When I was in fourth grade, I worked part-time as a paperboy. Mrs. Stanley was one of my customers. She’d watch me coming down her street, and by the time I’d biked up to her doorstep, there’d be a cold drink waiting. I’d sit and drink while she talked.
Mrs. Stanley talked mostly about her dead husband, “Mr. Stanley and I went shopping this morning.” she’d say. The first time she said that, soda(汽水) went up my nose.
I told my father how Mrs. Stanley talked as if Mr. Stanley were still alive. Dad said she was probably lonely, and that I ought to sit and listen and nod my head and smile, and maybe she’d work it out of her system. So that’s what I did, and it turned out Dad was right. After a while she seemed content to leave her husband over at the cemetery(墓地).
I finally quit delivering newspapers and didn’t see Mrs. Stanley for several years. Then we crossed paths at a church fund-raiser(募捐活动). She was spooning mashed potatoes and looking happy. Four years before, she’d had to offer her paperboy a drink to have someone to talk with. Now she had friends. Her husband was gone, but life went on.
I live in the city now, and my paperboy is a lady named Edna with three kids. She asks me how I’m doing. When I don’t say “fine”, she sticks around to hear my problems. She’s lived in the city most of her life, but she knows about community. Community isn’t so much a place as it is a state of mind. You find it whenever people ask how you’re doing because they care, and not because they’re getting paid to do so. Sometimes it’s good to just smile, nod your head and listen.
1. Why did soda go up the author’s nose one time?| A．He was talking fast. | B．He was shocked. |
| C．He was in a hurry. | D．He was absent-minded. |
| A．He enjoyed the drink. | B．He wanted to be helpful. |
| C．He took the chance to rest. | D．He tried to please his dad. |
| A．recover from her sadness | B．move out of the neighborhood |
| C．turn to her old friends | D．speak out about her past |
| A．Open up to others. | B．Depend on each other. |
| C．Pay for other’s help | D．Care about one another. |
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【推荐1】I’d always dreamed of exploring Africa, ever since I read my first Tarzan(《人猿泰山》)comic as a child. Finally, in 2004, to celebrate my 60th birthday, I went to Tanzania to experience a safari(东非游猎)and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Seated next to me on the flight was Tanzania’s minister of water and wildlife development. We talked for thousands of miles, and he arranged me to visit a school. When I toured the school, I was shocked. The leaky(漏的)roofs turned the dirt floors into mud during the rainy season, and the walls couldn’t keep out the heat, cold or bugs(小昆虫). The school was in need of all material goods, but the kids possessed great human spirit.
It broke my heart that these children had to struggle to survive, so I asked the headmaster what it would cost to feed them. As little as 20 cents per child per day, he told me. Immediately I got home, I founded Kids of Kilimanjaro. Since then we’ve grown to provide hot lunches for nearly 13,000 schoolchildren every day. The free lunch program has eased a major problem the youngsters face.
I know a good education could really make a difference in these children’s lives. My parents always stressed the importance of education. I paid my own way through college in Tokyo by teaching English to students and business people. After attending university I moved to San Francisco, when I was 25 years old. In 1978 I realized my American dream when I founded my own company. My success all started with a good education.
It’s amazing that something as simple as a nutritious lunch can change and enrich so many lives. Giving young people a better, healthier life can inspire them to go all the way through college and lead a movement that transforms their country.
1. Why did the author go to Tanzania to celebrate his 60 th birthday?| A．He was curious about what Africa was like. |
| B．He was concerned about the Africans’ terrible life. |
| C．He wanted to get an idea of the area’s wildlife. |
| D．He hoped to lead a movement that would transform his country. |
| A．in need of help | B．not interested in studies |
| C．not used to the rainy season | D．in low spirits |
| A．To make sure the African kids are mentally healthy. |
| B．To spread knowledge among the African kids. |
| C．To build new schools for the African kids. |
| D．To protect the African kids from hunger. |
a. “I” founded “my” first company.
b. “I” founded Kids of Kilimanjaro.
c. “I” read “my” first Tarzan comic.
d. “I” moved to San Francisco.
| A．a, c, d, b | B．a, d, c, b | C．c, a, d, b | D．c, d, a, b |
| A．his parents always stressed the importance of education |
| B．a good education contributes to his success |
| C．he paid his own way through college by teaching English |
| D．he’s trying to realize his American dream |
【推荐2】I don’t know what I should talk about - about death or about love? Or are they the same? Which one should I talk about？
We were newlywed(s 新婚者). We still walked around holding hands, even if we were just going to the store. I would say to him, “I love you.” He would grab my hands, and whirl me around, and kiss me. People were walking by and smiling.
