Scientists are worried that an asteroid(小行星)will possibly hit the earth in 2036.If scientists are right, planet earth is 24 years away from a major disaster.
Scientists have been monitoring the progress of a 390-metre-wide asteroid ever since it was discovered last June.They have announced that it could hit the earth, causing huge damage, in 2036.
NASA estimates that the impact from the asteroid named after Apophis and ancient Egyptian demon(魔鬼)would release more than 100,000 times the energy released in the nuclear explosion over Hiroshima.Thousands of square kilometers would be directly affected by the explosion.The whole planet would see the effects of the dust released into the atmosphere.
This is the worst possible scenario(情景)of any asteroid in recorded history.
Having more than 20 years' warning of possible impact might seem plenty of time.But scientists insist that there is actually very little time left to decide.
Luckily, however, they aren't short on ideas for deflecting the asteroid.The favored method is also probably the easiest-throwing a spacecraft at the asteroid to change its direction.The European Space Agency plans to test this in the next decade.
One idea that seems to have no support from astronomers is the use of explosive, although this sounds more likely to the public or Hollywood producer.
At present, scientists are trying to make a better estimate of how much time we have, through more observations.
In spring of next year, there will be another chance for radar observation of Apophis.This will help astronomers calculate the orbits of the asteroid more accurately.
If, at that stage, they can't rule out an impact with the earth in 2036, the next chance to make better observations will not be until 2016, then 2029.
“If we wait until 2029 and the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, it would seem unlikely that we'd be able to do anything about 2036,” warns Prof Fitzsimmons.
(1)
What does the underlined word “deflecting” most probably mean?
[ ]
A.
making it smaller.
B.
observing it clearly enough.
C.
dividing into pieces.
D.
changing its direction.
(2)
According to the scientists' observation, ________.
[ ]
A.
the asteroid named Apophis will explode in 2036.
B.
the asteroid named Apophis might hit the earth in 2036.
C.
the asteroid named Apophis is 24 years old.
D.
there is plenty of time to decide the way we deal with the asteroid.
(3)
What is the impact from Apophis if it hits the earth?
[ ]
A.
It will damage Hiroshima.
B.
Thousands of square kilometers would see the effects of the dust released into the atmosphere.
C.
It might be the worst damage caused by asteroids in recorded history.
D.
The whole planet would be directly affected by the explosion.
(4)
It can be inferred from the text that ________.
[ ]
A.
Hollywood producers will explode Apophis to avoid its hit.
B.
There are only two chances for scientists to make better observations if they can't grasp the chance next year.
C.
NASA plans to throw a spacecraft at Apophis to change its direction.
D.
It is supportive from astronauts that we explode the Apophis.
Thirteen vehicles lined up last March to race across the Mojave Desert, seeking a million in prize money.To win, they had to finish the 142-mile race in less than 10 hours.Teams and watchers knew there might be no winner at all, because these vehicles were missing a key part-drivers.
DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, organized the race as part of a push to develop robotic vehicles for future battlefields.But the Grand Challenge, as it was called, just proved how difficult it is to get a car to speed across an unfamiliar desert without human guidance.One had its brake lock up in the starting area.Another began by throwing itself onto a wall.Another got tied up by bushes near the road after 1.9 miles.
One turned upside down.One took off in entirely the wrong direction and had to be disabled by remote(远距离的)control.One went a little more than a mile and rushed into a fence; another managed to go for six miles but stuck on a rock.The “winner,” if there was any, reached 7.8 miles before it ran into a long, narrow hole, and the front wheels caught on fire.
“You get a lot of respect for natural abilities of the living things, ” says Reinhold Behringer, who helped design two of the car-size vehicles for a company called Sci-Autonics.“Even ants(蚂蚁)can do all these tasks effortlessly.It’s very hard for us to put these abilities into our machines.”
