Question

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．
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of' space 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．
【小題1】Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraphl ?

A．To express his doubts．

B．To introduce points for discussion．

C．To compare different ideas．

D．To describe the conditions on Earth．

【小題2】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．

【小題3】The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 3 probably refers to       ．

A．survival chances	B．potential resources
C．unexpected benefits	D．physical possessions

【小題4】What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets'?

A．Our genetic makeup．	B．The adaptive ability of' humans．
C．Resources on the earth．	D．By-products in space exploration．

【小題5】Which of the following statements can best sum up the passage'?

A．Space exploration has created many wonders．

B．Space exploration provided the best value for money．

C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology．

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

Answer 1

【小題1】B
【小題2】A
【小題3】C
【小題4】B
【小題5】D 

解析試題分析：
【小題1】考查作者寫作目的題。根據第一段文章的意思，特別是作者連續用三個問題，目的是引起讀者的興趣。來引出要討論的主題。
【小題2】考查細節題。根據文章第二段：Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup（基因構成） as human beings．也許最好的答案就在于我們人類的基因構成上。
【小題3】考查詞意理解題。根據本段的意思，特別是：We have already benefited from other 我們已受益于其它的····，可知。關鍵詞：benefit和other可知。spin-offs“副產品，派生產品”。
【小題4】考查句意理解題。根據文章最后一段：While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets雖然地球是現在已知的唯一生命支持的星球，相信人類一定有適應能力，將使我們能夠在其他星球上生活。
【小題5】考查主旨大意題。通過閱讀這篇文章，本文討論了人類為什么有不斷探索的能力，最好的答案就在于我們人類的基因構成上，而太空探索會讓我們將來能夠在其他星球上生活。從而避免地球上的資源枯竭。
考點：考查科普類閱讀
點評：本文通過連續用三個問題，來引出討論的主題，然后回答了我們人類為什么有不斷探索的能力，最好的答案就在于我們人類的基因構成上，同時太空探索會讓我們將來能夠在其他星球上生活，從而避免地球上的資源枯竭。科普類閱讀對于考生在上下文中理解能力的要求較高。