One night I heard a noise. I looked out the window. He saw me. “Close the window and go back to sleep. There’s a fire at the reactor(反应堆). I’ll be back soon.”
I didn’t see the explosion itself. Just the flames. A tall flame. And smoke. The heat was awful.
And he’s still not back.
Seven o'clock. I was told he was in the hospital. I ran there, but the police had already encircled it, and they weren’t letting anyone through. Only ambulances.
Many of the doctors and nurses in that hospital would get sick themselves and die. But we didn’t know that then. ①
I couldn’t get into the hospital that evening. There was a sea of people. Someone in the crowd said the injured firemen were being taken to Moscow that night. All the wives got together in one group. We decided we’d go with them. Let us go with our husbands! The soldiers - there were already soldiers - they pushed us back. Then the doctor came out and said, yes, they were flying to Moscow, but we needed to bring them their clothes. The clothes they’d worn at the station had been burned. We ran across the city, and came running back with their bags of clothes. But the plane was already gone. They tricked us. ②
I decided that I have to get to Moscow. By myself.
For those days I was allowed to stay in the hospital dormitory. ③
“But there’s no kitchen. How can I cook for him?”
“You don’t need to cook anymore. They can’t digest the food.”
He started to change - every day I met a “brand-new” person. The burns started to come to the surface. In his mouth, on his tongue, his cheeks - at first there were little damages, and then they grew. It came off in layers - as white film(薄膜)… the color of his face… his body… blue… red… grey-brown. And some of his internal organs began to dissolve … It’s impossible to describe! It’s impossible to write down! And even to get over. The only thing that saved me was, it happened so fast; there wasn’t any time to think, or to cry.
It was a hospital for people with serious radiation poisoning. Fourteen days. In fourteen days a person dies. ④
I was still able to make him some soup. It was all useless; he couldn’t even drink anything. He couldn’t even swallow a raw egg. But I wanted to get something tasty! As if it mattered.
It was the ninth of May. He always used to say to me: “You have no idea how beautiful Moscow is! Especially on V-Day, when they set off the fireworks. I want you to see it.”
I’m sitting with him in the room. He opens his eyes. “Is it day or night?” “It’s nine at night.”
“Open the window! They’re going to set off the fireworks!”
I opened the window. We’re on the eighth floor, and the whole city’s there before us! There was a bouquet of fire exploding in the air.
“Look at that!” I said.
“I told you I’d show you Moscow. And I told you I’d always give you flowers on holidays ...”
I look over, and he’s getting three carnations from under his pillow. He gave the nurse money, and she bought them.
I had no idea then how much I loved him! Him ... just him.
And then - the last thing. I remember it in flashes, all broken up.
I came back from outside and called the nurse’s post right away. “How is he?”“He died fifteen minutes ago.” What? I was there all night. I was gone for half an hour! Then I came to: I’ll see him one more time! Once more! I run down the stairs. He was still in his bio-chamber; they hadn’t taken him away yet. His last words were “Lyusya! Lyusenka!” “She’s just stepped away for a bit; she’ll be right back,” the nurse told him. He sighed and went quiet. I didn’t leave him anymore after that. I accompanied him all the way to the grave site. Although the thing I remember isn’t the grave; it’s the huge plastic bag. That bag used for the prevention of radiation leakage.
1. Which is the best title of the passage?| A．Alternative love | B．Forever-lost love |
| C．Brand-new love | D．Unaffordable love |
| A．they failed to bring clean clothes for their men |
| B．they would stop the treatment going on smoothly |
| C．the plane couldn’t accommodate so many people |
| D．their husbands were suffering radiation poisoning |
| A．Bored. | B．Impressed. | C．Heartbroken. | D．Relieved. |
| A．① | B．② | C．③ | D．④ |
| A．giving examples | B．telling a story |
| C．making comparisons | D．explaining an argument |
| A．We ran across the city, and came running back with their bags of clothes (Paragraph 7) |
| B．But I wanted to get something tasty! As if it mattered (Paragraph 14) |
| C．I look over, and he’s getting three carnations from under his pillow (Paragraph 22) |
| D．Although the thing I remember isn’t the grave; it’s the huge plastic bag (Paragraph 25) |
【推荐3】I’m interested in coding and technology, but there’s a huge gender gap in the computing field, meaning girls are in the minority. I wanted to change that. I started the Catwalk Coding Camp where girls learn how to code(编程) light-up accessories (配饰) and show them at a fashion show. I thought the main result would be that some would be interested enough to learn more, but it turned out that the girls were hungry for role models in the field.
