2011年12月英语四级听力精练第7套：短文理解

　　Passage One
　　Questions 26 to 28 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
　　26.A) There were no planets without moons.
　　B) There was no air or water on Jupiter.
　　C) Life was not possible in outer space.
　　D) The mystery of life could not be resolved.
　　27.A) It has a number of active volcanoes.
　　B) It has an atmosphere like the earth’s.
　　C) It has a large ocean under its surface.
　　D) It has deep caves several miles long.
　　28.A) Light is not an essential element to it.
　　B) Life can form in very hot temperatures.
　　C) Every form of life undergoes evolution.
　　D) Oxygen is not needed for some life forms.
　　[原文]
　　Since early time. people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as eaves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life. have been seen. there. So the lack of light in Europa’s sub-surface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.
　　Questions:
　　26. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?
　　27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?
　　28. What have scientists come to know recently about the formation of life?
　　[答案解析]
　　26．C
　　细节题。本题询问“科学家曾经(once)相信什么事实?”根据问题关键词once可以定位到文章第二句的关键词until recently．意为曾经如何，过去一直认为如何。原文是Until recently，scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream．(过去科学家一直认为其他星球上存在生命只是个美好的愿望。)也就是他们认为外太空不可能存在生命，与答案C相符。A是说所有星球都会有卫星，B是说木星上没有空气或水；D是说生命的奥秘不能被解开。所以C为正确答案。
　　27．C
　　细节题。本题询问“科学家在Europa这个星球上找到什么?”根据问题关键词Europa，a moon of Jupiter锁定到文章中语句Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface．(航空观测镜发现了此星球表面下有个大的海洋。)选项C与之相一致。A是说它有许多活火山；B是说它的大气层和地球的相像；D是说它有好儿英里长的洞穴。所以C为正确答案。
　　28．A
　　细节题。本题询问”科学家关于生命的形成最近发现了什么?”文章末尾提到Until recently，scientists thought that light was essential．But now，places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface．And bacteria．primitive forms of life，have been seen there．(科学家一直以为光对生命的存在是很重要的．但是现在他们发现在地球上深达数英里深的洞里是完全黑暗的，们也有细菌这种初级生命存在。)与选项A表述一致。B是说生命可以在很高的温度下形成；C是说每种生命形式都在经历进化；D是说氧气对于有些生命形式来说是不需要的。所以A为正确答案。