题目内容
He formed the h______ of getting up early.
Steve Fossett did not really look like an adventurer, but he reached some of the most difficult goals in sailing and flying.
Fossett was most proud of being the first person to fly around the world alone in a hot-air balloon. To make a trip around the world alone, it was necessary to have an improved autopilot (自动驾驶仪) device. Fossett had one of his team members develop a more advanced balloon autopilot that would allow him to sleep and do other tasks while flying safely.
Steve Fossett attempted the hot-air balloon trip around the world six times. This was not easy to do. He flew in the balloon’s capsule (密封舱) that was too small to stand upright. During his fourth attempt in 1998, he was almost killed during a storm off the coast of Australia. He fell 9,000 meters into the Coral Sea with his balloon’s capsule on fire. He was later rescued at sea.
Fossett successfully made the trip in 2002. The trip started and ended in Australia. He traveled more than 33,000 kilometers for more than 14 days. On this flight, Fossett set other records including a speed record of 322 kilometers per hour. One main problem with earlier balloon flights was the threat of dangerous storms. A team of weather experts e-mailed and talked to Fossett by a satellite telephone to help him avoid such weather.
Steve Fossett’s hot-air balloon is now at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. It is there as an example for other people to try and succeed in doing something important to them.
【小题1】What did Steve Fossett specially prepare for the trip around the world?
A.He made the balloon’s capsule bigger. |
B.He had an autopilot impvoved. |
C.He formed a team to fly with him. |
D.He improved the balloon’s engine. |
A.communicating with experts |
B.using his rich experience |
C.inventing a satellite phone |
D.consulting other adventurers |
A.patient and careful | B.modest and easy-going |
C.brave and determined | D.energetic and kind-hearted |
A.He was rescued during the trip. |
B.He lost his way over the sea. |
C.It lasted over three weeks. |
D.He set a speed record of balloon flight. |
First lady Michelle Obama urged students to visit China at the “100,000 Strong” China Study Abroad Forum at Howard University.
President Barack Obama announced the “100,000 Strong” Initiative(十万强计划)during his 2009 visit to China. The program aims to increase the number of American students studying in China by making study abroad more affordable.
During the event at Howard, Mrs. Obama spoke about the importance of studying abroad. “Studying in a country like China is about so much more than just improving your own prospects(前途) in the global market. The fact is that with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish you are shaping an image of America projected to the rest of the world and making America known better.” she said.
Mrs. Obama encouraged students to set aside the opinion that studying abroad is for “rich kids only” or for those attending “certain schools”. The first lady also announced that the Chinese government is giving 10,000 “Bridge Scholarships” to cover costs for American students studying in China.
Some students who had studied in China shared their experiences. David Marzban from Pepperdine University recalled a time when he formed a cross-cultural bond with a complete stranger at a restaurant near Fudan University in Shanghai. He noticed a young chef signaling him to come over. “He pressed the play button on his media player and started singing California Dreaming and wanted me to sing along with him,” Marzban said. “At that time I knew a great friendship had started during my first two weeks in China.”
Nicole Baden from Howard University recalled how her time in China really helped her master the language. “You have to experience the culture while learning the language to really master it to understand why things are how they are compared to your own culture,” Baden said.
12-year-old Sarah Davis, who studied in China last summer, said she was very excited to hear Michelle Obama talk about the country. “I love Chinese. Out of all the languages I’ve learned, Chinese is the most difficult and interesting.” She said.
【小题1】 According to the passage, the “100,000 Strong” Initiative ______.
A.provides convenience for American students to study in China |
B.was made by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009 |
C.got little support from the Chinese government |
D.isn’t well-accepted among American students |
A.American students used to be unable to study abroad |
B.Studying in China can make American students’ future better |
C.the Chinese government will offer all the US students scholarships |
D.American students’ studying in China helps improve the relationship between China and the US |
A.American students are very popular in China |
B.Chinese is the most difficult to learn in the world |
C.Many US young people have actually been studying in China |
D.American students’ studying in China is important and worthwhile |
A.A great program for American students to study in China |
B.Michelle Obama encourages students to study in China |
C.More American students will go to China to study |
D.China is attracting more and more American students |