-
NASA might be famous for sending rockets up to space quickly. But it will be more famous for making your next holiday come more quickly.
The space agency is working on a new plane, which could solve the problems of supersonic(超音速的) flight and vastly increase the speed of journeys abroad. If successful, the plane would be able to fly between New York and London in just three hours. And it would reduce the time spent flying other journeys by a half, since it could be used more broadly. Until now, the problem with such planes has been the sonic boom(声爆), made famous by the original Concorde. That happens when a plane reaches supersonic speeds.
It is a thunderous noise that upsets people on the ground— disturbing animals and even causing physical problems to materials and houses underneath. It was that effect that led Congress to ban such planes from being used over the US land, a decision that in turn was responsible for Concorde’s failing to be commercially used.
In view of the problem, the space agency has developed a new technology and tried it out in wind tunnels, and now believes that it could be put to commercial use. That plane will fly as high as 55,000 feet—far higher than normal planes—and make a sound of only 60 decibels. That’s far less than 90 decibels thrown out by normal planes, and is roughly in line with a car on the motorway or a busy restaurant.
“As long as we can get endorsement from the general public, the plane will probably be something that’s acceptable,” said Peter Coen, project manager for NASA’s commercial supersonic research team, in a new Bloomberg report. “If we get approved, we will have the full-sized version of the plane tried out and the plane will be put into use.”
1.Why does the author mention Concorde?
A. To suggest the rapid development of planes.
B. To stress the negative effect of sonic booms.
C. To introduce how a commercial plane is designed.
D. To show Congress’ impor
tant role in making planes.
2.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?
A. The basic data of the new plane.
B. The working principle of the new plane.
C. The problems of the new plane.
D. The potential market of the new plane.
3.What does the underlined word “endorsement” in paragraph 5 mean?
A. Response
B. Commitment
C. Investment
D. Agreement
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To inform people of NASA’s new plane.
B. To prove the disadvantages of supersonic flight.
C. To explain why speed matters in supersonic flight.
D. To clarify some misunderstandings about commercial planes.
-
From the first use of the rocket to carry satellites into space to the setting up of space stations，human beings have achieved many successes.But there are still numerous tasks in front of us and we should not stop trying to progress.
The international space station is an important step we should take in space exploration.It is not only helpful but also necessary.It provides a proper space environment for many experiments that we have wanted to do for a long time.It is also a base for observing the earth and the universe.It could also be an important base for later travel to the moon and Mars.In a word，if we want to explore space more，the first thing we should do is to set up a space station.
As the space station costs a lot of money，it is hard for one country alone to establish one.The US seems to be the only country that has the ability to build a space station alone，and it has tried to do so，but not very successful.So it aggregated many other countries to work on it together.Though it is still extremely expensive，it is much cheaper than doing it alone.It is really a job that needs everyone’s effort and will benefit everyone.
But even so，the funds (资金) needed are still a big problem.As for the US，it seems that it has too many things to spend its money on.Although it is the richest country in the world，it has much debt every year.It has to try to find a balance in all these issues.
1.What is the author’s attitude towards building and developing the international space station？
A. Supportive. B. Doubtful.
C. Worried. D. Reserved.
2.From Paragraph 2 we can learn that ______________.
A. the necessity of building the international space station is not realized now
B. many experiments have been done in the international space station
C. the international space station is necessary for people to explore space further
D. people have travelled to Mars from the international space station
3.Which of the following is NOT a reason for countries’cooperation in building the international space station？
A. It will benefit every participating country.
B. No country is able to build it alone.
C. It needs everyone’s effort.
D. It requires a lot of money.
4.All the following aspects about building the international space station are mentioned EXCEPT ______________.
A. difficulties B. cost
C. importance D. waste
-
The US space agency NASA is looking for people to go to Mars, and stay there. This attractive career is for people who want a huge change of scenery and planet. The project is called the Hundred Years Starship, which aims to colonize (开拓殖民地) other lands such as the red planet Mars.
Settlers would travel to the red planet and live there forever. NASA says it would be too expensive to bring humans back to Earth. The space agency can afford, however, to send supplies to the astronaut pioneers from Earth. Astronauts would be landed on the planet's surface and would never be able to return home due to the cost.
NASA has started the project with $1.6 million, and hopes to attract investment from space-living billionaires. Google co-founder Larry Page told NASA he would be interested if the cost of a one-way ticket can go down from $10 billion to $2 billion.
The journey to Mars could take 4 months. Setting on the red planet would be extremely dangerous, especially given the freezing temperatures there. The thin atmosphere would be another problem as it is mostly carbon dioxide, so oxygen supplies are a must. A director in NASA said that he believed the trip might start with visiting Mars's moons first. He claimed that humans could be on Mars's moons by 2030.
