Question

Do you believe that there might be life on other planets? Would you like to be the first “Earthling” to get in touch with an alien? Well, you can start your search from home. All you need is a  computer and the Internet, and you can join the project of the US-based  National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA).

   NASA started the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project eight years ago. Its goal is to examine the radio signals (信号) from nearby stars. Researchers believe that a large number of stars in the universe could have planets orbiting (circling) around them. And they want to know if these planets have conditions suitable for life forms.

   How does the project work? There is a huge radio telescope with a large bowl-shaped dish at Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It catches radio signals which are then fed in to SETI computers. The researchers have to study thousands of radio signals daily. They are looking for signals whose patterns (模式）would show the existence（存在）of hydrogen or water molecules that are necessary for life on Earth. They could be at it for years before showing a single positive result!

   Of course, even the researchers know that they cannot do a fast job on their own. So they want as many helpers as possible. Even you ! To join search, just download SETI’s free software (SETI @home). What happens next is fun. While you are away from your computer, the SETI program in your computer downloads the information on radio signals received by the radio telescope. It studies the information and send the result back to the research center.

   There are other benefits too of having the SETI project software in your computer. When you leave your computer unattended, instead of seeing the usual screen saver, you can feast your eyes on an amazing 3-D chart on the screen. This shows that your computer is busy studying SETI data and searching for signs of alien life!

   More than 1824500 people around the world are currently in the program and more are joining in every day. It’s slim chance, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if your computer were to be the first to discover an alien signal!

53. Why do researchers examine the radio signals from nearby stars?

A. They plan to help people who live on the stars.       

B. They need to make sure that the stars have planets.      

C. They have to keep in touch with the aliens on the stars.      

D. They wonder if the stars’ planets are suitable for life forms.

54. What does a helper’s computer do in the research?

A. It finds the radio signals.        B. It looks for other planets.      

C. It shows a positive result.        D. It studies the information.

55. What’s the writer’s purpose in writing the passage?

A. To prove the value of a research.        B. To invite people to join a project.       

C. To suggest the existence of aliens.       D. To advise people to study planets.

Answer 1

 53. D  54. D  55. B