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   More than four decades ago,British scientist Robert Edwards first witnessed the miracle of human life growing inside a test tube at his Cambridge lab. Since that groundbreaking moment,more than four million babies have been born through IVF(in vitro fertilization)(体外受精)and in 2010 his great contribution to science was finally recognized as he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The prize for Dr. Edwards,who was given a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award in 2008,includes a ₤ 900,000check. The Nobel Assembly described IVF as“a milestone in modern medicine”.

With the help of fellow scientist Patrick Steptoe,the Batley-born physiologist developed IVF — leading to the birth of the world's first test-tube baby. Dr. Steptoe died 10 years later but their work has given hope to millions of couples.

It was a scientific breakthrough that transformed-the lives of millions of couples. They said,“His achievements have made it possible to treat infertility,a disease which makes humans unable to have a baby. This condition has been afflicting a large percentage of mankind including more than 10%of all couples worldwide.”

Louise Brown,the world's first test-tube baby,made international headlines when she was born in Oldham,Greater Manchester,in 1978 to parents Lesley and John who had been fruitlessly trying for a baby since 1969.

IVF is the process where egg cells are fertilized outside the body before being implanted in the womb(子宫). After a cycle of IVF,the probability of a couple with infertility problems having a baby is one in five — the same as healthy couples who conceive(怀孕)naturally.

Professor Edwards,who has five daughters and 11 grandchildren,began his research at the University of Cambridge in 1963,after receiving his PhD in 1955. He once said,“The most important thing in life is having a child.  Nothing is more special than a child.”With the help of Patrick Steptoe, Prof. Edwards founded the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire, which now treats more than 900 women a year. Each year, more than 30,000 women in Britain receive IVF and 11,000 babies are born as a result of the treatment.

But his work attracted widespread criticism from some scientists who said it was“unethical and immoral”.

Martin Johnson, professor of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Cambridge, said the award was “long overdue”. He said,“We couldn't understand why the Nobel Prize has come so late but he is delighted — this is the cherry on the cake for him.”

Professor Edwards was too ill to give interviews but a statement released by his family said he was“thrilled and delighted”.

【小题1】What is Robert Edwards' great contribution to science?
A.Enabling millions of couples to live a better life.
B.Seeing the wonder of the first test-tube baby.
C.Helping couples with infertility to have test-tube babies.
D.Challenging a disease which stops humans having babies.
【小题2】The underlined word"afflicting"(Paragraph 4) can be replaced by ____________.
A.troublingB.developing
C.improvingD.confusing
【小题3】Why did Professor Edwards begin his research on the test-tube baby?
A.Because he thought it of great importance to have a child in life.
B.Because the birthrate around the world was unexpectedly low then.
C.Because a special child did make a difference to an ordinary family.
D.Because his fellow scientist wanted to give hope to the unlucky couples.
【小题4】It can be inferred from Paragraph 8 and Paragraph 9 that ____________.
A.Professor Edwards deserved the prize for his breakthrough
B.different opinions were voiced on Professor Edwards' contribution
C.some people envied Professor Edwards for his being awarded
D.the prize was late because the contribution was first considered immoral
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同类题1

   Saja Pahad, a small village in Chhattisgarh, India, has been dealing with severe water shortages for as long as anyone can remember. With only two wells available, locals were barely able to secure enough water to feed their cattle, let alone irrigate their crops. Villagers didn’t know what to do and the government ignored their difficult situation, but one “crazy” teenager took matters into his own hands.

Shyam Lal was only 15 when he took it upon himself to solve his village’s water problem. He identified a spot in a nearby forest and decided to dig a pond to collect rainfall that could then be used by the entire village. Lal shared his idea with the rest of Saja Pahad, but instead of volunteering to help, they just laughed at his crazy plan and called him a lunatic (疯子). But the young man didn’t let the people’s reaction get him down. Instead, he grabbed a spade (铁锹) and started digging the pond himself. He kept on digging for the next 27 years.

Now 43, Shyam Lal is considered a hero by his community. That small hole he started digging nearly three decades ago is now a one-acre, 15-feet-deep pond filled with precious water that serves the entire village.

“No one helped me in my work, neither the government nor the villagers,” Lal told the Hindustan Times. “It was my dream to secure enough water for the whole village and their cattle.”

The story of Shyam Lal’s determination recently went viral in the whole of India, and prompted authorities in Mahendragarh district to finally acknowledge his achievement. A member of the government recently visited Saja Pahad and offered Lal a $ 156 prize for his contribution to the village.

