Planet Hunter
When Geoff Marcy was 14, his parents bought him a telescope. Every night, he would go onto the roof outside his window to see the wonders of the sky.
“What excited me most was whether there were planets(行星)in other solar(太陽(yáng)的)systems where life might exist, ”he says. “I decided to try to find planets orbiting(沿…軌道運(yùn)行)other stars like our Sun.”
And he did. “My fellow researcher, Paul Butler, and I found our first planet in 1995, ”Dr. Marcy says. “We worked for ten years without finding anything! But we stuck with it, and our patience paid off. ”
Since then, the two scientists have discovered 65 of the more than 100 planets found orbiting other stars. Dr. Marcy and Dr. Butler also spotted the first “family”of three planets. In June 2002 they announced another discovery: a Jupiter-like(像木星一樣的)planet orbiting star 55 Cancri.
At first, the two researchers found only planets that orbit close to stars. Recently, the scientists found planets farther out. The planet orbiting 55 Cancri is a major breakthrough: it is the first sighting of a large gas planet about the same distance from the star as Jupiter is from the Sun.
Why is this important? Scientists think that life on Earth may exist because of two special features(特徵)in our solar system. The first is Jupiter.
“Because it’s so big, Jupiter pulls comets and asteroids(小行星), or they all come and hit the Earth. ”Dr. Marcy explains. “Without Jupiter, life on Earth would likely have been destroyed. ”
A second feature is that Earth is a rocky planet where liquid water, which is necessary for life, can exist. Unlike gas planets, rocky planets like Earth have surfaces where water can gather in pools and seas, which may support life. A huge space exists between the Jupiter-like planet and two other planets that lie close to 55 Cancri. Is there an Earth-like planet in the space, too small for us to notice? If so, says Dr. Marcy, “We would have two striking similarities to our solar system: a Jupiter-like planet and an Earth-like planet. And there may be life! ”
1.What can we learn about Dr. Marcy from the passage?
A. He is fond of watching Jupiter.
B. He is from a scientist family.
C. He dislikes working with Paul Butler.
D. He is interested in finding life in outer space.
2.Which of the following is true of the recent discovery?
A. The planet is not as protective as Jupiter.
B. The planet is close to star 55 Cancri.
C. The planet proves to be a gas planet.
D. The planet is as large as Jupiter.
3.How many planets orbiting other stars have the two scientists discovered so far?
A. 100 B. 69 C. 66 D. 65
4.Dr. Marcy thinks that life may exist in the 55 Cancri system because ______.
A. he has found the system similar to the solar system
B. he has discovered an Earth-like planet there
C. he has discovered a rocky planet there
D. he has found signs of life in the system
5.“But we stuck with it”(in Paragraph 3)means ______.
A. they felt discouraged
B. they carried on with it
C. they failed in their attempt
D. they made some progress
年級(jí) | 高中課程 | 年級(jí) | 初中課程 |
高一 | 高一免費(fèi)課程推薦! | 初一 | 初一免費(fèi)課程推薦! |
高二 | 高二免費(fèi)課程推薦! | 初二 | 初二免費(fèi)課程推薦! |
高三 | 高三免費(fèi)課程推薦! | 初三 | 初三免費(fèi)課程推薦! |
科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:必修三全優(yōu)指導(dǎo)北師英語(yǔ) 北師版 題型:050
|
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源: 題型:閱讀理解
In July 1994 Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, was struck by 21 pieces of comet(彗星).When the fragments(碎片)landed in the southern part of the giant planet, the explosions were watched by scientist here on earth. But what if our own planet was hit by a comet?
The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the earth. Most of it will miss our planet, but two fragments will probably hit the southern part of the earth. The news has caused panic.
On 17 July, a fragment four kilometers wide enters the earth’s atmosphere with a huge explosion. About half of the fragment is destroyed. But the major part survives and hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound. The sea boils and an enormous wave is created and spreads. The wall of water rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour. Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned. The waves moves into the Indian Ocean and heads towards Asia.
Millions of people are already dead in the southern part of the earth, but the north won’t escape for long. Tons of broken pieces are thrown into the atmosphere by the explosions. As the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. Crops are ruined. Wars break out as countries fight for food. A year later civilization has collapsed. No more than 10 million people have survived.
Could it really happen? In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the earth. The dinosaurs(恐龍)were on the earth for over 160 million years. Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared. Many scientists believed that the earth was hit by a space fragment. The dinosaurs couldn’t survive in the cold climate that followed and they became extinct. Will we meet the same end?
