods．
C．China's government hasn't taken any action about GM foods．
D．Only Zambia worries about the safety of GM foods．
29．What's the author's attitude towards GM foodsD
A．Supportive．B．Critical．C．Doubtful．D．Neutral．
分析 本文主要讲述了每年有数百万非洲人死于饥饿，但是赞比亚拒绝了美国无偿赞助的玉米，这是为什么呢？原来那是美国生产的转基因食品，世界上有很多人对这种食品持怀疑态度．
解答 26．C 细节推断题． 根据文章第二段答语，"We don't know whether the food is safe，"推断赞比亚政府关心转基因食品的安全问题．结合选项，故选C
27．A 细节推断题．根据第二段内容when GM techniques were developed in the 1970s，scientists were able to put a single gene from a living creature into an unrelated creature．及第三段内容 This means they can make crops more productive and resistant to disease by adding genes from other species．推断出转基因技术能够增产已经被证明．所以选择A．根据第四段内容可知，争议说"转基因食品对人类不可能有危害，"但人们依然质疑一些有关问题，所以D项说，转基因食品对人体有害，这一点并没有得到充足证明，所以选项错误．故选A
28．B 细节理解题．根据文章倒数第二段Some experts believe the genetic material added to plants can transfer to humans and give damage to our bodies．一些专家相信加入到农作物中的转基因物质会渗入人体，对我们的身体造成危害，所以答案选B．
29．D作者意图题．纵观全文，作者只是客观地叙述了很多人和国家的态度和看法，自己并没有发表任何见解，故应该是持中立的态度（neutral）．A 支持的；B．批判的 C．怀疑的，所以答案选B．
点评 本文是新闻报道类阅读理解．做这类题材阅读理解时要求考生对文章通读一遍，做题时结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析，结合选项选出正确答案．推理判断题也是要在抓住关键句子的基础上合理的分析才能得出正确答案，切忌胡乱猜测，一定要做到有理有据