Many scientists think colonizing space is absolutely necessary. Steven Hawking believes we must move to other planets to survive as a species. He said: “Once we spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future should be safe.” Scientists Dirk' Schulze-Makuch and Paul Davies also call it a “desirable goal”, though there surely are huge risks to explore new lands.
1.Which of the following is TRUE about the Hundred Years Starship?
A．It has cost NASA around $10 billion.
B．It is expected to be conducted on Mars in 2030.
C．It aims to explore new lands in the universe.
D．It is a project first raise by Steven Hawking.
2.We can infer from the passage that Google co-founder Larry Page _______.
A．used to be an astronaut B．is no longer rich now
C．is a fan of space travel D．is a generous man
3.What would be the best title for the passage?
A．One-way trip to Mars
B．Mars's another moon is found.
C．Human landing on Mars.
D．NASA's first cooperation with Google.
-
A few years ago, a company called Space Marketing came up with a plan to send a mile–long advertisement into space. To advertising agencies (机构), it would have been “a dream come true”. However, advertising standards agencies finally decided not to allow Space Marketing to go ahead with their plans and they were forced to give them up.
Space may indeed be the final place for advertisers, because on Earth we are already surrounded by advertising wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Apart from the obvious adverts that we see every day on TV, and in newspapers and magazines, there is a whole ‘other world’ of advertising messages for our attention. There are ads that we see on the side of the bus we catch to work, for example. And what about the logos (商标) we see on the clothing of the people we walk past in the streets?
Most of the time, we are probably not even aware of (意识到的) these less obvious advertising methods, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t work. Take ‘product placement’, for example. You are in a cinema, watching the latest Hollywood movie. Look carefully at the make of car your favorite actor is driving. And what about his watch? Can you see what brand it is? Chances are, you can, and the company that owns the brand is likely to have paid thousands for it to appear in the film.
So, whether Space Marketing finally succeeds in sending ads into space or not is perhaps less important than it might seem. This would not change a thing. Our everyday lives are already strongly influenced by advertising whether we realize it or not.
1.What happened to the plan of sending an ad into space?
A. It came to nothing.
B. It was a dream come true.
C. It had to wait a few years before it was carried out.
D. It was supported by the advertising standards agencies.
2.How does the author explain the “other world” of advertising messages?
A. By showing research findings.
B. By explaining research findings.
C. By giving instructions.
D. By using examples.
3.As a form of advertising, product placement ________.
A. costs a little
B. doesn’t work
C. is less obvious than TV ads
D. mainly appears in Hollywood movies
4.What does the author suggest at the end of the text？
A. We live in a world of advertising.
B. We’ve changed a lot because of advertising.
C. Space Marketing leads in the advertising industry.
D. Space ads will mark the beginning of a new world.
-
NASA has opened the door to the next generation of space discovery by announcing great plans for a base for humans to live on the surface of the moon forever.
The project to build a base on the moon will begin soon after 2020, with astronauts living there within four years.
The project comes after several excellent scientists and environmentalists asked humans to look beyond Earth to ensure the survival of the species (物种).
Eventually, the moon will be a base for humans to explore the solar system and one day land on Mars.
NASA began planning for the first moon landing since 1972 when George Bush, the US president, announced his new plan for space exploration four years ago.
NASA has already talked about the design of the Orion spacecraft that will replace the old space shuttle fleet in 2010.
The plan for the moon base, however, is the first detailed explanation of how NASA intends to prepare for the first manned exploration of deep space and a possible Mars mission within 30 years.
Scientists also believe that the south pole on the moon contain rich natural gases such as the rare helium-3 that could be used as fuel for the generation of nuclear power. Besides, teams of astronauts living there for six months at a time would mine for hydrogen and oxygen to make water and possibly rocket fuel.
1.The reasons why NASA has begun the plan to explore space include the followings except ________.
A. to protect Earth
B. to explore deep space
C. to finish Mars mission
D. to show how powerful the USA is
2.In the future, when people fly to the moon, they will probably not bring with them too much ________
A. hydrogen B. food C. oxygen D. water
3.The passage mainly talks about ________.
A. the USA’s new plan for space exploration
B. how to build a base on the moon
C. why to ensure the survival of the species
D. where to get new natural resources
-
NASA has opened the door to the next generation of space discovery by announcing great plans for a base for humans to live on the surface of the moon forever.
The project to build a base on the moon will begin soon after 2020, with astronauts living there within four years.
The project comes after several excellent scientists and environmentalists asked humans to look beyond Earth to ensure the survival of the species (物种).
Eventually, the moon will be a base for humans to explore the solar system and one day land on Mars.
NASA began planning for the first moon landing since 1972 when George Bush, the US president, announced his new plan for space exploration four years ago.
