Unless we spend money to spot(认出,发现) and prevent asteroids(小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists.

Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids(流星体) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands of asteroids whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth.

But $500 million worth of new telescopes right now, then spend $10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course.

Is it worth it? Two things experts consider when judging any risk are (i) How likely the event is; (2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500,000 years. Sounds pretty rare but if one did fall. It would be the end of the world. “If we don’t take care of these bid asteroids, they’ll take care of us,” says one scientist. “it’s that simple.”

The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets(舰队,车队) of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? “the world has less fear from doomsday(毁灭性) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them.” Said a New York Times article.

1.What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids?

A. They are heavenly bodies different in composition.

B. They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.

C. They are more asteroids than meteoroids.

D. Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.

2.What do scientists say about the collision of an asteroid with Earth?

A. It is very unlikely but the danger exists.

B. Such a collision might occur once every 25 years.

C. Collisions of smaller asteroids with Earth occur more often than expected.

D. It’s still too early to say whether such a collision might occur.

3.What do people think of the suggestion of using nuclear weapons to alter the course of asteroids?

A. It sounds practical but it may not solve the problem.

B. It may create more problems than it might solve.

C. It is a waste of money because a collision of asteroids with Earth is very unlikely.

D. Further research should be done before it is proved applicable.

4.We can conclude from the passage that __

A. While pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world.

B. Asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future.

C. The worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime.

D. Workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth.

5.Which of the following best describes the author’s tone in this passage?

A. Optimistic(乐观的) B.Critical(批评的) C. Objective(客观的) D. Arbitrary(武断的)

Once Effendi(阿凡提)had a joke with the Prime Minister (宰相). He said that the Minister would die the next day.

The next day, the Minister fell to the ground from the horse and really died. When the king learned this, he got angry and sent his men to catch Effendi at once.

When Effendi was brought to him, the king shouted angrily, “Effendi, since (既然) you knew when my Minister would die, you must know the date of your own death (死). Say it out, or you'll die today.”

Effendi looked at the king for a while. Then he answered, “But how can I know? I'll die two days earlier than you.” The king was afraid that if he killed Effendi, he himself would die after that. He thought he must keep Effendi alive (活着) as long as possible, so he let Effendi go.

1.This story tells us ______.

A. how Effendi fooled (愚弄) the king

B. when the king would die

C. why the Minister died

D. Effendi knew the dates of everyone's death

2.The Prime Minister died because ______.

A. Effendi killed him B. Effendi said he would die

C. He was badly ill D. He fell off the horse

3.Why did the king ask Effendi to tell him the date of Effendi's own death?

A. Because the king wanted to know when he himself would die.

B. Because the wanted to find an excuse to kill Effendi.

C. Because he himself had known the date of Effendi's death.

D. Because he wanted to know when Effendi would die.

4.The king let Effendi go because ______.

A. he hoped to live a long life

B. he was afraid of Effendi

C. he didn't believe Effendi's words

D. He knew he would die two days later

5.Which of the following is not true?

A. Effendi played a joke on the Minister

B. The king was afraid of death.

C. Effendi didn't know when the king would die.

D. If the king killed Effendi, he himself would die two days later.

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