On August 5 at 10:31 p.m. PST, a rover（探測器）named Curiosity touched down safely on the surface of Mars, and I was lucky enough to have a front-row seat.
My name is Clara, and when I was in Grade 6, I won the essay contest NASA held to name its next Mars rover. The essay I wrote was not even 250 words long, but somehow it was enough to change my life.
I still remember that cold December day, sitting in a science class. I’d finished a worksheet early and decided to get a Time for Kids magazine off Mrs. Estevez’s bookshelf. It was the 2008 Invention Issue, but that wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye. In the magazine, there was an article about a girl who named the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. The article also talked about the essay contest NASA was holding to name its next Mars rover. Before I even knew anything else about it, a single word flooded my 11-year-old mind: Curiosity.
I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring so I could get started on my essay. That afternoon, I raced home from the bus stop, sat down at the computer and typed until my fingers ached. It turned out that I was just in time. A few days later, and the contest would have closed.
Five months later, shortly after I had turned 12, I was watching a National Geographic special on mammoths when the phone rang. My mom answered, and immediately, a wide smile spread across her face. When she told me that I had won, I was happier than I could ever remember being, I screamed and ran up and down the stairs and all around the house. I completely forgot about the mammoths and did not even remember to turn off the TV until it was really late.
Curiosity is such an important part of who I am. I have always been fascinated by the stars, the planets, the sky and the universe. I remember as a little girl, my grandfather and I would sit together in the backyard for hours. He’d tell me stories and point out the stars.
My grandfather lived in China, thousands of miles away from my home in Kansas. I loved the stars because they kept us together even when we were apart. They were always there, yet there was so much I didn’t know about them. That’s what I love so much about space. No matter how much we learn, it will always possess some mystery.
In the past, space exploration may have been a competition to see who got somewhere first or the fastest. But now, it is one of the few things that bring people together. Science is a language that needs no translation. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you look like – you just have to have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for learning in order to succeed.
People often ask me why we go to faraway places like Mars. Why do we explore? My answer to that is simple: because we can; because we’re curious; because we as human beings do not just stay holed up in one place. We are constantly wondering and trying to find out what’s over the hill and beyond the horizon.
The curiosity rover is more than just a robot. It is more than just a titanium body and aluminum wheels. Curiosity represents the hard work, passion, love and commitment of thousands of people from all over the world who were brought together by science. Science is so awesome. It is breathtaking and mind-blowing; and sometimes, it’s just a little bit crazy. The discoveries we make about our world are incredibly humbling. They move us forward and have the potential to benefit all of mankind.
This December it will be four years of my life that have been tied to Curiosity in some way. I’ve met so many amazing people through this experience, from scientists to engineers to administrators to volunteers. Their devotion and enthusiasm inspire me greatly. My journey with Curiosity and the MSL mission team has shaped the person that I am today, as well as the person I would one day like to become.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to have this amazing adventure.
And to you, I hope your curiosity takes you far.
1. The method the writer uses to begin the passage is _____.
A．telling a story B．giving an example
C．offering an explanation D．describing a scene
2.Why did the writer hurry home to finish the essay for the contest NASA held?
A．She had just gathered enough information from Time for Kids
B．She wanted to write down what flashed through her mind in time.
C．She knew from Mrs. Estevez the deadline for the contest was approaching.
D．She was afraid she might miss the chance to compete with the former winner.
3. The writer mentions her grandfather in order to show that ______.
A．she missed him very much.
B．he knew a great deal about space
C．he influenced her to love the stars
D．she treasured their happy moments
4.Which of the following serves as a summary of Paragraph 11?
A．The writer was inspired to be a volunteer by the people she met.
B．The writer owed her success to her team members’ encouragement.
C．The writer met many difficulties in her four-year life with Curiosity.
D．The writer has benefited a lot from her experience tied to Curiosity.
5.Which best describes the writer’s tone in the passage?
A．Sharp. B．Proud. C．Aggressive. D．Enthusiastic.
6.What is conveyed in the passage?
A．Curiosity is important to human beings.
B．A thirst for knowledge helps one grow up.
