热点话题12 航天科技与宇宙探索（话题阅读精练）英语高一通用版

热点话题12 航天科技与宇宙探索 教材相关主题 教材 单元 主题 人教版必修第三册 Unit 4 Space Exploration 话题阅读精练 语篇 题型 内容简介 Passage 1 阅读理解 介绍了科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat。 Passage 2 阅读理解 介绍了NASA开发的人形机器人Valkyrie的功能和应用前景。 Passage 3 阅读理解 讲述了中国的太空探索计划取得重大成就，计划让宇航员登月并开展研究。 Passage 4 阅读理解 介绍了“地球之船”(Earthship)这一创新建筑概念。 Passage 5 阅读理解 讲述了中国科学家利用二氧化碳、氢气和电力制造淀粉的技术突破等。 Passage 6 阅读理解 讲述人类搜寻外星智慧生命的失败以及向外星智慧生命发送信息的尝试等。 主题简析素材积累 本阅读理解专题的主题语境为 “航天科技与宇宙探索”，该主题在英语课程标准中是关于 “人与社会（科学与技术）” 的子话题。这一子话题主要涵盖了人类对太空的探索历程、取得的成就、面临的挑战以及太空探索对人类社会发展的深远影响等方面。通过对这一主题的学习和阅读训练，学生能够深入了解人类在航天科技领域的不懈努力与伟大创举，拓宽科学知识视野，同时提升英语语言运用能力，包括对相关词汇、句型的理解与运用，以及对科普类文章的阅读理解技巧。 句子积累 描述航天科技发展的句式 Aerospace technology has made significant progress in recent years.（近年来，航空航天技术取得了显著进展。） The development of spacecraft has enabled humans to explore deeper into space.（航天器的发展使人类能够更深入地探索太空。） 阐述太空探索意义的句式 Space exploration not only expands our knowledge of the universe but also promotes the development of science and technology on Earth. （太空探索不仅拓宽了我们对宇宙的认识，还推动了地球上科学技术的发展。） Space exploration is of great significance to humanity as it helps us understand the origin and evolution of the universe.（太空探索对人类具有重大意义，因为它帮助我们了解宇宙的起源和演化。） 讲述宇航员相关情况的句式 Astronauts undergo rigorous training to prepare for space missions.（宇航员要接受严格的训练，为太空任务做准备。） The life of astronauts in space is full of challenges due to the lack of gravity.（由于缺乏重力，宇航员在太空中的生活充满挑战。） 描述航天任务相关的句式 The launch of a rocket is a complex and exciting process.（火箭的发射是一个复杂而令人兴奋的过程。） The satellite was successfully launched into orbit last week.（这颗卫星上周被成功发射进入轨道。） 探讨宇宙现象的句式 Planets and stars have always fascinated scientists and astronomers.（行星和恒星一直吸引着科学家和天文学家。） The mystery of black holes has intrigued researchers for a long time.（黑洞的奥秘长期以来一直吸引着研究人员。） 必备词块 基础词汇类 aerospace n. 航空航天；航空航天工业 astronaut n. 宇航员；航天员 （同义词：spaceman） spacecraft n. 航天器；宇宙飞船（复数形式：spacecraft 单复数同形） satellite n. 卫星 launch v. 发射；发起；使（船）下水 n. 发射；（新产品的）上市 orbit n. 轨道；眼眶；势力范围 v. 环绕…… 轨道运行 space station空间站 spaceship n. 宇宙飞船 rocket n. 火箭 v. 迅速增加；飞速移动 space exploration太空探索 gravity n. 重力；地心引力；严重性 atmosphere n. 大气层；大气；气氛 planet n. 行星 star n. 星；恒星；明星 galaxy n. 星系；银河系 航天设施及操作词汇类 launch pad发射台 mission control任务控制中心 space suit航天服 reentry n. 重返；再进入（尤指航天器重返大气层） landing n. 着陆；登陆；降落 take - off n. 起飞；起跳；（经济等）腾飞 宇宙相关天体及现象词汇类 universe n. 宇宙；万象 comet n. 彗星 asteroid n. 小行星 nebula n. 星云 black hole黑洞 solar system太阳系 lunar adj. 月亮的；月球的；阴历的 solar adj. 太阳的；太阳能的 实战演练 Passage 1 In a very important journey to make space travel better for the environment, scientists have successfully launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, aboard a SpaceX rocket. The satellite is going on a trip to bring more things to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be launched into orbit in the coming month. The pioneering project was developed by Kyoto University scientists and Sumitomo Forestry, which is a big step in finding new ways to be good for the environment when we use technology in space. LignoSat’s purpose is to see whether wood could be a proper material in space. The satellite is set to orbit Earth for six months, staying strong in the tough space environment while scientists watch how well it holds up. Wood, surprisingly strong in space due to the absence of oxygen and water, could offer a solution to a significant problem facing the satellite industry: metal pieces from retired satellites re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Traditional metal satellites often generate metal particles upon burning up, but LignoSat, designed to break up harmlessly on re-entry, has the potential to avoid this environmental impact altogether. Koji Murata, a professor from Kyoto University who studies forests, said that because wood could last a long time without oxygen, it might be a good material to use for spaceships, reducing environmental harm when the satellite returns to Earth. The satellite was put in a specialized container (容器) by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and flew into space safely, according to a post on the Internet. Sumitomo Forestry’s spokesperson said the satellite’s journey went well and that it would soon arrive at the ISS, where it will then be launched into space. 1．What can be learned about LignoSat? A．It’s made of metal. B．It’s a wooden satellite. C．It looks like a SpaceX rocket. D．It’s near the International Space Station 2．What is the main purpose of LignoSat? A．To make the journey to space faster. B．To discover water sources in space. C．To bring space materials back to Earth. D．To test if wood is suitable for use in space. 3．What benefit does wood offer compared to metal for satellites according to paragraph 3? A．It is more environment-friendly. B．It can be found more easily. C．It provides more strength. D．It is cheaper. 4．What is the best title for the text? A．ISS: Wooden Addition B．LignoSat: Beyond Profit C．First Wooden Satellite: Eco-Space Travel D．SpaceX: Green Satellite Launch Passage 2 NASA’s first humanoid (像人的) robot, Valkyrie is going through a few of its final testing stages at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Texas. The humanoid robot, much like Iron Man but constructed from metal and electronics, copies human walking and appearance. NASA is exploring if such machines can further space exploration, starting with the Artemis mission, according to Reuters. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), Valkyrie is an electric humanoid robot able to operate in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments, like areas hit by natural disasters. JSC designed and constructed NASA’s Valkyrie specifically for participation in the 2023 DARPA Robotics Challenge Trials. Drawing on the knowledge gained from the creation of Robonaut 2, the Valkyrie team at JSC created this robot in fifteen months. They integrated (整合) improved electronics, actuators and sensing abilities based on the advancements made in earlier generations of humanoid robots at JSC． In July, the humanoid robot went through testing in Australia to rate its software, generating valuable data and feedback (反馈) for NASA．These tests aimed to advance remote mobile dexterous manipulation (灵活操控) abilities. NASA has cooperated with robotics firms, including Apptronik based in Austin, Texas, to explore the insights gained from humanoid robots designed for Earthly applications. This cooperation aims to learn how humanoid robots developed for purposes on Earth could help the development of future humanoid robots meant for space. Humanoid robots to be arranged in space hold the possibility to perform dangerous tasks such as cleaning solar panels or examining equipment that is out of order outside spacecraft. This ability allows astronauts to focus on exploration and discovery without putting their safety at risk. “We’re not trying to replace human workers; we’re just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” told Shaun Azimi, NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, to Reuters. 