MOSCOW(Reuters) – Russia hopes the United States will extend the deadline to retire its space shuttles beyond 2011 and has heard unofficially it is possible, the head of Russia"s space agency was quoted as saying on Friday.
The U.S. space agency NASA(美国宇航局) plans six more missions by its fleet of aging space shuttles by late next year or early 2011 after the construction of the $100 billion International Space Station (ISS) is completed. The shuttles will then be retired. But the head of Roscosmos, Russia"s space agency, said he would prefer to see further shuttle missions to the Space Station, now in orbit 360 km (225 miles) above Earth. "From some sources we have learned that it is possible to extend the life of the shuttle beyond 2011," Roscosmos chief Anatoly Perminov was quoted by RIA news agency as saying. Reuters was not invited to the briefing(简报会). "Then the situation would change substantially and it would be possible to work jointly with the Americans, unlike now, when the main burden (for the ISS) lies with the Russian side," Perminov was quoted as saying by Interfax. Perminov said he had not been told this through official channels, Interfax news agency reported. He added that NASA"s new chief and former astronaut Charles Bolden would visit Russia"s Baikonur cosmodrome on September 30 in his first foreign trip.
NASA"s future strategy is currently under review with the main focus on possible flights to Mars. It is also encouraging a private space taxi project to the ISS. NASA"s current plan, conceived under former President George Bush after the Columbia accident, is to complete the space station, retire the shuttles and build new spaceships. A new rocket and capsule to transport astronauts to the ISS is also being developed but will not be operational until about 2015. Until then, NASA will rely on Roscosmos and must pay $50 million per seat for flights to the ISS by Soyuz capsules.
The U.S., Russian and Chinese governments are the only entities currently capable of human orbital space flight, although several U.S. companies are developing vehicles and support services to do so.What does the underlined word “this” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.NASA agrees to extend the life of the shuttles beyond 2011. |
B.Reuters was not invited to the briefing. |
C.The US would work jointly with Russia. |
D.NASA’s new chief would visit Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome. |
NASA’s current plan includes all the following EXCEPT .
A.completing International Space Station |
B.flights to Mars |
C.retiring the current space shuttles |
D.building new spaceships |
If the US doesn’t extend the life of the shuttles beyond 2011, .
A.International Space Station will be quit |
B.Roscosmos will have to build more spaceships |
C.NASA will have to quicken the development of the new rocket and capsule |
D.Roscosmos will be burdened with the transportation to ISS |
We can infer from the passage that .
A.China has already been involved in the project of flights to Mars |
B.it is certain the NASA will retire the current space shuttles as planned |
C.NASA is considering Russia’s suggestion |
D.NASA will be able to provide a private space taxi project to the ISS by 2015. |
If you are looking for a summer camp job opportunity, the following are some summer camp jobs available for 2011 summer.
1. Fishing
Male 21----Teach fishing and fly-tying(飞钓) techniques. Live with 6-8 campers and instructors, teach basic outdoor skills, lead backpacking trips and assist with canoe trips.
Salary:$2,400.00一$3,000.00Roaring Brook Camp Camp for Boys
480 Roaring Brook Road
Bradford, Vermont 05033, USA Contact: Dr. Candice Raines at (800) 802-747-0282
2. Athletic Trainer
International Sports Training Camp is a specialized sports camp located on a private 100- acre lake in the scenic Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are renowned for our outstanding facilities, innovative programs and friendly staff.
We are looking for both students and certified athletic trainers. Great working environment caring for kids sports injuries.
Salary: $2,500.00- $2,500.00
International Sports Training Camp
1100 Twin Lake Road
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360,USA Contact: Kara Klaus Major at(570)6202267
3. Head Cook
Will manage kitchen staff of 4,order food and prepare meals and snacks for 50-60 campers and staff daily, during sessions and training periods.
Salary: $3,000.00-$4,000.00
Burgundy Center for wildlife Studies
HC 83.Box 38DD
Capon Bridge, West Virginia 26711, USA Contact: Vini Schoene at(540)465-1516
4. Drama Department Head
Spend an unforgettable summer doing what you love in the outdoor setting! Work with talented staff and children on exciting plays, musicals and improv!
Camp Airy (for boys)is seeking an experienced individual with a theater background and experience in directing children’s productions.Supervise counselor staff and direct two major productions in our 600 seat Outdoor Theatre.
Our summer season runs from June 17 to August 18. Be sure to visit our outstanding web site at www.airylouise.org.
Salary: Depends on Experience
Camp Airy &Camp Louise
14938 Old Camp Airy Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788,USA Contact: Steve Goldklang at (410)466-9010 Who would be most interested in the text?
