Ⅳ.阅读理解
(2014·河北正定中学高一期末)
Space is where our future is—trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Most people would think that aside from comets(彗星) and stars, there is little else out there. But, since our space journey started we have left so much trash(垃圾) there that scientists are now concerned that if we don't clean it up, we may all be in great danger.
The first piece of space junk was created in 1964, when the American satellite Vanguard I stopped operating and lost its connection with the ground center. However, since it kept orbiting around the Earth without any results, scientists became increasingly comfortable abandoning(抛弃) things that no longer served any useful purpose in space.
It is said that there are now over 500,000 pieces of manmade trash orbiting the Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour. The junk varies from tiny pieces of paint chipped off rockets to cameras, huge fuel tanks, and even odd items like the milliondollar tool kit that astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper lost during a spacewalk.
The major problem with the space trash is that it may hit working satellites and damage traveling spaceship. Moreover, pieces of junk may crash with each other and break into pieces which fall back to the Earth. To avoid this, scientists have invented several ways for clearing the sky. Ground stations have been built to monitor larger pieces of space trash to prevent them from crashing into working satellites or space shuttles. Future plans include a cooperative effort among many nations to stop littering in space and to clean up the trash already there.
文章大意：文章介绍了第一片人造太空垃圾是一个破碎的卫星，因为它没有造成任何问题，所以科学家最初并没有关心太空垃圾。随着太空垃圾越来越多，科学家意识到如果不及时清理太空垃圾，人类将面临危险。
1.What was the first piece of manmade space trash?
A.A camera. B.A tool kit.
C.A fuel tank. D.A broken satellite.
答案：D 细节理解题。根据第二段的句子：The first piece of space junk was created in 1964, when the American satellite Vanguard I stopped operating and lost its connection with the ground center.可知第一片人造太空垃圾是一个破碎的卫星，选D。
2.Why were scientists NOT concerned about space trash in the beginning?
A.It no longer served any useful purpose.
B.It was millions of miles away from the Earth.
C.It did not cause any problems.
D.It was regarded as similar to comets and stars.
答案：C 细节理解题。根据第二段的句子：However, since it kept orbiting around the Earth without any consequences, scientists became increasingly comfortable abandoning things that no longer served any useful purpose in space.可知科学家最初没有关心太空垃圾，是因为它没有造成任何问题，故选C。
3.Which of the following statements is true about space junk?
A.It is huge, heavy machines.
B.It never changes position.
C.It floats slowly around the Earth.
D.It may cause problems for space shuttles.
答案：D 细节理解题。根据第四段的句子：The major problem with the space trash is that it may hit working satellites and damage traveling space ship. Moreover, pieces of junk may crash with each other and break into pieces which fall back to the Earth.可知太空垃圾会给太空飞船带来很多问题。D项的表述正确，故选D。
4.What has been done about the space trash problem?
A.Scientists have cleaned up most of the trash.
B.Large pieces of space trash are being closely watched.
C.Many nations have worked together to stop polluting space.
D.Ground stations are built to help store the trash properly in space.
答案：B 细节理解题。根据第四段的句子：To avoid this, scientists have invented several ways for clearing the sky. Ground stations have been built to monitor larger pieces of space trash to prevent them from crashing into working satellites or space shuttles.可知现阶段比较大的太空废物正在被紧密监测，故选B。