1．What is mainly presented about Valkyrie in paragraph 2? A．Its testing results. B．Its creation process. C．Its wide applications. D．Its appearance and functions. 2．What does the underlined phrase “Drawing on” in paragraph 3 probably mean? A．Making use of. B．Taking care of. C．Losing sight of. D．Keeping track of. 3．What can be inferred about humanoid robots to be used in space? A．They will replace astronauts soon. B．They are too expensive to be widely used. C．They can help astronauts avoid risky work. D．They have already solved all space problems. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The future development of space exploration. B．The comparison of different humanoid robots. C．The partnership between NASA and robotics firms. D．The introduction of a NASA-based humanoid robot. Passage 3 China's space exploration program has made a significant achievement in recent years. Besides, the nation plans to land its astronauts on the moon and conduct research. One key aspect of these missions is the lunar landing suit worn by China's astronauts. China's lunar landing suit shows the country's creativity. The suit, with several layers (层), is designed to fight against the terrible conditions of the lunar surface, including extreme temperatures, low gravity, and solar radiation (辐射). The innermost layer is designed for comfort, ensuring that the astronauts remain cool and dry during the mission. This layer is followed by pressure clothing that keeps the correct atmospheric pressure within the suit, in the low-pressure environment of the moon. The outer layer, made of a special material, protects the astronauts from extreme heat and bitter cold, ranging from over 100℃ during the daytime to as low as -170℃ at night. Despite the several layers and protective equipment, the suit is flexible, enabling the astronauts to move freely. The lunar landing suit is equipped with a range of features that improve the astronauts' ability to perform tasks on the moon. The suit's gloves, for example, allow for fine motor skills, making it easier for them to handle tools and equipment. A life support system included in the suit can provide oxygen, regulate temperature, and remove CO2, which is important to their survival during the mission, as the lunar environment is unfit for human life without proper support. Besides, the suit includes a helmet (头盔) with a visor that provides a clear view while protecting their eyes from dust and radiation. The helmet also has communication systems, allowing them to stay in contact with mission control. Through years of research and development, China's latest lunar landing suit marks a big breakthrough (重大进展) in space technology, showcasing the nation's power in space engineering and representing a big technological leap. 1．What does the outer of the suit mainly fight against? A．High gravity. B．The extreme temperatures. C．Much drought. D．The atmospheric pressure. 2．What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about the suit? A．Its design and functions. B．Its cost and benefits. C．Its history and future. D．Its material and weight. 3．What does the underlined word “leap” in the last paragraph refer to? A．Advance. B．Mission. C．Error. D．Pressure. 4．What can we conclude from the design of the suit? A．Better late than never. B．All roads lead to Rome. C．Actions speak louder than words. D．Necessity is the mother of invention. Passage 4 In the pursuit of sustainable living, the Earthship concept has become a symbol of innovation. Earthships, pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds, are habitats that use the power of nature and recycled materials to create self-sufficient living spaces. These structures reduce environmental impact and provide a unique approach to fighting climate change through architecture. The main features of Earthship are its renewable energy, water harvesting, and food production. It uses old dirt-filled tires to create walls that store heat and keep the inside temperature stable. Earthships use solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries to generate and store electricity. It collects rainwater and snowmelt, filters (过滤) it for drinking, and reuses it for gardening and flushing toilets. By integrating these elements, Earthships aim to create a closed-loop system where resources are continuously recycled and reused, minimizing waste and dependence on additional resources. Annual extreme weather events have become common due to climate change. People have had to find ways to adapt and live sustainably with the ongoing threat of rising sea levels, raging forest fires, heavy rains, and unusual ice storms. The flexibility of Earthship design allows for adaptation to different landscapes and climates, making them a practical option in many settings. Moreover, Earthship construction allows people to take control of their living space and reduce their dependence on traditional housing systems. However, the costs to build Earthships can be wide-ranging, and home values are nearly as expensive as traditional homes. Because the Earthship design is still in its experimental phase, many projects fail or are abandoned midway through, with intended homeowners losing thousands of dollars. Despite the challenges, Earthships offer a unique and artistic design aesthetic, with curved walls and colorful glass bottle accents. They are a solution to self-sufficient living and a statement of individuality and creativity. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, Earthships shine as a symbol of hope, offering an innovative approach to living in harmony with nature. 1．What do we know about the Earthship? A．It is time-consuming to build. B．It makes efficient use of resources. C．It perfectly caters to the fast-paced lifestyle. D．It costs less than traditional houses to maintain. 2．Why does the author mention extreme weather in paragraph 3? A．To stress the advantages of constructing Earthships. B．To show the limitations of living in an Earthship. C．To explain the difficulty of designing Earthships. D．To present the effects of climate on housing systems. 3．What is a problem with building Earthships? A．It lacks sufficient technical support. B．It is demanding for builders. C．It has a high risk of failure. D．