Module 5　课下能力提升(二十)

　　Ⅰ.阅读理解

　　Dr Carl Sagan has been a leader in space exploration. He is an astronomer at Cornell University and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies. The author talked with Dr Carl Sagan about how he became an astronomer.

　　Q：At the age of five did you know what the stars were?

　　A: I didn't know what they were, so I asked my friends and some older children, I got answers like "They're lights in the sky, kid." That wasn't much of an answer. What were they? Were they little electric light bulbs (灯泡) held by black wires you couldn't see?

　　Q：If there are creatures living on another planet, what do you think they would look like?

　　A: I can't imagine what they'd look like, and they couldn't imagine what we'd look like. All of life on Earth is the same, except for some external (外部的) differences in form. Every one of us on Earth, from bacteria (细菌) to human beings, is made up of the same kinds of proteins and the same kinds of nucleic acids (核酸). But on another planet, everything is different, and I would expect that the organisms would be totally different from us.

　　Q：Do you think we should have a manned mission (工作团) to Mars?

　　A：I don't think there's any reason to send people to Mars if our goal is to find out about Mars. Let's send robots instead. They're cheaper. There's no risk of human lives. Robots can go to more dangerous places. But I think there are reasons for sending people there that are not connected to finding out about Mars. A human mission to Mars would provide a sense of adventure. It would help to stimulate a new generation of scientists, and it would make all people feel a little more optimistic about what we can do as a planet.

　　Q：What advice would you give a young person who wants to be an astronomer?

　　A：I'd say, "Study physics. But before you can study physics you have to know mathematics, so study mathematics." I would also encourage them to read a lot, be curious, and ask questions.

　　1. As a boy, Carl Sagan didn't ________.

　　A. often ask questions

　　B. always get satisfying answers from his friends

　　C. try to do well in physics

　　D. read a lot

　　2. We human beings are interested in finding life on another planet because ________.

　　A. we are naturally drawn to other things that are alive and are curious about them

　　B. most of us want to have more friends

　　C. some of us are eager to rule the universe

　　D. scientists want to show how modern our technology is

3. Robots can be sent to Mars because ________.