It was not much bigger than a soccer ball and weighed less than 185 pounds. But 50 years ago, when the Russian satellite Sputnik successfully orbited the Earth, it made headlines around the world and marked the beginning of the race for space.

  The launch of the world's first artificial satellite on October 4, 1957 ignitedBefore Sputnik's launch, the US had plans to send its own satellites into space to study cosmic (宇宙的) rays and gravity, among other things. But the Russians struck first, leaving US scientists and ordinary citizens in shock. To make matters worse, the Russians successfully launched a second satellite less than one month later. This one was much larger, at 1,120 pounds. The Americans were more eager than ever to make their mark in space.

  Americans thought their time had finally come on December 6. But what was supposed to be a day to remember quickly turned into a disaster to forget. The US satellite Vanguard rose just four feet off the ground before its engine failed and it burst into flames. Finally, on January 31, 1958, the Americans had the reason to celebrate. The US satellite Explorer 1 blasted into space. During its voyage, it made one of the most significant scientific finds to date—the discovery of magnetic radiation belts around the Earth.

  As the consequence of Sputnik, American Congress passed the National Defense Education Act of 1958.The act was aimed at improving education in science, mathematics, and foreign languages. Congress also passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958. The federal legislation (立法) created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, most commonly known as NASA.Today, the United States and Russia are no longer in competition. In fact, NASA astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are working together and making important scientific discoveries aboard the International Space Station.

1.How can we conclude the first period of the space race between the US and Russia?

A.A Russian victory.       B.A close game.

C.An American honor.       D.A hard win for both.

2.The Russians successfully launched the first satellite________ earlier than the Americans.

A.nearly half a year       B.about two months

C.less than 100 days       D.more than 100 days

3.In 1958 American Congress passed two acts for fear that ________.

A.the US wouldn't get any help from the Soviet Union

B.the Soviet Union would cancel the offer in the competition

C.the Soviet Union would do better than the US in the space race

D.the US would be in want of research forces

4.The underlined word “ignited” here can be replaced by “________”.

A.prepared    B.caused    C.approved   D.compared

 

下面短文中有10处语法错误。请在有错误的地方增加、删除或修改某个单词。

增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写上该加的词。

删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。

修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写上修改后的词。

注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;

2.只允许修改10处,多者(从11处起)不计分。

 

One rainy day while I was walking home with one of my friend, a trunk came

                                              friends

to a stop besides us. The driver put the window down and offered us a unbrella

       beside                                           an

because he found we were wet through. I stood there and couldn’t believe in

                                                           i\n

that a complete stranger is so thoughtful. The man insisted, so I grateful

                    was                           gratefully

accepted the offer, thanked him and watched the truck disappear down the road.

 

This man might need the umbrella himself, and he preferred to give it to

                                   but

everyone else. It was a lesson to us that it was possible ∧give without expect

someone/somebody                              to        expecting

anything in return.

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网