【小题1】Where is the pond Shyam Lal chose to dig?
A.Near his home.B.In his field.
C.Near a river.D.In a forest.
【小题2】How does Shyam Lal feel about his work?
A.Joyful.B.Envious.
C.Ambitious.D.Helpless.
【小题3】What does the underlined word “viral” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A.Widely.B.Seriously.
C.Secretly.D.Occasionally.
【小题4】What made the government admit Shyam Lal’s achievement?
A.He had been living badly.
B.His influence was great.
C.The appeal of the villagers was high.
D.The government wished people to follow the example of him.

同类题2

   When we talk about stars, especially women stars, it seems that they are always young, pretty and own charming body shapes. But recently a Britain's Got Talent(英国达人)star Susan Boyle has changed our views absolutely.
Simon Cowell, one of the judges of the talent show spoke of his shock over Ms Boyle's voice. "This lady came up, and I'm thinking, 'This will take five seconds and I can go to have a cup of tea'. That changed when she began to sing I Dreamed to Dream from Les Miserables. She knew we were going to have that reaction and just to see that look of satisfaction on her face through -it was one of my favorite moments," Cowell said.
The performance was posted on line and before long, the 47-year-old Scottish woman has been famous all over the world.
Speaking from her home in Scotland, Ms Boyle said that she hasn't thought of changing her appearance. She said that her friend helped her with make-up. "I mean, that's hardly a makeover(改头换面)," she added. Ms Boyle also spoke of the reason she first began to explore her vocal talents, "I was kind of slow at school, so getting like singing was a good way of hiding behind that and thus it built my confidence."
【小题1】Susan Boyle is _________
A.a judgeB.a Scottish woman
C.a beautiful womanD.a reporter
【小题2】Susan Boyle had a look of satisfaction on her face when she was singing because______.
A.she was confident of her singing
B.she was satisfied with the judges
C.she was pretty and in good shape
D.she sang the song I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables
【小题3】According to the passage, which is NOT true?
A.It was the vocal talents that built Susan's confidence
B.Susan Boyle was not good at her lesson when at school.
C.Susan Boyle became famous because of her appearance.
D.Simon Cowell didn't think Susan Boyle a good singer at the first sight.
【小题4】What can we learn from Susan Boyle's success
A.It's never too old to learn.
B.It's easier to succeed at the age of 47.
C.If you are not able to study well, to be a singer instead.
D.If you have a dream, try to make it come true!

同类题5

   Ludwig van Beethoven is the most famous classical composer of the Western world. He is known for his powerful music and for continuing to compose after he became deaf.

Born to a musical family in the small German city of Bonn in December 1770, Beethoven was an excellent pianist and violinist as a boy. He soon became the first important composer to earn a successful living without working for the church or court. Beethoven began to lose his hearing in the late 1790s and by 1819 he was totally deaf. When he heard nothing, in order to hear the notes (音符), he cut the legs off the piano so that he could feel the vibrations (震动)as he played.

Beethoven enjoyed taking long walks in the countryside. The villagers respected him a lot and would not bother him when they passed him. He was a strange man with his untidy clothes, wild hair and a bad temper.

For his last 15 years Beethoven was regarded as the world’s best composer. The four-note beginning to his Fifth Symphony is one of the most famous moments in all of music. The notes were described as “Fate knocking at the door”. He wrote the popular Moonlight Sonata in 1801.

Beethoven never married. After his death in March 1827, his friends found his letters to a lover, but they never found out who she was.

Besides lots of concerts and broadcasts, over 200 films use Beethoven’s music. Although he died many years ago, Beethoven is still influencing the music world.

【小题1】Most of Beethoven’s works are of___________.
A.light musicB.powerful music
C.sad musicD.violin music
【小题2】According to the passage, what can we know about Beethoven?
A.He was totally deaf at the age of 28.
B.He didn’t like working for the church or court.
C.His family had some effect on him in music.
D.Many of Beethoven’s works were composed for a girl.
【小题3】Why did many people think of Beethoven as a strange man?
A.Because he continued to compose after his deafness.
B.Because he never married all his life.
C.Because he enjoyed taking long walks in the countryside.
D.Because he didn’t care for his appearance and had a bad temper.
【小题4】What’s the best title of the passage?
A.Beethoven, the world’s best composer
B.Beethoven, a very strange composer
C.Beethoven, a struggling composer
D.Beethoven, the world’s most productive composer