Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists.
Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don t threaten us. But there are also thousands of asteroids whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth.
Buy $50 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we ll have a way to change its course.
Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn t be cheap.
Is it worth it?Two things experts consider when judging any risk re:1)How likely the event is;and 2)How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500, 000 years. Sounds pretty rare but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. If we don t take care of these big asteroids, they ll take care of us, says one scientist. It s that simple.
The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? The world has less to fear from doomsday rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them, said a New York Times article.
21.What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids?
A) They are heavenly bodies different in composition.
B) They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.
C) There are more asteroids than meteoroids.
D) Asteroids are more mysterious than meteoroids.
22.What do scientists say about the collision of an asteroid with Earth?
A) It is very unlikely but the danger exists.
B) Such a collision might occur once every 25 years.
C) Collisions of smaller asteroids with Earth occur more often than expected.
D) It s still too early to say whether such a collision might occur.
23.What do people think of the suggestion of using nuclear weapons to alter the courses of asteroids?
A) It sounds practical but it may not solve the problem.
B) It may create more problems than it might solve.
C) It is a waste of money because a collision of asteroids with Earth is very unlikely.
D) Further research should be done before it is proved applicable.
24.We can conclude from the passage that ________.
A) while pushing asteroids off course nuclear weapons would destroy the world
B) asteroids racing across the night sky are likely to hit Earth in the near future
C) the worry about asteroids can be left to future generations since it is unlikely to happen in our lifetime
D) workable solutions still have to be found to prevent a collision of asteroids with Earth
25.Which of the following best describes the author s tone in this passage?
A) Optimistic.
B) Critical.
C) Objective.
D) Arbitrary.
答案:21.B 22.A 23.B 24.D 25.C
What makes a home?
美国基建有多落后?
埃及总统穆尔西保证将绝对权力限于主权事务
A father's love
励志短文一篇
The Key to Happiness
我的母亲教我
美丽的情话
埃及总统扩权反对派上街抗议
爱不论晴雨
Catch the dream 追随梦想
音乐的语言
保持幸福的几条箴言
石头的理想
街角还有公共电话棚
瑞银挨的“板子”太轻
人民币国际化的深层原因
Praying for Rainfall
透过婴儿的眼睛
山寨也能成大器
Seven secrets to a great life
真正的朋友会紧紧相随
Stay Focused
发现你自己
朝鲜的非法武器贸易
卑微仍然可爱
新技术简化手机短信输入难题
夏天的飞鸟 上
Steps to Happiness
The Love in That Summer
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