An experimental cleanup device called RemoveDEBRIS has successfully cast a net around a dummy (仿真的) satellite, imitating a technique that could one day collect spaceborne garbage.
The test, which was carried out this week, is widely believed to be the first successful demonstration of space cleanup technology, experts told CNN. And it symbolizes an early step toward solving what has already been a critical issue: junk in space.
Millions of pieces of junk are turning around in orbit, the result of 50 years of space travel and few regulations to keep space clean. At orbital speeds, even a small bit of paint crashing with a satellite can cause critical damage.
Various companies have plans to send thousands of new satellites into low-Earth orbit, already the most crowded area.
The RemoveDEBRIS experiment is run by a company and researchers led by the U. K.’s Surrey Space Center and includes Airbus, Airbus-owned Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and France’s ArianeGroup.
Guglielmo Aglietti, the director of Surrey Space Center, said that an operational version of the RemoveDEBRlS technology would cast a net that remains fastened to the main satellite so the debris can be dragged out of orbit. It could target large pieces of junk, including dead satellites up to 10 meters long.
The RemoveDEBRIS satellite will conduct a few more experiments in the coming months, including testing navigation features that could help guide the satellite to a specific piece of debris.
Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said the success of this week’s experiment was exciting, but he cautioned against “over- publicizing” it.
There are still enormous barriers to clear before operational cleanup tasks are underway, he said, and the most discouraging is figuring out how to fund such projects.
Aglietti, the Surrey professor who helped lead the RemoveDEBRIS project, said “The challenge will lie in persuading the relevant authorities to sponsor these tasks.” Aglietti said he hopes RemoveDEBRIS will conduct a few cleanup tasks per year, targeting the largest pieces of junk in the most crowded orbits.
1.What is the use of the RemoveDEBRIS satellite?
A. Demonstrating space technology.
B. Imitating a developing technique.
C. Collecting wastes existing in space.
D. Symbolizing great progress in space.
2.How does the RemoveDEBRlS satellite work?
A. By throwing a net to take the junk from orbit.
B. By fastening it to the main satellite tightly.
C. By dragging satellites up to 10 meters long.
D. By targeting large pieces of junk carefully.
3.What does the underlined word “sponsor” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A. Accomplish. B. Support. C. Oppose. D. Provide.
4.What’s the best title for the text?
A. The RemoveDEBRIS Project Is Perfect
B. How RemoveDEBRIS Is Invented in the Lab
C. Why the RemoveDEBRIS Satellite Is Invented
D. Satellite Collects Space Junk for the First Time
The alarm sounds. Students swing their backpack over their shoulder, board the school bus, make their way to their homeroom and the bell rings— school is back. But for more homes in America, school looks more like students waking up, making their way to the dining room or home office, setting up laptops and learning in the comfort of home.
Virtual(虚拟的)schooling, described as “a public school that offers only instruction in which students and teachers are separated by time and/or place, and interaction occurs via computers and/or telecommunications(电信)technologies”, has increased over the past decade. According to the National Education Policy Center, enrollments(注册人数)in virtual schools was 278,518 between the 2015 — 2016 school year and the 2016 — 2017 school year increased by 17,000.
For Arizona Virtual Academy, a full-time online public K-12 school, they use K12 Inc. curriculums. K12 Inc. serves students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries with digital learning platforms and technology, providing online education. “We always are improving our platforms and the technology that we use to make sure that we’re keeping up with the changing trends, not only with education but also with technology,” Dr. Kelly Van Sande said. Another piece of new technology they’ve rolled out is a new app where parents can find virtual schools available in their area.
Carrie Faulkner chose to enroll two of her children in Arizona Virtual Academy. She says they’ve done schooling online in Chicago, in California, at restaurants and on her cousin’s floor in Kansas. “It doesn’t matter whether he (her son) is on the couch, in his bed or at the kitchen table, he can do schooling wherever he wants to,” Faulkner said. “I wish they had it for me back when I was in school. That would have been awesome.”
1.Why does the author compare the two kinds of schooling in the first paragraph?
A. To attack real schooling.
B. To give an example of virtual schooling.
C. To introduce the topic “virtual schooling”.
D. To describe vividly students’ going to school.
2.How many students attended virtual schools during the 2016 — 2017 school year?
A. 295, 518 B. 17, 000. C. 278, 518. D. 147, 759.
3.What can we infer about Arizona Virtual Academy?
A. They provide both online and offline education.
B. They’re intended for students in the United States.
C. Their new app lets people find schools worldwide.
D. Their platforms and technology are very advanced.
4.What is Carrie Faulkner’s attitude to virtual schooling?
A. Ambiguous. B. Cautious C. Supportive. D. Disapproving.
A mother, Carrie Cort, 51, from Sussex, and her nine-year-old son have been named the UK’s most environmentally friendly family after winning an award for their environmental achievements.
