The space shuttle Columbia flared and broke up in the skies over Texas on Saturday, February 1,2003, killing the seven astronauts on board in what NASA and President Bush called a tragedy for the entire nation. NASA launched an investigation into the disaster and began searching for the astronauts' remains. It said that although there had been some data failures it was too early to nail down a precise cause. The break-up, 16 minutes before the shuttle was due to land at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, spread possibly toxic debris(有毒的残骸) over a wide swath of Texas and neighboring states.

Dramatic television images of the shuttle's descent clearly showed several white trails(痕迹) streaking through blue skies after the shuttle suddenly fell apart. It was almost 17 years to the day that the Challenger shuttle exploded on Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven astronauts on board.

Take-off and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere are the most dangerous parts of a space mission. In 42 years of US' human space flight, there had never been an accident in the descent to Earth or landing. Challenger exploded just after take-off.

Rescue teams scrambled to search for the remains of the crew, which included the first Israeli to fly on the shuttle, former combat pilot Col. Ilan Ramon. There were warnings that parts of a vast 120-mile-long corridor of debris could be toxic because of poisonous rocket propellant(推进器).

"We are not ready to confirm that we have found any human remains," Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerrs said. He added that among the roughly 1,000 calls reporting debris, some people said they found remains of crew members.

"The Columbia is lost. There are no survivors, …Their mission was almost complete and we lost them so close to home. … America's space program will go on," said a grim-faced Bush in a message broadcast on television, which included condolences to the families of the dead astronauts.

1. The word “descent” in the passage means ________.

A. taking off   B. landing      C. orbiting     D. walking down

2. Which is true of the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon?

A. He was the first Israeli astronaut to fly on the shuttle.

B. He was the first foreign astronaut to fly on the American shuttle.

C. He used to be a passenger plane pilot.

D. He was the only survivor in the Columbia disaster.

3. The Columbia disaster and the Challenger disaster were similar in that ________.

A. there were seven astronauts killed on board

B. both the shuttles exploded when they took off

C. Both the shuttles exploded when they were about to land

D. no human remains were found

4. Which of the following is wrong according to the news?

A. The U.S.A. will give up the space program because of the accident.

B. NASA hasn’t found the cause of the Columbia disaster.

C. Before the Columbia disaster, no shuttles had exploded in the course of landing.

D. Take-off and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere are the most dangerous parts of a space mission.

At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters (抗议者) clashed(冲突)in Bangkok early Monday morning, 14 hours after Thai PM (总理) declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media reports.

The Nation quoted(引用)hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.

At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.

Some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said “Similar operations will be carried out in other areas.”

The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.

Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.

Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.

Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.

At about 6:15 a.m. Monday (23:15 GMT Sunday), former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the Red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a main leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby.

The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday forced the summits canceled (取消).

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)

What is the main idea of the passage?

  A. Soldiers used teargas to disperse the protesters.

  B. The ASEAN summits have been cancelled.

  C. At least 77 were wounded during the crash between soldiers and protesters.

  D. Thai Prime Minister announced a state of emergency.

What can you infer from the passage?

  A. About 300 protesters seized a bus and crashed soldiers.

  B. The Army Chief General refused to comment on the incident.

  C. Soldiers didn’t persuade the red shirts to stop.

  D. The clash is connected with the former premier Thaksin.

Which of the following is TRUE?

  A. Five protesters died in the clash.

  B. The latest round of protests started in March, 2009.

C. It’s officially said on the morning of Sunday that the situation was out of control.

  D. It is most likely that the army is against the government.

What does the underlined word “disperse” probably mean?

  A. 驱散                   B. 开枪                       C. 劝说                       D. 谈判

At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters (抗议者)clashed(冲突)in Bangkok early Monday morning 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media reports.
The Nation quoted hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.
At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.
Some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said “Similar operations will be carried out in other areas.”
The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.
Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.
Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.
Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.
At about 6:15 a.m. Monday (23:15 GMT Sunday), former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the Red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a main leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby.
The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday forced the summits canceled(取消).
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)
49. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. At least 77 were wounded during the crash between soldiers and protesters.
B. The ASEAN summits have been cancelled.
C. Soldiers used teargas to disperse the protesters.
D. Thai Prime Minister announced a state of emergency.
50. What can you infer from the passage?
A. The conflict is connected with the former premier Thaksin.
B. The Army Chief General refused to comment on the incident.
C. Soldiers didn’t persuade the red shirts to stop.
D. About 300 protesters seized a bus and crashed soldiers.
51. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. The latest round of protests started in March, 2009.
B. Five protesters died in the clash.
C. It’s officially said on the morning of Sunday that the situation was out of control.
D. It is most likely that the army is against the government.
52. What does the underlined word “disperse” probably mean?

CHOOSE YOUR VIRGINIA
Rock House Museum
Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville’s Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns is America’s oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited—you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April—October , 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .
The News Museum
The News Museum in Arlington is the world’s only interactive(互动)museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today’s news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.—5 p. m. You can visit www. News museum .Org .
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington’s only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 .
【小题1】What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage ?

A.To attract tourists to Virginia .
B.To encourage people to settle in Virginia .
C.To introduce historic sites in Virginia .
D.To give people a general description of Virginia .
【小题2】 In what way is The News Museum different from Rock House Museum ?
A.It is larger .B.It is more exciting .
C.Visitors can act in it .D.Visitors can see more in it .
【小题3】If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to       .
A.The News MuseumB.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
C.Grand CavernsD.Virginia Beach
【小题4】Which of the following places is NOT open in the winter months ?
A.The news Museum .
B.Grand Caverns .
C.Virginia Beach .
D.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens .
【小题5】Which of the following is NOT a fact when tourists are visiting the Virginia Beach ?
A.Tourists can camp in the open air .
B.Tourists can enjoy some special events there .
C.Tourists can not go there in their own cars .
D.Tourists can enjoy themselves on the clean beach .

CHOOSE YOUR VIRGINIA

Rock House Museum

Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville’s Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 .

Grand Caverns

Grand Caverns is America’s oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited—you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April—October , 9 a.m.—5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 .

The News Museum

The News Museum in Arlington is the world’s only interactive(互动)museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today’s news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.—5 p. m. You can visit www. News museum .Org .

Kenmore Plantation & Gardens

Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington’s only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 .

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 .

1.What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage ?

A.To attract tourists to Virginia .

B.To encourage people to settle in Virginia .

C.To introduce historic sites in Virginia .

D.To give people a general description of Virginia .

2. In what way is The News Museum different from Rock House Museum ?

A.It is larger .

B.It is more exciting .

C.Visitors can act in it .

D.Visitors can see more in it .

3.If you want to enjoy yourself in the evening , you may go to       .

A.The News Museum

B.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens

C.Grand Caverns

D.Virginia Beach

4.Which of the following places is NOT open in the winter months ?

A.The news Museum .

B.Grand Caverns .

C.Virginia Beach .

D.Kenmore Plantation & Gardens .

5.Which of the following is NOT a fact when tourists are visiting the Virginia Beach ?

A.Tourists can camp in the open air .

B.Tourists can enjoy some special events there .

C.Tourists can not go there in their own cars .

D.Tourists can enjoy themselves on the clean beach .

 

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