Human Genome
A six-country scientific association revealed yesterday that it had drawn up a complete
human genome map*, completing one of the most ambitious scientific projects ever,
and offering a major opportunity for medical advances. The president of this
association which comprises Britain, China, France, Germany, Japan and the United
States, said the work had been finished two years ahead of schedule.
The heads of government of these countries said in a joint statement that now
"revolutionary progress will be made in biomedical sciences and in the health and
welfare of mankind."
Scientists have predicted that major progress can now be made in many incurable and
genetic diseases.
The National Human Genome Research Institute, the leading agency in the United
States, said the work was historic. It added in a statement that "the international efforts
to sequence the three billion DNA letters in the human genome is considered by many
to be one of the most ambitious scientific undertakings of all time, even compared to
splitting the atom or going to the moon"
Francis Collins, the leader of the international team said, "the entire project’ goals
have been completed successfully – well in advance of the original deadline and for a
cost substantially less than the original estimates". The human genome map cost about
§ 2.7 billion to draw up, about § 300 million under the predicted cost, according to the
US institute.
Research by hundreds of experts at 20 centres in the six countries started in 1990 and a
first draft of the human sequence was made public in June 2000. Scientists announced
last February that they had completed a map of % of the human genome.
Their outstanding work will be noted in the history of science and technology, and as
well in the history of humankind, as a landmark achievement." Knowledge of the
human genome will enable scientists to find better ways of preventing medical
problems, new drugs to treat previously untreatable disorders and medicines with
fewer side effects, according to experts.
The Observer, April 2003.
*Genome map =
COMPREHENSION: 15 points
BASE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT
A/ ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS: 4 pts
1. What scientific achievement did the association announce?
……………………………………………………………………
2. How do the scientists describe the human genome map?
……………………………………………………………………
3. How long di dit take the experts to complete the genome map?
……………………………………………………………………
4. What characteristics will the future medical drugs have?
…………………………………………………………………
B/ ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY: 4 pts
1. The heads of states in the six countries reacted positively to the genome map.
……………………………………………………………………
2. The treatment of genetic diseases will improve thanks to the genome map.
……………………………………………………………………
3. The cost of the project was over-estimated at the beginning.
……………………………………………………………………
4. The research was conducted in the USA.
……………………………………………………………………
C. WHAT DO THE UNDERLINED WORDS IN THE TEXT REFER TO? 3 pts
1. The word (paragraph 1): ……………………………..
2. These countries (paragraph 2): ……………………………..
3. Their (paragraph 5): ……………………………..
D/ FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS WGICH MEAN THE
SAME AS: 4 pts
1. Planned programme (paragraph 1): …………………………..
2. Prosperity (paragraph 2): …………………………….
3. Approximate calculations (paragraph 3): …………………………..
4. Time by which something must be completed (paragraph 3): ………………
LANGUAGE: 15 points
A/ REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH THE
WORDS GIVEN: 5 pts
1. You have to read the whole article to understand what it is about.
It is important that you…………………………………………..
2. The match was postponed because the weather was bad.
Due to ………………………………………………….
3. The government has implemented a new educational system.
A new educational system………………………………
4. It’s not necessary to book a seat. I have already done it for you.
You needn’t…………………………………………
5. Ali has lived in London for live years, but he can’t speak English fluently.
In spite of …………………………………………….
B/ GIVE THE CORRECT FORM OF THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS: 5
pts
1. John has no friends because he is (loyal) ________________
2. Concord, the (Atlantic) _______________plane, will stop flying by the end of the
year.
3. An (agronomy ________________works both on the field and in the laboratory.
4. ‘Don’t smoke here, please. This compartment is for (smokers)
__________________
5. Children’s diseases are treated by a (paediatrics) _______________
C/ PUT IN THE APPROPRIATE ARTICLE WHERE NECESSARY: 2 pts
1. Allan:
Brahim:
2. Client:
What’s ____________best quality a friend should have?
I think it is _________honesty.
How much do ________bananas cost?
Greengrocer: They are nine Dirhams __________ kilo.
D/ MATCH THE SENTENCES UN 'A' WITH WHAT THEY EXPRESS In 'B ':
3 pts
A
B
1. You can use my computer
whenever you want.
2. You should go to bed before
midnight if you are to get up
early.
3. Students have to obey the
rules of their school.
WRITING: 10 points
a. It’s forbidden
b. It’s obligatory
c. It’s permitted
d. It’s desirable
It has been proved that smoking is bad for health and can cause many diseases.
Write an article for your school magazine in which you tell about the bad effects of
smoking and what parents and the authorities should do to prevent adolescents from
starting this very bad and dangerous habit.