C．Entering a contest is a way to achieve success.
D．Curiosity changes people’s attitude towards science.
1.D
2.B
3.C
4.D
5.B
6.A
【解析】
試題分析：文章介紹作者為火星探測器命名的事情經過，她是怎么有這個想法的，和她對太空的喜愛，以及“好奇號”給她帶來的益處。
1.細節題：從第一段的句子：On August 5 at 10:31 p.m. PST, a rover（探測器）named Curiosity touched down safely on the surface of Mars, 可知作者是描述了一個場景。選D
2.細節題：從第四段的句子：I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring so I could get started on my essay. That afternoon, I raced home from the bus stop, sat down at the computer and typed until my fingers ached.可知作者想把腦子里面閃過的想法寫下來。選B
3.細節題：從第六段的句子;I remember as a little girl, my grandfather and I would sit together in the backyard for hours. He’d tell me stories and point out the stars.可知爺爺對作者熱愛星星的影響很大。選C
4.推理題：從第11段的句子：My journey with Curiosity and the MSL mission team has shaped the person that I am today, as well as the person I would one day like to become.可知作者從“好奇號”中受益很多。選D。
5.推理題：從這篇文章作者的語氣和最后一段的句子I am deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to have this amazing adventure.可知作者很自豪。選B。
6.歸納題：從最后一段的句子：And to you, I hope your curiosity takes you far.可知好奇對人類是很重要的。選A
考點：考查故事類短文
點評：本文細節題推斷題居多，答題時在文章找到對應的地方，用筆進行標記，這有利于后期有時間檢查時可以立刻找到答案的位置。仔細理解作者所講的意思，再結合選項，通過排除法和自己對全文的把握，選出正確答案。
學習實踐園地系列答案科目：高中英語 來源： 題型：閱讀理解
On August 26, 1999, New York City was struck by a terrible rainstorm. The rain caused the streets to 1 and the subway system almost came to a stop.
Unfortunately, this happened during the morning rush hour. Many people who were going to work were 2 to go home. Some battled to 3 a taxi or to get on a bus. Still others faced the 4bravely, walking miles to get to work.
I 5 to be one of people on the way to work that morning. I went from subway line to subway line only to find that most 6 had stopped. After making my way 7 crowds of people, I finally found a subway line that was 8. Unfortunately, there were so many people waiting to 9 the subway that I could not even get down the stairs to the 10 . So I took the train going in the opposite direction, and then switched back to the downtown train.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, the train 11 my stop. Then I had to walk several blocks in the increasingly heavy rain. When I finally got to my office, I was 12 through, exhausted and 13. w.w.k.s.5.u.c.o.m
My co-workers and I spent most of the day drying off. When it was 5:00 pm, I was ready to go home. I was about to turn off my computer 14 I received an email from Garth, my Director:
I would like to thank all of you who made the effort and 15 went to work. It is always reassuring(令人欣慰), at times like these, when employees so clearly show their 16 to their jobs. Thank you.
Garth’s email was short, but I learned more from that 17 message than I ever did from a textbook. The email taught me that a few words of 18 can make a big difference. The rainstorm and the traffic 19 had made me tired and upset. But Garth’s words immediately 20 me and put a smile back on my face.
1. A. confusion B. flood C. sink D. crash
2. A. forced B. refused C. adjusted D. gathered
3. A. order B. pay C. call D. search
4. A. climate B. scenery C. storm D. burden
5. A. occurred B. promised C. deserved D. happened
6. A. practice B. routine C. process D. service
7. A. to B. through C. over D. for
8. A. operating B. cycling C. turning D. rushing
9. A. check B. carry C. find D. board
10. A. street B. ground C. floor D. platform
11. A. paused B. crossed C. reached D. parked
12. A. wet B. weak C. sick D. hurt
13. A. ashamed B. discouraged C. surprised D. helpless
14. A. while B. when C. where D. after
15. A. hardly B. casually C. absolutely D. eventually
16. A. devotion B. donation C. concern D. reaction
17. A. accurate B. urgent C. brief D. humorous
18. A. promise B. appreciation C. admiration D. guidance
19. A. troubles B. signals C. rules D. signs
20. A. corrected B. supported C. amazed D. refreshed
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Anne Sewell Young was born on January 2, 1871, in the United States. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1892 from Carleton College in Minnesota, where she also completed a master’s degree in 1897. She went on to earn a PhD (something very unusual for women in those days) from Columbia University in 1906.