The robotic vehicles, though with necessary modern equipment such as advanced computers and GPS guidance, had trouble figuring out fast enough the blocks ahead that a two-year-old human recognizes immediately.Sure, that very young child, who has just only learned to walk, may not think to wipe apple juice off her face, but she already knows that when there’s a cookie in the kitchen she has to climb up the table, and that when she gets to the cookie it will taste good.She is more advanced, even months old, than any machine humans have designed.
(1)
Watchers doubted if any of the vehicles could finish the race because ________.
[ ]
A.
they did not have any human guidance
B.
the road was not familiar to the drivers
C.
the distance was too long for the vehicles
D.
the prize money was unattractive to the drivers
(2)
DARPA organized the race in order to ________.
[ ]
A.
raise money for producing more robotic vehicles
B.
push the development of vehicle industry
C.
train more people to drive in the desert
D.
improve the vehicles for future wars
(3)
From the passage we know “robotic vehicles” are a kind of machines that ________.
[ ]
A.
can do effortlessly whatever tasks living things can
B.
can take part in a race across 142 miles with a time limit
C.
can show off their ability to turn themselves upside down
D.
can move from place to place without being driven by human beings
(4)
In the race, the greatest distance one robotic vehicle covered was ________.
[ ]
A.
about eight miles
B.
six miles
C.
almost two miles
D.
about one mile
(5)
In the last paragraph, the writer implies that there is a long way to go ________.
[ ]
A.
for a robotic vehicle to finish a 142-mile race without any difficulties
B.
for a little child who has just learned to walk to reach the cookie on the table
C.
for a robotic vehicle to deal with a simple problem that a little child can solve
D.
for a little child to understand the importance of wiping apple juice off its face
阅读理解
Phone producers show us every year some really superb concept phones and even if 99% of those phones never see the production line, they give us a small glimpse(一瞥)of what the phones will look like in the near future.We’ve made a list of what we think are the coolest concept phones presented in 2010.This is not a top, so the order is random(随机的).Oh, and one more thing, remember, these are concept phones, which means they are not in production and are not for sale, so please don’t ask us where you can get them and what the prices are.
1.LG Flutter Concept Smart-phone
The LG Flutter has a face like the iPhone.The only difference is that the LG Flutter looks more like a fan or a killer’s tool which we see in sci-fi movies.
In spite of this, this design does seem fit for the future of mobile phones but looks a bit difficult to use.
2.Nokia 888 Communicator
The phone has an amazing design.You can fold it in many ways according to your needs.You can wear it as a bracelet(手镯), roll it, bend it, and wear it as a clip on your clothes.
Nokia 888 Concept is mostly targeted at teenagers that are very active and take part in a lot of different activities.
3.Window Phone
It is a product to throw on the face of the shameless weather officials.Whenever they predict sunny day be sure it would rain.So we have thought of gifting them this:“Window Phone” that makes accurate predictions and even changes its display(显示)according to the climate condition outdoors.
4.Nokia Morph
The Nokia Morph is created by Finnish company Nokia.The concept was the product of a joint study by the Nokia Research Center and the University of Cambridge’s Nanoscience Center.
The phone could be bent into numerous shapes, so it can be worn around the wrist(手腕)or held up to the face.The transparent(透明)phone would allow it to be see-through yet functional.It has a self-cleaning surface that can absorb solar energy to recharge the phone battery(电池).
5.Clover Phone
On looks it is just another ordinary phone type, but made in recycled material, which allow the device to be upgraded to meet the latest advancements in technology.We guess the green aspects on the high-end tech will be a selling point for this phone.
(1)
Which phone would probably be most popular among young people?
[ ]
A.
LG Flutter Concept Smart-phone.
B.
Window Phone.
C.
Nokia 888 Communicator.
D.
Clover Phone.
(2)
How many environmentally friendly phones are listed in the text?
[ ]
A.
One.
B.
Two.
C.
Three.
D.
Four.
(3)
Which of the following is true?
[ ]
A.