A.College students. | B.General readers. | C.Holiday goers. | D.Job seekers. |
Mr. Smith always finds pleasure in fly fishing, which telephone might he dial?
A.(570)6202267 | B.(570)6202267 | C.(800)802-747-0282 | D.(410)466—9010 |
The underlined word “improv” probably means _______.
A.formal performance | B.unprepared performance |
C.normal practice | D.dancing and singing |
. Which of the following statements about athletic trainers is TRUE?
A.College graduates are preferred. | B.Only professional athletes can apply |
C.They can earn as much as $3,500.00 | |
D.Their job includes taking care of the injured kids |
. Which of the following organizations offers a flexible salary?
A.Camp Airy &Camp Louise. | B.International Sports Training Camp. |
C.Roaring Brook Camp Camp for Boys. | D.Burgundy Center for wildlife Studies |
The whole world was talking about Octopus(章鱼)Paul Allen since it had a 100%correct prediction record of the matches,including Germany in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2010.The question was whether there be a prediction of the grand final, since it did not include Germany.
The answer to that much awaited question is yes. Celebrity Octopus Paul Allen does have a winner. It has picked Spain over Holland to lift the wishful prize. In a live television show all over Europe, Paul picked out a mussel(蚌)from the tank with the Spanish flag, ignoring the tank that had the Dutch flag. This means the prediction is that Spain will be FIFA World Cup 2010 champion.Regarding the place 3 and 4 playoff, Octopus Paul A11en has predicted that Germany will beat Uruguay to take the 3 rd place, which was right.
Octopus Paul Allen has become a worldwide celebrity after it has predicted with 100% accuracy all of Germany’s World Cup games’ outcomes. It even stopped critics and experts when it correctly predicted a Serbia win over the strong Germans. Much to the sorrow of German fans,it also rightly predicted Spain having an advantage over Germany in the semifinals. And when this came true,there were many calls from angry and sad Germans fans to kill and eat it.Now let’s wait and see if this final prediction by Octopus Paul Allen comes true and its 100%accuracy record stays the same.It goes without saying. Spain will be smiling, at least right now!
Octopus Paul Allen became a hot topic because__________.
A.it predicted records of FIFA World Cup 2010 matches correctly |
B.it was the mascot of FIFA World Cup 2010 |
C.it took part in the game with Germany and other teams |
D.it lent a helping hand to Germany to win the game |
From the second paragraph we know that the third place in FIFA World Cup 2010 was______.
A.Spain | B.Holland | C.Germany | D.Uruguay |
. According to the passage, when this news is released,_______.
A.FIFA World Cup 2010 has come to an end |
B.Spain has already beaten Germany in the semifinals |
C.Spain has already won the World Cup 2010 champion |
D.the sad German fans have killed Octopus Paul Allen |
. By saying “It goes without saying”, the writer means_______.
A.Spain will be FIFA World Cup 2010 champion |
B.Octopus Paul Allen won’t predict anything in the future |
C.Octopus Paul Allen will surely leave |
D.everything goes on well |
The Japanese government has launched(发起)a campaign encouraging people to go to bed and get up extra early in order to reduce household carbon dioxide emissions(二氧化碳排放).
The Morning Challenge campaign,put forward by the Environment Ministry, is based on the idea that swapping late night electricity for an extra hour of morning sunlight could greatly cut the nation’s carbon footprint.
A typical family can reduce its carbon dioxide footprint by 85 kg a year if everyone goes to bed and gets up one hour earlier,according to the campaign.The amount of carbon dioxide emissions potentially saved from going to bed an hour early was equal to 20 percent of annual emissions from household lights,“Many Japanese people waste electric power at night time,for example by watching TV until very late,”a ministry spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.“But going to bed early and getting up early can avoid wasting electrical power which causes carbon dioxide emissions.” The campaign also proposes that people take advantage of an extra hour of morning sunlight by improving their lifestyles in general by running, doing yoga and eating a nutritious breakfast.
It is the latest action dealing with climate change by the Japanese environment ministry,which is faced with the challenge of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels within the next decade.
It was the same government department that launched the Cool Business campaign five years ago, which encouraged workers to wear short—sleeved shirts and offices not to turn air conditioning lower than 28 degrees during the summer.
.Why are Japanese encouraged to go to bed and get up early?
A.Because it is of great benefit to their health. | |
B.Because Japan is a country without enough electricity. | |
C.Because it can give off less carbon dioxide. | D.Because it is a good habit. |
.. The underlined word“swapping” means___________.
A.comparing | B.exchanging | C.turning | D.competing |
.. In general,a Japanese family gives off _________of carbon dioxide every year.