Now every aspect of her life is environmentally friendly, from her son Adam’s birthday parties to her clothing, and she recycles everything from empty pens to milk bottle tops. “Changing our family lifestyle to green has saved us around £ 11, 000 every year, which has given us more financial stability,” Carrie says. “Living green has made us healthier and I feel younger now. It is fun seeing what you can make with unwanted or broken things. Growing your own food is great exercise, good for wildlife, and the food is much more nutritious and tastier.”
“My concern for the way we humans are treating the planet was really roused in 2008 when Adam was born. When he arrived, I suddenly had this huge, greater awareness of the kind of planet we’re bringing our children into though I learnt something about it in university.” She began going to talks, reading books, watching documentaries and attending green meetings in order to educate herself in the details of green living.
Carrie set up the local campaign group Sussex Green Living six years after her son’s birth. Later, she gave up her high-powered job, as she ran a video company with her brother, to do her job full-time. Today, she organizes talks and workshops. She runs a repair café, where people can bring everything to be fixed. Her recycling program helps people reuse wastes. Toothpaste tubes, for example, which Carrie sends to the Philippines, are turned into purses by an organization. “My goal is to inspire more people to lead greener, more environmentally friendly lives, to enable us to live in greater harmony with nature, now and for future organizations. I achieve this using various Sussex Green Living communication programs and working with other organizations who have the same goals and values.”
1.How did Carrie feel about her environmentally friendly lifestyle?
A. unwanted. B. unhealthy. C. expensive. D. economical.
2.Which of the following is true about Carrie?
A. She made good preparations for living green.
B. She recycled what people ignored for fun.
C. She does daily exercise by growing food.
D. She majored in planet protection in university.
3.When did Carrie begin to form her environmentally friendly lifestyle?
A. After winning an award.
B. After giving birth to her son.
C. After being stuck in poverty.
D. After attending green meetings
4.What does Carrie rely on to make her achievements?
A. Her repair café and workshops.
B. Her own programs and others’ work.
C. Her well-paid job and her brother’s support.
D. Her independence of realizing her green dream.
Summer is time for family fun and the creation of lifelong memories. Do not miss out on the opportunity to have an unforgettable vacation when booking activities, hotels, and more in these fantastic cities.
San Antonio, TX
Whether you are looking for a historic look into this fantastic city, or seeking to spend the day getting some sun at one of the theme parks in the area, there’s something for everyone. San Antonio is home to Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the San Antonio Aquarium(水族馆), and other fun, family-friendly attractions. For a more historic look into the city, go on the San Antonio Grand Tour, the Alamo Trolley Tour, or book the San Antonio Explorer Pass.
Mackinac Island, MI
For an adventure, Mackinac Island is the destination of choice. Sitting on Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is inviting, with the Grand Hotel Luncheon Buffet and Self-Guided Tour or a Mackinac Island Carriage Tour. If your attention is on a family vacation, admission to the Wings of Mackinac Tropical Butterfly Conservatory or a water adventure with Great Turtle Kayak Tours is a great addition.
Orlando, FL
It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to Orlando. For those who want to visit some of the hottest theme parks of all time, Orlando is home to Walt Disney World Theme Parks, Sea World Orlando, and Universal Orlando Resort. If you would rather skip the amusement parks and experience the more natural side of Orlando, there are options such as deep sea fishing in Gulf of Mexico and Orlando Zipline Tours at Florida EcoSafaris!
1.What can you enjoy in San Antonio?
A. Play in the hottest theme parks of all time. B. Visit a butterfly conservatory.
C. Go deep sea fishing in a gulf. D. Have a taste of the city’s history.
2.Where should you go if you want to explore nature in Orlando?
A. Florida EcoSafaris.
B. Sea World Orlando.
C. Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
D. Wings of Mackinac Tropical Butterfly Conservatory.
3.What do the three places have in common?
A. They are famous for an adventure. B. They are fit for summer holidays.
C. They lie in the same state. D. They all have a theme park.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How many people are there in the woman’s family?
A. Three. B. Four. C. Five.
2.What did the children think about having dinner together at home?
A. They thought it was funny.
B. They disliked the idea at first.
C. They liked eating with friends.
3.How often did the family finally decide to have meals together?
A. Every Sunday. B. Twice a week. C. Three times a week.
4.Who finally set the time for these family dinners?
A. The children. B. The father. C. The woman speaker.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does this conversation take place?
A. At the airport. B. In a restaurant. C. On the street.
2.Why does the woman like San Francisco?
A. It has less traffic.
B. It has the best food and music.
C. People there are friendlier.
3.Where does the woman come from?
A. Pennsylvania. B. San Francisco. C. China.
4.What does the woman think of the man’s English?
A. Excellent. B. Acceptable. C. Strange.
