Question

【题目】 “Outer space is a frontier that inspires us and unites us more than anything else,” declared the US Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Dr. Yleem Poblete. “And as we continue to push further into our own solar system, new businesses will be built to seize the endless possibilities before us.”

However, there are growing concerns about the possibility of intentional acts of aggression in space, warned Dr. Poblete. The United States has raised concerns for many years that Russia is seeking the development and placement of anti-satellite weapons. As recently as February 2017, a Russian Air Force Squadron Commander stated that Russia is developing new missiles with the intention of destroying satellites. Furthermore, we have read statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense that it is working on creating “a mobile attack anti-satellite system”.

Vladimir Putin (Russian President) has alluded to space weapons being more “acceptable in the political and military respect”. This behavior continues despite Russia stating many times that it places a high priority on the promotion of the draft “Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space” or PPWT.

The problem with such a treaty, said Dr. Poblete, is that it's difficult to determine an object’s true purpose simply by observing it on orbit. At this time, there are no means of distinguishing many objects' behaviors from that of a weapon, making outer space arms control measures like those in the proposed PPWT impractical.

In short, said Poblete, the proposed PPWT does not reduce the potential for conflict from extending into outer space. Plus, Russia may be engaging in the very behavior it claims to seek to prohibit.

“We must take concrete steps to strengthen the stability and sustainability of space,” declared Dr. Poblete, “The draft PPWT is not the right approach to accomplishing that. It is a questionable document, proposed by a country [Russia] that has routinely violated its international commitments.”

【1】What does America suspect Russia is doing?

A.Launching satellites for spying.B.Trading space weapons illegally.

C.Making profits from exploring space.D.Causing threat to space stability.

【2】Which is one common difficulty for controlling space weapons?

A.They are hard to be identified.B.They are not regulated by common rules.

C.There are too many to be managed.D.There is disagreement between nations.

【3】What does Dr. Poblete think of PPWT?

A.It is not specific enough.B.It will worsen international relationships.

C.Russia itself fails to observe it.D.We must work together to promote it.

【4】What is mainly discussed in the passage?

A.Where the key to space safety lies.B.What alarms the US as to space safety.

C.Why space conflicts are difficult to avoid.D.Who is to blame for the chaos in outer space.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】A

【3】C

【4】B

【解析】

这是一篇新闻报道。文章主要说明了人们越来越担心太空中的蓄意侵略行为的可能性。多年来，美国一直担心俄罗斯正在寻求发展和部署反卫星武器。尽管俄罗斯多次表示高度重视推动《防止在外空放置武器条约》草案，但这种行为仍在继续。

【1】

细节理解题。根据第二段中The United States has raised concerns for many years that Russia is seeking the development and placement of anti-satellite weapons.可知多年来，美国一直担心俄罗斯正在寻求发展和部署反卫星武器。由此可知，美国怀疑俄罗斯在对太空稳定造成威胁。故选D。

【2】

细节理解题。根据第四段The problem with such a treaty, said Dr. Poblete, is that it's difficult to determine an object’s true purpose simply by observing it on orbit. At this time, there are no means of distinguishing many objects' behaviors from that of a weapon, making outer space arms control measures like those in the proposed PPWT impractical.可知Poblete博士说，这样一个条约的问题在于，很难仅仅通过在轨道上观察来确定一个物体的真正用途。此时，许多物体的行为无法与武器的行为区分开来，这使得诸如PPWT等外空军控措施不切实际。由此可知，控制太空武器的一个常见困难是他们很难被识别。故选A。

【3】

细节理解题。根据倒数第二段In short, said Poblete, the proposed PPWT does not reduce the potential for conflict from extending into outer space. Plus, Russia may be engaging in the very behavior it claims to seek to prohibit.可知Poblete说，简而言之，提议的PPWT并没有减少冲突向外太空扩展的可能性。此外，俄罗斯可能正在从事它声称试图禁止的行为。由此可知，Poblete博士认为俄罗斯本身没有遵守PPWT。故选C。

【4】

主旨大意题。根据第二段中However, there are growing concerns about the possibility of intentional acts of aggression in space, warned Dr. Poblete.可知然而，Poblete博士警告说，人们越来越担心太空中的蓄意侵略行为的可能性。结合文章主要说明了人们越来越担心太空中的蓄意侵略行为的可能性。多年来，美国一直担心俄罗斯正在寻求发展和部署反卫星武器。尽管俄罗斯多次表示高度重视推动《防止在外空放置武器条约》草案，但这种行为仍在继续。由此可知，这篇文章主要讨论了太空安全给美国敲响了警钟。故选B。