I’d never seen myself as a role model, but suddenly there were younger girls looking up to me. It made me want to be better. This “role model psychology" doesn’t just change what I do out in the world; it changes what I do for myself. I’m halfway through my first year as a computer science major. To be honest, it’s not always easy!
I struggled, and there was a moment when I considered changing my major. Difficult as it is, I survive and move on. Look around the lecture hall and only one third of the students are girls. Then when we break up into sections led by more advanced students, only 2 to 3 sections are run by women.
It keeps me going to know that so many girls look up to me. They have decided that if another girl can go into computer science, they can as well. I want to do well so I can become a section leader in years to come, hoping to close the gender gap in the field.
1. What surprised the author after the Catwalk Coding Camp?| A．The fashion show turned out to be a success. |
| B．The girls wanted role models in computing field. |
| C．Some girls presented unusual talents for fashion. |
| D．Many girls displayed interest in learning coding. |
| A．Change her major in the college. |
| B．Hold more coding camps for girls. |
| C．Make girls feel welcome in the field. |
| D．Help more girls become section leaders. |
| A．Exhausting. | B．Relaxing. |
| C．Discouraging. | D．Challenging. |
| A．The admiration from the girls. | B．The desire to be a scientist. |
| C．The determination to be better. | D．The hunger for knowledge. |
【推荐1】Winslow Homer was a famous American painter. Since Art History class in college, I had always admired his works and I was lucky to see a large exhibition of his works when I was in my early 30s. It was at this event that I bought a print of his painting. “Snap the Whip.” I had it framed and until I retired from teaching it always hung in my classroom
I thought it truly captured(捕捉) the freedom and fun of childhood. In the painting, a group of young boys are playing a game arm in arm on grass ground in front of a farm house. They are jumping and laughing wildly with great joy. One of the boys is falling down to the ground. They are not even wearing shoes!
During my last year of teaching, there was a young woman in her first year of teaching right next door to me and we got to be good friends. She had been an art student before taking up education. Her eyes were drawn immediately to this print when she entered my room. So on my last day of teaching, after the students had left, I took the painting off the wall and walked next door and gave it to her.
She was really surprised, but very pleased to have it. I was pleased that she liked it and all the students she would have would treasure(珍爱) it as much as I had. We found the perfect place for it on one of her walls and hung it together. Thank you for bring back this wonderful memory for me.
1. What is the topic of the painting?| A．Homeless children. | B．The nature of children. |
| C．Hard-working farmers. | D．The pleasure of working. |
| A．She was his student. |
| B．She was very fond of it. |
| C．She needed it in her teaching. |
| D．She would pass it to his students. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Painful. |
| C．Grateful. | D．Tired. |
【推荐2】Maintaining an ideal relationship can be a lifelong journey.
Communicate clearly. Being able to effectively convey your feelings to your partner is an important part of being in a relationship. Your partner isn't able to read your mind, so you'll need to work on talking things out, even when you are upset at one another.
Handle disagreements fairly. If you disagree about something, try not to get too upset about it. It might help you to take a moment to calm down and then try to talk calmly about the situation.
Keep your promises. Your partner needs to be able to trust you completely to maintain an ideal relationship. Because of this, it's important that you always stay true to your word and keep any promise you make to your partner.
| A．It isn't an easy issue. |
| B．Surprise your partner. |
| C．Show your partner the real you. |
| D．Develop new relationship behaviors. |
| E．Don't make promises you aren't sure you can keep. |
| F．Start by letting your partner tell his side of the story. |
| G．It can help you solve fights and avoid future problems. |
【推荐3】Closeness and independence are both important in our life. Though all humans need both of them, women tend to focus on the first and men on the second. It is as if their lifeblood ran in different directions.
These differences can give women and men differing views of the same situation, as they did in the case of couple I will call Tracy and Brian. When Brian’s old high school friend called him at work and announced he’d be in town on business the following month, Brian invited him to stay for the weekend. That evening he informed Tracy that they were going to have a houseguest, and that he and his friend would go out together the first night to chat like old times. Tracy was upset. She was going to be away on business the week before, and the Friday night when Brian would be out with his friend would be her first night home. But what upset her the most was that Brian had made these plans on his own and informed her of them, rather than discussing them with her before extending the invitation.