Window Phone can broadcast weather.
B.
Nokia 888 can clean its surface by itself.
C.
Nokia Morph may always keep latest technology.
D.
LG Flutter Concept Smart-phone looks like a bracelet.
(4)
The writer wrote this text in order to _______.
[ ]
A.
make advertisements for the new phones
B.
attract businessmen to make money from them
C.
compare them and help you find the best one
D.
introduce new ideas about phones
阅读理解
Thirteen vehicles(车辆)lined up last March to race across the Mojave Desert, seeking a million in prize money.To win, they had to finish the 142-mile race in less than 10 hours.Teams and watchers knew there might be no winner at all, because these vehicles were missing a key part-drivers.
DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, organized the race as part of a push to develop robotic vehicles for future battlefields.But the Grand Challenge, as it was called, just proved how difficult it is to get a car to speed across an unfamiliar desert without human guidance.One had its brake lock up in the starting area, Another began by throwing itself onto a wall.Another got tied up by bushes near the road after 1.9 miles.
One turned upside down.One took off in entirely the wrong direction and had to be disabled by remote consol(无线电信标).One went a little more than a mile and rushed into a fence; another managed to go for six miles but stuck on a rock.The “winner,” if there was any, reached 7.8 miles before it ran into a long, narrow hole, and the front wheels caught on fire.
“You get a lot of respect for natural abilities of the living things,” says Reinhold Behringer, who helped design two of the ear-size vehicles for a company called Sci-Autonics, “Even ants(蚂蚁)can do all these tasks effortlessly.It’s very hard for us to put these abilities into our machines.”
The robotic vehicles, though with necessary modern equipment such as advanced computers and GPS guidance, had trouble figuring out fast enough the blocks ahead that a two-year-old human recognizes immediately.Sure, that very young child, who has just only learned to walk, may not think to wipe apple juice off her face, but she already knows that when there’s a cookie in the kitchen she has to climb up the table, and that when she gets to the cookie it will taste good.She is more advanced, even months old, than any machine humans have designed.
(1)
Watchers doubted if any of the vehicles could finish the race because _________.
[ ]
A.
they did not have any human guidance
B.
the road was not familiar to the drivers
C.
the distance was too long for the vehicles
D.
the prize money was unattractive to the drivers
(2)
DARPA organized the race in order to _________.
[ ]
A.
raise money for producing more robotic vehicles
B.
push the development of vehicle industry
C.
train more people to drive in the desert
D.
improve the vehicles for future wars
(3)
From the passage we know “robotic vehicles” are a kind of machines that _________.
[ ]
A.
can do effortlessly whatever tasks living things can
B.
can take part in a race across 142 miles with a time limit
C.
can show off their ability to turn themselves upside down
D.
can move from place to place without being driven by human beings
(4)
In the race, the greatest distance one robotic vehicle covered was _________.
[ ]
A.
about eight miles
B.
six miles
C.
almost two miles
D.
about one mile
(5)
In the last paragraph, the writer implies that there is a long way to go _________.
[ ]
A.
for a robotic vehicle to finish a 142-mile race without any difficulties
B.
for a little child who has just learned to walk to reach the cookie on the table
C.
for a robotic vehicle to deal with a simple problem that a little child can solve
D.
for a little child to understand the importance of wiping apple juice off its face
阅读理解
WHAT happens to a teenage kid when the world he thought he knew suddenly changes? Find out in Little Brother by American author Cory Doctorow.It is a fascinating book for a new generation of sci-fi readers.
Marcus Yallow, 17, from San Francisco is much more comfortable in front of a computer than obeying the rules of society.Smart, fast and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting(骗过)his high school's monitoring system.This way he and his friends get to head off to play a popular online game in real life.
While they are playing, a bomb explodes on the Bay Bridge.Marcus stops a military vehicle to get help for his injured friend, but this simple act throws him into a Department of Homeland Security(DHS)secret prison.There he is treated as a possible terrorist.He is eventually let go after four days, but his injured friend disappears.
