Passge 1

Humans are fascinated by the source of their failings and virtues.This preoccupation inevitably leads to an old debate: whether nature or nurture moulds us more.A revolution in genetics has poised this as a modern political question about the character of our society: if personalities are hard-wired into our genes, what can governments do to help us? It feels morally questionable, yet claims of genetic selection by intelligence are making headlines.

Fir:人类为失败和美德的源头而着迷。这个关注点不可避免地导向了一个老生常谈的话题：是天性使然，还是后天培养因素更多？像一个关于我们社会意识形态的现代政治问题一样的基因变革已在酝酿：如果个性是我们基因所固有的，那么政府可以帮我们做些什么呢？它在道德上存在问题，但是智商的基因选择声明正在冲上热搜。

fascinate 着迷的； preoccupation 全神贯注；当务之急
poise 保持（某种姿势）沉着自信；稳重； wire 电线；导线 inevitably 不可避免地；必然地

Sec:人类着迷于探究自己失败和美德的归因问题。这种关注不可避免地导致了一场熟悉的辩论：是天性还是后天培养更多地塑造了我们？遗传学革命使这场辩论成为关于我们社会特征的现代政治问题：如果性格深深镌刻在了我们的基因中，那么政府可以做什么来帮助我们？这在道德层面上是存疑的，但是最近却有通过智力实现基因选择的主张成了头条新闻。

This is down to”hereditarian”（遗传论的）science and a recent paper claimed”differences in exam performance between pupils attending selective and non-selective schools mirror the genetic differences between them”.With such an assertion,the work was predictably greeted by a lot of absurd claims about “genetics determining academic success”. What the research revealed was the rather less surprising result: the educational benefits of selective schools largely disappear once pupils’inborn ability and socio-economic background were taken into account. It is a glimpse of the blindingly obvious—and there’s nothing to back strongly either a hereditary or environmental argument.

Fir:这是由于遗传科学和一篇最近的论文表示“在选择性学校和非选择性学校的学生中的考试差异表现反映了他们之间的基因差异”。因为这样的一个断言，这项工作不出意外地受到了很多“基因决定学术成果”的荒唐说法的欢迎。这项研究发现是一个并不惊人的结果：一旦学生们天赋异禀，那么选择性学校教育的好处就消失不见了，并且社会经济背景也算在内。这是非常盲目的一点——而且没有什么遗传方面或是环境方面强力的论据。

pupils 学生 socio-economic 社会经济的 blindingly 极其的；炫目的 back 背；后面；支持 argument 争论；论点；观点

Sec:这源于“基因决定论”学说，且近期的一篇论文声称，来自精英学校和普通学校的学生在学习成绩上的差异反映了他们基因的不同。不出所料，因为这种论断，该论文引发了很多荒谬的主张，认为“基因决定了学业的成功”。这项研究的揭示反而并不太令人震惊:一旦将学生的天资和社会经济背景两个因素考虑在内，精英学校的教育优势在很大程度上就消失了。这只是对极为显而易见的事实的粗略总结——结果是没有任何证据可以有力的支持遗传论或环境决定论。

Yet the paper does say children are”unintentionally genetically selected”by the school system. Central to hereditarian science is a tall claim: that identifiable variations in genetic sequences can predict an individual’s aptness to learn, reason and solve problems. This is problematic on many levels. A teacher could not seriously tell a parent their child has a low genetic tendency to study when external factor clearly exist. Unlike-minded academics say the inheritability of human traits is scientifically unsound. At best there is a weak statistical association and not a causal link between DNA and intelligence. Yet sophisticated statistics are used to create an intimidatory atmosphere of scientific certainty.

