2019年英语六级阅读理解试题库及答案（14）

In Brazil, the debate over genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, affects mostly soybean production. Brazil is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans behind the United States and ahead of Argentina. Most European and Asian retailers want to remain GM free.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Brazil are going on a media offensive to prevent the legalization of genetically modified crops. Environmentalists and consumer groups for years have been able to thwart government and companies’ attempts to legalize altered food. In radio dramas that are being broadcast in remote regions, Brazilian NGOs are telling soy farmers the use of genetically modified seeds could endanger their health, their fields and their business. "We are not saying that genetic engineering is, in principle, something bad; we say that we need more science to be sure that it will work in an appropriate way with no harm in the future," said campaign coordinator Jean-Marc von der Weid. "This is both for health and environmental reasons. The other question is on economics. What we think is that in Brazil, if we approve the GMOs, we will lose a spectacular advantage that we have now. We are selling more to the international market, mostly for Europe and Asia, than we have done in our history, because we are not GMO contaminated."

Another opposition group, ActionAid, has been organizing grass-roots support in Brazilian farming regions to rouse consumer sentiment against legalization. ActionAid public policy director Adriano Campolina says he is fighting for farmers to remain independent. "When the small-scale farmer or a big farmer starts using this kind of seed, this farmer will be completely dependent on the transnationals, which control intellectual property rights over these seeds," he said.

Brazilian scientist Crodowaldo Pavan said there should be checks on what multinationals can do, but that doesn’t mean GM seeds should be banned. He says fears over their usage are unfounded. Despite the official ban, Dr. Pavan says up to one third of Brazil’s soy crop is genetically modified, because GM seed is being smuggled from Argentina. Brazil’s government has invested heavily in a GM project by the U.S. biotech company, Monsanto, but the project was put on ice following a successful court challenge by consumers.

The anti-GMO groups are hoping the politicians’ preoccupation with the October presidential election will give them time to gather enough support to defeat any future attempts to legalize genetically altered crops.

1. According to the passage, the issue in dispute in Brazil is ___________.

[A] contamination of the environment by genetically modified crops

[B] Brazil’s standing in the international market

[C] the October presidential election

[D] the legalization of genetically modified organisms

2. According to the passage, Brazil is the world’s _____________ soybean producer.

[A] largest

[B] second largest

[C] third largest

[D] fourth largest

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true about NGOs in Brazil?

[A] They believe genetically modified crops will harm the farmers’ health.

[B] They believe genetic engineering is altogether a bad practice.

[C] They believe scientific methods should be introduced to ensure GM brings no harm.

[D] They believe GMOs will harm Brazil economically.

4. Which of the following statements is true about the organization called ActionAid?

[A] They encourage the farmers to produce genetically modified products.

[B] They encourage the farmers to depend on themselves for seeds.

[C] They strongly support the legalization of genetically modified products.

[D] They encourage the farmers to upgrade their farms to bigger ones.

5. What does the Brazilian scientist Crodowaldo Pavan say about genetically modified products?

[A] Genetically modified seeds should be banned.

[B] Brazil government should crack down on the smuggling of genetically modified seeds.

[C] The fear over the use of genetically modified seeds is uncalled for.

[D] Consumers should file more law suits to protect their rights.

　　答案及解析

1. 答案是[D] the legalization of genetically modified organisms

解析： 本文介绍的是巴西的一些民间组织如何反对转基因作物。他们从转基因产品对环境的污染，对农户身体的损害，以及对巴西经济的影响出发，反对政府将转基因作物合法化。文章主要介绍的是Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)和ActionAid两个组织。作者在文章末尾也介绍了一些其他的立场。例如巴西科学家Crodowaldo Pavan，他认为不能简单地将转基因作物一棍子打死。过分的担忧是没有必要的。政府即使禁止转基因作物，也有从阿根廷走私过来的种子，这使得巴西三分之一的作物实际上都是转基因的。巴西政府本来投资准备和美国的生化公司

Monsanto合作，但是因为消费者起诉并打赢了官司，该项目只能束之高阁。反对转基因作物的组织还打算在10月的总统大选前对政客们施加压力，准备将反对转基因作物的斗争进行到底。

2. 答案是[B] second largest

解析：相关内容在文章开头: Brazil is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans behind the United States and ahead of Argentina. 巴西为世界上第二大大豆生产国。仅次于美国，位居阿根廷之前。

3. 答案是[B] They believe genetic engineering is altogether a bad practice.

解析：文章第二段介绍的是NGO的立场。作者引用NGO负责人Jean-Marc von der Weid 的话说，"We are not saying that genetic engineering is, in principle, something bad; we say that we need more science to be sure that it will work in an appropriate way with no harm in the future," said campaign coordinator Jean-Marc von der Weid. "This is both for health and environmental reasons. (我们并不是说转基因工程不好;我们的立场是，需要用科学方法来确保它不会在将来对环境造成危害。这主要是出于对环境和健康的考虑。)四个选项中只有[B]不符合NGO的立场。

4. 答案是[B] They encourage the farmers to depend on themselves for seeds.

解析：文章第三段介绍的是另一个反对组织，ActionAid。它也同样反对降转基因作物合法化。它号召巴西的农户不要依靠跨国公司作为种子的来源，否则就会被牢牢地控制住，失去自主权。

5. 答案是[C] The fear over the use of genetically modified seeds is uncalled for.

解析：文章第四段有如下内容: Brazilian scientist Crodowaldo Pavan said there should be checks on what multinationals can do, but that doesn’t mean GM seeds should be banned. He says fears over their usage are unfounded.巴西科学家Crodowaldo Pavan认为应该对跨国公司实行一定的监督, 但是不能对转基因作物全盘否定。他说，担心转基因作物的危害，是没有根据的(unfounded)。这和[C]的叙述相符合。

　　注释 Notes

soybean n.大豆 retailer n.零售商人,传播的人 offensive n. 攻击 legalization n.合法化,公认 thwart vt.反对,阻碍,横过 spectacular a.公开展示的,惊人的

contaminate vt.弄污,弄脏,染污,传染,毒害

grass-roots 由乡间民间来进行的; 一般民众的; a.一般民众的,由乡间民间来进行的

sentiment n.感情,感伤,情操,情趣,感想,意见; 情绪

unfounded a.无理由的; 无稽的 smuggle vt.偷运,走私,私运 be put on ice (美国俚语)被束之 preoccupation n.先取,先入成见,偏见,出神