On March 14 in 2018, one of science’s brightest stars went dark. Stephen Hawking, the world-famous scientist, died at 76 in Cambridge, UK.
Hawking is considered by many to be the greatest scientist in history since Albert Einstein. He came up with the theory that the universe began with the Big Bang and will end in black holes. His theory became the important base for a lot of later research. He also wrote books to help common people understand the universe. His most famous book is A Brief History of Time(《时间简史》), which has sold more than 10 million copies around the world, according to CNN.
Besides his scientific achievements, Hawking was also someone who had a strong will and positive attitude.
When Hawking was 21, he was told that he had a serious illness that stopped him from walking and talking. Later in life, he had to sit in a wheelchair and “speak” using a computerized voice. But this didn’t stop him from living a meaningful and colorful life. “If one is physically disabled, one cannot afford to be psychologically(心理上) disabled as well.” he once said.
Hawking travelled around the world to attend science meeting, visiting every continent, including Antarctica. He was also a fan of popular culture and appeared on TV shows such as Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory.
He celebrated his 60th birthday by going up in a hot-air balloon. When he was 65, he took part in a zero-gravity flight to experience weightlessness. He hoped to travel into space one day.
In 2013, Hawking spoke about how he felt life was unfair when he first knew his illness. “But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life,” he said peacefully.
26. What is the author’s purpose in writing the article?
A.To tell us the brightest star went dark and Hawking died. |
B.To introduce Hawking’s famous book A Brief History of Time. |
C.To describe how Hawking overcame his serious physical illness. |
D.To introduce Hawking’s life to help people remember him. |
27. How important is Hawking’s theory that the universe began with the Big Bang and will end in black holes?
A.It helped him write all his books to help ordinary people understand the universe. |
B.A lot of research which came after the important theory later depends on it. |
C.It made his famous book sell more than 10 million copies all over the world. |
D.This achievement led him to become a strong and positive famous man. |
28. Which of the following statement is
TRUE?
A.He travelled around the world just in order to pay a visit to every continent. |
B.Although Hawking had a serious illness, he still had a wonderful and meaningful life. |
C.He was a fan of up-to-date culture and hosted TV shows such as Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory. |
D.He was so positive and strong that he still felt satisfied when he was first told he had a serious illness. |
29. What does Hawking mean by “If one is physically disabled, one cannot afford to be psychologically(心理上) disabled as well.”?
A.Although one man has a disabled body, he can still have a strong will and positive attitude. |
B.If someone is physically ill, he can’t pay more money to treat his psychological disability. |
C.If one is physically disabled, he needn’t have psychological disability because it’s too much for him. |
D.Although one man has disabled illness, he can also be psychologically disabled in his life. |
30. In what order did the following take place in the story?
a. He said that he was happy with his life 50 years later.
b. He had to sit in a wheelchair and began to use a computer to help him speak.
c. He took part in a zero-gravity flight to experience weightlessness.
d. He went up in a hot-air balloon.
e. He couldn’t walk and talk at the age of 21.
A.e-b-a-d-c | B.a-e-b-d-c | C.e-b-d-c-a | D.a-e-d-b-e |