Fir:但是这个论文说儿童是学校系统“偶然的基因选择”。遗传科学的核心是一个高傲的主张；它在基因上检测的多样性结果可以预测个人学习、推理以及解决问题的能力。这在许多层面上是一个难题。一个老师不能负责任的告诉你当外部因素真实存在的话，父母的孩子在学习方面有一点基因趋势。不同观点的学者们说人类的继承特点是并不科学的。最多是一个弱统计相关并且不是DNA和智力之间的因果关系。然而复杂的统计被用来营造一种科学确定的恐慌氛围。

aptness 适合性；倾向；才能 at best 最多 trait 特性；特征 unsound 不稳妥的；不健全的； intimidatory 恐吓的，威胁的

Sec:然而，该论文确实说明了孩子们被学校系统“无意地进行了基因选择”，遗传决定论的核心主张荒唐离奇，其认为:基因序列的可识别差异可以预测个人的学习、推理和解决问题的能力。这种说法在很多层面上都存在问题。当外部因素明显存在时，老师不能严肃地告诉家长他们的孩子有较低的学习遗传倾向。观点不一致的学者认为，人类特征的可遗传性在科学上是不可靠的。DNA和智力之间充其量只是一种微弱的数据统计上的关联，绝不是因果关系。然而，复杂的统计数据被用来创造一种令人生畏的科学确定性的氛围。

While there’s an undoubted genetic basis to individual difference,it is wrong to think that socially defined groups can be genetically accounted for. The fixation on genes as destiny is surely false too. Medical predictability can rarely be based on DNA alone; the environment matters too. Something as complex as intellect is likely to be affected by many factors beyond genes. If hereditarians want to advance their cause it will require more balanced interpretation and not just acts of advocacy.

Fir:毫无疑问，个体差异是有基因基础的，但是认为社会所定义的群组能够被基因解释是错误的。把基因当作天命的执念也是大错特错。医学预测很少单独基于DNA；环境问题也是一样。某些事像智力一样复杂，可能被超出基因之外的多种因素影响。如果遗传学家的事业想要进步，就需要更多均衡的解释而不仅仅是倡导行为。

account 账户；说明，解释 fixation 专注，迷恋 medical 体格检查；医学的，医疗的 matter 事关紧要；有重大影响；问题；事情； cause 原因；导致；事业 interpretation 解释；理解；表演 advocacy 倡导；拥护

Sec:虽然个体差异有遗传基础，这毋庸置疑，但认为社会群体的界定可以用遗传来解释的观点是错误的。痴迷于基因决定命运当然也是错误的。医学上的预测不可能仅仅基于DNA；环境也很重要。像智力这样复杂的东西，很可能受到基因以外的很多其他因素的影响。如果遗传论者想要推进他们的工作，就需要更多客观公正的解释，而不仅仅是宣扬他们的论点。

Genetic selection is a way of exerting influence over others,”the ultimate collective control of human destinies,”as writer H, G,Wells put it. Knowledge becomes power and power requires a sense of responsibility. In understanding cognitive ability,we must not elevate discrimination to a science; allowing people to climb the ladder of life only as far as their cells might suggest. This will need a more sceptical eye on the science. As technology progresses,we all have a duty to make sure that we shape a future that we would want to find ourselves in。

Fir:基因选择是一种影响他人的方式，“最终人类命运的集体控制，”像作家H, G,Wells所说的那样。知识成为力量，而力量需要一种责任感。在认知理解能力上，我们不能把歧视上升到科学层面；让人们仅凭他们细胞可能的暗示而提高生活的阶级。这将需要在科学上有更多审视的监控。随着科技进步，我们每个人都有责任确保我们塑造的是一个我们想要的未来。

exert 发挥；尽力；施加；努力 ultimate 最后的；最终的 collective 集体的；共有的 discrimination 歧视；区别对待
elevate 提高；提拔；举起 ladder 阶梯；阶段

Sec:遗传选择是对他人施加影响的一种方式，正如作家H, G,Wells所说，“是对人类命运集中控制的终极形式”。知识成为力量，而力量的发挥需要有责任感。在理解认知能力的过程中，我们不能将歧视抬高为科学:这将导致人类只能在他们基因暗示的范围内攀登人生的阶梯。这就需要我们对科学更加抱有怀疑的眼光。随着科技的进步，我们都有责任确保我们塑造的未来是我们希望自己所生活的未来。

