题目
题型：江西省高考真题难度：来源：
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, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.
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.
B. To compare different ideas.
C. To introduce points for discussion.
D. To describe the conditions on Earth.
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.
B. potential resources
C. unexpected benefits
D. physical possessions
B. Resources on the earth.
C. The adaptive ability of humans.
D. By-products in space exploration.
B. Space exploration provides the best value for money.
C. Space exploration can benefit science and technology.
D. Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.
答案
核心考点
试题【阅读理解。 Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be】；主要考察你对题材分类等知识点的理解。[详细]
举一反三
they receive their elementary and high school education by working at home on computers. The center
for Education Reform says the United States has 67 public "cyberschools" and that is about twice as many
as two years ago.
The money for students to attend a cybersehool cotes from the governments of the states where they
live. Some educators say cyberschools receive money that should support traditional public schools. They
also say it is difficult to know if students are learning well.
Other educators praise this new form of education for letting students work at their own speed. These
people say cyberschools help students who were unhappy or unsuccessful in traditional schools. They say
learning at home by computer ends long bus rides for children who live far from school.
Whatever the judgment of cyberschools, they are getting more and more popular. For example, a new
cyberschool called Commonwealth Connections Academy will take in students this fall. It will serve children
in the state of Pennsylvania from ages five through thirteen.
Children get free equipment for their online education. This includes a computer, a printer, books and
technical services. Parents and students talk with teachers by telephone or by sending emails through their
computers when.necesary.
Students at cyberschools usually do not know one another. But 56 such students finished studies at
Western Pennsvlváni? Cyber Charter School recently met for the first time. They were guests of honour at
their graduation.
B. They study at home rather than in classrooms.
C. They receive money from traditional public schools.
D. They do well in traditional school programs.
B. They get little support from the state government.
C. It is hard to know students" progress in learning.
D. The students find it hard to make friends.
B. their students can work at their own speed
C. their graduates are more successful in society
D. they serve students in a wider age range
B. excited about the future of cyberschools
C. doubtful about the quality of cyberschoois
D. disappointed at the development of cyberschools
Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit-and that can
be a very annoying thing. 1_____ Read on for some techniques worth trying.
1. 2_____
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance
of Alzheimer"s disease (早老性痴呆症), according to a recent study.
3_____
Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There"s evidence
that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In
other words, keep your brain looking forward.
2. Go for a walk.
Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and
physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that
are good for your brain. 4_____
3. Learn something new.
Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation
(刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when
you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. 5_____ Or go dancing with your friends.
B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.
C. It should be something like learning gardening.
D. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.
E. But don"t worry if your schedule isn"t filled with life-changing events.
F. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.
G. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.
The Sun is the major source of energy for our planet. It causes the evaporation (蒸发) of water from the
oceans and lakes. Sunlight also provides the energy used by green plants to make their own food. These
green plants then provide food for all organisms (生物) on the Earth.
Much of the energy that comes from the Sun never reaches the Earth"s surface. It is either reflected
or absorbed by the gases in the upper atmosphere. Of the energy that reaches the lower atmosphere, 30%
is reflected by clouds or the Earth"s surface. The remaining 70% warms the surface of the planet, causes
water to evaporate, and provides energy for the water cycle and weather. Only a tiny part, approximately
0.023%, is actually used by green plants to produce food.
Many gases found in the atmosphere actually reflect heat energy escaping from the Earth"s surface back
to the Earth. These gases act like the glass of a greenhouse in that they allow energy from the Sun to enter
but prevent energy from leaving. They are therefore called greenhouse gases.
When sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected. The amount
reflected depends on the surface. For example, you"ve probably noticed how bright snow is when sunlight
falls on it. Snow reflects most of the energy from the Sun, so it contributes to the low temperatures of winter.
Dark-coloured surfaces, such as dark soil or forest, absorb more energy and help warm the surrounding air.
B. water from oceans and lakes
C. energy from the Sun
D. greenhouse gases in the sky
B. reflected by the gases in the upper atmosphere
C. lost in the upper and lower atmosphere
D. used to evaporate water from the oceans and lakes
B. a forest looks dark in winter because it absorbs solar energy
C. only 0.023% of the energy from the Sun is made use of on the Earth
D. greenhouse gases allow heat energy to escape from the Earth"s surface
have been increasingly developed and marketed in many countries in the word, mainly on the basis of their
promise to end the worldwide food crisis. But can GM technology solve world hunger problems? Even if it
would, is it the best solution?
Despite what it promises, GM technology actually has not increased the production potential of any corp.
In fact, studies show that the most crown GM crop.
GM soybeans, has suffered reduced productivity. For instance, a report than analyzed nearly two decades
of research on major GM food crops shows that GM engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop
production.
Something else, however, has been on the rise, While GM seeds are expensive, GM companies tell farmers
that they will make good profits by saving money on pesticides (***虫剂). On the contrary, US government
data show that GM crops in the US have produced an overall increase in pesticide use compared to traditional
crops. "The promise was that you could use less chemicals and boost production. But neither is true," said Bill
Christenson, President of the US National Farm Coalition.
At the same time, the authors of the book World Hunger: Twelve Myths argue that there actually is more
than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is not caused by production, but by problems in food
distribution and politics. These indeed deserve our efforts and money. Meanwhile, the rise in food prices results
from the increased use of crops for fuel rather than food, according to a 2008 World Bank report.
As a matter of fact, scientists see better ways to feed the world. Another World Bank report concluded that
GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of worldwide poverty and hunger, because better ways out are
available, among which "green" farming is supposed to be the first choice.
B. by comparison
C. by example
D. by process
B. Evaluate.
C. Obtain.
D. Increase.
B. use of less chemicals
C. fair distribution of their crops
D. using more crops for fuel
B. Defensive
C. Disapproving
D. Casual