Next Stop: Planet Mars
Fly me to the moon? That’s not far enough. On September 14, 2011, NASA released designs for a superrocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). This time the final destination will be Mars.
The SLS is a huge, liquid-fuelled rocket. If it is fully developed, it will be the most powerful rocket ever built. Its lift capability will be much bigger than that of the space shuttle of Saturn 5, the rocket that sent the Apollo missions to the moon.
NASA is planning to launch its first unmanned test flight in 2017. It is hoped that the first crew will fly in 2021 and astronauts will make it to a nearby asteroid(小行星) in 2025. NASA hopes to send the rocket and astronauts to Mars from the asteroid by the 2030s, according to the Associated Press (AP).
NASA used liquid rockets to send Apollo, Gemini and Mercury into space, but later changed to solid rockets boosters(助推火箭) because they were cheaper. Tragically, however, a booster flaw(缺陷) caused the space shuttle Challenger to crash in 1986. The new project plans to return to liquid fuel.
According to AP, the rockets will at first be able to carry 77 to 110 tons of payload(净载重量). Eventually they will be able to carry 143 tons into space, maybe even as many as 165 tons, NASA officials said. By comparison, the Saturn 5 booster could lift 130 tons and the space shuttle just 27 tons.
However, unlike reusable shuttles, these powerful rockets are mostly one use only. New ones have to be built for every launch. This will be very costly.
NASA estimates that it will cost about $3 billion (19 billion yuan) per year, or $18 billion until the first test flight in 2017. NASA hopes to make money by allowing private companies to send astronauts to the International Space Station like giant taxi services, so that the program can be “sustainable”.
“This is perhaps the biggest thing for space exploration in decades,” said Senator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut. “The goal is to fly humans safely beyond low-Earth orbit(轨道) and deep into outer space where we cannot only survive, but one day also live.”What is the outstanding feature of the SLS?
| A．It’s equipped with an advanced control system. |
| B．It’s the first unmanned space shuttle in the world. |
| C．It’s the only vehicle that can fly astronauts to the moon. |
| D．It can send a lot more goods and passengers into space. |
What is Saturn 5?
| A．An aircraft that had a deadly flaw and crashed in 1986. |
| B．A series of rockets that once sent astronauts to the moon. |
| C．An unmanned space shuttle that was once famous in the world. |
| D．A kind of launch vehicle that will be used to carry astronauts to Mars. |
NASA plans to use liquid fuel in the new project because ______ than solid rockets boosters.
| A．it is less costly |
| B．it is much safer |
| C．it can last longer |
| D．it is more environmentally friendly |
According to NASA’s schedule, it will take ______ years to fully complete the SLS program.
| A．about 6 | B．about 10 |
| C．less than 14 | D．more than 19 |
It can be inferred from the passage that ______.
| A．the SLS program is planning to make reusable rockets |
| B．the goal of the SLS program is to enable humans to live on the moon |
| C．the US government may not have provided enough money for the SLS program |
| D．NASA will use SLS as a space taxi between the Earth and Mars |
Australia’s koalas could be dying out within 30 years, unless urgent measures is taken to stop the losing in population, according to researchers. They say development, climate change and bushfires have all related to reduce the number of wild koalas sharply. The Australian Koala Foundation said a recent survey showed the population could have dropped by more than half in the past six years. Previous estimates put the number of koalas at more than 100,000, but the latest figures suggest there could now be as few as 43,000.
The foundation collected field data from 1,800 sites and 80,000 trees to calculate the numbers. In one area in northern Queensland estimated to have 20,000 koalas a decade ago, a team of eight people could not find a single animal in four days of searching.
The foundation said besides problems caused by cutting down forests, hotter and drier conditions because of global warming had reduced the nutritional(营养的)value of their staple food, eucalyptus leaves, leading to poor nutrition for them.
Koalas, which live in the forests in Australia’s east and south, are very particular about what types of the leaves they eat.
Foundation chief Deborah Tabart said: “The koalas are missing everywhere we look. It’s really no tree, no me. If you keep cutting down trees you don’t have any koalas.”She is hoping the new figures will persuade the government’s Threatened Species Steering Committee (TSSC) to list the koala as threatened. But committee chairman Bob Beeton said a decision was not likely recently and the koala’s status as one of the country’s favorite animals would not be a factor. “There’s a number of species which are attractive and people have special feelings towards them. We don’t consider that,” Mr. Beeton was reported as saying by the AFP agency.The writer gives the example of the area in northern Queensland in Paragraph 3 to show that _____.
| A．the environment is being polluted seriously |
| B．the number of koalas is dropping quickly |
| C．the forests are being damaged heavily |
| D．koalas usually live in wild mountainous areas |
Global warming is an important cause of koalas’ reduction because _____.
| A．the leaves koalas eat are losing nutritional value |
| B．koalas cannot get enough water to drink |
| C．koalas can hardly stand the hot weather |
| D．the leaves koalas eat cannot grow in hot weather |
According to Bob Beeton, _____.
| A．they needn’t pay special attention to koalas |
| B．a decision will be made to protect koalas |
| C．koalas are his favorite animals |
| D．koalas needn’t be protected at all |
Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for years. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.
The first kind of loneliness is temporary. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind is situation, for example, family problem, the death of loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year. The third kind of loneliness is the most serious. Unlike the second type, chronic (the opposite of “temporary”) usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. However, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.
Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person’s social contacts, for example, friends, family members, co-workers, etc. We depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.
Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease, while temporary and situational loneliness can be a sad, and sometimes dangerous condition. How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage? ________.
| A． Just ignore it |
| B．Talk to friends |
| C．Go to see a doctor |
| D．Ask your teachers for guidance |
Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people? ________
| A．Chronic loneliness can cause family problems. |
| B．Chronic loneliness can not be overcome. |
| C．Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness. |
| D．Chronic loneliness is incurable. |
Loneliness is divided according to _____.
| A．different seasons when it appears |
| B．different people it happens to |
| C．the time it lasts |
| D．the places where it appears |
What is the best title for the passage? ________
| A． Loneliness and diseases |
| B．Three kinds of loneliness |
| C．Loneliness and social contacts |
| D．Chronic loneliness |
Lakes, ponds, and beaches mean summer fun and cool relaxation from hot weather．But water also can be dangerous for kids if you don't take great care．Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning．Here are some tips to keep your kids safe in the water:
At the Lake or Pond
●Don't let little kids swim alone without adult supervision— lakes or ponds may be shallow near the bank and are suddenly deep sharply further out from shore．
●Ponds and lakes may hide sharp rocks, broken glass, or rubbish．
●Make sure kids wear foot protection; even in the water, they should wear socks or water shoes．
●Watch out for weeds and grass in the water that could trap a leg or arm．
●Most boating accidents, particularly among teenagers, are related to alcohol．Be sure teens know about the dangers of alcohol, on and off the water．
At the Beach
●Teach kids to always swim when and where a lifeguard is on duty．Unlike the calm waters of a swimming pool, the beach has special dangers like currents and tides．Check with the lifeguard when you arrive to find out about the water conditions．
●Tell kids never to stand with their back to the water because a sudden wave can easily knock a child over．
●Teach kids that if they're caught in a dangerous wave, they should swim to the shore or should tread water and call for a lifeguard's help．
Whether at the lake or at the beach, teach your child to get out of the water during bad weather, especially lightning．Which is the right behavior when swimming at the beach? ________
| A．Go off the water without a lifeguard on duty. |
| B．Go on swimming in a heavy rain. |
| C．Call for help if caught in a dangerous wave. |
| D．Go off the water before checking the water conditions. |
Swimming at a beach is more dangerous than in a pool because ________.
| A．there are currents and tides at a beach |
| B．there are no lifeguards at a beach |
| C．the waters of a beach are more calm |
| D．the waters of a pool are warmer |
The passage is probably written for ________.
| A．students at school |
| B．parents with little children |
| C．kids who want to learn swimming |
| D．coaches who teach kids to swim |
In which column of a magazine can you find this passage? ________
| A．Sports | B．Science |
| C．Entertainment | D．Education |
Every morning Grandpa got up early sitting at the table, reading his book. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to copy him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa, I try to read the book just like you, but I don’t understand it, and I forget what I understand as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the book do?” The grandpa quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandpa laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned. Out of breath, he told his grandpa that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, so he went to get a bucket instead. The grandpa said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough.”
The boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandpa the basket was empty again. Out of breath, he said, “Grandpa, it’s useless !”“So, you think it is useless?” the grandpa said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean.
“Grandson, that’s what happens when you read the book. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you’ll be changed, inside and out.”What puzzled the grandson most was ________.
| A．what kind of book he could understand |
| B．whether it was useful to read books |
| C．why he forgot what he read soon |
| D．how he could read books like his grandpa |
Why did Grandpa ask his grandson to fetch a basket of water? _______
| A．To punish him for not reading carefully. |
| B．To train him to run faster. |
| C．To get him to realize the use of reading books. |
| D．To clean the dirty basket in the river. |
What lesson can we learn from the story? ________
| A．It is foolish to carry water with a basket. |
| B．The old are always wiser than the young. |
| C．Reading books can change a person gradually. |
| D．You can’t expect to remember whatever you read. |
What can be the best title for the text? _______
| A．Grandpa and grandson | B．Carrying water in a basket |
| C．Baskets and books | D．Reading for total changing |
Recently, China UnionPay did an experiment in a subway station in Beijing—Are you willing to offer a hand to a stranger who needs help?
The leading role of the experiment was an old man. With a small bag in one hand and a large case in the other， the old man appeared in a cold winter morning in the bustling（繁忙的） subway station. He was so old that he couldn’t carry the heavy case up the stairs. Standing in front of the steps, he looked helpless.
Something good happened finally. At 9 o’clock, a kind man showed up, he offered to carry the case for the old man and walked up the stairs with him, at 9：25, another man helped …
Within six hours，the old man walked up the stairs for 25 times，among which he was helped for 23 times.
What’s more，two ladies tried to help the old man—one in the front and the other in the back. They carried the case up the stairs for him. The most noteworthy thing was that another old man tried to help too.
When these kind people were asked why they helped the stranger，they all said “ It’s just the right thing to do,” “I always help people as long as I can” ,or “it’s not a big thing, and I just want to help”.
We often see negative news about fake falling and blackmailing or scheming (阴谋)and cunning. But this experiment brought sheer warmth into our heart.Why did China UnionPay carry out the experiment?
| A．To find out whether strangers need help when they are in trouble. |
| B．To find out whether someone can help those who want to help others. |
| C．To find out whether strangers can be helped when they are in danger. |
| D．To find out whether someone can help strangers who are in need of help. |
What do we know about the old man?
| A．He lived a hard and miserable life. |
| B．He helped to do the experiment. |
| C．He was too weak to carry the case upstairs. |
| D．He left after being helped by another old man. |
The most moving scene is that______________ .
| A．most of the passers-by helped the old man |
| B．even a disabled girl helped the old man |
| C．another old man also helped the old man |
| D．one lady carried the old man on her back |
What message does the experiment express?
| A．What warms us most is that helping others is grateful in our society. |
| B．What people gain is that they will be rewarded for helping others in China. |
| C．What strikes us is that China UnionPay really did a successful experiment. |
| D．What impresses us is that most people help others really by nature. |