Question

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked．

Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup（基因构成）as human beings．What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival．Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible．

Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for．Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger．With knowledge, we can lessen its effects．

Exploration also allows minerals and other potential （潜在的）resources to be found．Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later．Resources may be more than physical possessions．Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration．The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives．We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems．Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products （副产品）of technological developments in the space industry!

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us．While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers．The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive．Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist．

While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets．It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future．

1.Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

A．To express his doubts．                  B．To compare different ideas．

C．To introduce points for discussion．         D．To describe the conditions on Earth．

2.What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

A．Humans are nature-born to do so．         B．Humans have the tendency to fight．

C．Humans may find new sources of food．      D．Humans don't like to stay in the same place．

3.The underlined word "spin-offs" in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______．

A．survival chances    B．potential resources  C．unexpected benefits D．physical possessions

4.What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A．Our genetic makeup．                   B．Resources on the earth．

C．The adaptive ability of humans．            D．By-products in space exploration．

5.Which of the statements can best sum up the passage?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders．

B．Space exploration provided the best value for money．

C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology.

D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.C

4.C

5.D

【解析】

试题分析：文章介绍了人类探索太空的原因，介绍了太空探索的好处。

1.C 推理题。本段的目的是为了介绍接下来讨论的话题，是为了引起下文，故C正确。

2.A 细节题。根据第二段最后一句Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible说明是人的基因方面的倾向让人这样做，即人的天性，让我们去探索太空。故A正确。

3.C 推理题。根据第四段5,6行We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction指的是探索太空会有很多其它方面的好处如地震预测方面的好处，故C正确。

4.C 细节题。根据最后一段1,2行While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets.说明人的适应能力是人是否能在其它星球上生存的关键，故C正确。

5.D 主旨大意题。文章是关于太空探索有很多的好处，也许可能帮助我们避免未来可能的灾难，故D正确。

考点：考查科普类阅读