真题考试辅导之历年阅读真题解析与导读六

文章作者 100test 发表时间 2007:02:25 09:02:57
来源 100Test.Com百考试题网

2000

Passage One

本文讲的是美国教师Jim Voss从事空间飞行研究工作的情况。他一生共进行了3次宇宙飞行和1次太空行走，问中还提到他对利用太空研究成果对青少年进行教育的看法。

Astronaut Jim Voss has enjoyed many memorable moments in his career, including three space flights and one space walk. But he recalls with special fondness a decidedly earthbound ( 为地球吸引所束缚的 ) experience in the summer of 1980, when he participated in the NASA - ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. Voss then a science teacher at West Point, was assigned to the Marshall Space Flight Centers propulsion (推进) lab in Alabama to analyze why a hydraulic fuel pump on the space shuttle was working so well when previous seals had failed.① It was a seemingly tiny problem among the vast complexities of running the space program. Yet it was important to NASA because any crack in the seal could have led to destructive results for the astronauts who relied on them.②

“I worked a bit with NASA engineers,” says Voss, "but I did it mostly by analysis. I used a

handheld calculator, not a computer, to do a thermodynamic (热力学的) analysis," At the end of

the summer, he, like the other NASA-ASEE fellows working at Marshall, summarized his findings in a formal presentation and detailed paper. It was a valuable moment for Voss because the ASEE program gave him added understanding of NASA, deepened his desire to fly in space, and intensified his application for astronaut status. "③

It was not an essay process. Voss was actually passed over when he first applied for the astronaut program in 1978. Over the next nine years he reapplied repeatedly, and was finally accepted in1987. Since then he has participated in three space mission. The 50-year-old Army officer, who lives in Huston, is now in training for a four-month mission as a crew member on the International Space Station starting in July 2000④

Voss says the ASEE program is wonderful for all involved. "It brings in people from the

academic world and gives NASA a special property for a particular period of time. It brings some

fresh eyes and fresh ideas to NASA, and establishes a link with our colleges and universities, " Voss explains. “There’s an exchange of information and an exchange of perspectives that is very important.”

For the academic side, Voss says, the ASEE program also "brings institutions of higher learning more insight into new technology. We give them an opportunity to work on real-world problems and take it back to the classroom."⑤

Notes：

① hydraulic fuel pump 液压燃油泵；previous seals had failed 以前的密封圈工作失灵。

……为什么在以前的密封圈失灵之后航天飞机上的液压燃料泵还运转正常。

②对于NASA来说，密封圈上的任何裂缝都会给依赖它们正常工作的宇航员带来灾难性的后果。

③ added understanding of NASA增加了对NASA的了解； deepened his desire加深了他的渴望； intensified his application 激励他递交申请。对于Voss来说，这是一段有意义的时光，因为参与ASEE计划使得他进一步了解NASA，加深了他对太空飞行的渴望，激励他申请成为一名宇航员。

④从那时起，他已经参与了3次航天任务。这位居住在休斯敦的50岁军官目前正接受训练，准备作为国际空间站成员执行开始于2000年7月，为期4个月的任务。

⑤ real-world problems 现实问题。take it back to the classroom 把这些问题带回课堂。我们给他们一个接触实际问题的机会，并把问题带回课堂。

36. Why was the hydraulic fuel pump seal important for the space shuttle?

A. Because previous seals all failed.

B. Because it was very complex in running the space program.

C. Because great care has to be taken of the hydraulic fuel pump sealing.

D. Because any crack in the seals would cause disastrous results for the astronauts.

37. The great significance of Vosss findings lies in _________.

I. strengthening his determination to join in space flights

II. furthering his understanding of NASA

III. consolidating his astronaut status in NASA programs

A. I only.

B. II only.

C. I, II and III all included.

D. I and II only.

38. How many flights will Voss have finished if his Four-month mission starting in July 2000 ends up successfully?

A. Three B. Two

C. Four D. Five

39. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to what Voss said on the ASEE program?

A. Fresh members from the academic world participate in the program.

B. The program brings new outlooks to NASA space programs.

C. It is important for the space scientists to exchange information and perspectives.

D. American colleges and universities are a special property of NASA.

40. What does Voss want to stress in the last paragraph?

A. The technological significance of the program

B. The educational significance of the program

C. The philosophical significance of the program

A. The historical significance of the program

DDCDB