[2026 盐城市响水县期末]James Watson, who passed away on November 6, 2025, was a world-famous scientist known as the “Father of DNA”.
He was born in 1928. His greatest achievement was the discovery of the double-helix structure(结构) of DNA with Francis Crick in 1953. This discovery was a huge step in the field of genetics(遗传学). It was like unlocking the secret code of life, as DNA includes all the genetic information that makes each living thing different.
People have known about DNA since 1869. But for a long time, nobody knew its structure. To find out, Watson worked with Francis Crick in the UK. They studied X-ray pictures of DNA taken by another
scientist, Rosalind Franklin. This led them to find out that DNA has two strands(缕，股). These strands twist around each other into a double helix.
Watson and Crick won the Nobel Prize in 1962. Watson’s work opened up new ways of understanding how genes are passed on from parents to children and how they affect our health and characteristics. After the discovery, he continued to work in genetics, making more contributions to the field. He also wrote many books to share his knowledge and ideas with the public.
Later in life, Watson also related genes to race(种族). He lost his job for this in 2007. Although Watson had some controversial(有争议的) views later, his scientific achievements cannot be ignored(忽略). His discovery changed the way we think about life and laid the basis for modern genetic research. His story shows us the power of curiosity and hard work in scientific research.
()37. Why did James Watson win the Nobel Prize?
A. He used X-rays to study DNA.
B. He successfully took pictures of DNA.
C. He discovered the structure of DNA.
D. He found out that there is DNA.
()38.（创新考法·图片理解）What might DNA look like?
A. B.
C. D.
()39. What does the underlined word “unlocking” in Paragraph 2 mean?
mean?
A. keeping B. discovering
C. making D. hiding
()40. What’s the best title for the passage?
A. The Double-Helix Structure of DNA
B. James Watson: A Great but Controversial Scientist
C. The History of Genetics Research
D. Secrets Hidden in Our DNA
以填入空白处的最佳选项。
[2025 南通市如东县模拟]Li Ziqi, a Chinese internet star famous for sharing traditional skills, made her first appearance at the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala. 41. She even spent months with them practising skills like weaving and dyeing(织和染). In addition, she learned how to make bamboo flowers. “These skills are treasures of our culture,” she said.
In fact, her performance became one of the most exciting moments of the show. 42.
A Magical Opening Scene
The Spring Festival Gala started with Li Ziqi standing on the stage. When the camera focused on her, large butterfly wings made with Weifang kite and gold-weaving skills opened behind her. 43. This mix of modern technology and traditional art surprised the audience.
A Dress Full of Traditional Skills
Li’s dress showed many traditional crafts(工艺). It used plant dyeing (colouring cloth with leaves), bamboo weaving, and Qiang embroidery. The butterfly designs on her dress included Chengdu lacquer art and Yingshan silk flowers. 44. “Every part of this dress tells a story from the past,” Li said.
Why It Matters
As a “Sichuan ICH Ambassador”, Li’s performance served as an educational experience for young viewers. She introduced them to the beauty and intricacy(精细) of traditional Chinese arts. After the show, many viewers searched online to learn about these skills. “I never knew bamboo weaving could be so fun!” wrote a teenage fan on social media. 45. Her performance reminded everyone: cultural heritage is not just history—it is a treasure for the future.
A. And it drew millions of viewers across the nation.
B. Li Ziqi proved that old traditions can live in modern times.
C. Some of them said they wanted to try traditional crafts themselves.
D. In total, 13 different intangible cultural heritage(非遗) skills were used.
E. Robotic butterflies flew around her, creating a beautiful scene for viewers.
F. To make her performance successful, she worked closely with traditional craftsmen.