12.A Dangerous Journey
On July 2,1937,Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan left New Guinea for Howland Island in the Pacific.This was the longest and most dangerous part of their trip around the world.Earhart had trouble shortly after takeoff.The weather was stormy,so she had to fly at 3,000 meters (10,000 feet).Going this high,the plane used gas quickly.
After about twenty hours,Earhart and Noonan approached Howland Island.The island was only about 105 kilometers (65 miles) away,but the bright sun was shining in their faces so they couldn't see it.Near Howland,a ship,the Itasca,was waiting.Earhart contacted the ship:"Gas is low,"she said.The Itasca tried to maintain contact with her but got no response.Finally,the Itasca called for help.People searched for Earhart and Noonan for days.Despite the searchers'efforts,they found nothing.
Missing!
What happened to Amelia Earhart?No one knows for sure.During the flight,she probably headed in the wrong direction because the sun was bright and it was hard to see.So she got lost; soon after,her plane ran out of gas,and she died at sea.Another idea is that she survived the plane crash,swam to an uninhabited (无人居住的) island,and later died there.Still others think she survived the crash and secretly returned to the U.S.with a new identity.
Although the first theory seems most likely,none of these ideas has been proven.Today,people are still looking into Earhart's and Noonan's disappearance.(Noonan's body has also never been found.) Whatever happened,Amelia probably died as she wished."When I go,"she said,"I'd like best to go in my plane."
46.Why was flying to Howland Island difficult?D
A.Earhart was sick after takeoff.
B.The sun was too bright and shining.
C.Their plane was damaged.
D.It was very far from New Guinea.
47.Which statement would the writer most probably agree with?A
A.Amelia's plane probably ran out of gas and she died at sea.
B.It is possible that Fred Noonan killed Amelia Earhart.
C.Amelia Earhart probably died on an island in the Pacific.
D.Fred Noonan might still be alive today.
48.What does the underlined word"go"in the last paragraph mean?C
A.fly
B.leave
C.die
D.travel.