1. Which of the following in NOT true according to the author’s description of the disaster in 2094?
A. The whole world becomes extremely cold.
B. All the coastal cities in Africa are destroyed.
C. The whole mankind becomes extinct.
D. The visit of the comet results in war.
2. Why does the author mention dinosaur at the end of the passage?
A. Because they could only live in the warm climate.
B. Because they once dominated the earth.
C. Because their extinction indicates future disasters.
D. Because dinosaurs and humans never live in the same age
3. In writing the passage, the author intends to ____.
A. give an accurate description of the possible disaster in the future
B. prove that humans will sooner or later be destroyed
C. tell the historical development of the earth
D. warn of a possible disaster in the future
4. It can be concluded that the passage is most probably part of a(n) ____.
A. horror story B. news report
C. research paper D. article of popular science
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:2015屆江蘇新馬高級(jí)中學(xué)高一下期期末考試英語(yǔ)卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
Most of us are used to seasons. Each year, spring follows winter, which follows autumn, which follows summer, which follows spring. And winter is colder than summer. But the earth goes through temperature cycles over much longer periods than those that we experience. Between 65,000 and 35,000 years ago, the planet was much colder than it is now. During that time the temperature also changed a lot, with periods of warming and cooling. Ice melted during the warm periods, which made sea levels rise. Water froze again during the cold periods.
A new study from Switzerland, sheds light on where ice sheets melted during the ice age. It now seems that the ice melted at both ends of the earth, rather than just in either northern or southern regions.
This surprised the researchers from the University of Bern. Scientists have long assumed that most of the ice that melted was in the Northern hemisphere(半球) during the 30,000-year long ice age. That belief was held because the North Pole is surrounded by land, while the South Pole is surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean. It is easier for ice sheets to grow on land. If surrounded by sea the ice can easily just slip into the ocean instead of building up.
The researchers used a computer model to look at ways the ice could melt and how it might affect sea levels. They compared these results to evidence of how temperatures and currents actually changed during that time. The model showed that if it was only in the Northern hemisphere that ice melted, there would have been a bigger impact(影響) on ocean currents(洋流) and sea temperatures than what actually happened. Studies suggest that melting just in the Southern hemisphere would have been impossible, too. The only reasonable conclusion, the scientists could make, was that ice melted equally in the North and the South.
It is still a mystery as to what caused the temperature changes that caused the ice to melt.
1.The North Pole is surrounded by land, while the South Pole is surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean. So scientists thought that ________.
A. most of the ice melted in the Northern hemisphere
B. most of the ice melted in the Southern hemisphere
C. The North Pole is colder than South Pole
D. The South Pole is colder than North Pole
2.We can infer from the passage ________.
A. the ice can easily just slip into the ocean
B. volcanoes caused the ice to melt
C. melting just in the Northern hemisphere would have been impossible
D. researchers often use the computer models help their research work.
3.The scientists are not sure ________.
A. how long the ice age lasted
B. where ice sheets melted during the ice age
C. what caused the temperature changes
D. what the earth is made up of
4.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A. A computer model
B. Studies show ice melted equally in the North and the South during the ice age
C. Most of the ice melted in the Northern hemisphere during the 30,000-year long ice age.
D. A survey result
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:2013屆江西省吉安市西路片七校高三上學(xué)期聯(lián)考英語(yǔ)試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
While reading a story on 20-somethings complaining about how the economy was ruiningg their life plans, I couldn’t help but think the 20-somethings sounded like a bunch of spoiled who grew up expecting everything to be easy for them. As a 20-something myself, certainly share their disappointment : my husband and I probably won’t be able to buy a house until we’re in our 40s, and we two are burdened by student loans(貸款). But why should it be any different? Being young persons in America, shouldn’t they take up all of the challenges and opportunities that this country offers?
Consider some of these views shared in the story: Jennifer, 29, owner of a two-bedroom apartment with her husband, worries that she won’t be able to have children for at least a decade because they can’t afford to buy a house yet.
I read that, and I thought what planet she is living on where you need to own a house in order to have kids? Has she ever visited a developing country, or even downtown areas in this one? Home ownership is a luxury(奢華), not a fertility requirement.
A 26-year-old in the story is disappointed that he can’t afford to get a Ph. D in literature. Well, that sounds a bit like expressing disappointment that no one will pay you to write poetry on the beach in Thailand for five years.
Yes, it’s sad that these young people feel so lost. But I think the problem is their extremely high expectations, not economic reality. Beth Kobliner, author of Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, says that she thinks people’s expectations grew up at a time when everyone’s wealth appeared to be increasing, Their parents probably saw their home values rise along with their investments. “So you have people who have grown up in an environment where people had great expectations of what living well means,” says Kobliner.
