While astronauts in space get to do many exciting things,they miss out on ordinary things that we all take for granted—being able to walk on firm ground,hanging out with family and digging into a slice of hot steaming pizza. Though not much can be done about the first two things,there may soon be a solution to the third one,thanks to this cool 3-D pizza printer!

About a year ago,NASA offered $125 ,000 to Anjan Contractor, a 3-D technology expert,to build a device(设备)that would allow astronauts to make pizza on demand. The mechanical engineer promised that his invention would produce pies in large quantities that looked, tasted and even smelled like pizza made in common ovens.

Late last year, the engineer presented a video of his first prototype(原型)that begins by creating a single slice of dough(面团)that is cooked and printed at the same time.Then comes the tomato “sauce” — a mix of tomato powder,oil and water and finally,a protein slice that resembles cheese.While the video doesn’t show the baking process,the inventor says that once the pizza is printed,it can be ready to be consumed in 7 seconds.

While the pie in the video looks delicious enough to attract any pizza lover,Anjan Contractor is far from ready for astronauts.That’s because he still has to find a solution to make the food container in the printer last for 30 years.Though that may sound unrealistic,actually it is not.

Anjan Contractor believes that the only way that is possible is that the water is removed from all the ingredients(配料)and then they are reduced to the powder form.This,as you can imagine,will not be so easy.But,while the printer may not be ready for space,it certainly looks ready enough for people on earth.Hopefully,NASA and Contractor will consider selling it to those not fortunate enough to go to Mars!

1.Why does the author mention the things that astronauts in space cannot do?

A. To ask us not to take common things for granted.

B. To show they live a difficult life there.

C. To show their life is boring in space.

D. To introduce the topic of the text.

2.NASA offered $ 125,000 to Anjan Contractor mainly to _______.

A. create some new type of 3-D printer

B. attract more companies to work for NASA

C. help astronauts in space enjoy fresh pizza one day

D. produce pizza in large quantities to earn great profits

3.The biggest challenge that Anjan Contractor is faced with now is probably that _______.

A. he has no money left to go on with his research

B. the pizza doesn’t seem appetizing to pizza lovers

C. he has no way to make pizza that can last for thirty years

D. he cannot make the food container last for decades

4.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. NASA is trying its best to help astronauts eat better

B. Astronauts may soon be able to enjoy steaming hot pizza

C. NASA is working on making pizza for common people

D. A 3-D pizza printer has been used to make pizza

Every day we are exposed to images, videos, music and news.In this age of visual and aural hyper-stimulation, the medium of radio is making a great comeback.

“We’re at the beginning of a golden age of audio,” said US-based podcaster Alex Blumberg in an article in The Sydney Morning Herald. In the last month alone, 15 percent of US adults listened to a radio podcast (播客).These statistics, released by Edison Research, show the successful evolution of traditional radio broadcasts to the present day’s digital podcast format.The term “podcast” was invented in 2004, but the trend only started gaining mainstream popularity in recent years.With the sharp increase in consumer demand for smartphones and tablets, podcast sales have jumped.

The appeal of the podcast partly lies in its multiplatform delivery and on-demand capabilities (功能).You can listen during those extra minutes of the day when you’re walking to the shops, waiting in a queue or riding the subway.Similar to television shows, podcasts are generally free to download and most offer new content every week.

Donna Jackson, 22, Sydney University media graduate, listens to podcasts two or three times a week, via iTurns.“I listen while I’m wandering around the house doing something else.It makes completing a boring task much more enjoyable… And it’s an easy way of keeping in touch with what’s going on in the rest of the world,” she said, “I mainly listen to BBC podcasts, but recently I’ve also been listening to This American Life and Serial.They have a special skill to really draw you in.”

Unlike television and music, the audio format has the potential to create a deep impression on readers.Blumberg says this owes to the podcast’s ability “to create close relationship and emotional connection.” Sydney University undergraduate Hazel Proust, majoring in social work and arts, agrees.“When you’re listening, it feels as if the voice of the podcast’s storyteller is talking directly to you.It’s comforting, ” said Proust.

It seems the age-old tradition of verbal storytelling is very much alive and well.

1.From the first two paragraphs, we can learn that ________.

A. traditional broadcast has come back

B. Americans love listening to the radio

C. podcasts have become very popular today

D. smartphones sell well because of podcasts

2.The writer mentions Donna Jackson mainly to ________.

A. tell how young people relax themselves

B. explain why young people like podcasts

C. introduce what programs podcasts are presenting

D. show how popular podcasts are presenting

3.Paragraph 5 is mainly about ________.

A. the influence of radios

B. the advantage of podcasts

C. readers’ impression on radios

D. people’s reaction to the medium

4.What is probably the best title of the passage?

A. Return of Radio

B. Opinions of Podcast

C. Features of Radio

D. Technology of Podcast

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