NASA has already talked about the design of the Orion spacecraft that will replace the old space shuttle fleet in 2010.
The plan for the moon base, however, is the first detailed explanation of how NASA intends to prepare for the first manned exploration of deep space and a possible Mars mission within 30 years.
Scientists also believe that the south pole on the moon contain rich natural gases such as the rare helium-3 that could be used as fuel for the generation of nuclear power. Besides, teams of astronauts living there for six months at a time would mine for hydrogen and oxygen to make water and possibly rocket fuel.
1.The reasons why NASA has begun the plan to explore space include the followings except ________.
A. to protect Earth
B. to explore deep space
C. to finish Mars mission
D. to show how powerful the USA is
2.In the future, when people fly to the moon, they will probably not bring with them too much ________
A. hydrogen B. food C. oxygen D. water
3.The passage mainly talks about ________.
A. the USA’s new plan for space exploration
B. how to build a base on the moon
C. why to ensure the survival of the species
D. where to get new natural resources
-
NASA has opened the door to the next generation of space discovery by announcing great plans for a base for humans to live on the surface of the moon forever.
The project to build a base on the moon will begin soon after 2020, with astronauts living there within four years.
The project comes after several excellent scientists and environmentalists asked humans to look beyond Earth to ensure the survival of the species (物种).
Eventually, the moon will be a base for humans to explore the solar system and one day land on Mars.
NASA began planning for the first moon landing since 1972 when George Bush, the US president, announced his new plan for space exploration four years ago.
NASA has already talked about the design of the Orion spacecraft that will replace the old space shuttle fleet in 2010.
The plan for the moon base, however, is the first detailed explanation of how NASA intends to prepare for the first manned exploration of deep space and a possible Mars mission within 30 years.
Scientists also believe that the south pole on the moon contain rich natural gases such as the rare helium-3 that could be used as fuel for the generation of nuclear power. Besides, teams of astronauts living there for six months at a time would mine for hydrogen and oxygen to make water and possibly rocket fuel.
1.When was the plan to explore space first announced according to the passage?
A．In 1972. B．In 1950. C．In 1968. D．In 2020.
2.The reasons why NASA has begun the plan to explore space include the followings except ________.
A．to protect Earth B．to explore deep space
C．to finish Mars mission D．to show how powerful the USA is
3.In the future, when people fly to the moon, they will probably not bring with them too much ________
A．hydrogen B．food C．oxygen D．water
4.The passage mainly talks about ________.
A．the USA’s new plan for space exploration
B．how to build a base on the moon
C．why to ensure the survival of the species
D．where to get new natural resources
-
Is it your dream to fly and to work in space? Do you want to be a NASA astronaut? Like many jobs, the first thing would be to fill out the application. A record-breaking 18,300 people filled out applications recently when NASA announced it was filling its 2017 Astronaut Candidate program. But out of those 18.300 applicants, just eight to 14 will be hired by the U.S. space agency.
It will take 18 months to decide who will be in the new class of astronauts. NASA will review all of the files, which will later go to its current team of astronauts, to make sure they meet the basic qualifications.
The first requirement is the applicants must be U.S. citizens. They need a college degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. They also need at least three years of experience in a similar field or at least 1,000 hours as a jet airline pilot.
There are requirements to pass a physical test. And then there are personality qualities tests as well. What kinds of personalities is NASA looking for in an astronaut? NASA’s Selection Manager Anne Roemer said, “I think leadership , teamwork, the ability to not only work on a team, lead a team, but also follow, be a follower on a team. Communication certainly plays a role, so it’s some pretty common skills that I think translate into even other professions.”
About 120 applicants will be invited to the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, for a first round of interviews, about half of whom will go back for a second round. Once selected, they must complete two years of training in everything about spaceflight-things like learning about all the systems used by NASA, walking in space and Russian language training. Until the U.S. has a working vehicle to launch into space, NASA still depends on Russia to get astronauts into space.
1.What is the percentage of employment among the applicants?
A. About half of them B. About 8 to 14
C. About 120 applicants D. Less than 0.08 percent
2.Which do you think is the most important personality quality according to NASA’S Selection Manager?
A. Devotion B. Team spirit
C. Communication D. Perseverance
3.Which is NOT the basic requirement the applicants have to meet?
A. A college degree in required areas.
B. Related experience.
C. Speaking Russian fluently.
D. Passing physical and personality tests.
4.Which may be the best title for the passage?
A. What is takes to be an astronaut?
B. What an astronaut should train in?
C. NASA welcome its most applicants ever.
D. NASA 2017 Astronaut Candidate program.
-
Anyone for rocket salad? The Chinese are now growing huge vegetables from seeds they sent into space.
