4. Why did the writer use "giant
leap" in the title?
A. Because
the space flight marked China's
great progress in the field of space exploration.
B. Because
Neil Armstrong said it was a "giant leap" for mankind when he first
set foot on the moon.
C. Because
the space flight was a huge success.
D. Both A
and B.
Passage 2 Chinese fourth unmanned spacecraft
into space
China blasted its fourth unmanned craft into space on Monday in what is
likely a final test before sending its first astronaut into orbit around earth,
state media said.
The Shenzhou IV, or "Divine Ship,"
took off from its launch center in the northwestern province of Gansu
early Monday morning and had already settled into its course around Earth, the
official Xinhua news agency and newspapers reported.
"The successful launch of the Shenzhou IV has
laid a solid foundation for China
to send Chinese astronauts into space," the China Daily quoted an official
at the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control
Center as saying. Like
its predecessors, the craft will circle Earth once every 90 minutes. The
vessel, which boasts a complete system needed for manned flight, will fly in
space for a few days before landing.
China's space program is a test of
national pride as the country, growing fast after two decades of
market-oriented reforms, seeks a place on the world stage alongside great
powers. China
aims to become the third nation in the world capable of putting people in
space. The Soviet Union first accomplished the feat in 1961, with the United States
following the next year. The country started its manned flight program in 1992,
the Xinhua reported, adding astronauts had entered
the Shenzhou IV to train for missions for the first
time. Xinhua quoted Su Shuangning,
a leading official for the manned flight program, as saying Chinese astronauts,
all with fighter pilot backgrounds, were absolutely capable of making their
maiden voyage to outer space.