阅读下面的短文。每篇短文的后面有五个问题，每个问题有四个备选答案。请根据短文的内容选择最佳答案。每个试题计3分,共计15分。
Alvin was launched in 1964.Since then，Alvin has worked between 200 and 250 days a year，says Daniel Fornari，a marine geologist and director of the Deep Ocean Exploration Institute at WHOI.During its lifetime，Alvin has carried some 12,000 people on a total of more than 3,000 dives. A newer，better versions of Alvin is bound to reveal even more surprises ahout a world that is still full of mysteries，Fornari says.It might also make the job of exploration a little easier.We take so much for granted on land, Fornari says.We can walk around and see with our eyes how big things are. We can see colors，special arrangements.
Alvin can go up and down at a rate of 30 meters every second，and its maximum speed is 2 knots ，while the new vehicle will be able to ascend and descend at 44 meters per second.Itll reach speeds of 3 knots，or 3.5 miles per hour.5frAkFEndaivp
underwateradj. boundadj.受约束的，一定的 水下的;adv.在水下
maneuverableadj. undersea adj.海底的
overlap v. n.重叠 upgraden.升级
注释：
1. Woods Hole：美国马萨诸塞州的一个渔村，但同时拥有许多重要研究机构，如：the Marine Biological Laboratory，the Sea Education Association以及the Woods Hole Oceanographic lnstitution。
练习：
1. What is Alvin?
B A transporting vehicle.
D A scientist.
A h can carry explorers as deep as 6,500 meters.
C It was launched in the sixties of the twentieth century.
3. ...a world that is still full of mysteries refers to
B out space.
D Mars.
A Size.
C Capacity.
5. In what aspects are the new HOV and Alvin different?
B Speed.
D Both A and B.
2. A 文章第一段从第三句开始说，科学家正在研制一艘可将研究人员带到6 500米深处的潜水装置，而它将替代Alvin，因为Alvin只能潜到4 500米深处。A不是事实，所以是正确选择。
4. D 第三段的头三个句子告诉我们，HOV和Alvin在体积上和容量上相似。所以D是正确选择。