题目内容

Mars Was Not Always Bitterly Cold

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have reported evidence that Mars was warmer and wetter long ago than it is today. The Caltech scientists say they have directly established the temperature of Mars four billion years ago. At least, they established the surface temperature on part of the planet at that time. The researchers say it is the first such evidence to be discovered and presented.

The Caltech scientists say carbonate（碳酸盐） minerals formed on Mars at about eighteen degrees Celsius. They reached the finding after studying a meteorite（陨石） that had its beginnings near the Martian surface.

Today, the average temperature on Mars is sixty-three degrees below zero Celsius.

The finding was reported on the website of the National Academy of Sciences. Caltech Assistant Professor Woody Fischer helped to prepare the report. He says eighteen degrees Celsius is not especially cold or hot. He says this makes the finding extremely interesting. Knowing the temperature can give scientists an idea of the climate on Mars long ago. It can also help them decide whether the planet had liquid water. Spacecraft orbiting Mars have shown what appear to be rivers, lakebeds and mineral deposits. These pictures suggest that, at one time, water did flow there. Mars Rover vehicles and other spacecraft have confirmed the information.

Caltech Geology Professor John Eiler was another writer of the report. He says knowing the temperature of Mars from long ago provides valuable information. It shows that early in the planet's history, at least part of Mars could support a climate like that of Earth.

The meteorite the scientists examined is one of the oldest known rocks in the world. It is called the Allan Hills meteorite. Its name came from the place in Antarctica where it was found in 1984. The meteorite is believed to have blown loose from the Mars' surface when another space rock struck its "home."

1. The underlined word “establish” in Paragraph 1 probably means “___________”.

A．to set up

B．to make people accept a belief

C．to discover or prove

D．to start having a relationship with others

2.How did the scientists reach the finding?

A．By studying Allan Hills meteorite.

B．By using spacecraft orbiting Mars.

C．By studying minerals gathered on Mars

D．By studying a meteorite on the Martian surface.

3.According to the fourth paragraph, what have spacecraft orbiting Mars done?

A．Measuring the temperature of Mars.

B．Taking photos of the surface of Mars.

C．Confirming that there is water flowing on Mars.

D．Finding where human beings will probably land on Mars.

4.How did Allan Hills meteorite get its name?

A．From its original place on Mars.

B．From where it was found on the earth.

C．From the name of the scientist who found it.

D．From the name of the aircraft that discovered it

5. Where can we most probably read this passage?

A．In a biography of scientists.

B．In a geography magazine.

C．In an environment report.

D．In a science report.

【答案】

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.B

5.D

【解析】

试题分析：

1.从第一段最后一句The researchers say it is the first such evidence to be discovered and presented结合前面两句可以说明科学家发现了40亿年前的火星地表的温度的证据。

2.从第二段They reached the finding after studying a meteorite（陨石） that had its beginnings near the Martian surface.及最后一段It is called the Allan Hills meteorite可知答案A, D答案错在on the surface.

3.从第四段倒数第二，三可以看出宇宙飞船火星轨道是给火星地表拍照的。

4.从最后一段Its name came from the place in Antarctica where it was found in 1984可知正确答案。

5.从第一段第一句可知本文主要讲的是一个科学报告，故选Ｄ

考点：科普说明文

点评：本文主要说明一个科学报告：许多年前火星比现在更温暖，潮湿。科普说明文要注意首段首句，往往会在首句点明一个科学研究发现。

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The $386 million Phoenix Mars is planned to touch down in the Martian arctic in 2008. The stationary probe will use its robotic arm to dig into the icy land and pick up soil samples^② to analyze. In 2002, the Mars Odyssey orbiter spotted evidence of ice-rich soil near the arctic surface.

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Notes:

clue n. 线索

sample n. 标本，样品

microbe n. 微生物

previous adj. 先前的

The passage mainly tells readers that _________.

A. clues of water will be found in Phoenix

B. Phoenix will be sent to find clues of water on Mars

C. August 2007 will see Phoenix lift off

D. the Mars Scout program will be carried out

The underlined word “prematurely” (paragraph 5) means _________.

A. on time B. behind the time C. out of work D. ahead of time

According to the passage, we know Phoenix will land on Mars _________.

A. in May 2008 B. in August 2007

C. in August 2008 D. in September 2008

According to the passage, the name “Phoenix” is after the meaning of _________.

A. rebirth B. death C. energy D. hope

After Phoenix lands on Mars, we can infer it will firstly _________.

A. find soil samples and send them to the earth

B. look for the icy land to dig for the soil samples

C. take photos and send them to the earth

D. find the remains of the Mars Polar Lander

President Bush may talk about a plan to Mars, but Bruce Jones thinks there is still a healthy thirst for exploration into underwater worlds on our own planet. After growing up with a grandfather in the marine construction① business, Jones quickly got a feel for the water. He started diving at age 9 and, by the 1980s, began offering advice for those interested in the submarine② business. By 1993, he was running his own company, U.S. Submarines, which designs and builds submarines for others.

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“I think there are a large number of people who would be interested,” said Jones, “including anyone who is looking for a different experience.”

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“By now I envisioned⑤ we’d have whole underwater cities,” Cooper said. “It’s about time some of these visions became reality.”

Notes:

① marine construction 海洋建筑

② submarine adj. 海下的

③ escalator n. 自动梯

④ coral n. 珊瑚

⑤ envision v. 展望

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A. praise President Bush’s plan to Mars

B. humorously introduce the main subject to readers

C. support President Bush’s plan to Mars

D. show Bruce Jones is against President Bush’s plan

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A. His father. B. His friends. C. His grandfather D. His grandmother

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A. fish outside can be seen through the hotel’s walls

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D. visitors will have to wear wet suits against water

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Notes:
①    clue n. 线索
②    sample n. 标本，样品
③    microbe n. 微生物
④    previous adj. 先前的

1.
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1. A.
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2. B.
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3. C.
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4. D.
  the Mars Scout program will be carried out
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1. A.
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2. B.
  behind the time
3. C.
  out of work
4. D.
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1. A.
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2. B.
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3. C.
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4. D.
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1. A.
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2. B.
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3. C.
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4. D.
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After Phoenix lands on Mars, we can infer it will firstly _________.
1. A.
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2. B.
  look for the icy land to dig for the soil samples
3. C.
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4. D.
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Want to make your own calendar? Start by going outside with a sheet of paper and pencil. Notice the natural things around you. Look. Listen. Sniff. Are flowers blooming? Birds singing? Squirrels building nests? On your sheet, write down the date and the interesting natural things you see. You can make little drawings too.

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Ranger Rick, Dept. NC;

8925 Leesburg Pike;

Vienna, VA22184.

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　 B. a Russian spaceship

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　 C. On the date of agreement being signed in Moscow

　 D. In 2003 when a Chinese spaceman was put in space.

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　 A. China and Russia will jointly send up a spaceship to explore Mars

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　 D. a Russian spaceship will be sent up to land on Phobos and explore its moon

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　 A. opposed the cooperation n space between China and Russia

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