Question

【题目】 Most of us probably dreamed about becoming an astronaut when we were little. But how many of us have actually become one, or are at least working toward it? It’s true that the advice “Always follow your dreams” is something that is typically easier said than done.

But still, this is the one piece of advice that Alyssa Carson wants to share with her peers. This 17-year-old girl from the US has become one of the candidates (候选人) for NASA’s 2033 project to go to Mars. If everything goes well, Carson will be one of the first human beings to ever set foot on the red planet.

Carson began to dream of going to mars when she was only three years old. After watching an astronaut-themed cartoon and hearing from her father that humans had only been to the moon but not Mars. Carson decided that she wanted to be the first one to do so.

To realize her dream, she has worked hard toward it. At the age of 12, Carson became the first person to attend all three NASA space camps, and she sat with real astronauts to discuss the future of Mars missions. Now 17, Carson is continuing with her space training while still taking on her high school work like a “normal” teenager, except that she studies all her subjects in four languages-English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

“I don’t think there’s anything specific that makes it easier for me or makes it something that others can’t do,” Carson said in an interview. “I’ve just really focused myself on what I want to accomplish.”

Besides, Carson is willing to make sacrifices (牺牲) for her dream. She’s fully aware of the danger of the mission and the possibility that she might never be able to come back. She also accepts the fact that she can’t get married and start a family because any loved ones left on Earth may be a distraction for her and for the mission. But Carson believes that it’s all worth it, summarizing her view with this ancient Greek proverb she once quoted, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they’ll never sit in.”

While some people’s dreams may sound out of this world, Carson is on her way.

【1】Where is Carson from?

【2】When did Carson begin to dream of going to Mars?

【3】What languages is Carson learning?

【4】Why can’t Carson get married and start a family?

【5】What does Carson do to follow her dream?

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】Carson is from the US.

【2】She was only three years old.

【3】She is learning English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

【4】Because any loved ones left on Earth may be a distraction for her and for the mission.

【5】She works hard toward it ,and she is willing to make sacrifices for her dream.

【解析】

文章大意：本文主要讲述艾莉莎·卡森这位17岁小姑娘美国宇航局2033年火星计划的候选人之一，她如何实现自己的梦想，做出了哪些牺牲，同时告诉我们虽然梦想是天方夜谭，但是我们一直在路上。

【1】句意：卡森是哪里人？

细节理解题。根据第二段第二句This 17-year-old girl from the US has become one of the candidates (候选人) for NASA’s 2033 project to go to Mars.可知，她来自美国，故答案填Carson is from the US。

【2】句意：卡森什么时候开始梦想去火星的？

细节理解题。根据第三段第一句Carson began to dream of going to mars when she was only three years old.可知，是三岁，故答案填She was only three years old。

【3】句意：卡森在学什么语言？

细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句Now 17, Carson is continuing with her space training while still taking on her high school work like a “normal” teenager, except that she studies all her subjects in four languages-English, French, Spanish and Chinese可知，她在学英语、法语、西班牙语和汉语，故答案填 She is learning English, French, Spanish and Chinese。

【4】句意：为什么卡森不能结婚呢？

细节理解题。根据第四段第一句To realize her dream, she has worked hard toward it.和第六段She also accepts the fact that she can’t get married and start a family because any loved ones left on Earth may be a distraction for her and for the mission可知，故答案填Because any loved ones left on Earth may be a distraction for her and for the mission。

【5】句意：卡森做什么来实现她的梦想？

细节理解题。根据第六段第一句Besides, Carson is willing to make sacrifices (牺牲) for her dream可知，故答案填She works hard toward it, and she is willing to make sacrifices for her dream。