Question

    Glenn, born in 1921, grew up in Ohio. He started his flying career (生涯) as a fighter pilot for the US Marine Corps. He won medals for his brave service in World War II (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953). After that, Glenn took a dangerous job as a Marine Corps test pilot, flying new planes to see if they were safe. In 1957, he set an air-speed record by flying from Los Angeles to New York in less than three and a half hours.

In the late 1950s, a “space race” began between the US and the Soviet Union. Both countries wanted to be the first to send a human into space, including to the moon. In 1959,Glenn became one of the seven test pilots chosen to take part in the US’s first space program.

In 1961, the Soviet Union became the first nation to send a person into space. Glenn’s chance to go into space came on February 20, 1962. By that time, another American, Alan B. Shepard, had flown in space, but he had not circled the earth. Glenn’s flight was aired live on television and radio.

Glenn’s flight showed that the US space program was as good as the Soviet Union’s. He became a hero. Cities across the country threw parades (游行) for him, and President John F. Kennedy invited him to the White House.

In 1974, Glenn was elected to Congress. Glenn returned to space in 1998, when he was 77. He spent nine days on the space shuttle (航天飞机) Discovery. Glenn went so that scientists could study the effects of space travel on older people. He holds the record for being the oldest person in space.

“Glenn spent his life breaking barriers (障碍),” said President Barack Obama. The president also praised Glenn for inspiring future leaders in space exploration.

1.What did Glenn do in 1959?

A.He won gold medals. B.He took part in world wars.

C.He joined the US’s first space program. D.He flew from Los Angeles to New York.

2.Why was Glenn welcomed as a hero?

A.He started the race between the US and the Soviet Union.

B.He succeeded in circling the earth.

C.He defeated Alan B. Shepard in the competition.

D.He broke the speed record.

3.Why did Glen return to space in 1998?

A.To break a new record. B.To test a space shuttle.

C.To make his last space travel. D.To be tested by the scientists

4.From the last paragraph we can learn that ________.

A.Alan B. Shepard had circled the earth by 1962

B.Glenn has made great contributions to space exploration

C.the US is the first nation to send a human into space

D.Barack Obama called on people to explore space

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲的是美国宇航员Glenn的生平事迹。Glenn在1959年参加了美国的第一个太空计划，1962年他成功地环绕地球进行了飞行，为太空探索做出了巨大贡献。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段中的“ In 1959,Glenn became one of the seven test pilots chosen to take part in the US’s first space program.”可知，1959年Glenn成为被选中参加美国首个太空计划的七名测试飞行员之一。即Glenn在1959年参加了美国的第一个太空计划。故选C项。

2.

推理判断题。根据文章第三段中的“By that time, another American, Alan B. Shepard, had flown in space, but he had not circled the earth. Glenn’s flight was aired live on television and radio.”可知，另一位美国人Alan B. Shepard曾在太空飞行，但他尚未环绕地球飞行。Glenn的飞行在电视和广播中进行直播。根据第四段中的“Glenn’s flight showed that the US space program was as good as the Soviet Union’s. He became a hero. Cities across the country threw parades (游行) for him, and President John F. Kennedy invited him to the White House.”可知，Glenn的飞行表明，美国的太空计划与苏联的计划一样好。他成为了英雄。全国各地的城市为他举行游行，总统肯尼迪邀请他到白宫。由此可推知，Glenn作为英雄受到欢迎的原因是他成功地环绕地球进行了飞行。故选B项。

3.

推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段中的“Glenn returned to space in 1998, when he was 77. He spent nine days on the space shuttle (航天飞机) Discovery. Glenn went so that scientists could study the effects of space travel on older people.”可知，Glenn1998年77岁时重返太空。他在飞机上呆了9天。Glenn重返太空以便科学家们可以研究太空旅行对老年人的影响。即Glenn在1998年重返太空是为了让科学家检测太空旅行对老年人的影响。故选 D项。

4.

推理判断题。根据文章最后一段““Glenn spent his life breaking barriers (障碍),” said President Barack Obama. The president also praised Glenn for inspiring future leaders in space exploration.”可知，奥巴马总统说：“Glenn一生都在突破障碍”。总统还赞扬Glenn启发了未来的太空探索领导者。由此可知，Glenn为太空探索做出了巨大贡献。故选 B项。