奇速英语官网—英语在线学习平台_让学英语更快乐_更快速

Scientists in China have found a powerful cancer fighter in a Chinese herb called Valeriana jatamansi. On July 7, 2025, they published exciting news about its natural compound named Acevaltrate (ACE). This discovery could help fight bowel cancer, a serious disease affecting many people worldwide.

ACE works like a smart key that attacks cancer cells in two ways at once. First, it raises iron levels inside cancer cells. Second, it breaks down GPX4, a protective protein that shields cancer cells from harm. These actions cause cancer cells to die through a process called ferroptosis (铁死亡) —a special cell death linked to iron and harmful fat materials.

Lab tests showed amazing results. ACE worked faster and stronger than common cancer drugs like capecitabine. When tested on tiny human-like tumors grown in labs (called organoids), ACE performed even better than in simple cell experiments. Mice with bowel cancer also got better after ACE treatment, showing smaller tumors.

Professor Liu Sanhong, the lead scientist, explained why ACE is special: “Most medicines attack cancer in just one way. But ACE hits two targets together. It’s like using two keys to unlock a door—this makes it harder for cancer to escape.” As a natural plant compound, ACE safely targets cancer cells without harming healthy ones.

This discovery brings new hope for cancer patients. Researchers will now test ACE in human patients. If successful, this plant-based medicine could become a powerful new weapon against cancer.

1.1. What did Chinese scientists find in Valeriana jatamansi?

A A disease.

B A protein.

C A compound.

D A tumor.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第一段可知，科学家在中草药蜘蛛香这种植物中发现了一种名为 Acevaltrate（ACE）的天然化合物。故选C。

2.2. What does “shield” in “shields cancer cells” mean?

A Attacks.

B Protects.

C Kills.

D Continues.

解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。第二段中提到GPX4是一种保护蛋白质，由此推测“shields cancer cells from harm”意为保护癌细胞免受伤害，即“shield”的意思是“保护”。故选B。

3.3. Why is ACE better than common cancer drugs?

A It works more slowly.

B It kills more healthy cells.

C It works faster and stronger.

D It only works on mice.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。第三段第二句指出“ACE worked faster and stronger than common cancer drugs like capecitabine.”可知，ACE效果更快更强。故选C。

4.4. What happens when ACE hits two targets?

A Cancer escapes more easily.

B Cancer becomes harder to resist.

C Fewer plants are needed.

D Human tests start at once.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。第四段教授解释双重靶点使癌症更难抵抗（harder for cancer to escape），选项B用基础词汇“harder to resist”准确转译。故选B。

5.5. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A Testing on mice.

B History of Spiderwort.

C Problems of ACE.

D New hope from ACE.

解析：选D。D 段落大意题。最后一段主要讲述了这一发现给癌症患者带来了新希望，研究人员将进行人体试验，若成功，这种植物性药物可能成为对抗癌症的新武器，所以主旨是ACE带来的新希望。故选D。