cameras.Edward Ross，their multibillionaire sponsor from a Texas oil family，closed the door of the 150 million structure，with its mini­ocean，marsh，desert，savanna，rainforest and 3,800 plant and animal species designed to allow the team to recreate the Earth and its ecosystems.

　　The so­called Biosphere 2 is the latest one of a dozen environmental projects started by the self­titled "ecopreneur"．The project's main aim is to set up a self­sustaining community for possible use in a spaceship or on another planet.The crew members must plant，harvest and process their food on a half­acre farm in the seven­storey glass and metal structure，while conducting a series of experiments.

　　"We will be custodians(监护人) of our new little world，" said Abigail Mayer，aged 31，a US marine biologist on the team，her voice choking with emotion."It is a brave new step." Many scientists，however，are more than skeptical.They point out that the largest closed ecosystem which survived more than a few days was smaller than a football.It was developed at the University of Miami and contained only shrimp，algae and other micro­organisms.

　　Critics have also accused Mr Ross of being more interested in producing a profitable theme park than in carrying out serious scientific research.Hundreds of tourists visited the site daily in summer before it was occupied by the team.They paid 9.95 to enter and all stopped at the souvenir shop.

语篇解读　本文介绍了一个八人团队在一个模拟的封闭的生物圈，进行与环境有关的一些实验。以及对此不同的科学家发表的不同的观点。

1．What's the location of the project?

A．Texas. B．University of Miami.

C．Arizona desert. D．The space.

答案　C

解析　细节理解题。根据第一段中的"...in the Arizona desert yesterday for a two­year study of the environment."可知选C项。

2．What can we infer from the passage?

A．There is a scene in Star Trek where four men and four women locked themselves into a giant greenhouse.

B．All the species of plants and animals on the Earth were brought into the greenhouse.

C．Mr Ross made tourists stop at the souvenir shop to gain profits.

D．Many scientists are doubtful whether this system can last long enough.

答案　D

解析　推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中的"Many scientists，however，are more than