Anne Sewell Young was the most famous of the early astronomy students at Carleton College, and one of the few professional women astronomers of her days. Carleton produced half a dozen professional women astronomers in the first 50 years of the course, but she was the only one whose name was recorded in the college’s “Who’s Who”(名人錄)
Anne Sewell Young was a number of the AAVSO(美國變星觀測者協會). She handed in over 6,500 observations over a 33-year period, and was also one of the first AAVSO Council members.
In 1881, Mt. Holyoke College set up the John Payson Williston Observatory (天文臺), and in 1899 Young was named its director. In 1903, a library and a lecture room were added to the observatory building, and in 1907 astronomy was made a course in which one could major at the college, with Yong serving as Department Chair. She retired in 1936, and Alice Farnsworth succeeded her.
Young continued to work on astronomy, publishing her last paper in 1942. She died on August 15, 1961, in California.
68. Put the following events in the correct order.
a. Young graduated from Columbia University.
b. Young served at Carleton College.
c. Young served as Department Chair.
d. Young publish her last paper.
A. b, a, c, d B. c, b, d, a
C. b, c, d, a D. b, d, a, c
69. From the passage we learn that Carleton College made great contribution to .
A. “Who’s who”
B. astronomy
C. the AAVSO
D. Mt. Holyoke College
70. What is the author’s attitude toward Anne Sewell Young?
A. Negative B. Neutral C. positive. D. We don’t know.
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科目：高中英語 來源：2011-2012學年山西省山大附中高一5月月考英語試卷（帶解析） 題型：閱讀理解
Helen Thomas, born on August 4, 1920, is a famous news reporter, a Hearst Newspapers columnist, and member of the White House Press Corps. She served for fifty-seven years as a correspondent and White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI). She is called “First Lady of the Press”.
Born in Kentucky, Helen Thomas was raised in Detroit, Michigan where she attended public schools and later graduated from Wayne State University. Upon leaving college, Helen served as a copy girl in an old company in Washington. In 1943, Ms. Thomas joined United Press International and the Washington Press Corps. Thomas served as president of the Women’s National Press Club from 1959 to 1960.
In November, Helen began covering then President-elect John F. Kennedy, following him to the White House in January 1961 as a UPI correspondent. She later became White House Bureau Chief for UPI, where she was employed until her resignation on May 17, 2000. Thomas then became a White House correspondent and columnist.
Thomas was the only woman journalist traveling with then President Nixon to China in January, 1972. She has traveled around the world several times with Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, during the course of which she covered every Economic Summit. The World Almanac has cited her as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in America.
On March 21, 2006, Thomas was called upon directly by President Bush for the first time in three years. Thomas asked Bush about Iraq. Helen Thomas has written four books and she is also a popular speaker at events nationwide.
【小題1】What’s the correct order of the events?
a. Thomas joined the UPI and the Washington Press Corps.
b. Thomas traveled with President Nixon to China.
c. Thomas served as president of the Women’s National Press Club.
d. Thomas resigned.
e. Thomas was called upon by President Bush.
f. Thomas became a White House correspondent and a columnist.
| A．a, b, c, d, e, f | B．a, c, b, d, f, e | C．a, c, b, d, e, f | D．a, d, e, f, c, b |
| A．Thomas made speeches about events nationwide. |
| B．Thomas has written four books. |
| C．Thomas covered every Economic Summit when traveling with US presidents. |
| D．Thomas became a correspondent after she graduated from the university. |
| A．courageous | B．ambitious | C．successful | D．stubborn |
| A．Thomas worked in the White House for 57 years. |
| B．Thomas is the most influential woman in America |
| C．President Bush received Thomas once in his term. |
| D．Thomas has traveled around the world with Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. |
| A．The First Lady of the Press—Helen Thomas |
| B．A Successful News Reporter—Helen Thomas |
| C．Life Experience of Helen Thomas |
| D．Helen Thomas and Her Career |
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Teacher’s Day around the world is not celebrated on the same day. In some countries, Teacher’s Day is celebrated on working days. However, in other countries, it is celebrated on holidays. Here we are giving you a list of countries that celebrate Teacher’s Day on holidays.
