Question

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

Answer 1

1.D

2.C

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：宇航员在太空时，也会有食物的需求。最新的研究表示，3D打印技术有望让宇航员们在太空吃上披萨。

1.推理判断题。文章是介绍一项可以为宇航员提供“打印披萨”的技术可能性，因此现在无法做到的是为了引出下文。因此选D。

2.细节理解题。由“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.”可知，美国宇航局提供的125，000美元是为了开发出向宇航员们提供新鲜披萨的技术。故选C。

3.文章“That’s because he still has to find a solution to make the food container in the printer last for 30 years.”可知，容器的时限关系是目前的一大难题。故选D。

4.主旨大意题。文章主要讲了向宇航员们提供的在太空自制披萨的技术开发，因此在将来宇航员们也许能吃上热气腾腾的披萨哦。故选B。

考点：社会科学类短文阅读。