It seems that we are one step closer to finding alien life and maybe a future home for humanity. Scientists from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) have found a new solar system filled with planets that look like Earth and could even support life.

The group of seven planets, which orbits a star called Trappist-1, is 40 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Aquarius(水瓶座). And three of them are in the so-called “habitable (宜居的)zone” ----the area around a star where liquid water is most likely to be found. This is important because water is a necessary ingredient for life.

All of the planets were found using a method called “transit photometry.” This works by watching out for when a planet passes in front of its host start. This blocks out a small amount of light, allowing us to see the planet and learn about its size.

“This is an amazing planetary system---not only because we have found so many planets, but because they are all surprisingly similar in size to the Earth,” astronomer Michael Gillon from the University of Liege in Belgium told The Independent.

Trappist-1 is a “dwarf star (矮星)” which is colder and shines dimmer than our sun. If a person were on one of the seven planets, everything would look a lot darker than usual. The amount of light heading toward our eyes would be about 200 times less than we get from the sun, according to The Independent.

Because of that, Trappist-1, together with many other dwarf stars, was never on the list of places where scientists look for alien life. but Michael Gillon, lead researcher behind the discovery, decided to give dwarf stars a chance. He built a telescope in Chile to observe 60 of the closest dwarf stars, and it turned out that Trappist-1 was worthy of the effort.

The researchers hope that they can spend more time watching the newly found planets to learn more about them. Even though more research is needed before determining whether these planets could really support life, the discovery is still encouraging. It shows just how many Earth-size planets could be out there.

“The discovery gives us a hint that finding a second Earth is not just a matter of if, but when,” NASA scientist Thomas Zurbuchen told the Telegraph.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE about the newly found planets?

A. It will take human beings about 40 years to travel to them

B. Some of them might have the proper conditions to support life

C. They are spread out in the habitable zone around Trappist-1

D. Underground ice has been found in some them

2.“Transit photometry” is a special method mainly used to ________.

A. tell apart different stars

B. test the brightness of stars

C. search for and measure planets

D. work out the distance between stars

3.We can infer from the article that _______.

A. scientists will soon find an Earth-like planet that can support human life

B. researchers know a little about the environment on the newly found planets

C. dwarf stars have long been a popular choice in the hunt for Earth-like planets

D. the size of a planet is the top concern when scientists search for a “second Earth”

4.Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?

A. Life in space soon?

B. Any aliens in space?

C. Trappist-1, a dark dwarf star

D. New record, seven new solar systems

1.Ensure passport is valid.

Passports are required for travel to the U.S.and must be valid for the entirety of the traveler’s stay.

2.Complete the application for a tourist visa,Form DS?160.

This is an online form available through the U.S.Department of State.

3.Print the DS?160 confirmation page.

After successfully completing the application,the applicant will receive a confirmation with a 10?digit barcode.Take a printout of this page.This page is required to schedule a visa interview.

4.Upload a digital photograph.

The DS?160 application requires the applicant to upload a digital photograph that meets the following requirements:

The digital photograph must be a square.

Minimum dimensions must be 600 pixels by 600 pixels.

Maximum dimensions must be 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.

Image must be in color.

Image must be in the JPEG format.

File size of the image must be less than or equal to 240 kilobytes.

5.Pay the application fee for the B?2 tourist visa.

The fee can be paid electronically as a bank transfer or in cash at designated(指定的) bank branches.

6.Make an appointment for the visa interview.

After paying the application fee,the applicant will have to schedule two appointments as part of the tourist visa process:

The first appointment is at the Offsite Facilitation Center(OFC) to provide biometrics information,which includes fingerprinting and photograph.

The second appointment is with the consulate(领事馆) or embassy for a personal visa interview.

7.Complete the visa fingerprinting at an OFC.

This appointment should be scheduled at least a day or two before the interview at the consulate.As part of this appointment,the applicant’s digital photograph and fingerprints will be taken.

8.Attend the visa interview at the designated U.S.consulate or embassy on the day and time the appointment.

The applicant brings the following to the visa interview:

Passport (and old passports if any)

Passport?style photograph

The DS?160 confirmation page

Visa application fee receipts

Interview appointment letter

Supporting documents

9.Receive a B?2 visa and travel to the U.S.

If the interview goes well,the consular officer will approve the visa application and give the applicant a B?2 visa.

1.The passage mainly focuses on .

