"I'm ready " said Alyssa Carson, a 17-year-old astronaut-in-training from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For her, riding the most aggressive roller coaster in the park is not a big deal. If all goes according to her plans, NASA will send her to Mars in 2033, making her the first human to step foot on the planet. She will spend two to three years doing something on it, such as growing food, performing science experiments, and searching for signs of life. She's devoted her entire life to preparing for this journey.
Her love for space started when she was 3 years old and watched a cartoon called The Backyardigans. Five animal pals go on imaginary adventures in their backyard including in one part, a mission to Mars. "I thought "This red planet is so cool'," she said, "I started watching videos of rovers" landing on Mars. "
At 7, her father took her to space camp in Huntsville, Alabama. "I got to see a life-size rocket. " She cherished the rocket so much that she returned 18 times. At the age of 12, she became the fist person in history to attend all three NASA space camps in Huntsville, Alabama; Quebec, Canada; and Izmir, Turkey.
At first she mastered the basics of space and how humans have explored it throughout time. As she got older she simulated(模拟)missions, trying to reach a destination in gravity-free, weightless zones.
When she was 9, she met NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus. The experienced explorer told her she was her age when she decided to go to space. At that moment Alyssa knew her love of space was not a passing hobby. "I did the same thing as other kids, like switching my mind about careers, wanting to be a teacher or the president one day, " she said. "But the way I always thought about it was I would become an astronaut, go to Mars, come back, and then be a teacher or the president. "
4. What made Alyssa start her space dream?
A.Her joy at a cartoon. | B.Her love for the rocket. |
C.Her visit to a space camp. | D.Her devotion to the journey. |
5. What do we know about Alyssa?
A.She is the first human to land on Mars. |
B.She loves performing science experiments. |
C.She makes full preparations for the mission. |
D.She has great interest in riding roller coasters. |
6. What do Alyssa's words in the last paragraph show?
A.Career choice inspires her to work hard. |
B.Space dreams give her a clear direction. |
C.Space travel brings her material rewards. |
D.Space experiences encourage her to look for new jobs. |
7. Where can we probably read this passage?
A.In a health report. | B.In a news magazine. |
C.In a travel guide book. | D.In a science fiction |