It causes trouble for local residents. 4．Which of the following is the best title for the text? A．The New Trend of Eco-Friendly Architecture B．Earthships: A Solution to Changeable Nature C．The Artistic Innovation of Earthship Design D．Earthships: A Pioneer in Sustainable Living Passage 5 Chinese scientists have created starch (淀粉), a type of complex carbohydrate found in plants, using carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity. Experts say if such technique can be scaled-up (大规模) to the level of industrialization, it may revolutionize how this key nutrient and industrial ingredient is made, since it does not require farming and processing a large quantity of starchy crops such as sweet potatoes and corn, thus saving more water, fertilizer, and arable land. It may also be used to recycle carbon dioxide into a consumable product. This will help reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, especially if the electricity used is from renewable sources like solar and wind. In space exploration it may provide a sustainable food source for astronauts as they travel long distances in space and try to colonize other planets where growing food is impossible. Future space travelers may simply turn the carbon dioxide they breathe out into food they eat. Ma Yanhe, the director of the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says starch and other complex carbohydrates make up 60 to 80 percent of the human diet. “Our breakthrough demonstrates that creating a complex compound like starch is achievable in a lab, and there are many industries that can benefit from this technology,” he says. Plants create carbohydrates like starch through photosynthesis (光合作用), which is an extremely complex process, says Ma, adding that it will take a plant about 60 steps to turn carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into starch. Cai Tao, one of the first authors of the study, says for six years, his team has been focusing on a single project: how to make starch, but do it at a higher speed. He says their method involves first converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas into methanol (甲醇). Scientists then piece these single-carbon molecules like a puzzle into bigger and more complex molecules via enzymatic (酶的) processes. With the help of supercomputing, Chinese scientists have simplified the natural starch making process from about 60 into 11 steps and produced starch. Thellab-made starch is chemically identical to starch in nature. 1．Which is NOT a potential benefit if the technique can be used on an industrial level? A．It will have a positive influence on climate change. B．It will help produce renewable resources such as solar and wind. C．It will offer a practical food solution for astronauts. D．It will help save several sources from water to farming land. 2．Which might be the biggest difficulty in creating the lab-made starch? A．Making starch faster. B．Collecting enough raw materials. C．Repeating the photosynthesis of plants. D．Involving methanol in the making process. 3．What’s the best title for the passage? A．Starch, an important complex carbohydrate. B．The great benefits of starch. C．Chinese scientists successfully turn carbon dioxide into starch. D．Chinese scientists make contributions to climate change. 4．In which part of a newspaper could you most probably read the text? A．Science. B．Lifestyle. C．Environment. D．Health. Passage 6 For 75 years, astronomers have been searching for extraterrestrial (地球外的) intelligence, often shortened to SETT. SETT involves listening for radio or optical signals sent by intelligent civilizations, but, so far, no artificial signals have been detected. The failure of SETI is called “The Great Silence”, but despite this, many scientists are confident that intelligent aliens do exist. There are thought to be at least 10 billion habitable worlds in our galaxy, and billions of years have passed in which any life on them could have developed intelligence and technology. METI, or messaging extraterrestrial intelligence, has been less common. It involves talking rather than listening. To some, it is a controversial activity. The first attempts at communication were unrealistic “messages in a bottle”. In 1972, NASA launched the Pioneer 10 spacecraft towards Jupiter, which carried a board with a line drawing of a man and a woman as well as symbols to show where the craft originated. In 1977, NASA followed this up with a golden record attached to the Voyager I craft. The 12-inch record held sounds and images chosen to convey the diversity of life on Earth. Both spacecrafts have since left the solar system. At their current speeds, it will be tens of thousands of years before they reach another star system. In the immensity of space, the odds that they will be found are extremely small. Now, an international team of astronomers plans to use the world’s largest radio telescope, FAST, located in China, to beam a message towards millions of stars that are 10,000 to 20,000 light years away. The new message is a combination of previous ones. NASA signals to its remote spacecraft, meanwhile, have reached four nearby stars. But perhaps we have already betrayed our existence to aliens. Radio and television have been leaking into space for nearly a century, in an expanding bubble of communications that spans millions of stars-in theory, at least. The ethical question raised by METT is: Should we be sending a message at all? Scientists are divided. Before he died, Stephen Hawking was outspoken about the danger of communicating with aliens. If they have superior technology and are malign, they might destroy us. Others see no problem, given that the signals take millennia (一千年) to reach their destination. No international rules govern METI, so the experiments will continue. My own take is that the risk is abstract when the message will take millennia to be received. We have more direct and existential threats than evil alien empires. My guess is that extraterrestrial intelligence and tech are so advanced that they are hard to comprehend. After all, we share 99% of our DNA with chimps and can’t communicate with them. 1．What is “The Great Silence” in the context of SETI? A．The absence of sound in outer space. B．The quietness of habitable worlds in the galaxy. C．The lack of communication between different space agencies. D．The failure to detect artificial signals from intelligent civilizations. 2．Which of the following statements might the author agree with? A．It’s unwise to continue METI without international rules. B．Scientists should prioritize addressing immediate threats. C．