A.85 kg | B.170 kg | C.425 kg | D.850 kg |
.We can draw a conclusion that_________.
A.People can save energy and reduce emissions by changing their lifestyle |
B.Japanese often don’t have nutritious breakfast |
C.Japanese prefer to wear short—sleeved shirts in summer |
D.Yoga is very popular with the old Japanese |
.. What is the main idea of the passage?
A.The Japanese government has launched the Cool Business campaign. |
B.What can we do to cut carbon emissions? |
C.Change your lifestyle and you can become healthy. |
D.Japanese are encouraged to go to bed an hour early to cut carbon emissions. |
There is one language that is used in every country in the world. The people who use it are young and old, short and tall, thin and fat. It is everybody’s second language. It is easy to understand, although you can’t hear it. It is sign language.
When you wave to a friend who is across the street, you are using sign language. When you smile at someone, you are saying, “I want to be friendly”, but you are not using speech. You are using sign language. When you raise your hand in class, you are saying, “Please ask me. I think I know the correct answer.”
Babies who can’t talk can point at things. They are using sign language. A policeman who wants to stop traffic holds up his hands. He is using sign language.
Many years ago, a French priest(神父), Charles Michel de Epee, became interested in education for deaf people. He invented a finger alphabet (字母表). It is still in use. People can make the sign for letters and spell words with their hands, and deaf people can read and understand them. Soon there were schools for the deaf in many countries. The only university for the deaf is Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C.
Today, in the United States, there are special TV news programs for deaf people. The newsreader tells the news in sign language. At the same time, the words appear on the TV screen.
The actors in the Theatre of Deaf don’t spell every word. Sometimes they use hand signs. When they put two hands together, it means sandwich. They can make a roof with their hands when they want to show a house. One finger in front of an actor’s mouth can mean quiet. You can talk to people who are behind windows that are closed. And when you go swimming with your friends, you can have conversations under water.
How many hand signs do you use every day?. Which of the following about sign language is TRUE?
A.It is a special language used in a few countries in the world. |
B.It is a way to express one’s ideas without words. |
C.It is only used by the deaf. |
D.It can be heard. |
. If you want to express the idea that “I am very friendly” to someone, you will ______.
A.raise your hand | B.put one hand onto the other |
C.smile to the person | D.make a roof with your hands |
. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Hand signs instead of finger signs are used everyday.
B. There are schools, colleges and universities for the deaf in the USA.
C. The French priest Charles invented sign language.
D. Even babies are using sign language. .The passage is mainly about ______.
A.an introduction to sign language | B.the importance of sign language |
C.a famous priest in France | D.how to use sign language |
Mark Twain was a great writer. He was from the USA. He was born in 1835. He was also a famous speaker. He was famous for his sense of humour(幽默感). Many people liked to listen to him talk because he liked to tell some interesting stories to make people laugh all the time.
One day Mark Twain was going to a small town because of his writing. Before he was going to leave, one of his friends said to him that there were always a lot of mosquitoes in the town and told him that he’d better not go there. Mark Twain waved (摇动) his hand and said, “It doesn’t matter. The mosquitoes are no relatives of mine. I don’t think they will come to visit me.”
After he arrived at the town, Mark Twain stayed in a small hotel near the station. He went into his room, but when he was just about to have a rest, quite a few(许多) mosquitoes flew about him. The waiters felt very sorry about that. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Mark Twain. There are too many mosquitoes in our town.” One of them said to him.
Mark Twain, however, made a joke, saying to the waiter, “The mosquitoes are very clever. They know my room number. They didn’t come into the wrong room.” What he said made all the people present laugh heartily.
But that night Mark Twain slept well. Do you know why? That was because all the waiters in the hotel were driving the mosquitoes away for him during the whole night. .That day Mark Twain went to the town _____.
A.to see one of his friends |
B.because he wanted to do something there for his writing |
C.because he was told there were a lot of mosquitoes there |
D.to see one of his relatives |
. The waiters felt sorry because _____.
A.they did something wrong to Mark Twain |
B.their hotel was too small |
C.the room was not very clean |
D.there were quite a few mosquitoes in Mark Twain’s room |
. All the people present laughed heartily because _____.
A.the mosquitoes were very clever and they didn’t come into the wrong room |
B.the mosquitoes knew Mark Twain’s room number |
C.Mark Twain gave the waiters some nice presents |
D.Mark Twain made a joke |
. From the story we know _____.
A.no mosquitoes troubled Mark Twain in the night |
B.the owner of the hotel told the waiters to look after Mark Twain well at night |
C.Mark Twain didn’t have a good rest that night |
D.there were not mosquitoes in the hotel any longer |