For centuries, explorers have risked their lives venturing into the unknown for reasons of economic benefit and national glory. Following the lunar missions of the early 1970s, Mars now looms as humanity’s next great, unknown land. But with dubious prospects for short-term financial return and with international competition in space a receding memory, it is clear that imperatives other than profit or national pride will have to compel human beings to leave their tracks on the planet’s red surface.
With Mars the scientific benefits are perhaps higher than they have ever been. The issue of whether life ever existed on the planet, and whether it persists to this day, has been highlighted by accumulating evidence that Mars once had abundant liquid water and by the controversy over suggestions that fossils of bacteria rode to Earth on a rock ejected from Mars during its early history. A definite answer about life on Mars, past or present, would give researchers invaluable data about the range of conditions under which a planet can generate the complex chemistry that leads to life. The revelation that life arose independently on Mars and on Earth would provide the first concrete clue in one of the deepest mysteries in all of science: how prevalent is life in our galaxy
One of the reasons why the idea of sending people to Mars strikes a chord in so many people is that it is already possible—the U.S. has the money and the fundamental technology needed to do it. More important, recent discoveries about the planet’s environment in the distant past have presented a clear and compelling scientific incentive for sending people: to search for evidence of life. The thesis that liquid water was once stable on Mars has been strengthened by aerial photographs taken last year that showed what appeared to be a drainage channel cut deeply by water flowing for hundreds if not thousands of years.
A thorough hunt for any life on Mars that might be hanging on—despite the present deficit of water—would also have to be undertaken by humans, according to some experts. Such life will be hidden and probably tiny. "Finding it will require surveying vast tracts of territory," one expert explains. "It will require the ability to cover long distances and adapt to different conditions." Robots might be up to the task sometime in the distant future, making human explorers redundant, he concedes. But relying on them to survey Mars during periodical missions to the planet would take a very long time— "decades if not centuries," he believes.
The aerial photographs taken last year indicate that ______.
A:there did exist liquid water on Mars B:a drainage channel was cut deeply by Martians C:there isn’t any life on Mars D:water had flew on Mars for hundreds to thousands of years
For centuries, explorers have risked their lives venturing into the unknown for reasons of economic benefit and national glory. Following the lunar missions of the early 1970s, Mars now looms as humanity’s next great, unknown land. But with dubious prospects for short-term financial return and with international competition in space a receding memory, it is clear that imperatives other than profit or national pride will have to compel human beings to leave their tracks on the planet’s red surface.
With Mars the scientific benefits are perhaps higher than they have ever been. The issue of whether life ever existed on the planet, and whether it persists to this day, has been highlighted by accumulating evidence that Mars once had abundant liquid water and by the controversy over suggestions that fossils of bacteria rode to Earth on a rock ejected from Mars during its early history. A definite answer about life on Mars, past or present, would give researchers invaluable data about the range of conditions under which a planet can generate the complex chemistry that leads to life. The revelation that life arose independently on Mars and on Earth would provide the first concrete clue in one of the deepest mysteries in all of science: how prevalent is life in our galaxy
One of the reasons why the idea of sending people to Mars strikes a chord in so many people is that it is already possible—the U.S. has the money and the fundamental technology needed to do it. More important, recent discoveries about the planet’s environment in the distant past have presented a clear and compelling scientific incentive for sending people: to search for evidence of life. The thesis that liquid water was once stable on Mars has been strengthened by aerial photographs taken last year that showed what appeared to be a drainage channel cut deeply by water flowing for hundreds if not thousands of years.
A thorough hunt for any life on Mars that might be hanging on—despite the present deficit of water—would also have to be undertaken by humans, according to some experts. Such life will be hidden and probably tiny. "Finding it will require surveying vast tracts of territory," one expert explains. "It will require the ability to cover long distances and adapt to different conditions." Robots might be up to the task sometime in the distant future, making human explorers redundant, he concedes. But relying on them to survey Mars during periodical missions to the planet would take a very long time— "decades if not centuries," he believes.
A:there did exist liquid water on Mars B:a drainage channel was cut deeply by Martians C:there isn’t any life on Mars D:water had flew on Mars for hundreds to thousands of years
Passage Two
Millions of words have been written about young people in the United States. There are reasons for this great interest in the ideas, feelings, and actions of youth.
Today there are about seven million Americans in the colleges and universities. Young persons under twenty-five make up nearly half of the American population. Many of these will soon be in charge of the nation. Naturally, their ideas are important to everyone in the country, and it is necessary for older people to understand what they think and feel.
College students today have strong opinions about right and wrong. They are deeply interested in making a better life for all people, especially for those who have not been given a fair chance before now. They see much that is wrong in the lives of their parents. It is hard for them to see what is right and good in the older ways. As a result, there is often trouble in American families.
A:make up nearly halt' of the American population B:are deeply interested in making a better life for all people C:have not been given a fair chance before now D:are always finding fault with their parents
Passage Two Millions of words have been written about young people in the United States. There are reasons for this great interest in the ideas, feelings, and actions of youth. Today there are about seven million Americans in the colleges and universities. Young persons under twenty-five make up nearly half of the American population. Many of these will soon be in charge of the nation. Naturally, their ideas are important to everyone in the country, and it is necessary for older people to understand what they think and feel. College students today have strong opinions about right and wrong. They are deeply interested in making a better life for all people, especially for those who have not been given a fair chance before now. They see much that is wrong in the lives of their parents. It is hard for them to see what is right and good in the older ways. As a result, there is often trouble in American families.
College students today ()A:make up nearly halt' of the American population B:are deeply interested in making a better life for all people C:have not been given a fair chance before now D:are always finding fault with their parents
Henry Manley was already deeply in debt.
A:A.
B:B.
Right ? ? ? ?
C:C.
Wrong ? ? ?
Not mentioned
Nothing in my life moved me( )this first visit to Chin
A:A. deeply as as deed as so deep as so deeply as
Nothing in my life moved me( )this first visit to Chin
A:A. deeply as as deed as so deep as so deeply as
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