B
A new chapter in space exploration has been opened up after NASA confirmed that their mission to bomb the Moon had found “significant quantities” of frozen water. Scientists said the “exciting” findings had gone “beyond expectations” as fully formed ice was found in a crater on the planet. The water was found in one mile high dust that was kicked up by the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite(LCOSS) last month when it crashed into the Cabeus crater near the Moon’s south pole.
“Indeed, yes, we found water. And we didn’t find just a little bit, we found a significant amount,” said Anthony Colaprete, project scientist and principal investigator for the $49 million space mission.
“This is a great day for science and exploration,” said Doug Cooke, associate administrator of NASA. “The remarkable results have gone beyond our expectations. It is incredibly exciting.”
The identification of water-ice is important for purely scientific reasons, but also because a supply of water on the Moon would be a vital resource for future human exploration. The findings, which completely contradict previous beliefs that the Moon was a dry place, justify the controversial(有争议的)mission. Over the last decade, scientists have found some hints of underground ice on the Moon’s poles, mainly in the form of compounds of hydrogen(氢) but this is the best evidence yet.
The discovery is expected to have major implications for the future of lunar exploration, and a ready supply of water could help set up lunar bases or launch missions to Mars. Mr Colaprete said that it should be possible to purify the water for drinking even though it appeared to be mixed with poisonous methanol(甲醛).
5．Which of the following is TRUE of the “bombing”?
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A. |
It damaged the Moon surface severely. |
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B. |
It would do harm to the space environment. |
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C. |
It confirmed the existence of water on the Moon. |
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D. |
It would help the research on Mars. |
6．Why is the finding of water on the Moon so important?
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A. |
Because people on the earth use more and more water. |
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B. |
Because in the future lots of people will live on the Moon. |
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C. |
Because the water will be a supply for future human exploration in space. |
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D. |
Because the water is mixed with poisonous methanol. |
7．How is the whole text developed?
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A. |
Providing some facts. |
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B. |
Following the order of space. |
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C. |
Making comparisons. |
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D. |
Analyzing causes. |
8. Which of the following is the best title of the text?
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A. |
Water Found on the Moon after NASA “Bombing” |
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B. |
Unbelievable Space Research |
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C. |
Possible Base on the Moon |
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D. |
Mysterious Water Found on the Moon |