We may establish connection with aliens in the near future. D．Communication with aliens may lead to humanity’s destruction. 3．What can be inferred from the underlined sentence in the last paragraph? A．We should give up looking for aliens for the moment. B．We should first learn how to communicate with our closest relative. C．Communication with aliens from other intelligent civilizations is unlikely. D．Genetic similarity is no guarantee of successful communication with aliens. 4．What is mainly discussed in the passage? A．The significance of SETT and METI projects. B．The possibility of finding habitable planets in the universe. C．The efforts made to search for intelligent life beyond the earth. D．The challenges in detecting artificial signals from other planets. 2 原创精品资源学科网独家享有版权，侵权必究！ 6 / 8 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$ 热点话题12 航天科技与宇宙探索 教材相关主题 教材 单元 主题 人教版必修第三册 Unit 4 Space Exploration 话题阅读精练 语篇 题型 内容简介 Passage 1 阅读理解 介绍了科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat。 Passage 2 阅读理解 介绍了NASA开发的人形机器人Valkyrie的功能和应用前景。 Passage 3 阅读理解 讲述了中国的太空探索计划取得重大成就，计划让宇航员登月并开展研究。 Passage 4 阅读理解 介绍了“地球之船”(Earthship)这一创新建筑概念。 Passage 5 阅读理解 讲述了中国科学家利用二氧化碳、氢气和电力制造淀粉的技术突破等。 Passage 6 阅读理解 讲述人类搜寻外星智慧生命的失败以及向外星智慧生命发送信息的尝试等。 主题简析素材积累 本阅读理解专题的主题语境为 “航天科技与宇宙探索”，该主题在英语课程标准中是关于 “人与社会（科学与技术）” 的子话题。这一子话题主要涵盖了人类对太空的探索历程、取得的成就、面临的挑战以及太空探索对人类社会发展的深远影响等方面。通过对这一主题的学习和阅读训练，学生能够深入了解人类在航天科技领域的不懈努力与伟大创举，拓宽科学知识视野，同时提升英语语言运用能力，包括对相关词汇、句型的理解与运用，以及对科普类文章的阅读理解技巧。 句子积累 描述航天科技发展的句式 Aerospace technology has made significant progress in recent years.（近年来，航空航天技术取得了显著进展。） The development of spacecraft has enabled humans to explore deeper into space.（航天器的发展使人类能够更深入地探索太空。） 阐述太空探索意义的句式 Space exploration not only expands our knowledge of the universe but also promotes the development of science and technology on Earth. （太空探索不仅拓宽了我们对宇宙的认识，还推动了地球上科学技术的发展。） Space exploration is of great significance to humanity as it helps us understand the origin and evolution of the universe.（太空探索对人类具有重大意义，因为它帮助我们了解宇宙的起源和演化。） 讲述宇航员相关情况的句式 Astronauts undergo rigorous training to prepare for space missions.（宇航员要接受严格的训练，为太空任务做准备。） The life of astronauts in space is full of challenges due to the lack of gravity.（由于缺乏重力，宇航员在太空中的生活充满挑战。） 描述航天任务相关的句式 The launch of a rocket is a complex and exciting process.（火箭的发射是一个复杂而令人兴奋的过程。） The satellite was successfully launched into orbit last week.（这颗卫星上周被成功发射进入轨道。） 探讨宇宙现象的句式 Planets and stars have always fascinated scientists and astronomers.（行星和恒星一直吸引着科学家和天文学家。） The mystery of black holes has intrigued researchers for a long time.（黑洞的奥秘长期以来一直吸引着研究人员。） 必备词块 基础词汇类 aerospace n. 航空航天；航空航天工业 astronaut n. 宇航员；航天员 （同义词：spaceman） spacecraft n. 航天器；宇宙飞船（复数形式：spacecraft 单复数同形） satellite n. 卫星 launch v. 发射；发起；使（船）下水 n. 发射；（新产品的）上市 orbit n. 轨道；眼眶；势力范围 v. 环绕…… 轨道运行 space station空间站 spaceship n. 宇宙飞船 rocket n. 火箭 v. 迅速增加；飞速移动 space exploration太空探索 gravity n. 重力；地心引力；严重性 atmosphere n. 大气层；大气；气氛 planet n. 行星 star n. 星；恒星；明星 galaxy n. 星系；银河系 航天设施及操作词汇类 launch pad发射台 mission control任务控制中心 space suit航天服 reentry n. 重返；再进入（尤指航天器重返大气层） landing n. 着陆；登陆；降落 take - off n. 起飞；起跳；（经济等）腾飞 宇宙相关天体及现象词汇类 universe n. 宇宙；万象 comet n. 彗星 asteroid n. 小行星 nebula n. 星云 black hole黑洞 solar system太阳系 lunar adj. 月亮的；月球的；阴历的 solar adj. 太阳的；太阳能的 实战演练 Passage 1 In a very important journey to make space travel better for the environment, scientists have successfully launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, aboard a SpaceX rocket. The satellite is going on a trip to bring more things to the International Space Station (ISS), where it will be launched into orbit in the coming month. The pioneering project was developed by Kyoto University scientists and Sumitomo Forestry, which is a big step in finding new ways to be good for the environment when we use technology in space. LignoSat’s purpose is to see whether wood could be a proper material in space. The satellite is set to orbit Earth for six months, staying strong in the tough space environment while scientists watch how well it holds up. Wood, surprisingly strong in space due to the absence of oxygen and water, could offer a solution to a significant problem facing the satellite industry: metal pieces from retired satellites re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Traditional metal satellites often generate metal particles upon burning up, but LignoSat, designed to break up harmlessly on re-entry, has the potential to avoid this environmental impact altogether. Koji Murata, a professor from Kyoto University who studies forests, said that because wood could last a long time without oxygen, it might be a good material to use for spaceships, reducing environmental harm when the satellite returns to Earth. The satellite was put in a specialized container (容器) by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and flew into space safely, according to a post on the Internet. Sumitomo Forestry’s spokesperson said the satellite’s journey went well and that it would soon arrive at the ISS, where it will then be launched into space. 1．What can be learned about LignoSat? A．It’s made of metal. B．It’s a wooden satellite. C．It looks like a SpaceX rocket. D．It’s near the International Space Station 2．What is the main purpose of LignoSat? A．To make the journey to space faster. B．To discover water sources in space. C．To bring space materials back to Earth. D．To test if wood is suitable for use in space. 3．What benefit does wood offer compared to metal for satellites according to paragraph 3? A．It is more environment-friendly. B．It can be found more easily. C．It provides more strength. D．It is cheaper. 4．What is the best title for the text? A．ISS: Wooden Addition B．LignoSat: Beyond Profit C．First Wooden Satellite: Eco-Space Travel D．SpaceX: Green Satellite Launch 【答案】1．B 2．D 3．A 4．C 【解析】这是一篇说明文。本文主要介绍了科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat，让太空旅行更加环保。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段关键句“In a very important journey to make space travel better for the environment, scientists have successfully launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, aboard a SpaceX rocket. (在使太空旅行更好地造福环境的一次非常重要的旅程中，科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat)”可知，LignoSat是世界上第一颗木制卫星。故选B项。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段关键句“LignoSat’s purpose is to see whether wood could be a proper material in space. (LignoSat的目的是研究木材是否是太空中合适的材料)”可知，LignoSat的主要目的是测试木材是否适合在太空中使用。故选D项。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段关键句“Traditional metal satellites often generate metal particles upon burning up, but LignoSat, designed to break up harmlessly on re-entry, has the potential to avoid this environmental impact altogether. (传统的金属卫星在燃烧时通常会产生金属颗粒，但是LignoSat旨在在重返大气层时无害地分解，有可能完全避免这种环境影响)”可知，LignoSat在重返大气层时无害地分解，避免对环境造成影响。