Question

（2011·江西卷）D

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.

     Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因構成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.

Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.

    Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潛在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副產品)  of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.

71. Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

       A. To express his doubts.

       B. To compare different ideas.

       C. To introduce points for discussion.

       D. To describe the conditions on Earth.

72. What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

       A. Humans are nature-born to do so.

       B. Humans have the tendency to fight.

       C. Humans may find new sources of food.

       D. Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

73. The underlined word“spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

       A. survival chances                                          B. potential resources

       C. unexpected benefits                               D. physical possessions

74. What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

       A. O       ur genetic makeup.                             B. Resources on the earth..

       C. The adaptive ability of humans.              D. By-products in space exploration.

75. Which of the statements can best sum un the passage?

       A. Space exploration has created many wonders.

       B. Space exploration provided the best value for money.

       C. Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Answer 1

解析：

71. 推理判斷題。答案選C。文章是典型的議論說明文，是提出問題，分析問題的套路。第一段通過提出一系列關于太空探索利弊的問題引發討論。并不是真的有這些懷疑，也沒有鮮明的正反觀點，所以AB不對。D偏差較遠。

72. 主旨題。答案選A。第二段是典型的總分總結構，主旨句在段首段尾。Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup as human beings. 主要原因在于人類基因。Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible. 而B選項錯在fight這個詞。CD沒提及。

73. 詞義猜測題。選C。根據spin off 前面的we have already benefited from other spin off 關鍵詞 benefit，受益。而spin off后面的including … 說的全是獲得的利益，如improvements in earthquake prediction. 地震預測的進步等等，而不是什么生存機會，或者潛在資源。所以選C。

74. 細節題。答案選C。按照問題順序一致原則，答案應當出現在最后兩段。在最后一段的首句我們找到了一個極端詞用以定位。While earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets.直接由翻譯可知，人類的適應能力使我們在其他星球的居住成為可能。

75. 推理判斷題。選D。除去前兩段引入，第三段主旨句（首句）的意思是每個文明都會探索周圍文明以減低危險，第四段主旨句（首句）說的是探索使得我們能夠發現潛在能源。第五段主旨句（首句）說的是探索使得很多人發現解決問題的有用資源。總的來說，就可歸結為，太空探索可以幫助我們很多，避免很多問題。