Tracy would never make plans, for a weekend or an evening, without first checking with Brian. She can’t understand why he doesn’t show her the same courtesy and consideration that she shows him. But when she protests, Brian says, “I can’t say to my friend, ‘I have to ask my wife for permission’!”
To Brian, checking with his wife means seeking permission, which implies that he is not independent, not free to act on his own. To Tracy, checking with her husband makes her feel good to know and show that she is involved with someone, that her life is bound up with someone else’s.
Tracy and Brian both felt upset by this incident because it cut to the core of their primary concerns. Tracy was hurt because she sensed a failure of closeness in their relationship: He didn’t care about her as much as she cared about him. And he was hurt because he felt she was trying to control him and limit his freedom.
1. What is the primary purpose of the author in writing this passage?| A．To educate the reader on how to maintain good family relationships. |
| B．To tell the reader how to make close connections with other people. |
| C．To suggest the best way of coping with family conflicts. |
| D．To explain the difference in communication styles between men and women. |
| A．she didn’t know Brian’s friend |
| B．she was too busy to meet Brian’s friend |
| C．Brian didn’t care about her and hurt her deeply |
| D．Brian didn’t consult her before inviting his friends home |
| A．She would discuss with Brian. |
| B．She would simply decide on her own. |
| C．She would ask her friends for advice. |
| D．She would buy Brian something expensive first. |
| A．be more emotional |
| B．be easier to get hurt |
| C．emphasize more on sharing |
| D．emphasize more on independence |
【推荐1】Raised in a motherless home，my father was extremely tightfisted towards us children. His attitude didn’t soften as I grew into adulthood and went to college. I had to ride the bus whenever I came home. Though the bus stopped about two miles from home，Dad never met me，even in severe weather. If I grumbled，he’d say in his loudest father-voice，“That’s what your legs are for！”
The walk didn’t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads. I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety. But that feeling was canceled one spring evening.
It had been a particularly difficult week at college after long hours in labs. I longed for home. When the bus reached the stop，I stepped off and dragged my suitcase to begin the long journey home.
A row of hedge(树篱)edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey，I always had a sense of relief to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home. On that particular evening，the hedge had just come into view when I saw something gray moving along the top of the hedge，moving toward the house. Upon closer observation，I realized it was the top of my father’s head. Then I knew，each time I’d come home，he had stood behind the hedge，watching，until he knew I had arrived safely. I swallowed hard against the tears. He did care，after all.
On later visits，that spot of gray became my watchtower. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its secret movement above the greenery. Upon reaching home，I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair.“ So！My son，it’s you！”he’d say，his face lengthening into pretended surprise.
I replied，“Yes，Dad，it’s me.I’m home.”
1. What does the underlined word“grumbled” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Agreed willingly. | B．Explained clearly. |
| C．Spoke unhappily. | D．Accepted happily. |
| A．the tiredness after long hours in labs |
| B．the feeling of being less than valued |
| C．the fear of seeing something moving |
| D．the loneliness of riding the bus home |
| A．he was concerned about his son’s safety |
| B．he wanted to help his son build up courage |
| C．he didn’t want to meet his son at the doorway |
| D．he didn’t think his son was old enough to walk alone |
| A．Riding Bus Alone. | B．My College Life. |
| C．Terrible Journey Home. | D．My Father’s Secret. |
【推荐2】I enjoy throwing stuff away. I’d love to go full minimalism (极简主义), but my wife and two teenage kids do not share my dream of a house with almost nothing in it. I have tried. When the kids were little, I taught them my two favorite games – “Do We Need It?” and “Put It in Its Place”– and made them play every few months. Their enthusiasm never matched mine.
If I’m going to be honest, my own tidying skills are not as great as I’d like. My “discarded” pile is never quite the trash mountain I want because I make up excuses for why things are useful. I consider this unhealthy. I want to be better at moving on.
So, this time I found help – the classics for people like me: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. Kondo’s commitment to her craft is astonishing. Her philosophy is only to keep things you love. Can I go full Kondo? I will try. One central idea is to clean by category. You start by collecting all clothes and gathering them together for consideration. It makes you rethink how you organize. Next, hold each item and ask if it brings you joy. This way you’re choosing what to keep. And that’s how I find myself with all my clothes on my bedroom floor. My wife walks by and gives me a look that says I’m nuts. She’s probably not wrong.