When he returns, Marcus discovers that there are many "security measures" in place and that now all citizens are treated like potential terrorists.While some consider this government action necessary for public safety, Marcus sees this as a complete destruction of the rights he is supposed to have as a citizen.
He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him with only one thing to do:to take down the DHS himself.He helps organize a large network called Xnet to spread the truth, anonymously(匿名地).
The book presents a young man who is irresponsible, but learns about himself, and grows, in the course of the story.As part of this learning and growing he becomes aware of very serious issues about his society.
(1)
What kind of article does this passage belong to?
[ ]
A.
A fascinating story.
B.
A book review.
C.
News report
D.
A TV programme
(2)
The underlined word destruction in the passage means ________.
[ ]
A.
damage
B.
reward
C.
ruin
D.
protection
(3)
Marcus Yallow was sent to prison because ________.
[ ]
A.
he killed his friend
B.
he bombed a military vehicle
C.
he did something that a possible terrorist could do
D.
his injured friend disappeared
(4)
From the second paragraph we can infer that ________.
[ ]
A.
Marcus Yallow is much more comfortable obeying the rules of society
B.
Marcus Yallow is smart, fast and wise in real life
C.
Marcus Yallow always plays online games in real life
D.
Marcus Yallow is expert at the network world
(5)
In the end of the book, Marcus Yallow ________.
[ ]
A.
is supposed to be more irresponsible
B.
becomes aware of very serious issues about his society
C.
presents a young man who is irresponsible
D.
plays a popular online game in real life
阅读理解
阅读下列短文,从A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Superman, Spider-Man, Batman and Iron Man….There is no shortage of superheroes.You find them in comic books, on the TV and the big screen.
In a survey of fans by the sci-fi and fantasy website, SFX.co.uk, Batman, 70 years old this year, was voted Britain's favorite superhero.
Unlike many crime-fighting superheroes Batman has no special powers.He can't fly like Superman or shoot a sticky web like Spider-Man.
Bruce Wayne is born to a wealthy Gotham City business family.However, when his parents are murdered his life changes completely.
Wayne feels anger at their deaths and guilty that he did not prevent them.He travels around the world learning how to fight.Upon returning to Gotham, he creates a disguise(伪装)to enable him to fight crime without being recognized.
A childhood fear of bats leads him to choose to dress as one.His idea is that through the bat person he can prove to himself that he has overcome his childhood fears.
Wayne is the CEO of the company he inherits(继承)from his father.He seems to live the lifestyle of a millionaire playboy.But this is a ruse(计策).He works hard at the image to allow himself the freedom he needs to do his work as a crime fighter."Bruce Wayne, playboy" is the disguise Batman is the real person.
"Wayne is not a born superhero.Instead, he is a real, complex person," said Dace Golder, editor of the website."He is the most realistic of all the superheroes.I am particularly interested in the emotional process by which a boy becomes a hero.His superhero qualities come from within."
(1)
What is the article mainly about?
[ ]
A.
How Bruce Wayne develops into a superhero.
B.
How to overcome childhood fears.
C.
What makes a superhero.
D.
Why superheroes enjoy great popularity in Britain.
(2)
Bruce Wayne decides to dress like a bat because of ________.
[ ]
A.
his curiosity about bats
B.
his childhood fear of bats
C.
his parents' sudden death
D.
his unusual travel experiences
(3)
Why does Wayne live like a playboy?
[ ]
A.
He prefers the lifestyle of a playboy.
B.
He doesn't know how to run a company.
C.
He loves freedom more than anything else.
D.
He needs to disguise his crime fighting activities.
(4)
Which of the following statements is true about Batman?
[ ]
A.
Batman is a born superhero
B.
He has special powers
C.
The turning point of his life is due to his parents' sudden death
D.
He actually lives the lifestyle of a millionaire playboy