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 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 (消耗) 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 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.

Dear Valued Customer,

We regret that your baggage was not available to claim after your recent flight. Everything possible will be done to locate your property and return it to you promptly(迅速地).

For information regarding your delayed baggage, contact the United Airlines Baggage Resolution Center at its 24 hour, seven days a week

Number:

1-800-335-BAGS (2247) (US – Toll Free)

281-821-3536 (Local Houston Number)

Or visit site: http://www.united.com/for/bagtracing

As soon as you file your Delayed Baggage Report, United Airlines will begin to trace(搜寻) for your baggage system. Our Baggage Resolution staff will make every effort to call you once a day to keep you updated on our progress. Please refer to the File Reference Number on this receipt (凭证) when corresponding or calling so that we can quickly access your records,

Keep this receipt with your claim check and E-Ticket receipt until your baggage is returned to you.

In most circumstances, United Airlines will deliver your baggage when it is located. Delivery times vary depending on location.

If your baggage has not been returned to you within the initial five-day tracing period, please download a claim form at http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/

travel/baggage/delayed.aspx and return it to us with the required documentation included.

1.Where does the report most probably come from?

A. Suitcase Tracing Center

B. Baggage Resolution Center

C. Delivery Center of United Airline

D. Information Center of the Airport

2. To inform the customer of the process, the staff at the center will __________.

A. file the customers Delayed Baggage report

B. access the customer’s record quickly

C. update the process information online daily

D. contact the customer on the phone once a day

3.What can we learn about John Jackson from the report?

A. He should call 802-247-9999 for the information about his delayed baggage.

B. He will get back his delayed baggage in less than five days.

C. He must have filed his Delayed Baggage already.

D. He may not know anything about his delayed baggage during the first five days.

4.The purpose of the passage is ______.

A. to instruct the customers how to get back their delayed baggage

B. to provide information about the location of the delayed baggage

C. to inform the customers of the time when the delayed baggage can be found

D. to tell the customers the news that their delayed baggage was delayed

阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C和D项中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Mark and his brother Jason both were looking at the shining new computer enviously. Jason was determined not to go against their father’s wishes but Mark was more adventurous than his brother. He loves experimenting and his aim was to become a scientist like his father.

“Dad will be really mad if he finds out you’ve been playing with his new computer” Jason said, “He told us not to touch it.”

“He won’t find out,” Mark said, “I’ll just have a quick look and shut it down.”

Mark had been scolded before for touching his father’s equipment. But his curiosity was difficult to control and this new computer really puzzled him.

It was a strange-looking machine — one his dad had brought home from the laboratory where he worked. “It’s an experimental model,” his father had explained, so don’t touch it under any circumstances.” But his father’s warning only served to make Mark more curious. Without any further thought, Mark turned on the power switch. The computer burst into life and seconds later, the screen turned into colours, shifting and changing, and then two big white words appeared in the centre of the screen: “SPACE TRANSPORTER.”

“Yes!” Mark cried excitedly, “It’s a computer game. I knew it! Dad’s only been pretending to work. He’s really been playing games instead!” A new message appeared on the screen:

“ENTER NAMES

VOYAGE 1

VOYAGE 2

Mark’s finger flew across the keyboard as he typed in both of their names.

“INPUT ACCEPTED.

START TRANSPORT PROGRAM.

AUTO-RETRIEVE INITIATED(自动回收程序已启动).”

The screen turn even brighter and a noise suddenly rose in volume.

“I think we’d better shut it off, Mark,” Jason yelled out in terror, reaching for the power switch. A beam(光束) of dazzling white light burst out of the computer screen, wrapping the boys in its glow(光芒),until they themselves seemed to be glowing. Then it died down just as suddenly as it had burst into life. And the boys were no longer there. On the screen, the letters changed:

“TRANSPORT SUCCESSFUL.

DESTINATION: MARS.

RETRIEVE DATE: 2025

1.Why did Mark touch the computer against his father’s warning?

A. He wanted to take a voyage.

B. He wanted to practice his skills.

C. He was so much attracted by it.

D. He was eager to do an experiment.

2.Where did the boy’s father most likely work?

A. In an electronic factory.

B. In a computer company.

C. In a scientific research center.

D. In an information processing center.

3.Mark thought “SPACE TRANSPORTER” on the screen was the name of ________.

A. a computer game B. a company website

C. a software producer D. an astronomy program

4.Why did Jason want to shut off the computer?

A. He was afraid of being scolded.

B. He didn’t like the loud noise and light.

C. He didn’t want to play games.

D. He was afraid something dangerous might happen.

5.What happened to the boys at the end of the story?

A. They were blown into the air.

B. They were sent to another planet.

C. They were hidden in the strong light.

D. They were carried away to another country.

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