Text 4
The topic of cloning has been a politically and ethically controversial one since its very beginning. While the moral and philosophical aspects of the issues are entirely up to the interpretation of the individual, the application of cloning technology can be studied objectively. Many in the scientific community advocate the use of cloning for the preservation and support of endangered species of animals, which aside from cloning, have no other practical hope for avoiding extinction.
The goal of the use of cloning to avoid extinction is the reintroduction of new genes into the gene pool of species with few survivors, ensuring the maintenance and expansion of genetic diversity. Likely candidates for this technique are species known to have very few surviving members, such as the African Bongo Antelope, the Sumatran Tiger, and the Chinese Giant Panda. In the case of Giant Panda, some artificial techniques for creating offspring have already been performed, perhaps paving the way for cloning as the next step in the process.
With the estimated population of only about 1000 Giant Pandas left in the world, the urgency of the situation has led to desparate measures. One panda was born through the technique of artificial insemination in the San Diego Zoo in the United States.“Hua Mei”was born in 1999 after her parents, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, had trouble conceiving naturally.
The plan to increase the Giant Panda population through the use of cloning involves the ase of a species related to the Giant Panda, the American Black Bear. Egg cells will be removed from female black bears and then fertilized with Panda cells such as those from Ling-Ling or Hsing-Hsing. The fertilized embryo will then re-implanted into the black bear, where it will grow and mature, until a new panda Is delivered from the black bear host.
Critics of cloning technology argue that the emphasis on cloning as a method by which to preserve species will draw finding away from other methods, such as habitat preservation and conservation. Proponents of cloning counter that many countries in which many endangered species exist are too poor to protect and maintain the species* habitats anyway, making cloning technology the only practical way to ensure that those species survive to future generations. The issue is still hotly debated, as both sides weigh the benefits that could be achieved against the risks and ethical concerns that constantly accompany any argument on the Issue.
The author raises the issue of ethical consideration in cloning in paragraph 1 in order to ________.
作者在文章第一段提到“尽管克隆问题从一开始就是政治界和哲学界一直争议的问题，其哲学和道德的 解释完全依赖于个人的解读，但是我们仍然可以从客观的角度去看待这个问题”。由此可知作者在强调本 文要解决的问题。故选 A。
The author directs attention to“Hua Mei”， the baby panda born in the San Diego Zoo, in order to ________.
文章在第二段提到了“...some artificial techniques for creating offspring have already been performed, perhaps paving the way for cloning as the next step in the process ”，一些创造后代的人造技术已经施行，也许会为今后的克隆创造条件。然后作者在第三段提到美国 San Diego Zoo的“Hua Mei”通过人工繁衍后代的技术得以降生。所以推测作者意在表达“人工繁衍后代的技术已经获得了成功”。故选C。
Paragraph 4 is written in order to ________.
根据文章第四段第一句“The plan to increase the Giant Panda population through the use of cloning involves the use”，通过使用克隆技术来增加大熊猫数量的计划还包括使用……。由此可知此段将为读者介绍大熊猫的繁衍是如何进行的。故选 D 。
The main purpose of the last paragraph is to ________.
作者在文章的最后一段第一句介绍了“克隆技术的批判者认为强调克隆技术来保护物种会排除掉其它可以用来保护物种的方法，比如说对生态栖息地的保持和维护”，第二句又提到“克隆技术的支持者认为一些物种濒临灭绝的国家过于贫穷而无法通过保护其栖息地的办法保留物种，人工繁衍后代是唯一实用的办法”。由此可知作者在文章最后一段“阐述了在克隆问题上有关另一个争议的双方的看法”。故选B。
It can be inferred from the information given in the text that the best candidate for cloning would be ________.
根据文章可知“大熊猫是濒临灭绝的动物，而且又有与它相关的物种（如美国黑熊）可以作为克隆媒体”， 由此推测克隆的最佳候选人应该具备的条件是“濒临灭绝”以及“存在与其相关的物种”。故选B。