由此可知，与金属卫星相比，木制卫星更环保。故选A项。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，结合第一段关键句“In a very important journey to make space travel better for the environment, scientists have successfully launched LignoSat, the world’s first wooden satellite, aboard a SpaceX rocket. (在使太空旅行更好地造福环境的一次非常重要的旅程中，科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat)”可知，本文主要介绍了科学家们成功地用SpaceX火箭发射了世界上第一颗木制卫星LignoSat，让太空旅行更加环保。C项“First Wooden Satellite: Eco-Space Travel”意为“第一颗木制卫星：生态太空旅行”，能够概括文章主要内容。故选C项。 Passage 2 NASA’s first humanoid (像人的) robot, Valkyrie is going through a few of its final testing stages at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Texas. The humanoid robot, much like Iron Man but constructed from metal and electronics, copies human walking and appearance. NASA is exploring if such machines can further space exploration, starting with the Artemis mission, according to Reuters. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), Valkyrie is an electric humanoid robot able to operate in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments, like areas hit by natural disasters. JSC designed and constructed NASA’s Valkyrie specifically for participation in the 2023 DARPA Robotics Challenge Trials. Drawing on the knowledge gained from the creation of Robonaut 2, the Valkyrie team at JSC created this robot in fifteen months. They integrated (整合) improved electronics, actuators and sensing abilities based on the advancements made in earlier generations of humanoid robots at JSC． In July, the humanoid robot went through testing in Australia to rate its software, generating valuable data and feedback (反馈) for NASA．These tests aimed to advance remote mobile dexterous manipulation (灵活操控) abilities. NASA has cooperated with robotics firms, including Apptronik based in Austin, Texas, to explore the insights gained from humanoid robots designed for Earthly applications. This cooperation aims to learn how humanoid robots developed for purposes on Earth could help the development of future humanoid robots meant for space. Humanoid robots to be arranged in space hold the possibility to perform dangerous tasks such as cleaning solar panels or examining equipment that is out of order outside spacecraft. This ability allows astronauts to focus on exploration and discovery without putting their safety at risk. “We’re not trying to replace human workers; we’re just trying to take the dull, dirty and dangerous work off their plates to allow them to focus on those higher-level activities,” told Shaun Azimi, NASA Dexterous Robotics Team Leader, to Reuters. 1．What is mainly presented about Valkyrie in paragraph 2? A．Its testing results. B．Its creation process. C．Its wide applications. D．Its appearance and functions. 2．What does the underlined phrase “Drawing on” in paragraph 3 probably mean? A．Making use of. B．Taking care of. C．Losing sight of. D．Keeping track of. 3．What can be inferred about humanoid robots to be used in space? A．They will replace astronauts soon. B．They are too expensive to be widely used. C．They can help astronauts avoid risky work. D．They have already solved all space problems. 4．What is the text mainly about? A．The future development of space exploration. B．The comparison of different humanoid robots. C．The partnership between NASA and robotics firms. D．The introduction of a NASA-based humanoid robot. 【答案】1．D 2．A 3．C 4．D 【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了NASA开发的人形机器人Valkyrie的功能和应用前景。 1．推理判断题。根据第二段“Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (188 centimeters) and weighing 300 pounds (136 kilograms), Valkyrie is an electric humanoid robot able to operate in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments, like areas hit by natural disasters. (Valkyrie身高6英尺2英寸 (188厘米)，体重300磅n(136公斤)，是一款电动人形机器人，能够在退化或受损的人类工程环境中工作，比如遭受自然灾害的地区。)”可知，Valkyrie的身高、体重以及它能够在退化或受损的人类工程环境 (如遭受自然灾害的地区) 中运行的功能。所以主要介绍了它的外观和功能。故选D。 2．词句猜测题。根据第三段中“Drawing on the knowledge gained from the creation of Robonaut 2, the Valkyrie team at JSC created this robot in fifteen months. (Drawing on从Robonaut 2的创造中获得的知识，JSC的瓦尔基里团队用了15个月的时间创造了这个机器人。)”可知，这JSC的Valkyrie团队是利用从Robonaut 2的创造中获得的知识，在15个月内创造了这个机器人。“Drawing on”在这里是“利用”的意思，与A选项“Making use of” (利用) 意思相符。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据最后一段中“Humanoid robots to be arranged in space hold the potential to perform dangerous tasks such as cleaning solar panels or examining equipment that is out of order outside spacecraft. This ability allows astronauts to focus on exploration and discovery without putting their safety at risk. (拟人机器人将被安排在太空中，有可能执行危险任务，如清洁太阳能电池板或检查航天器外故障的设备。这种能力使宇航员能够专注于探索和发现，而不会危及他们的安全。)”可知，在太空中的类人机器人有执行危险任务的潜力，这使宇航员能够专注于探索和发现而不会使他们的安全受到威胁。也就是说类人机器人可以帮助宇航员避免危险工作。故选C。 4．主旨大意题。通读全文，尤其是第一段“NASA’s first humanoid (像人的) robot, Valkyrie is going through a few of its final testing stages at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. Texas. The humanoid robot, much like Iron Man but constructed from metal and electronics, copies human walking and appearance. NASA is exploring if such machines can further space exploration, starting with the Artemis mission, according to Reuters. (美国宇航局的第一个人形机器人瓦尔基里正在休斯顿的美国宇航局约翰逊航天中心 (JSC) 进行最后的测试。德克萨斯州。这个人形机器人很像钢铁侠，但由金属和电子元件构成，模仿了人类的行走和外表。据路透社报道，美国宇航局正在探索这种机器是否能进一步进行太空探索，从阿尔忒弥斯任务开始。)”以及后文可知，文章主要介绍了美国宇航局的第一个类人机器人Valkyrie，包括它的外观、功能、创造过程、测试以及在太空探索中的潜在作用等，所以文章主要是对美国宇航局的类人机器人的介绍。故选D。 Passage 3 China's space exploration program has made a significant achievement in recent years. Besides, the nation plans to land its astronauts on the moon and conduct research. One key aspect of these missions is the lunar landing suit worn by China's astronauts. China's lunar landing suit shows the country's creativity. The suit, with several layers (层), is designed to fight against the terrible conditions of the lunar surface, including extreme temperatures, low gravity, and solar radiation (辐射). The innermost layer is designed for comfort, ensuring that the astronauts remain cool and dry during the mission. This layer is followed by pressure clothing that keeps the correct atmospheric pressure within the suit, in the low-pressure environment of the moon. The outer layer, made of a special material, protects the astronauts from extreme heat and bitter cold, ranging from over 100℃ during the daytime to as low as -170℃ at night. Despite the several layers and protective equipment, the suit is flexible, enabling the astronauts to move freely. The lunar landing suit is equipped with a range of features that improve the astronauts' ability to perform tasks on the moon. The suit's gloves, for example, allow for fine motor skills, making it easier for them to handle tools and equipment. A life support system included in the suit can provide oxygen, regulate temperature, and remove CO2, which is important to their survival during the mission, as the lunar environment is unfit for human life without proper support. Besides, the suit includes a helmet (头盔) with a visor that provides a clear view while protecting their eyes from dust and radiation. The helmet also has communication systems, allowing them to stay in contact with mission control. Through years of research and development, China's latest lunar landing suit marks a big breakthrough (重大进展) in space technology, showcasing the nation's power in space engineering and representing a big technological leap. 1．