If you are the type who worries about the air miles travelled by fruits and vegetables, these beauties aren’t for you. It's because they have travelled a little further than most.
The seeds from which they grew were fired into space, where they orbited the earth for two weeks. Once they returned they were grown in hothouses, producing the monster kinds seen here.
China, which is behind these space fruits and vegetables, says they could be the answer to the world's food crisis.
The 21-pound tomatoes, nine-inch chillies, 15-stone pumpkins and large watermelons growing at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ hothouses can feed many more than their smaller cousins, and may have more nutrients, the scientists say.
Researcher Lo Zhigang said, "Traditional agricultural development has taken us as far as we can go and demand for food from a growing population is endless. Space seeds offer the opportunity to grow fruits and vegetables bigger and faster. "
He admitted he and his colleagues could not explain why time in orbit caused the seeds to change genetic structure. But they guessed exposure to the cosmic（宇宙的）radiation that attacked the spacecraft in orbit, as well as the near zero gravity conditions, microgravity, could play a part.
"We don't think there's any threat to human health because the genes themselves do not change; just their order changes," he said. "With genetically-modified（GM）crops you have seen environmental problems because they have added genes that can damage other organisms. But with space seeds they don't gain genes; they can only lose them. "
He also claimed the Vitamin C content in some space vegetables was nearly three times higher than in common vegetables, while levels of zinc are also increased.
Western scientists are doubtful. NASA researchers who have experimented with seeds in space say there is not enough benefit to show the cost is reasonable.
1.What do the underlined words "these beauties" in Paragraph 2 probably refer to ______?
A. Beautiful views along the air routes.
B. Travelling experiences in space.
C. Seeds fired into space.
D. Giant vegetables.
2.We can infer from Lo’s words in Paragraph 6 that _______.
A. our conventional agriculture has developed too slowly.
B. we are asking too much from nature
C. space seeds may help meet our demand for food
D. we'll grow crops in space in the future
3.Why the seeds changed their genetic structure _______.
A. remains to be proved
B. is discovered by Lo Zhigang
C. has something to do with the conditions in hothouses
D. is due to the radiation that attacked them directly
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Western scientists’ doubt is unreasonable.
B. Western scientists don’t believe that Chinese scientists have succeeded in the experiment.
C. Western scientists have proved space seeds to be of no benefit.
D. Western scientists think the cost of space seeds outweighs the benefits
-
Anyone for rocket salad? The Chinese are now growing huge vegetables from seeds they sent into space.
If you’re the type who worries about the air miles traveled by fruits and vegetables, these beauties aren’t for you. It’s because they have traveled a little further than most.
The seeds from which they grew were fired into space, where they orbited the earth for two weeks. Once they returned they were grown in hothouses, producing the monster kinds seen here.
China, which is behind these space fruits and vegetables, says they could be the answer to the world’s food crisis.
The 21-pound tomatoes, nine-inch chilies, 15-stone pumpkins and large watermelons growing at the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ hothouses can feed many more than their smaller cousins, and may have more nutrients, the scientists say.
Researcher Lo Zhigang said, “Traditional agricultural development has taken us as far as we can go and demand for food from a growing population is endless. Space seeds offer the opportunity to grow fruits and vegetables bigger and faster.”
He admitted he and his colleagues could not explain why time in orbit caused the seeds to change genetic structure. But they guessed exposure to the cosmic(宇宙的) radiation that attacked the spacecraft in orbit, as well as the near zero gravity conditions, microgravity, could play a part.
“We don’t think there’s any threat to human health because the genes themselves do not change; just their order changes,” he said. “With genetically-modified(GM) crops you have seen environmental problems because they have added genes that can damage other organisms. But with space seeds they don’t gain genes; they can only lose them.”
He also claimed the Vitamin C content in some space vegetables was nearly three times higher than in common vegetables, while levels of zinc are also increased.
Western scientists are doubtful. NASA researchers who have experimented with seeds in space say there is not enough benefit to show the cost is reasonable.
72. What do the underlined words “these beauties” in paragraph 2 probably refer to?
A. Beautiful views along the air routes. B. Traveling experiences in space.
C. Seeds fired into space. D. Giant vegetables.
73. We can infer from Lo’s words in paragraph 6 that .
A. our conventional agriculture has developed too slowly
B. we are asking too much from nature
C. space seeds may help meet our demand for food
D. we’ll grow crops in space in the future
74. Why the seeds changed their genetic structure .
A. remains to be proved
B. is discovered by Lo Zhigang
C. has something to do with die conditions in hothouses
D. is due to the radiation that attacked them directly
75. Comparing Gm crops and space crops, we can see that .
A. space crops grow faster
B. space crops are more environmentally friendly
C. GM crops are less a threat to human health
D. GM crops have fewer nutrients
tant role in making planes.