2009年职称英语等级考试理工C级模拟试题(一)

　　20、
　　四、阅读理解(45分)
　　第一篇：
　　Orbital Space Plane来源:和谐英语网
　　While scientists are searching the cause of the Columbia disaster, NASA is moving ahead with plans to develop a new craft that would replace shuttles on space station missions by 2012 and respond quickly to space station emergencies.
　　The space agency released the first set of mission needs and requirements several days ago for the orbital space plane, which would be designed to transport a crew of four to and from the International Space Station.
　　Although it includes few specifics, the plan stipulates the orbiter will be safer, cheaper and require less preparation time than the shuttle. It would be able to transport four crew members by 2012 – though it would be available for rescue missions by 2010. NASA says the craft should be able to transport injured or ill space station crew members to “definitive medical care” within 24 hours.
　　The release of the requirements showed NASA remains focused on the long-term priorities of space exploration, even as questions linger concerning the loss of Columbia and its seven-member crew on February 1, 2003.
　　Experts at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have been working for years on a successor to the shuttle. The project, known as the Space Launch Initiative, was divided last year into two parts – one focusing on a future launch vehicle, the other on a space station orbiter. The orbiter is expected to be ready sooner.
　　The program’s managers say NASA officials have told them not to alter Space Launch Initiative in light of the Columbia disaster.
　　U.S. President George W. Bush asked Congress for about US$1 billion for Space Launch Initiative in 2004, funds that would be almost equally split between the Orbital Space Plane and Next Generation Launch Technology.
　　练习：
　　1. The orbital space craft has been designed for
　　A. controlling the International Space Station.
　　B. carrying astronauts to the International Space Station.
　　C. transporting equipment to the International Space Station.
　　D. training astronauts in space flights.
　　2. From the passage we know that the design of the orbiter indicates
　　A. NASA’s determination to continue its space exploration projects.
　　B. the U.S. space technology superiorities.
　　C. a victory in space exploration.来源：www.hxen.net
　　D. the birth of an absolutely safe space craft.
　　3. When did the scientists start working on a successor to the shuttle?
　　A. Immediately after the Columbia disaster.
　　B. One year after the Columbia disaster.
　　C. Years before the explosion of Columbia.
　　D. Not mentioned in the passage.
　　4. Besides the main mission stipulated by NASA, the orbiter would also be used as
　　A. a space hospital.
　　B. a medical research center.
　　C. a medicine-transporting vehicle.
　　D. a space ambulance.
　　5. According to the passage, the funds, if granted, would
　　A. be used for developing the orbiter only.
　　B. be equally shared by the two projects under Space Launch Initiative.
　　C. be given to Marshall Space Flight Center.
　　D. be mainly used to improve space lau
　　标准答案： B,A,C,D,B
　　21、
　　标准答案： D,D,A,B,C
　　22、
　　标准答案： C,B,D,D,A