This recession(經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退) will certainly play a role in forcing those expectations into more realistic group. In the meantime, it seems a lot better for our mental health to focus on being grateful---for our one-bedroom apartments, for living in modern cities, or perhaps just for being able to eat three meals a day---than on longing for some kind of luxury life.
1.. What makes the author think the 20-somethings sound like a bunch of spoiled children?
A.They expect everything to be easy for them. |
B.They complain that the economy is spoiling their life plans. |
C.They are unwilling to face all of the challenges. |
D.They are burdened by student loans. |
2.. The underlined word “fertility” in paragraph 3 probably means“_____”.
A.baby production |
B.pleasant |
C.baby comfort |
D.comfortable |
3.. Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the complaints of the 20-somethings?
A.They can’t have children for at least a decade a decade to buy a house. |
B.They have only a one-bedroom apartment to live in. |
C.They can’t buy a house until 40 and are burdened by student loans. |
D.They despair at not being able to afford a PH. D in literature. |
4.. What’s the Kobliner’s attitude towards the 20-somethings with high expectations?
A.Unbearable |
B.Opposite |
C.Doubtful |
D.Understanding |
5.What is the best title for this passage?
A.Young people afford to continue their study |
B.Young people can’t afford to buy a house |
C.Young people’s high hopes create despair |
D.The 20-somethings’ high expectations |
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:2013屆江西省高三第四次月考英語(yǔ)試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解
You may never connect the words “good” and “eco-friendly”with plastic.It’s time to do a rethink on that as we say hello to hemp(大麻)plastic.Traditionally,plastics have been made from petrochemicals,which are mainly poisonous.Plants,on the other hand,are also a source of cellulose(纖維素),which can be used to make biodegradable (生物所能分解的)plastic.As hemp happens to be one of the richest sources of cellulose,it is only natural that scientists will support its use,considering its ecological benefits.
Hemp plastic is biodegradable and recyclable.If you thought being eco-friendly reduced its solidity,you couldn’t be more wrong.The hard level of hemp plastic can match that of regular plastic.Hemp plastic is resistant to heat;however,the most outstanding feature of a few varieties of hemp plastic is that they are flame resistant too.Finally,if Henry Ford could imagine creating a car with this material,we can perhaps believe that it indeed is“ten times stronger than steel”.
It is a pity that with so many useful qualities,we don’t see hemp plastic being used in our everyday life,the way it ought to be.Hemp plastic can easily take the place of the exiting plastic in products like cell phone chargers(充電器),laptop covers,etc.Currently,hemp plastic is being used to produce audio(音響設(shè)備),video,toys,automobile parts and packaging materials.
Hemp fiber is one of the strongest natural fibers known to us.As scientists keep looking for ways to solve the ecological damage that traditional plastics have caused,here is a material that can be produced to be 100% biodegradable.Hemp plastic is known to be several times durable as compared to polypropylene(聚丙烯)plastic,and it comes without all the health and safety threats,It really has long useful life.
Plastics keep reminding us of the damage that we have done to our planet,all under the excuse of convenience.As hemp products have become a new choice into our daily life,Please take a green plan now and make your effort to protect the environment.
1.Plastics produced in the traditional way are______.
A.harmful |
B.made from plants |
C.good and eco-friendly |
D.biodegradable |
2.According to Para.2,hemp plastic_____.
A.is all resistant to flame |
B.doesn’t have enough solidity |
C.will take the place of steel |
D.can be used again after being processed |
3.What does the underlined word“durable”mean in Para.4?
A.Very useful of important. |
B.Costing little money or less money. |
C.Staying in good condition for a long time. |
D.Existing in large numbers or in many places. |
4.Which aspect of hemp plastic isn’t mentioned in the passage?
A.Features. |
B.Production cost |
C.Applications. |
D.Advantages. |
5.What can we know from the passage?
A.Using hemp plastic is inconvenient. |
B.People haven’t made the most of hemp. |
C.Hemp fiber is a kind of strong man-made fiber. |
D.Scientists have already known how to solve ecological damage. |
查看答案和解析>>
百度致信 - 練習(xí)冊(cè)列表 - 試題列表
湖北省互聯(lián)網(wǎng)違法和不良信息舉報(bào)平臺(tái) | 網(wǎng)上有害信息舉報(bào)專區(qū) | 電信詐騙舉報(bào)專區(qū) | 涉歷史虛無(wú)主義有害信息舉報(bào)專區(qū) | 涉企侵權(quán)舉報(bào)專區(qū)
違法和不良信息舉報(bào)電話:027-86699610 舉報(bào)郵箱:58377363@163.com