Throughout history soldiers have fought bloody battles inorder to control the high ground.There is no doubt that thisis a tactical(战术的)necessity.Standing abouve your enemy isan advantage that often leads to vietory.
Nowadays,high ground does not just mean hill tops.Italso means space,which has become an increasingly importantpart of military strategy(军事战略).
With its more advanced satellite technologies,America isthe major power in space.And now the US Air Force has putinto service a new weapon designed to jam enemy satellite communications.It is an important step toward US control of space.
The so-called Counter Communications System(反卫星通信系统)was declared operational on November 1.The ground-based system uses electromagnetic radio frequencites(无线电磁波)to stop enemy satellites working on a shortterm basis.
“A short-term effect ensures that during the time of need,the enemy's space-based capability(能力)is reduced,”said a US military official.“Following the time of need,their capabilities can return to its original state.”
The system is made up of an antenna(天线),transmitters(发射机)and receivers and can be easily transported around in a vehicle.
To control space was one of four aims of a national space policy started by former president Bill Clinton in 1996.The goal is to make sure US forces can rely on space-based services and to deny an enemy any similar benefits.
The US military has experimented with several“anti-sat-ellie”weapons,including lasers,to destroy or damageenemy units.
Theresa Hitchens,vice president of the Centre for Defence Information in Washington,welcomed the new systemas long as it does not create rubbish that could threaten globaluse of space.She believed it should not destroy satellties.only stop them working for a while.
“Unfortunately,it seems we are not going to limit ourgoal for‘space control’to non-violent systems,”she said,rai sing the danger of a space arms race.
To change the balance of power in space the EU and China are working together on the Galieo project.By 2008 the system will be in place as an alternative to the Americans'global positioning service.
(1)
What's the significance(意义)of the Counter Com-munications System to the US?
[ ]
A.
It can help avoid bloody battles.
B.
It can bring the US closer to its goal for“space control”.
C.
It can ensure the US forces to depend on space based services.
D.
It can destroy enemy equipment.
(2)
How does the new system work?It affects the enemy by.
[ ]
A.
being transported around easily in a Vehicle
B.
controlling the high ground
C.
damaging them
D.
blocking their satellite communications
(3)
One thing that seemed to worry Theresa Hitchens is that the new weapon________.
[ ]
A.
could increase the danger of a space arms race
B.
is not effective enough
C.
is not threatening enough
D.
might produce dangerous waste
(4)
What can we infer from the passage________
[ ]
A.
New space weapons may be on the way.
B.
The US military have never stopped experimenting with anti-satellite weapons.
C.
The Galileo Project,when in effect,can match the Counter Communications System in power.
D.
In future wars,space battles will decide human's fate(命运).
阅读理解
Saturday, March 24th
We have arrived in the hot, wet city of Bangkok.This is our first trip to Thailand(泰国).All the different smells make us want to try the food.We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight.The hotel we are staying in is cheap, and very clean.We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.
Tuesday, March 27th
Bangkok(曼谷)is wonderful and surprising! The places are interesting.We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables.Everything is so colorful, and we have taken hundreds of photos already! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai.We will take the train north, stay in Chiang Mai for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.
Friday,March 30th
Our trip to Chiang Rai was long and boring.We visited a small village in the mountains.The village people here love the quiet life-no computers or phones.They are the kindest people I have ever met.They always smile and say “hello”.Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness.I feel good here and hope to be able to come back next year.
(1)
From the diary, we can know the author has stayed for ________ days in Thailand.
[ ]
A.
3
B.
7
C.
15
D.
30
(2)
It seems that visitors ________ in Bangkok.
[ ]
A.
often feel hungry
B.
can always find cheap things
C.
can't take any photos
D.
can enjoy themselves
(3)
How did the author go to Chiang Mai?
[ ]
A.
by bus
B.
by train
C.
by air
D.
on foot
(4)
Which word can't describe Chiang Rai?
[ ]
A.
small
B.
mountainous
C.
quiet
D.
highly-advanced
(5)
Which of the following is TRUE?
[ ]
A.
Chiang Mai is a beautiful city in the south of Thailand.