What does the outer of the suit mainly fight against? A．High gravity. B．The extreme temperatures. C．Much drought. D．The atmospheric pressure. 2．What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about the suit? A．Its design and functions. B．Its cost and benefits. C．Its history and future. D．Its material and weight. 3．What does the underlined word “leap” in the last paragraph refer to? A．Advance. B．Mission. C．Error. D．Pressure. 4．What can we conclude from the design of the suit? A．Better late than never. B．All roads lead to Rome. C．Actions speak louder than words. D．Necessity is the mother of invention. 【答案】1．B 2．A 3．A 4．D 【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了中国的太空探索计划取得重大成就，计划让宇航员登月并开展研究，其中宇航员所穿的登月服是关键。详细介绍了登月服的结构，包括多层设计及其各自功能，如最内层保证舒适，压力服维持气压，外层抵御极端温度等。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“The outer layer, made of a special material, protects the astronauts from extreme heat and bitter cold, ranging from over 100℃ during the daytime to as low as -170℃ at night.(外层由一种特殊材料制成，保护宇航员免受极端高温和严寒的影响，从白天超过100℃到夜晚低至-170℃)”可知，宇航服的外层主要抵御的是极端温度。故选B。 2．主旨大意题。根据第三段“The lunar landing suit is equipped with a range of features that improve the astronauts' ability to perform tasks on the moon. The suit's gloves, for example, allow for fine motor skills, making it easier for them to handle tools and equipment. A life support system included in the suit can provide oxygen, regulate temperature, and remove CO2, which is important to their survival during the mission, as the lunar environment is unfit for human life without proper support. Besides, the suit includes a helmet (头盔) with a visor that provides a clear view while protecting their eyes from dust and radiation. The helmet also has communication systems, allowing them to stay in contact with mission control.(登月服配备了一系列功能，这些功能提高了宇航员在月球上执行任务的能力。例如，宇航服的手套允许进行精细的运动技能操作，使他们更容易操作工具和设备。宇航服中包含的生命支持系统可以提供氧气、调节温度并去除二氧化碳，这对他们在任务期间的生存很重要，因为在没有适当支持的情况下，月球环境不适合人类生存。此外，宇航服包括一个带有面罩的头盔，在保护他们的眼睛免受灰尘和辐射的同时提供清晰的视野。头盔还配备了通信系统，使他们能够与任务控制中心保持联系)”可知，第三段主要介绍了登月服的设计（如手套、头盔等）以及这些设计所具有的功能（如便于操作、保障生存、通信等）。故选A。 3．词句猜测题。根据最后一段“Through years of research and development, China's latest lunar landing suit marks a big breakthrough (重大进展) in space technology, showcasing the nation's power in space engineering and representing a big technological leap.(经过多年的研究和开发，中国最新的登月服标志着太空技术的重大突破，展示了国家在太空工程方面的实力，并代表了一次重大的技术leap)可知，前文提到的 “重大突破” 以及 “展示了国家在太空工程方面的实力”。由此推知，划线词“leap” 在这里表示技术上的进步、提升，与advance意思接近。故选A。 4．推理判断题。文章中讲述了中国登月服的设计是为了应对月球表面极端温度、低重力、辐射等恶劣的环境条件，以及满足宇航员在月球上执行任务的各种需求（如提供生命支持、方便操作等），正是因为在月球执行任务存在这些实际的需求，才促使了登月服的发明和不断完善。由此推知，D选项 “Necessity is the mother of invention.(需要是发明之母)”很好地体现了因为在月球执行任务的实际需要，所以才有了登月服这样的发明。故选D。 Passage 4 In the pursuit of sustainable living, the Earthship concept has become a symbol of innovation. Earthships, pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds, are habitats that use the power of nature and recycled materials to create self-sufficient living spaces. These structures reduce environmental impact and provide a unique approach to fighting climate change through architecture. The main features of Earthship are its renewable energy, water harvesting, and food production. It uses old dirt-filled tires to create walls that store heat and keep the inside temperature stable. Earthships use solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries to generate and store electricity. It collects rainwater and snowmelt, filters (过滤) it for drinking, and reuses it for gardening and flushing toilets. By integrating these elements, Earthships aim to create a closed-loop system where resources are continuously recycled and reused, minimizing waste and dependence on additional resources. Annual extreme weather events have become common due to climate change. People have had to find ways to adapt and live sustainably with the ongoing threat of rising sea levels, raging forest fires, heavy rains, and unusual ice storms. The flexibility of Earthship design allows for adaptation to different landscapes and climates, making them a practical option in many settings. Moreover, Earthship construction allows people to take control of their living space and reduce their dependence on traditional housing systems. However, the costs to build Earthships can be wide-ranging, and home values are nearly as expensive as traditional homes. Because the Earthship design is still in its experimental phase, many projects fail or are abandoned midway through, with intended homeowners losing thousands of dollars. Despite the challenges, Earthships offer a unique and artistic design aesthetic, with curved walls and colorful glass bottle accents. They are a solution to self-sufficient living and a statement of individuality and creativity. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, Earthships shine as a symbol of hope, offering an innovative approach to living in harmony with nature. 1．What do we know about the Earthship? A．It is time-consuming to build. B．It makes efficient use of resources. C．It perfectly caters to the fast-paced lifestyle. D．It costs less than traditional houses to maintain. 2．Why does the author mention extreme weather in paragraph 3? A．To stress the advantages of constructing Earthships. B．To show the limitations of living in an Earthship. C．To explain the difficulty of designing Earthships. D．To present the effects of climate on housing systems. 3．What is a problem with building Earthships? A．It lacks sufficient technical support. B．It is demanding for builders. C．It has a high risk of failure. D．It causes trouble for local residents. 4．Which of the following is the best title for the text? A．The New Trend of Eco-Friendly Architecture B．Earthships: A Solution to Changeable Nature C．