University of Lincoln, the project leader, has put together a team of many different kinds of scientists with different skills. Those skills were all needed to make what he calls "one of the most complex" medical machines ever. It's also 10 times more expensive than X-ray radiotherapy. Even so, Allinson believes that most cancer treatment will be done by protons in the future. "I think it will improve the quality of life of many cancer patients, " he says.

【文章大意】文章讲述了癌症这一顽症的最新治疗方法--质子放疗。

1. What point does the first paragraph make?

A. Cancer is a really terrible disease.

B. Lots of people get cancer every year in the UK.

C. Radiotherapy isn't a perfect way to cure cancer.

D. Radiotherapy is a commonly used therapy against cancer.

【解析】选C。段落大意题。根据第一段中This treatment uses high energy X-rays to destroy the disease, but the effects of treatment can be nearly as bad as the cancer. 可知, 第一段主要讲述了癌症的一种治疗方法--放射治疗的利弊。

2. What can be concluded about the new therapy?

A. It's much cheaper than X-ray radiotherapy.

B. It depends on protons to locate the cancer cells.

C. Damaging the cancer by replacing X-rays with lasers is much more accurate.

D. It uses protons to damage the cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第二段A new therapy that uses protons instead of X-ray energy could be the answer to the problem. 和Scientists can make protons travel through someone's body without hurting them, and only damage the cancer. 可知, 这种新的治疗方法的好处是不会伤害健康的细胞。

3. According to Professor Allinson, the new therapy __________.

A. will enable cancer patients to enjoy a better life

B. will cure most cancers in the future

C. will ensure that cancer patients live longer

D. will replace radiotherapy completely

【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据最后一段中Allinson believes that most cancer treatment will be done by protons in the future. "I think it will improve the quality of life of many cancer patients, " he says. 可知, Allinson教授认为这种新的治疗方法会改善癌症患者的生活质量, 让他们过得更好。

4. What can be inferred from the text?

A. Science and technology are a double-edged sword.

B. Not every cancer patient will be able to afford proton therapy.

C. Radiotherapy is completely the wrong way to cure cancer.

D. The complex medical machine mentioned will soon be put into use.

【解析】选B。推理判断题。根据最后一段中It's also 10 times more expensive than X-ray radiotherapy. 可知, 这种新的治疗方法较以前的而言, 贵了10倍, 并非每个患者都能支付得起。

When a bee stings (蜇) you, it doesn't just ruin your fun. The insect puts venom (毒液) into your skin, causing pain and swelling. But a chemist in Denmark believes he's