China
Teacher’s Day was proposed (提議) at National Central University in 1931. It was adopted (采納) by the central government of Republic of China in 1932. In 1939, the day was set on August 27, Confucius’s birthday. The government of the People’s Republic of China called it off in 1951. It was reestablished in 1985, and the day was changed to September 10. Now more and more people are trying to celebrate Teacher’s Day back to Confucius’s birthday.
India
In India, Teacher’s Day is celebrated on September 5, in honor of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India，because his birthday was September 5.
Russia
In Russia, Teacher’s Day is on October 5. Before 1994, this day was set on the first Sunday of September.
The USA
In the United States, Teacher’s Day is a holiday on the Tuesday of the first full week of May.
Thailand
January 16 was adopted as Teacher’s Day in Thailand by a resolution (決議) of the government on November 21, 1956. The first Teacher’s Day was celebrated in 1957.
Iran
In Iran, Teacher’s Day is celebrated on May 2 every year. It is in honor of the famous Iranian professor Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari who died on May 2, 1980.
Although different countries celebrate Teacher’s Day on different days, the activities people take to celebrate it just stay the same.
1.The best title for the passage is ____.
A．Teacher’s Day around the world B．The history of Teacher’s Day
C．Activities on Teacher’s Day D．How to celebrate Teacher’s Day
2.In which year was Teacher’s Day changed from August 27 to September 10 in China?
A．1931. B．1939. C．1951. D．1985.
3.In which country is Teacher’s Day celebrated in honor of its leader?
A．Iran. B．India. C．Russia. D．Thailand.
4.What will probably be discussed next?
A．How Teacher’s Day became popular in the world.
B．Which country is the first to celebrate Teacher’s Day.
C．What activities people take to celebrate Teacher’s Day.
D．Which country has the longest vacation for Teacher’s Day.
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科目：高中英語 來源：語音知識 題型：閱讀理解
Summer Holiday Fun 2010 !
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs is the museum’s main attraction this summer. Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands—on exhibits! Watch out for monsters lurking around every ember! The museum is open from 10: 00am to 5: 00pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12: 00pm to 4: 00 pm on Sundays in August.
Call 01733 864663 for details
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun: Young people aged 13-19 will be able to produce their own music, compete in spots activities, or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club，Saxon Community Centre, Norman Road. Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3: 00pm. Moreover, an aero ball tournament will take place on Thursday 12th August between 3: 30pm and 6: 30pm.
Call 0135 3720274 for details
Houghton Mill
Alice through the Looking Class—a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th August. Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play. Gates open 5: 30pm, performance 6: 30pm—8: 30pm. Tea room will be open until end of the interval. Adult ￡10. Child￡7. Family ￡20.
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Games: From Wellie Wading to Pretend Ploughing matches, come and join the Farmland Team. Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a winner！No need to book, just turn up between 12: 00pm and 4: 00pm on Thursday 19th August. Suitable for children aged four and above, each child should be accompanied by an adult and all activities are included in the normal admission price Tickets Cost￡7 per child.
For further information, call 01223 810080.
53. If you are interested in cooking, you can go to______.
A. Peterborough Museum B. Houghton Mill
C. Saxon Youth Club D. Farmland Museum
54. You want to watch the new play with your parents, so it will cost you______.
A. ￡7 B. ￡17 C. ￡27 D. ￡20
55. Which of the following activities needs parents’ company?
A. Playing farmland games B. Watching a new play．
C. Competing in spots activities． D. Visiting the dinosaur exhibition．
56. If Tom comes to Peterborough for amusement on August 19, he will have ______activities to choose from for himself.
A. one activity B. two activities C. three activities D. four activities
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