Somewhere near the bottom of this chaos is my special jacket. I move through the pile: pants, shirts, suits and shoes. Then my last category: jackets. I haven’t worn the thing in about 30 years. Somehow, it has survived. Now that I’m striving to follow Kondo – surely, its time has come?
I hold it in my hand. There is a tear just below the collar that widens as I hold it. It’s literally falling apart. Will I ever wear it again? Not a chance. Does it feel good to wear? Does it bring me joy? Actually, yes. At this moment, my daughter walks in. She asks about the jacket. I tell her the story. She thinks I should keep it. It’s cool and unique and full of memories. She is arguing that nostalgia (怀念) is the very reason.
I’m not entirely convinced by my daughter’s arguments. I believe in looking ahead, not backward. Nevertheless, sometimes it’s hard to let go. So I gently place the jacket on the “keep” pile.
1. What does the underlined word “discarded” probably mean in Paragraph 2?| A．adjusted | B．reserved | C．abandoned | D．tidied |
| A．To learn how to categorize. | B．To improve his tidying skills. |
| C．To persuade his family members. | D．To develop passion for minimalism. |
| A．They don’t understand it. | B．They completely support it. |
| C．They are strongly opposed to it. | D．They are less passionate about it. |
| A．Knowing when to let go | B．Classifying what you love |
| C．Throwing worn-out clothes | D．Keeping valuable possessions |
【推荐3】After giving a talk at a high school,I was asked to pay a visit to a special student. An illness had kept the boy home, but he had expressed an interest in meeting me. I was told it would mean a great deal to him, so I agreed.
During the nine-mile drive to his home, I found out something about Matthew. He had muscular dystrophy (肌肉萎缩症).When he was born, the doctor told his parents that he would not live to five, and then they were told he would not make it to ten. Now he was thirteen.He wanted to meet me because I was a Gold-medal power lifter, and I knew about overcoming obstacles and going for my dreams.
I spent over an hour talking to Matthew. Never once did he complain or ask, “Why me?” He spoke about winning and succeeding and going for his dreams.Obviously, he knew what he was talking about. He didn’t mention that his classmates had made fun of him because he was different. He just talked about his hopes for the future, and how one day he wanted to lift weights with me. When we had finished talking, I went to my briefcase (公文包) and pulled out the first gold medal I had won and put it around his neck. I told him he was more of a winner and knew more about success and overcoming obstacles than I ever would. He looked at it for a moment, then took it off and handed it back to me. He said, “You are a champion.You earned that medal. Someday when I get to the Olympics and win my own medal, I will show it to you.”
Last summer I received a letter from Matthew’s parents telling me that Matthew had passed away. They wanted me to have a letter he had written to me a few days before:
Dear Dick,
My mum said I should send you a thank-you letter for the picture you sent me. I also want to let you know that the doctors tell me that I don’t have long to live any more, but I still smile as much as I can.I told you someday that I would go to the Olympics and win a gold medal, but I know now I will never get to do that.However, I know I’m a champion,and God knows that too. When I get to Heaven,God will give me my medal and when you get there,I will show it to you. Thank you for loving me.
Your friend,
Matthew
1. The boy looked forward to meeting the author because .
| A．he was also good at weight lifting |
| B．he wanted to get to the Olympics and win a medal |
| C．he was one of the author’s fans |
| D．he admired the author very much |
| A．the boy never complained about how unlucky he was to have this disease |
| B．the boy never complained about not being able to go to school |
| C．the boy never complained why the author had never come to see him before |
| D．the boy never complained about not getting a medal |
| A．he thought it was too expensive |
| B．he was sure that he could win one in the future |
| C．he thought it was of no use to him as he would die soon |
| D．he would not be pitied by others |
| A．A sick boy. | B．A special friend. |
| C．A real champion. | D．A famous athlete. |
【推荐1】Developing healthy eating habits starts from childhood, therefore it is important for parents to teach and provide children with a healthy diet. DPHSS administrator of the Bureau of Nutrition Services, Charlie Morris told KUAM News, “A healthy diet for a child consists of a lot of fruits and vegetables in the diet limiting the amount of simple sugars in the diet and high fat food and highly processed(加工的) food.”
This means staying away as much as possible from food such as chips, cookies, candies and sugary drinks, as all children need to have meals which involve a well-balanced diet. Community nutritionist(营养学家) Thelma Romoso said, “The fruit, the vegetable, the grain, the protein, and also the milk, the diary product, so for the fruits it's easy for a mother to go into the two plus three concept of fruits and vegetables or five a day.”
