1 . The earth is struck daily by 60 tons of rocks from outer space. However, finding these ancient rocks is no easy task. Most meteorites (陨石) fall directly into water. And those that hit land can be difficult to spot among other rocks.

Fortunately for researchers there is one place on Earth where meteorites find it difficult to hide: Antarctica. “There are probably fewer meteorites falling per acre of land in Antarctica than in other parts of the world,” said Ralph Harvey, a professor at Case Western Reserve University. “But if you want to find things that fell from the sky, lay out a big white sheet. And Antarctica is a 5,000-kilometer-wide sheet.”

Finding meteorites in Antarctica is so relatively “easy” compared to the rest of the world that an estimated two-thirds (around 45,000) of those ever discovered have come from the icy continent. The challenge, however, comes not only from the terrible conditions, but also from knowing where to look to make any expedition worthwhile.

In an effort to greatly improve the collection rate of Antarctic meteorites, a Belgian—Dutch team of scientists has unveiled (展示) what they’re calling a “treasure map” for the region. “We expect the treasure map to be 80% accurate,” said Veronica Tollenaar, who led the study.

After landing in the snow in Antarctica, a meteorite will either be directed into the ocean or brought back to the surface of what’s known as a “blue ice” area. As meteorites come out in these special “blue ice” areas, their color contrasts (对比) against the deep blue ice, making them easy to spot. The treasure map marks more than 600 special “blue ice” areas. They estimate that these sites may contain anywhere from 340,000 to 900,000 surface meteorites.

The researchers add that these locations also likely contain rare meteorites, such as angrites, brachinites or even Martian meteorites.

“Collecting these ancient rocks will further improve the understanding of our Solar System,” they write.

1. What makes it relatively easy to spot meteorites on Antarctica?

A．Few people visit the Antarctica.

B．Antarctica is covered with snow.

C．More meteorites fall in Antarctica.

D．Meteorites stay still in Antarctica.

2. What is the difficulty in finding meteorites in Antarctic?

A．Antarctic is too far to arrive.

B．Meteorites’ location is hard to track.

C．The expedition to Antarctic is too expensive.

D．The snow in Antarctic covers most of the meteorites.

3. Which serves as the best title of the text?

A．More and more meteorites found in Antarctica

B．Challenges of spotting meteorites in Antarctica

C．Improving our understanding of the Solar System

D．Treasure map helping spot meteorites in Antarctica

4. In which section of the website is the text probably from?

A．Science.

B．Business.

C．Environment.

D．Education.

2 . 你校英文报的Astronomy栏目正在举办征文比赛，你寒假参加过王教授在你市科技博物馆举办的天文知识讲座。请你根据自己的经历写一篇短文给该报投稿，内容包括:
1．参加讲座的经历；
2．参加讲座后的心得体会。
注意：
1．词数80左右；
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：讲座lecture
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3 . 根据课文内容填空

Some people believe that space exploration is a waste of time and the     1    . Then why do humans still explore space? 

It is humans’     2     about the unknown that leads humans to explore space continuously. Space exploration helps better understand the     3     and the origin, evolution and future of the     4    . Humans’ lives have become     5     through space exploration, which will probably provide     6     for humans in many areas. Space exploration can bring great     7     and attract young to take up     8     concerning it. Wonders in space exploration can provide children with     9     and motivate them to become the scientists and     10     of the future.

6 . Read the passage and choose the correct modals.

On 15 October 1997, the Cassini spacecraft set out on a mission to explore the planet Saturn. So great was the distance from Earth that it     1    (would / shall) need to travel for almost six years to reach its destination. When it reached Saturn, it sent back amazing images of the planet's famous rings viewed in ultraviolet light. Cassini made numerous trips around Saturn so it     2    (could / must) collect data. Over the following years, Cassini took some 450, 000 images of the planet and its moons. Finally, on 15 September 2017, Cassini was pointed towards Saturn so that it     3    (should / would) meet a fiery end. Scientists had decided that Cassini     4    (could / must) be destroyed this way, so it     5    (must / would) not collide with any of Saturn's moons. In its nearly 20-year mission, Cassini provided so much information that scientists     6    (could / would) not process it all. No wonder so many people took to social media to bid it goodbye, saying, “Farewell, dear Cassini! We     7    (shall / should) never forget you!”

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The U.S. space as agency NASA has released the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, the most     1     (powerful) equipped telescope ever put into space. The Webb launched in December, 2021     2     a mission     3     (see) farther into space and farther back in time than ever before and observe faraway planets for signs of life.