  1. What did a recent research paper claim?//最近的一篇研究论文是怎么说的？-D
    A) The type of school students attend makes a difference to their future.//学生就读的学校类型对他们的未来有很大影响
    B) Genetic differences between students are far greater than supposed.//学生之间基因差异比想象的要大得多。
    C) The advantages of selective schools are too obvious to ignore.//重点学校的优点太明显了，不能忽略
    D) Students’ academic performance is determined by their genes.//学生的学业表现由他们的基因决定
  2. What does the author think of the recent research?//作者如何看待最近的研究 -A
    A)Its result was questionable. //它的结果有待商榷 C)Its influence was rather negligible.//它的影响微不足道
    B)Its implication was positive.// 它的意义是积极的 D)Its conclusions were enlightening.//它的结论具有启发性
  3. What does the author say about the relationship between DNA and intelligence? //作者认为DNA和智力之间的关系如何？-D
    A)It is one of scientific certainty. //这是一种科学事实 C)It is subject to interpretation of statistics.//这取决于统计数据的表现
    B)It is not one of cause and effect.//这不是一个因果关系 D)It is not fully examined by gene scientists.//基因科学家没有充分的检查它
  4. What do hereditarians need to do to make their claims convincing?//遗传学家要证实他们的主张需要做些什么？ -A
    A) Take all relevant factors into account in interpreting their data.//在解释他们的数据时考虑所有相关因素
    B) Conduct their research using more sophisticated technology.//使用更加精密的仪器研究
    C) Gather gene data from people of all social classes.//从各类社会人群中收集基因数据
    D) Cooperate with social scientists in their research.//与社会科学家联合研究
  5. What does the author warn against in the passage? //作者在段落中警告不要做什么？-B
    A)Exaggerating the power of technology in shaping the world.//夸大科技在塑造世界方面的能力
    B)Losing sight of professional ethics in conducting research.//忽视研究中的职业道德
    C)Misunderstanding the findings of human cognition research.//误解人类感知研究的发现
    D)Promoting discrimination in the name of science.//以科学的名义发动歧视

    supposed 假定的；想象的 advantage 好处；利益 selective school 重点学校
    rather 相当；宁愿；而不是 implication 含意；可能的影响；暗示 enlighten 启蒙；教导；启迪 enlightening 富有启发性的 subject 学科；隶属的，臣服的；可能受……影响的，易遭受……的；受……支配的，服从于……的；取决于，视……而定 cause and effect 因果关系 hereditarian 遗传学者 ethic 伦理学；道德准则


Passge 2

Nicola Sturgeon’s speech last Tuesday setting out the Scottish government’s legislative programme for the year ahead confirmed what was already pretty clear. Scottish councils are set to be the first in the UK with the power to levy charges on visitors,with Edinburgh likely to lead the way.

Fir:Nicola Sturgeon上周二的演讲已经证实了苏格兰政府未来的立法议程。苏格兰议会是第一个在英国对游客收税的议会，爱丁堡很可能引领潮流。

confirm 证实；确定； for the year ahead 在未来的年月里

Sec:上周二，Nicola Sturgeon在演讲中阐述了苏格兰政府未来一年的立法计划，证实了已经相当清楚的事实。苏格兰议会将成为英国第一个有权向游客收费的议会，爱丁堡很可能走在前列。

Tourist taxes are not new. The Himayalan kingdom of Bhutan has a longstanding policy of charging visitors a daily fee.France’s tax on overnight stays was introduced to assist thermal spa（温泉）towns to develop, and around half of French local authorities use it today.

Fir:旅游税不是现在才有的。不丹的喜马拉雅王国有一个收取游客日常费用的长期政策。法国夜晚停留税是为了帮助温泉镇的发展，如今近半的法国当局使用这个税。

introduce 介绍；引进；采用

Sec:旅游税并非新鲜事。喜马拉雅王国不丹一直有向游客按日收费的政策。法国为了帮助温泉小镇发展而引入了过夜税，而且法国目前大约有一半的地方当局仍在使用这项税收政策。

But such levies are on the rise. Moves by Barcelona and Venice to deal with the phenomenon of “over-tourism” through the use of charges have recently gained prominence. Japan and Greece are among the countries to have recently introduced tourist taxes.