The Artistic Innovation of Earthship Design D．Earthships: A Pioneer in Sustainable Living 【答案】1．B 2．A 3．C 4．D 【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了“地球之船”(Earthship)这一创新建筑概念，它由建筑师Michael Reynolds提出，利用自然资源和回收材料建造自给自足的居住空间。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中的内容“By integrating these elements, Earthships aim to create a closed-loop system where resources are continuously recycled and reused, minimizing waste and dependence on additional resources.(通过整合这些元素，地球之船旨在创建一个闭环系统，资源在其中不断循环利用，最大限度地减少浪费和对额外资源的依赖)”可知，地球之船高效利用资源。故选B项。 2．推理判断题。根据第三段中的内容“Annual extreme weather events have become common due to climate change. People have had to find ways to adapt and live sustainably with the ongoing threat of rising sea levels, raging forest fires, heavy rains, and unusual ice storms. The flexibility of Earthship design allows for adaptation to different landscapes and climates, making them a practical option in many settings.(由于气候变化，每年发生的极端天气事件已经变得很常见。人们不得不寻找各种方法来适应这种变化，并在海平面上升、森林大火肆虐、暴雨倾盆以及异常的冰暴等持续威胁下实现可持续的生活。地球之船的设计具有灵活性，能够适应不同的地形地貌和气候条件，这使得它们在许多情况下都成为了切实可行的选择)”可知，作者提到极端天气是为了强调地球之船在适应极端气候方面的优势。故选A项。 3．细节理解题。根据第四段中的内容“Because the Earthship design is still in its experimental phase, many projects fail or are abandoned midway through, with intended homeowners losing thousands of dollars.(由于地球之船设计仍处于实验阶段，许多项目失败或中途被放弃，导致预期房主损失数千美元)”可知，建造地球之船的一个问题是失败风险高。故选C项。 4．主旨大意题。根据全文内容，尤其是第一段中的内容“In the pursuit of sustainable living, the Earthship concept has become a symbol of innovation. Earthships, pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds, are habitats that use the power of nature and recycled materials to create self-sufficient living spaces.(在追求可持续生活的过程中，“地球之船”的理念已成为创新的象征。“地球之船”由建筑师迈克尔・雷诺兹首创，它是一种利用自然的力量和回收材料来营造自给自足居住空间的居所)”以及最后一段中的内容“As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, Earthships shine as a symbol of hope, offering an innovative approach to living in harmony with nature.(随着世界迈向更可持续的未来，“地球之船”作为希望的象征闪耀，提供了一种与自然和谐共处的创新方式)”可知，文章开篇指出在追求可持续生活中，地球之船的概念成为创新的象征，接着介绍了它的特点、优势以及面临的挑战等，强调它是一种与自然和谐相处的创新生活方式，是可持续生活的先驱。所以，用D项“Earthships: A Pioneer in Sustainable Living(地球之船：可持续生活的先驱)”作为本文的标题，与文章主题相符合。故选D项。 Passage 5 Chinese scientists have created starch (淀粉), a type of complex carbohydrate found in plants, using carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity. Experts say if such technique can be scaled-up (大规模) to the level of industrialization, it may revolutionize how this key nutrient and industrial ingredient is made, since it does not require farming and processing a large quantity of starchy crops such as sweet potatoes and corn, thus saving more water, fertilizer, and arable land. It may also be used to recycle carbon dioxide into a consumable product. This will help reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, especially if the electricity used is from renewable sources like solar and wind. In space exploration it may provide a sustainable food source for astronauts as they travel long distances in space and try to colonize other planets where growing food is impossible. Future space travelers may simply turn the carbon dioxide they breathe out into food they eat. Ma Yanhe, the director of the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says starch and other complex carbohydrates make up 60 to 80 percent of the human diet. “Our breakthrough demonstrates that creating a complex compound like starch is achievable in a lab, and there are many industries that can benefit from this technology,” he says. Plants create carbohydrates like starch through photosynthesis (光合作用), which is an extremely complex process, says Ma, adding that it will take a plant about 60 steps to turn carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into starch. Cai Tao, one of the first authors of the study, says for six years, his team has been focusing on a single project: how to make starch, but do it at a higher speed. He says their method involves first converting carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas into methanol (甲醇). Scientists then piece these single-carbon molecules like a puzzle into bigger and more complex molecules via enzymatic (酶的) processes. With the help of supercomputing, Chinese scientists have simplified the natural starch making process from about 60 into 11 steps and produced starch. Thellab-made starch is chemically identical to starch in nature. 1．Which is NOT a potential benefit if the technique can be used on an industrial level? A．It will have a positive influence on climate change. B．It will help produce renewable resources such as solar and wind. C．It will offer a practical food solution for astronauts. D．It will help save several sources from water to farming land. 2．Which might be the biggest difficulty in creating the lab-made starch? A．Making starch faster. B．Collecting enough raw materials. C．Repeating the photosynthesis of plants. D．Involving methanol in the making process. 3．What’s the best title for the passage? A．Starch, an important complex carbohydrate. B．The great benefits of starch. C．Chinese scientists successfully turn carbon dioxide into starch. D．Chinese scientists make contributions to climate change. 4．In which part of a newspaper could you most probably read the text? A．Science. B．Lifestyle. C．Environment. D．Health. 【答案】1．B 2．A 3．C 4．A 【解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了中国科学家利用二氧化碳、氢气和电力制造淀粉的技术突破及其对环境、食品生产和太空探索的潜在影响。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“Experts say if such technique can be scaled-up (大规模) to the level of industrialization, it may revolutionize how this key nutrient and industrial ingredient is made, since it does not require farming and processing a large quantity of starchy crops such as sweet potatoes and corn, thus saving more water, fertilizer, and arable land.(专家表示，如果这种技术能够大规模推广到工业化水平，它可能会彻底改变这种关键营养素和工业原料的生产方式，因为这不需要种植和加工大量的淀粉类作物，如红薯和玉米，从而节省更多的水资源、肥料和耕地)”可知，该技术在工业化水平上的潜在好处包括节约水资源、肥料和耕地，D选项正确；根据第三段中“This will help reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, especially if the electricity used is from renewable sources like solar and wind.(这将有助于减少碳排放并对抗气候变化，特别是当所使用的电力来自太阳能和风能等可再生能源时)”可知，该技术对气候变化有积极影响，A选项正确；根据第四段中“In space exploration it may provide a sustainable food source for astronauts as they travel long distances in space and try to colonize other planets where growing food is impossible.(在太空探索中，它可能为宇航员提供一种可持续的食物来源，使他们在进行长途太空旅行及尝试殖民其他无法种植食物的星球时得到补给)”可知，该技术可以为宇航员提供实际的食物解决方案，C选项正确。而B选项“它将有助于生产可再生能源，如太阳能和风能”并不是该技术工业化水平的潜在好处，原文中第三段中提到“This will help reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change, especially if the electricity used is from renewable sources like solar and wind.