Question

【题目】Think about the longest elevator ride that you’ve ever taken. Whether you rose five floors or 100, it probably took less than a few minutes. Now imagine riding in an elevator higher and higher as it climbs for nearly a day. When you reach the top floor, prepare for views that are really out of this world. You’ll be in space!

Space elevators might sound like a crazy idea, but they’re something scientists have been working on for decades.

Why would anyone want a space elevator? At the moment, riding in a capsule is the only way ordinary people can get to and from space. But those rides are very expensive — about $25 million per person per flight.

Researchers are still figuring out the details about how a space elevator might work. One idea is stretching (伸展) a very long cable — more than 37,000 kilometers — up to space from the earth’s equator (赤道). The location is important: Objects in space above the equator orbit (绕……的轨道飞行) the earth at the same speed that our planet turns. A weight on the end of the cable would stretch it tight. An elevator tied to the cable could use it to climb up and down.

The only problem is that besides being long, this cable must also be very strong. Storms, including hurricanes might break it. One way to solve this problem is to stretch the cable from the moon instead of from the earth. Airplanes designed to climb higher than a typical jet might take off from the earth and link up with the cable, which would be held in place by the pull of gravity from the earth. An elevator car waiting there would then take riders the rest of the way to the moon. Fueled by solar power, the elevator could transport people and materials without much expense or effort per ride.

So, when will you be taking your first spaceelevator ride? Probably not for a while.

【1】The first paragraph is presented by________.

A. giving an example

B. making a comparison

C. asking questions

D. analyzing causes

【2】Why have scientists been working on space elevators?

A. To make trips to space cheaper.

B. To help astronauts do research in space.

C. To find a more convenient way to the moon.

D. To prove an assumption which seems crazy.

【3】The underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refers to ________.

A. the cable

B. the equator

C. an object in space

D. a weight on the end of the cable

【4】Which part of a magazine may the article appear in?

A. Science and technology. B. Sports.

C. Literature. D. Entertainment.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】A

【3】A

【4】A

【解析】

本文是一篇科普说明文，主要讲述科学家考虑建设太空电梯帮助更多人能够进入太空，介绍了这一做法的原理以及优缺点。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段2、3句Whether you rose five floors or 100, it probably took less than a few minutes. Now imagine riding in an elevator higher and higher as it climbs for nearly a day.可知普通的电梯只有几分钟，而文章里谈论的电梯却要一天。使用了比较的方法呈现主要内容。故B项正确。

【2】细节理解题。根据文章第三段后两句At the moment, riding in a capsule is the only way ordinary people can get to and from space. But those rides are very expensive — about $25 million per person per flight.可知现在乘坐宇宙飞船上太空太贵了，所以科学家才会考虑建设太空电梯。故A项正确。

【3】细节理解题。根据本句An elevator tied to the cable could use it to climb up and down.电梯被系在电缆上，并利用电缆上上下下。句中的it就是指前半句中提及的cable。故A项正确。

【4】推理判断题。本文是一篇科普说明文，主要讲述科学家考虑建设太空电梯帮助更多人能够进入太空，介绍了这一做法的原理以及优缺点。本文属于科技类短文，最可能出现在杂志的科技版块。故A项正确。