One of the images shows some of the first galaxies (星系) ever to form, which means the Webb is seeing the galaxies that existed about 13 billion years ago. Additional     4     (photo) taken by the Webb show a cloud of gas and dust     5     stars are born, a distant planet’s atmosphere, and a dying star. This is just the beginning of     6     (it) mission, which     7     (expect) to last at least 5 to 10 years.

The Webb is the result of a $10 billion, 25-year project led by NASA and supported by other space agencies.     8     (name) after former NASA head James Webb, the telescope is about 100 times better than NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, which is still operating after more than 30 years. The Webb collects and     9     (analyze) infrared light, using 18 mirrors covered in a thin layer of gold. The Webb also has a sun shield     10     size of a tennis court to help keep it cool.

8 . It’s more than 384,000km from Earth. We can see it most nights. And it’s not made of cheese! I am, of course, talking about the Moon. Astronauts have taken giant steps to explore this natural satellite floating in space, but despite it being out of reach for most of us,     1    .

The Moon, obviously, provides moonlight. A full moon, seen roughly once a month, can light up our way on an otherwise dark night. But while this lunar light can be impressive to look at,     2    . One study showed that during or around the full moon, those studied spent less time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep, despite sleeping in a dark room not exposed to moonlight.

    3    . One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon. And many moons ago, it was thought the Moon induced lunacy — the word derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’, meaning ‘moonstruck’, and evolved from the idea that celestial changes could cause periods of insanity.     4    . They will avoid a full moon at all costs because, although the added moisture in the soil at this time may give a fuller and juicier grape, the additional water is thought to dilute the taste of the fruit, which results in a less successful vintage.

The Moon might affect our behaviour too. Writing about this for BBC Future, Claudia Hammond explains one interesting theory. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull affects the tides, it exerts its influence on the water in our bodies. But she points out “the Moon is smaller than the Earth, so its gravitational pull is correspondingly less powerful. What’s more, it exerts the same force on us regardless of whether it’s new or full.”     5    . So, like the Moon being made of cheese, we must be careful what we believe!

A．it can affect our sleeping patterns

B．it still moves us in mysterious ways

C．great achievements have been made by us

D．There are many theories about how the Moon can affect other things too

E．Even winemakers look to the Moon when planting and pruning grapevines

F．Research into ancient myths about the effects of the lunar cycle on us is ongoing

G．Scientists attach great significance to space exploration about the lunar cycle on us

9 . Hoping to live on the moon one day? Your chances just got a tiny bit better. Researchers found that lunar pits and caves reach stable temperatures, making them potentially suitable for human life.

Planetary scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles have been doing the research. Although much of the moon’s surface temperatures ranges from as high as 260 degrees during the day to as low as 280 degrees below zero at night, the moon has pits and caves where temperatures stay at roughly 63 degrees Fahrenheit, making human habitation a possibility, according to their new research.

For perspective, a day or night on the moon equals a little over two weeks on the earth—making long-term research and habitation difficult with such extremely hot and cold temperatures. Researchers say these stable spots could transform the future of lunar exploration and long-term habitation. The shadowed areas of these pits could also offer protection from harmful elements, such as solar radiation, universal rays and micrometeorites (微小陨石).

About 16 of the over 200 discovered pits most likely come from collapsed lava tubes—tunnels that form from cooled lava or crust, according to Tyler Horvath, a UCLA doctoral student and head of the research. The researchers think overhangs inside of these lunar pits, which were initially discovered in 2009, could be the reason for the stable temperature.

The research team also includes UCLA professor of planetary science David Paige and Paul Hayne at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Humans evolved living in caves, and to caves we might return when we live on the moon,” said Paige in a UCLA press release.

There are still plenty of other challenges to establishing any sort of long-term human residence on the moon—including growing food and providing enough oxygen. The researchers made clear that NASA has no immediate plans to establish a base camp or habitations there.

1. What did the researchers find?

A．Humans like the life on the moon.

B．People lived in lunar pits and caves.

C．Steady temperature exists somewhere on the moon.

D．Temperatures in caves and pits vary a lot on the moon.

2. What do the shadowed areas act as protection against?

A．Solar heat.

B．Harmful liquids.

C．Universal gases.

D．Micrometeorites.

3. What does the underlined word “evolved” probably mean in paragraph 5?

A．Appeared.

B．Developed.

C．Hunted.

D．Escaped.

4. Why does NASA not establish any habitation there at present?

A．It has no such plans.	B．Food there tastes bad.
C．Many challenges exist.	D．There is no oxygen.