研究红薯的科学家荣获世界粮食奖
Four scientists won the World Food Prize. The scientists are from the global agricultural research group, the International Potato Center. They won the prize for improving the quality of sweet potatoes. The scientists developed a way to grow sweet potatoes that have much more Vitamin A in them. More Vitamin A means the sweet potato has extra nutrition(营养). This has resulted in health benefits for millions of people across the world. One researcher said it was difficult to get farmers to help him with his work. Many farmers did not think it was a good idea. The researcher said, “They told me it was a bad idea. Their job was to increase yields(产量), pest resistance and reduce poverty; it wasn’t to improve nutrition.”
The sweet potato could change the lives of many people across the globe. People without food can die of malnutrition, which is caused by not having enough to eat. A lack(缺乏) of Vitamin A is one of the most harmful examples of malnutrition. Scientists say malnutrition influences more than 140 million children up to the age of four in 118 countries. It also affects more than seven million pregnant women. Scientists also say it is a big reason for children becoming blind in developing countries. Jan Low, from the International Potato Center, said the prize-winning sweet potatoes could make a big difference in making sure hungry people get enough Vitamin A. She hopes more scientists will focus on increasing nutrition in vegetables.
1.Why did the four scientists win the World Food Prize?
A They did important agricultural research.
B They produced more potatoes for the poor.
C They increased nutrition in sweet potatoes.
D They came from International Potato Center.
解析：选C。 C 细节理解题。根据第一段的“The scientists developed a way to grow sweet potatoes that have extra amounts of Vitamin A in them. More Vitamin A means the sweet potato contains extra nutrition.”可知，这四位科学家让红薯含有更多的维生素 A， 这意味着红薯有了更多营养。故选 C。
2.What was the difficulty to the researchers?
A They couldn’t put Vitamin A in sweet potatoes.
B They couldn’t get much help from the farmers.
C They thought growing sweet potatoes unnecessary.
D They didn’t want to improve nutrition in potatoes.
解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段的“One researcher said it was difficult to get farmers to help him with his work.”可知，他们遇到的困难是得不到农民的帮助。故选 B。
3.What does the underlined word “malnutrition” probably mean?
A 营养过剩.
B 营养物质.
C 营养不良.
D 营养均衡.
解析：选C。C 词义猜测题。根据该词后面的定语从句“which is caused by not having enough to eat”可知，没有足够的食物引起的应该是“营养不良”。故选 C。
4.What may happen to a child for the lack of Vitamin A?
A He may get hungry easily.
B He may lose his sight.
C He may make a difference.
D He may increase nutrition.
解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第二段的“Scientists also say it is a big reason for children becoming blind in developing countries. ”可知这(缺乏维生素 A)也是导致发展中国家儿童失明的一大原因。故选 B。
5.Where is the passage most probably taken from?
A A science magazine.
B An English textbook.
C A fashion magazine.
D A medical report.
解析：选A。A 文章出处题。本文主要介绍了科学家们让红薯富含维生素 A 而更有营养，是关于科学研究方面的报告，所以文章最有可能在科学杂志上。故选 A。