《考研英语阅读理解100篇 基础版》第3章　信息技术类 Unit 31

In a lab in Princeton University's ultra-sleek chemistry building，researchers toil in a modern-day hunt for an elusive power: alchemy. 
Throughout the centuries，alchemists tried in vain to transform common metals like iron and lead into precious ones like gold or platinum．Today，Paul Chirik，a professor of chemistry at Princeton，has managed a new twist on the timeworn pursuit. 
Dr．Chirik，39，has learned how to make iron function like platinum，in chemical reactions that are crucial to manufacturing scores of basic materials．While he can’t，sadly，transmute a lump of iron ore into a pile of valuable jewelry，his version of alchemy is far more practical，and the implications are wide-ranging. 
The process could herald a new era of flexible manufacturing technologies，while enabling companies to steer clear of scarce elements as prices rise or obtaining them becomes environmentally or geopolitically risky. 
“No chemist would think lithium was in short supply,” Dr．Chirik said，“but what happens if you put a lithium battery in every car? This is why chemistry needs to be ahead of the curve．We need to have adaptable solutions.” 
Despite the cost and relative scarcity of precious metals—iridium，platinum，rhodium—we rely on them to manufacture products from denim to beer，pharmaceuticals to fuel cells．The elements are used as catalysts，substances that kick off or enable chemical reactions. 
Dr．Chirik's work involves dissolved catalysts，which are mixed into the end product．The molecules of the catalyst dissipate during the reaction．For instance，a solution containing platinum is used to make silicone emulsifiers，compounds that in turn feed products like makeup，cookware and glue．Tiny amounts of the expensive metal are scattered in all these things; your jeans，for instance，contain unrecoverable particles of platinum. 
注（1）：本文选自The New York Times; 
注（2）：本文习题模仿对象：本文习题的第1、5题模仿2011年真题Text 1的第1、5题；第2题模仿2010年真题Text 2的第2题；第3、4题模仿2011年真题Text 2的第3、4题。 
1．We can learn from the first two paragraphs that alchemy ______. 
A) incurs suspicion 
B) is a new pursuit 
C) hasn’t been realized 
D) arouses curiosity 
2．Which of the following is NOT true? 
A) In some chemical reactions，iron can function like platinum. 
B) Dr．Chirik's practical alchemy enables him transform iron ore into valuable jewelry. 
C) Flexible manufacturing technologies can avoid the use of scarce elements as prices rise in the future. 
D) Chemists would think lithium was sufficient. 
3．The phrase“be ahead of the curve” （Line 2，Paragraph 5）most probably means ______. 
A) making change in advance 
B) before curving 
C) forward 
D) keeping changing 
4．It can be inferred from the last two paragraphs that ______. 
A) catalysts are mixed into the end product 
B) the molecules of the catalyst decompose during the reaction 
C) it would be the biggest deal so far 
D) catalysts feature in wide-ranging function in chemical reactions as well as in the end products 
5．From the text we can see that the writer seems ______. 
A) positive 
B) negative 
C) uncertain 
D) neutral