B

                       Your Genes, Your Future

How would you feel if someone gave you an envelope with a description of every one of your genes? Supposing this information could tell you what illnesses you were likely to get, or even what illness you might die of, would you open the envelope?

It's a difficult question to answer. But the fact is that scientists have already begun to discover how certain genes influence us. And in the next decade, they will learn a lot more.

We have known for a long time that many of our physical characteristics are inherited（继承）. For example, our eye colour and certain diseases are decided by our genes. As long as you have a good diet, scientists can predict your height by looking at your parents' heights. And we now know that the need to wear glasses has a genetic cause. Our eating habits also appear to be decided by our genes!

With other characteristics, things are not so clear. Certainly, scientists have now shown that some traits（特性，特质） are strongly influenced by our genes. Do you prefer getting up early or late? To a great extent, it's your genes that decide. Do you enjoy dangerous sports such as car racing? There is a gene that influences how much excitement we need.

But with most psychological characteristics, scientists are learning that both our genes and our environment affect us. This is true of things such as how violent we are, and how well we get on with other people. So, even though scientists may soon be able to describe our genes in detail, it does not mean they will be able to predict our future with any real success.

Nevertheless, the fact is that scientists will be able to "read" our genes in the near future. This will create new problems. To give a few examples, insurance companies may not want to insure people whose genes predict certain illnesses. Employers may not want to employ people who have a gene for violence. One thing is already clear -- with these new developments, life is going to become even more complicated!

60. Which characteristics is mostly likely to be inherited?

A. Eye color.      B. Interest.       C. Future.     D. Ability.

61. What kind of problem will these new developments create?

A. You may die of a certain illness described in the envelope.

B. There will be an increased number of violent people.

C. People may take part in dangerous sports such as car racing.

D. Insurance companies may refuse to insure people with a gene for certain disease.

62. Why won’t scientists be able to tell us a lot about our future?

A. Because we’re affected not only by our genes but also by our environment.

B. Because scientists will not be able to read our genes in the near future.

C. Because life in the future will be more complicated.

D. Because scientists can’t describe our genes in detail.

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）

请认真阅读下列短文，从短文后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。 s5u.com

A

Your Genes, Your Future

How would you feel if someone gave you an envelope with a description of every one of your genes? Supposing this information could tell you what illnesses you were likely to get, or even what illness you might die of, would you open the envelope?

It's a difficult question to answer. But the fact is that scientists have already begun to discover how certain genes influence us. And in the next decade, they will learn a lot more.

We have known for a long time that many of our physical characteristics are inherited. For example, our eye colour and certain diseases are decided by our genes. As long as you have a good diet, scientists can predict your height by looking at your parents' heights. And we now know that the need to wear glasses has a genetic cause. Our eating habits also appear to be decided by our genes!

With other characteristics, things are not so clear. Certainly, scientists have now shown that some traits are strongly influenced by our genes. Do you prefer getting up early or late? To a great extent, it's your genes that decide, Do you enjoy dangerous sports such as car racing? There is a gene that influences how much excitement we need.

But with most psychological characteristics, scientists are learning that both our genes and our environment affect us. This is true of things such as how violent we are, and how well we get on with other people. So, even though scientists may soon be able to describe our genes in detail, it does not mean they will be able to predict our future with any real success.

Nonetheless, the fact is that scientists will be able to "read" our genes in the near future. This will create new problems. To give a few examples, insurance companies may not want to insure people whose genes predict certain illnesses. Employers may not want to employ people who have a gene for violence. One thing is already clear -- with these new developments, life is going to become even more complicated!

56. Which characteristics is mostly likely to be inherited?

   A. Eye colour.      B. Interest.       C. Future.     D. Ability.

57. What kind of problem will these new developments create?

   A. You may die of a certain illness described in the envelope.

   B. There will be an increased number of violent people.

   C. People may take part in dangerous sports such as car racing.

   D. Insurance companies may refuse to insure people with a gene for certain disease.

58. Why won’t scientists be able to tell us a lot about our future?

   A. Because we’re affected not only by our genes but also by our environment.

   B. Because scientists will not able to read our genes in the near future.

   C. Because life in the future will be more complicated.

   D. Because scientists can’t describe our genes in detail.

How would you feel if someone gave you an envelope with a description of every one of your genes? Supposing this information could tell you what illnesses you were likely to get, or even what illness you might die of, would you open the envelope?

It's a difficult question to answer. But the fact is that scientists have already begun to discover how certain genes influence us. And in the next decade, they will learn a lot more.

We have known for a long time that many of our physical characteristics are inherited. For example, our eye colour and certain diseases are decided by our genes. As long as you have a good diet, scientists can predict your height by looking at your parents' heights. And we now know that the need to wear glasses has a genetic cause. Our eating habits also appear to be decided by our genes!

With other characteristics, things are not so clear. Certainly, scientists have now shown that some traits are strongly influenced by our genes. Do you prefer getting up early or late? To a great extent, it's your genes that decide, Do you enjoy dangerous sports such as car racing? There is a gene that influences how much excitement we need.

But with most psychological characteristics, scientists are learning that both our genes and our environment affect us. This is true of things such as how violent we are, and how well we get on with other people. So, even though scientists may soon be able to describe our genes in detail, it does not mean they will be able to predict our future with any real success.

Nonetheless, the fact is that scientists will be able to "read" our genes in the near future. This will create new problems. To give a few examples, insurance companies may not want to insure people whose genes predict certain illnesses. Employers may not want to employ people who have a gene for violence. One thing is already clear -- with these new developments, life is going to become even more complicated!

56. Which characteristics is mostly likely to be inherited?

A. Eye color.　　 B. Interest.　　　 C. Future.　　 D. Ability.

57. What kind of problem will these new developments create?

A. You may die of a certain illness described in the envelope.

B. There will be an increased number of violent people.

C. People may take part in dangerous sports such as car racing.

D. Insurance companies may refuse to insure people with a gene for certain disease.

58. Why won’t scientists be able to tell us a lot about our future?

A. Because we’re affected not only by our genes but also by our environment.

B. Because scientists will not able to read our genes in the near future.

C. Because life in the future will be more complicated.

D. Because scientists can’t describe our genes in detail.