(这将有助于减少碳排放并对抗气候变化，特别是当所使用的电力来自太阳能和风能等可再生能源时)”，是说如果使用的电力来自可再生能源，将有助于减少碳排放和对抗气候变化，而不是说该技术本身会生产可再生能源。因此，B选项不是该技术可能带来的潜在好处。故选B。 2．推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段中“Cai Tao, one of the first authors of the study, says for six years, his team has been focusing on a single project: how to make starch, but do it at a higher speed.(该研究的第一作者之一蔡涛说，六年来，他的团队一直专注于一个项目：如何制造淀粉，但速度更快)”和最后一段中“With the help of supercomputing, Chinese scientists have simplified the natural starch making process from about 60 into 11 steps and produced starch.(在超级计算的帮助下，中国科学家将天然淀粉的制造过程从大约60个步骤简化为11个步骤，并生产出淀粉)”可推知，团队六年专注于提高制造淀粉的速度，将自然生产淀粉的60步简化为人工合成淀粉的11步，可推知制造实验室合成淀粉最大的困难可能是更快制造淀粉。故选A。 3．主旨大意题。文章开篇便指出“Chinese scientists have created starch (淀粉), a type of complex carbohydrate found in plants, using carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity.(中国科学家利用二氧化碳、氢气和电合成了淀粉，这是一种在植物中发现的复杂碳水化合物)”，后文围绕该技术的工业化可能带来的变革、对环境的益处、在太空探索中的作用以及制造过程等方面展开论述，即文章主要描述了中国科学家成功地将二氧化碳转化为淀粉这一成就及其潜在的应用前景。故C选项“Chinese scientists successfully turn carbon dioxide into starch.(中国科学家成功地将二氧化碳转化为淀粉)”准确地概括了文章的核心内容，是文章的最佳标题。故选C。 4．推理判断题。文章主要介绍了中国科学家在制造淀粉方面的科学技术，包括制造淀粉所使用的原料、制造过程、技术的优势以及可能的应用领域等，这些内容都属于科学范畴。因此，这篇文章可能出现在报纸的“科学”部分。故选A。 Passage 6 For 75 years, astronomers have been searching for extraterrestrial (地球外的) intelligence, often shortened to SETT. SETT involves listening for radio or optical signals sent by intelligent civilizations, but, so far, no artificial signals have been detected. The failure of SETI is called “The Great Silence”, but despite this, many scientists are confident that intelligent aliens do exist. There are thought to be at least 10 billion habitable worlds in our galaxy, and billions of years have passed in which any life on them could have developed intelligence and technology. METI, or messaging extraterrestrial intelligence, has been less common. It involves talking rather than listening. To some, it is a controversial activity. The first attempts at communication were unrealistic “messages in a bottle”. In 1972, NASA launched the Pioneer 10 spacecraft towards Jupiter, which carried a board with a line drawing of a man and a woman as well as symbols to show where the craft originated. In 1977, NASA followed this up with a golden record attached to the Voyager I craft. The 12-inch record held sounds and images chosen to convey the diversity of life on Earth. Both spacecrafts have since left the solar system. At their current speeds, it will be tens of thousands of years before they reach another star system. In the immensity of space, the odds that they will be found are extremely small. Now, an international team of astronomers plans to use the world’s largest radio telescope, FAST, located in China, to beam a message towards millions of stars that are 10,000 to 20,000 light years away. The new message is a combination of previous ones. NASA signals to its remote spacecraft, meanwhile, have reached four nearby stars. But perhaps we have already betrayed our existence to aliens. Radio and television have been leaking into space for nearly a century, in an expanding bubble of communications that spans millions of stars-in theory, at least. The ethical question raised by METT is: Should we be sending a message at all? Scientists are divided. Before he died, Stephen Hawking was outspoken about the danger of communicating with aliens. If they have superior technology and are malign, they might destroy us. Others see no problem, given that the signals take millennia (一千年) to reach their destination. No international rules govern METI, so the experiments will continue. My own take is that the risk is abstract when the message will take millennia to be received. We have more direct and existential threats than evil alien empires. My guess is that extraterrestrial intelligence and tech are so advanced that they are hard to comprehend. After all, we share 99% of our DNA with chimps and can’t communicate with them. 1．What is “The Great Silence” in the context of SETI? A．The absence of sound in outer space. B．The quietness of habitable worlds in the galaxy. C．The lack of communication between different space agencies. D．The failure to detect artificial signals from intelligent civilizations. 2．Which of the following statements might the author agree with? A．It’s unwise to continue METI without international rules. B．Scientists should prioritize addressing immediate threats. C．We may establish connection with aliens in the near future. D．Communication with aliens may lead to humanity’s destruction. 3．What can be inferred from the underlined sentence in the last paragraph? A．We should give up looking for aliens for the moment. B．We should first learn how to communicate with our closest relative. C．Communication with aliens from other intelligent civilizations is unlikely. D．Genetic similarity is no guarantee of successful communication with aliens. 4．What is mainly discussed in the passage? A．The significance of SETT and METI projects. B．The possibility of finding habitable planets in the universe. C．The efforts made to search for intelligent life beyond the earth. D．The challenges in detecting artificial signals from other planets. 【答案】1．D 2．B 3．C 4．C 【解析】这是一篇说明文。主要讲述人类搜寻外星智慧生命（SETI）的失败以及向外星智慧生命发送信息（METI）的尝试、伦理争议和作者观点。文章涵盖SETI和METI的定义、历史努力（如先驱者和旅行者号任务）、当前计划（使用FAST望远镜）及相关挑战，包括信号传播的漫长性和潜在风险。全文围绕地外智慧生命的探索展开，强调科学界的努力和分歧。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段第二句“SETT involves listening for radio or optical signals sent by intelligent civilizations, but, so far, no artificial signals have been detected. (SETT涉及监听智能文明发出的无线电或光信号，但到目前为止，还没有检测到任何人工信号。)”可知，SETT想要的便是获得智能文明发出的信号，那它的失败就是没有获得这些信号。故选D项。 2．推理判断题。根据最后一段一二句“My own take is that the risk is abstract when the message will take millennia to be received. We have more direct and existential threats than evil alien empires. (我自己的看法是，当信息需要数千年才能被接收时，风险是抽象的。我们面临的威胁比邪恶的外星帝国更直接、更存在。)”可知，作者认为METI的风险是抽象的，尚未实际成形，但是我们面临其他的更直接存在的风险，言外之意便是与外星帝国相比，我们需要先解决这些更直接存在的风险。故选B项。 3．词句猜测题。根据最后一段第三句“My guess is that extraterrestrial intelligence and tech are so advanced that they are hard to comprehend. (我的猜测是，外星智能和技术是如此先进，以至于很难理解。)”可知，作者觉得外星的智能和技术会很难理解，画线句“After all, we share 99% of our DNA with chimps and can’t communicate with them.(毕竟，我们与黑猩猩共享99%的DNA，无法与它们交流)”是对“难以理解的程度”做了一个比喻，即使人和黑猩猩在基因上如此相似，我们和黑猩猩之间的互相理解沟通也是无法达成，不可能的，故可推断这个比喻暗含的语义为我们与外星智能文明的交流不太可能。故选C项。 4．主旨大意题。文章通篇讨论SETI监听失败、METI发送信息的努力（如先驱者号、旅行者号）、当前计划（使用FAST望远镜）及信号传播挑战和伦理争议，核心是总结人类为搜寻地球外智慧生命所做的各种尝试，选项C“为寻找地球外智慧生命所做的努力”全面涵盖这一主题。故选C项。 2 原创精品资源学科网独家享有版权，侵权必究！ 6 / 8 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$