Fir:但这些税款在增涨。巴塞罗那和威尼斯最近针对于“超限旅游”的现象通过收税的举措获得了成效。日本和希腊也在最近引入旅游税的国家当中。

prominence 突出；重要

Sec:但这样的税收正在增多。巴塞罗那和威尼斯近来通过收费解决“过度旅游”现象的举措广受关注。日本和希腊最近也加入了开征旅游税的国家行列。

That the UK lags behind is due to our weak,by international standards,local government, as well as the opposition to taxes and regulation of our aggressively pro-market ruling party.Some UK cities have lobbied without success for the power to levy a charge on visitors. Such levies are no universal remedy as the amounts raised would be tiny compared with what has been taken away by central government since 2010.Still, it is to be hoped that the Scottish government’s bold move will prompt others to act. There is no reason why visitors to the UK,or domestic tourists on holiday in hotspots such as Cornwall,should be exempt from taxation—particularly when vital local services including waste collection,park maintenance and arts and culture spending are under unprecedented strain.

Fir:英国的落后源于我们的虚弱，国际标准，以及我们侵略性的亲市场执政党对这项税款的拒绝与管制。一些英国城市向游客游说以获取收税的权力，但没有成功。这项税收并不是普遍的解决办法，因为与中央政府自2010年起收取的数量相比，这项税款的数额微不足道。但仍希望苏格兰政府这一冒险的举动会促进其他动作。去英国的游客，或者热点地区比如康沃尔假期里的的国内游客，没有理由免税——特别是当关键的包括垃圾回收、公园维护、艺术文化传播在内的本地公共服务在史无前例的压力之下。

lag 延迟；滞后 opposition反对，反抗；敌对 universal 普遍的，全体的，全世界的；通用的;宇宙的 raise 提高；饲养；筹集 bold 大胆的；加粗；冒失的 hotspot 危险地带，热点地区 exempt 豁免；免除 waste 垃圾；废物；浪费；废料

Sec:按照国际标准来看，英国之所以在旅游税征收方面落后于其他国家，是因为地方政府软弱无能，同时执政党积极支持自由市场，反对税收和监管。一些英国城市为取得向游客征税的权利进行了游说，但没有成功。这样的征税并不是万能的补救措施，因为与中央政府自2010年以来收回的资金相比，这样征收到的资金微不足道。尽管如此，还是希望苏格兰政府的大胆举措能够促使其他地方采取行动。前往英国的游客或者前往康沃尔等热点地区度假的国内旅客没有理由免于征税。尤其是当垃圾回收、公园维护和文化艺术支出等当地至关重要的服务面临前所未有的压力时。

On the contrary, compelling tourists to make a financial contribution to the places they visit beyond their personal consumption should be part of a wider cultural shift. Westerners with disposable incomes have often behaved as if they have a right to go wherever they choose with little regard for the consequences. Just as the environmental harm caused by aviation and other transport must come under far greater scrutiny, the social cost of tourism must also be confronted. This inchudes the impact of short-term lets on housing, costs and quality of life for residents. Several European capitals,including Paris and Berlin,are leading a campaign for tougher regulation by the European Union. It also includes the impact of overcrowding, litter and the kinds of behaviour associated with noisy parties.

Fir:相反，强制游客对他们游览的地方进行超出个人消费的财政支持应该是更广泛的文化转变的一部分。西方人的可支配收入经常表现得像是他们有权利去他们可以选择的任何地方而几乎不考虑后果。随着环境恶化导致航空行业和其他交通方式必须处于更严密的监察之下，旅游业的社会支出也必须面对这样的检察。这包括对于居民的短期租房、成本和生活质量的影响。包括巴黎、柏林在内的各个欧洲首都，引领了一个要求欧盟加强监管的活动。这也涉及了过度拥挤、垃圾还有与喧闹相关的聚会行为。

contrary 相反的；相对的；矛盾的 disposable 用后即丢弃的；一次性的；可支配的，可自由使用的 as if 仿佛，好像 regard 把…看作；尊重；注意 aviation 航空；航空制造业 confront 面对，面临；正视，处理 several 几个，数个；不同的，各自的 campaign 战役；运动 noisy 喧闹的；吵杂的