This concept means that there are at least two servings of fruits a day, three servings of vegetables a day which can be served for lunch and dinner. As for protein parents can make a variety of dishes from chicken, beef, fish or even dried beans to make sure the child gets three servings a day.
Morris said that the child's hunger level controls how much is eaten and the parent controls what and when the meal is offered, saying, “Mom needs to ensure that the food offered is good food for the child to eat and throughout the day depending on how active they are, snacks(零食) are not a bad thing, so the mom should offer good kinds of snacks.”
When it comes to preparing your child's lunch and snacks for school, make sure to keep in mind that the food you provide should not only be a source of energy but also be nutritionally beneficial such as fresh fruits, and whole grain bread. But parents must be sure to remember that a good nutritional diet must be balanced with physical activity, namely it is important that children get outside and run around and play and get activity in addition to eating a good diet.
1. What does the author intend to tell us in the text?| A．Fruits and vegetables are good for your child. |
| B．Choose healthy food and snacks for your child. |
| C．Make various and delicious dishes for your child. |
| D．Take steps to provide a good lunch for your child. |
| A．sugars and high fat exist in few kinds of food |
| B．active children prefer more and more snacks |
| C．highly processed food should be reduced in daily life |
| D．mothers should prepare delicious food by themselves |
| A．Physical exercise is as important as a good diet |
| B．Running and playing when eating is beneficial. |
| C．Fruits and whole grain foods should be included. |
| D．The food must provide energy as well as nutrition. |
| A．Fresh fruits are often ignored by children |
| B．A good nutritional diet may cost too much |
| C．Choosing healthy food is linked with income |
| D．Parents play an important role in children's diet |
【推荐2】The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls
——By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The tide rises, the tide falls,
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but never more
Returns the traveler to the shore,
And the tides rises, the tide falls.
1. What is the figurative meaning of the title “The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls” indicate?| A．The change of the ocean | B．the sequence of human history |
| C．the coming and going of travelers | D．the eternity of the natural world |
| A．The tide rises, the tide falls |
| B．The twilight darkens, the curlew calls |
| C．Along the sea-sands damp and brown |
| D．The traveler hastens toward the town |
| A．Draw | B．engrave |
| C．erase | D．impress |
| A．Time hustles; people bustle |
| B．The traveler comes to the town just once |
| C．People will die while time goes on |
| D．If time had feelings, people would stay |
【推荐3】Scientists say they discovered an earth-like planet orbiting the star closest to our planet other than the sun.It is the closest planet ever found outside our solar system that could support life as we know it.This planet is just 4.2 light years away from us.It is so close that space scientists have compared it to a next door neighbor.They say it could be reached by an unmanned spacecraft before the end of the century.The newly-discovered planet is a little larger than the earth.Scientists have named it Proxima b.It orbits its sun, Proxima Centauri, once every 11days.
Alan Boss is the Chairman of NASA’s advisory group for planet exploration.He told VOA that Proxima b not only confirms the discovery of a planet, but also increases the number of other possible “earths” by a huge amount.Boss said it is possible that most stars may have at least one earth-like planet orbiting them.
This makes the possibility of living organisms increasingly likely.Boss said he believes human beings will prove that there is life in places other than the earth in his lifetime.“I am 65, ”he told VOA, “But I expect to still be alive when it happens.”
Paul Butler works at the Carnegie Institution of Washington.He told VOA that finding Proxima b “makes the case concrete” that there are other planets where life could exist.Paul Butler said the researchers used two telescopes in different countries to look for possible planets like the earth.Discovering Proxima b, he believes, changes the world.
“This work has resulted in the discovery of hundreds of planets around the nearest stars, and now a potentially habitable planet around the nearest star is in the sky, ” Butler said.
1. Which of the following does the newly-discovered planet move around?| A．The earth. | B．The sun. |
| C．Proxima Centauri. | D．Proxima b. |
| A．It is most likely that life exists on other planets besides the earth |
| B．Proxime b can be used to help people find more earth like planets. |
| C．There is at least one earth-like plane orbiting each star.. |
| D．Discovering Proxims b will change the world, |
| A．Exploring another sun. |
| B．Discovering Proxima b. |
| C．Researching life on other planets |
| D．Using telescopes to find earth like planets |
| A．Potentially Habitable Planets |
| B．Planet Exploration in the Universe |
| C．Stars with Earth like Planets Orbiting |
| D．A Neighboring Possible Earth like Planet |
