D

Humans: It’s time to abandon (废弃) the earth or face extinction.

This prediction isn’t science fiction. It’s a glimpse of the future, according to famed British scientist Stephen Hawking. “I see great dangers for the human race,” he said in an interview with global forum (论坛) Big Think. “There have been a number of times in the past when its survival has been a question of touch and go (死里逃生).”

Hawking says humans must evacuate our home planet within the next two centuries and expand into space to survive. “I believe that the long-term future of the human race must be in space,” he said. “It will be difficult to avoid disaster on our planet Earth in the next hundred years, let alone the next thousand, or million.”

He also voiced some concerns about the future of life on the earth. In April, he spoke about his fear of aliens (外星人) in an interview for the Discovery Channel. “If aliens visit us, the outcome would be m uch as when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans,” he said. “Such advanced aliens would perhaps become wanderers, looking to conquer (征服) and colonize whatever planets they can reach.”

But Hawking says he is still hopeful for the future of humanity. “I’m an optimist,” he told Big Think. “We have made remarkable progress in the last hundred years. But if we want to continue beyond the next hundred years, our future is in space.”

Getting to another planet will prove a challenge, not to mention colonizing it for humanity. Universit y of Michigan astrophysicist (天体物理学家) Katherine Freese told Big Think that “the nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri which is 4.2 light years away. That means, if you were traveling at the speed of light the whole time, it would take 4.2 years to get there” --- or about 50,000 years using current rocket science.

63. According to the passage, which is NOT a reason why humans need to abandon the earth?

A. The earth will be destroyed by worldwide wars before long.

B. It will be hard for humans to avoid disasters on the earth in the future.

C. Lots of great dangers for humans have been seen.

D. Advanced aliens may conquer and colonize the earth some day.

64. The underlined word “evacuate” means “______”.

A. damage B. save C. move D. protect

65. Despite some concerns, Hawking’s attitude towards the future of humans is ______.

A. objective B. negative C. subjective D. positive

66. How long will it take to reach Proxima Centauri by current rocket?

A. About 4.2 years. B. About 50,000 years.

C. Less than 42,000 years. D. Over 10 years.

E

It is the preferred choice of millions of health-conscious Britons. But eating organic food (有机食品) could make you fat, experts have warned. A study has shown that people tend to believe that organic foods contain fewer calories, so buy and eat more. But people who decide to “go organic” could soon find themselves piling on the pounds.

The warning comes from American researchers who studied whether the sight of an organic label was enough to influence a person’s choice. For example, if people believe organic foods, produced without using pesticides (杀虫剂) and artificial fertilizers (化肥), have fewer calories, they may end up eating far too much and spending less time on sports activities and put on weight. Co rnell University researchers said: “ Some people mistakenly think that these foods are more nutritious (营养的), just because they carry an organic label.”

“The growing popularity of organic foods has led to some concern, as these foods may not necessarily be healthier than non-organic ones, but still may lead consumers to nutritional mis-judgments. If people feel a food to be more nutritious, they tend to let their guard down when it comes to counting calories---in the end leading them to overeat.”

Although a small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically-produced crops and traditionally-produced ones, these are of little health importance. It shows that there is no proof to support the choice of organically over traditionally-produced foods because of nutritional advantage.

67. Why more Britons tend to spend more money on organic foods?

A. They have stronger sense of health and like nutritious foods.

B. They think organic foods help remove fat in their bodies.

C. They find organic foods delicious and convenient in their life.

D. They have better living conditions with the help of the government.

68. When Britons think they have had enough nutrition in organic foods, they will __________.

A. eat less and do more sports to keep fit

B. do more sports to reduce the calories

C. eat less because the foods are expensive

D. eat more and do less exercise

69. Which of the following is TRUE?

A. There is no evidence that organic foods have more nutrition.

B. Traditional foods are richer in nutrition.

C. Britons are wise in choosing organic foods.

D. Organic labels play a supporting role in shops.

70. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Health Finding: Organic Foods Will Replace Traditional Foods

B. Health Warning: Organic Foods Could Make You Fat

C. Health Reminder: Organic Foods Have No Nutrition

D. Health Surprise: Organic Foods Are Being Discounted