Sec:相反，游客在个人消费之外还应该为他们参观的地方做出经济贡献这一观念应该是使文化转型更具多样性。拥有可支配收入的西方人经常表现得他们有权去任何他们选择的地方，而不用考虑后果。正如航空和其他交通方式对环境造成的危害必须受到更严格的审查一样，我们也必须面对旅游的社会成本。这包括短期租房对居民生活的住房成本和生活质量的影响。巴黎和柏林等一些欧洲国家的首都正在引领一场运动，旨在允许欧盟实施更加严格的监管。社会成本还包括过度拥挤、乱扔垃圾以及吵闹派对相关的各种行为的影响。

There is no “one size fits all” solution to this problem.The existence of new revenue streams for some but not all councils is complicated, and businesses are often opposed, fearing higher costs will make them uncompetitive. But those places that want them must be given the chance to make tourist taxes work.

Fir:对于这个问题来说，这不是一个“通用全局”的解决方法。对于一部分而非所有的委员会来说，新资金流的存在是复杂的，并且企业一直反对，担心更高的成本会使他们不再有竞争力。但那些想要它们的地方必须有机会让旅游税收启动。
Sec:这个问题没有万全之策。部分议会而不是所有议会有新的收入来源，这种情况是复杂的，且经常遭到企业的反对，他们担心更高的成本会使自己失去竞争力。但对于那些想要征收旅游税的地方，必须给他们机会，让旅游税发挥作用。

  1. What do we learn from Nicola Sturgeon’s speech? A
    A) The UK is set to adjust its policy on taxation.//英国决定调整税收政策
    B) Tourists will have to pay a tax to visit Scotland.//游客们来苏格兰旅行要缴税
    C) The UK will take new measures to boost tourism.//英国要采取新的措施以提振旅游业
    D) Edinburgh contributes most to Scotland’s tourism.//爱丁堡对苏格兰旅游业的贡献最大
  2. How come the UK has been slow in imposing the tourist tax? //为什么英国在征旅游税方面一直行动迟缓-D
    A)Its government wants to attract more tourists.//政府想要吸引更多的游客
    B) The tax is unlikely to add much to its revenue.//这种税不太可能增加太多收入
    C) Its ruling party is opposed to taxes and regulation.//执政党反对收税和管制
    D)It takes time for local governments to reach consensus.//地方政府达成共识需要时间
  3. Both international and domestic visitors in the UK should pay tourist tax so as to //英国的国际游客与国内游客都要交旅游税用来_ -D
    A) elevate its tourism to international standards//把旅游业提升到国际水平
    B)improve the welfare of its maintenance workers//改善养护工作者的福利
    C) promote its cultural exchange with other nations//促进与其他国家的文化交流
    D) ease its financial burden of providing local services//缓解提供本地公共服务的财政压力
  4. What does the author say about Western tourists? //作者说西方游客怎样？-B
    A) They don’t seem to care about the social cost of tourism.//他们看上去不关心旅游的社会成本
    B) They don’t seem to mind paying for additional services.//他们似乎不介意对公共服务额外付费
    C) They deem travel an important part of their life.//他们认为旅行是生命中一个重要的组成部分
    D) They subject the effects of tourism to scrutiny.//他们对旅游业受到的影响进行审视
  5. What are UK people’s opinions about the levy of tourist tax? //英国人对这样重的旅游税怎么看？-C
    A)Supportive. //支持 B)Skeptical. //怀疑 C) Divided. //有分歧的 D)Unclear//不清楚

    How come 为什么，怎么会？ impose 推行；迫使；强制实行；把…强加于；征税
    party 聚会，派对；政党，党派 reach consensus 达成共识 elevate 抬高；提升；升高 levy 征收（税） deem 认为，相信 scrutiny 仔细检查