A. how to apply for a U.S.tourist visa

B. strict process of passport application

C. making preparations for visa documents

D. the U.S.tourist advertisement of applying for visa

2.What are applicants required to do when applying for B?2 visa?

A. Complete the visa fingerprinting after the interview.

B. Pay the application fee only through bank transfer electronically.

C. Print out Form DS?160.

D. Attend a personal visa interview.

One day, a poor young man went to Paris to visit one of his father’s friends and ______ that his father’s friend could help him find a simple job for living.

“Are you good at math?” his father’s friend asked him.

The young man shook his head.

“How are your history and geography?”

The young man shook his head again.

“How about your law?”

The young man ______ his head embarrassedly.

His father’s friend asked again and again, ______ the young man could only shake his head and told him he himself couldn’t find out any ______. “Then write down your address first.”

The young man wrote down his address and turned to leave, but he was stopped by his father’s friend. “Your name is written very ______, which is your advantage. You shouldn’t satisfy yourself with finding a job only for ______.”

Years later, the young man wrote the classical works that won the world fame. He was Alexandre Dumas, a famous French writer of 18th century. One of his greatest works ______ The Three Musketeers was popular ______ a great number of readers.

There are many ordinary persons in the world who ______ have many advantages, but they are neglected (忽视) because of their self-abasement (自卑). In fact, there is a gold mine (矿) in every ordinary life. If you’re willing to dig, you will dig out treasures to ______ yourself.

1.A. wondered B. expected C. thought

2.A. touched B. lowered C. raised

3.A. so B. or C. but

4.A. ideas B. chances C. advantages

5.A. badly B. carefully C. beautifully

6.A. fun B. house C. living

7.A. written B. called C. read

8.A. with B. for C. by

9.A. both B. all C. every

10.A. surprise B. intent C. believe

All over the world people swim for fun. Swimming is enjoyed by people of _____ages, from the very young to the very old. There are many places for people to swim in swimming pools. Many schools, hotels and clubs have swimming pools. Some people have pools of______in their yards.

Swimming is one of____forms of exercise. It can____ hearts and bodies strong. It can also help blood circulate(循环). Handicapped people can keep their bodies in better condition by swimming_____they can't enjoy sports.

____ is a good idea for parents to see to it(务必做到) that their children learn to swim____an early age. So their children will_____it for the rest of their lives.

There are many rules for water safety. These rules can help save not only your life_____the life of a friend. First of all, know_____. Many schools____ swimming lessons to children. Adults(成人) can learn to swim at public pools. _____ rule to remember is never to swim ____. Always swim with a friend and know ___ in the water at all times. It is best to swim ____ in safe places if you are beginners. If every one learned to swim and obeyed the rules for water safety, most drawing(溺水) could be avoided.

1.A. all B. any C. some D. both

2.A. themselves B. their own C. theirs own D. their own’s

3.A. good B. better C. best D. the best

4.A. help B. let C. make D. show

5.A. though B. as C. so D. until

6.A. That B. There C. This D. It

7.A. over B. during C. at D. on

8.A. learn B. enjoy C. stop D. know

9.A. and aim B. still C. and yet D. but also

10.A. how to swim B. why swimming C. how swimming D. why to swim

11.A. have B. take C. give D. make

12.A. The other one B. Other C. An other D. Another

13.A. alone B. yourself C. lonely D. together

14.A. who what person is B. where that person is C. who is that person D. where is that person

15.A. nearly B. hardly C. almost D. only

If you are a fruit grower—or would like to become one—take advantage of Apple Day to see what's around. It's called Apple Day but in practice it's more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain.

Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see, and often taste,a wide variety of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn't taste of anything special,it's still worth a try,as is the knobbly(多疙瘩的) Cat's Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else.

There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you'll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it's a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it.

At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple?themed fun and games.

Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards(果园).If you want to have a real orchard experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale,near Faversham in Kent.

1.What can people do at the apple events?

A. Attend experts' lectures.

B. Visit fruit?loving families.

C. Plant fruit trees in an orchard.

D. Taste many kinds of apples.

2.What can we learn about Decio?

A. It is a new variety.

B. It has a strange look.

C. It is rarely seen now.

D. It has a special taste.

3.What does the underlined phrase “a pipe dream” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A. A practical idea.

B. A vain hope.

C. A brilliant plan.

D. A selfish desire.

4.What is the author's purpose in writing the text?

A. To show how to grow apples.

B. To introduce an apple festival.

C. To help people select apples.

D. To promote apple research.

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网