Question

      Not too big, not too small.  Not too hot, not too cold.  A newly discovered planet looks just right for life as we know it, according to an international group of astronomers.

Circling a star about 500 light years away, the planet called Kepler-186f is about the same size as Earth.  It goes round its star at the right distance for liquid water on the surface.  That is a necessary condition for life.  But it is not exactly like Earth, it’s more of an Earth’s cousin.  It’s not an Earth’s twin.  It shares the same characteristics as Earth, but their parent stars are very different.

Kepler-186f circles a star that is smaller and cooler than our sun.  But the planet appears to be a closer relative than most of the hundreds of others discovered so far.  Some are huge gas-covered giants with thick atmospheres.  Others circle too closely to their stars and are too hot for life.  For the first time, we can actually say we now have a planet that is both Earth-sized and circles in its star’s livable zone.

The next step would be to look for signs of life in the atmospheres of these distant world.  That would take a more advanced telescope.  But budget cuts threaten that task, says University of California at Los Angeles astrophysicist Ben.

“In theory, we could do this in the next couple of decades.  But in practice, because there’s no money, it’s not going to happen.  It’s not going to happen in my lifetime, for example, ”said Ben.  However, NASA’s Elisa Quintana believes that when the next-generation space telescope is used, it will find that we are not alone in the universe.  In the meantime, the search continues for other worlds where life may find a home. 。

1.What do we know about the newly discovered planet?

A. It was discovered by chance.

B. It has some form of life on it.

C. It has suitable conditions for life.

D. It is an ordinary planet like others.

2.The difference between Earth and Kepler-186f is that　　　.

A. they circle different parent stars

B. they came into being at different times

C. they move in space at a different speed

D. they orbit their stars at a different distance

3.The discovery of Kepler-186f is remarkable because　　　.

A. man has discovered a new home

B. it caused people’s interest in the universe

C. man has found a familiar planet like Earth

D. it can help man know more about Earth

4.What does Ben worry about in the future research?

A. Lack of money.    B. No cooperation.

C. His coming old age.    D. His weak influence.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇科学报道。文章讲了天文学家发现了一颗类似地球的行星，上面有适合生命存在的条件，从此地球或许不再孤单。

1.细节理解题。答案定位在第一段Not too big, not too small. Not too hot, not too cold. A newly discovered planet looks just right for life as we know it, according to an international group of astronomers. 可知新发现的星球很适合生命生存，故选C。

2.细节理解题。答案定位在第二段It shares the same characteristics as Earth, but their parent stars are very different. 可知地球和Kepler-186f的不同之处在于它们环绕的恒星不同，故选A。

3.细节理解题。答案定位在第三段For the first time, we can actually say we now have a planet that is both Earth-sized and circles in its star’s livable zone.可知Kepler-186f的发现非常的举世瞩目是因为人类发现了一颗和地球很类似的星球，故选C。

4.细节理解题。答案定位在最后一段“In theory, we could do this in the next couple of decades. But in practice, because there’s no money, it’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen in my lifetime, for example, ”said Ben.可知Ben对于未来的研究很担忧是因为资金短缺，故选A。