Question

NASA has a new job listing, and it’s no joke. The US space agency is looking for a “joker” to join their planned mission (任务) to Mars.

A mission to Mars is no laughing matter. The red planet is 140 million miles away from Earth. A trip there would take around 8 months in a small spaceship.

“When you’re living with others in a confident space for a long period of time, problems are likely to take place,” Jeffre Johnson a scientist at the University of Florida said.

This is probably why NASA wants an astronaut with a sense of humor (幽默感). “There are people that have the ability to pull everyone together,” Johnson said.

In stressful situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren’t alone. By laughing together, we share our stress. Then we can pay more attention to our jobs instead of just worrying.

There are other examples of team “clowns (小丑)”. One example is the journey to the South Pole (南极) led by Norwegian explore (探险家) Roald Amundson. It was a difficult journey, full of danger. Adolf Lindstorm, A cook at Amundson’s team, was a “clown”. He made people laugh through the whole journey. Amundson later wrote that Lindstrom was the most valuable member of the team.

But if you’re hoping that your favorite TV comedian (喜剧演员) will fly to Mars, that probably won’t happen.

“Being funny won’t be enough to land somebody the job,” Johnson said. “They also need to be an excellent scientist and engineer.” Besides, they must be in top physical condition.

1.NASA is looking for a________.

A.funny engineer B.talented clown C.good cook D.popular comedian

2.In Paragraph 3, “a confident space” means a/an ________ space.

A.empty B.different C.open D.small

3.The US space agency is looking for a “joker” in order to________.

A.make the astronaut excited B.find an excellent astronaut

C.encourage team work D.make the trip unforgettable

4.In Paragraph 6, the writer uses the example of a cook to show that________.

A.the explorers’ meals on their journey is very important

B.humorous people can cheer up people in difficult situations

C.a cook can play a more important role than the explorers

D.the journey to the South Pole is harder the mission to Mars

5.Which would be the best title for the text?

A.A sense of humor B.A mission to Mars C.Let the humor fly D.Laugh together

Answer 1