A
There are strong arguments on space travel，and below you will find a list of many frequently used arguments.
Pros of space travel：
—Space travel has inspired many people to continue improving technology such as inventing Velcro and nonstick frying pans.
—If you look at the total GDP worldwide，space only accounts for a very small percentage of the total budget.
—Better to spend money on our future，than on other projects that would have a much lower potential reward.
—If we were to colonize (占领) another planet，it would reduce the population on Earth，which is already overpopulated.This will result in the survival of our species when our planet can no longer support human life.
—Multinational space stations have helped diplomacy (外交) among multiple nations.
Cons of space travel：
—There is a very large percentage of the earth's oceans we have yet to explore.We should continue exploring the remaining unknown regions of our oceans before continuing to another planet.
—The funding for space exploration comes from the tax payers' pockets.Many do not think that they should be forced into paying for something they oppose.
—The total contributions from space travel is minimal，when considering the total cost.
—We should not be thinking about colonizing a moon，or a planet.It's better to save our existing planet first.If we are to destroy one planet，what is to stop us from repeating the mistakes on another planet.
—Not only is the cost of manned space missions expensive，but space travel can have a serious effect on the human body over an extended period of time.The only way to solve it is by using robots，which reduces the human risk factor，and reduces the overall cost.
Overall，most people approve of (赞成) our current exploration methods.In my opinion，these methods should be reviewed to help reduce the cost of launches.I believe the potential of finding resources on other planets will make the cost of several decades of space exploration worthwhile.
【语篇解读】 太空旅行的支持者和反对者都给出什么样的理由呢？
1．Which of the following benefits of space travel is NOT mentioned?
A．Creating more job opportunities.
B．Reducing the overpopulation problem.
C．Bringing about advanced technologies.
D．Developing relationships among countries.
A [细节理解题。根据Pros of space travel部分可知B、C、D三项均有提及，唯独A没提到。]
2．The underlined part “the mistakes” here probably refers to ．
A．colonizing a moon
B．doing damage to Earth
C．spending money with little reward
D．having a wrong understanding about other planets
B [词义猜测题。根据画线词前的“It's better to save our existing planet first.”可知“the mistakes”指的是我们对地球的破坏。]
3．What would be the best title for this passage?
A．The future of space travel
B．The benefits of space travel
C．Why space travel is expensive
D．Whether space travel is worthwhile or not
D [标题归纳题。本文探讨了太空旅行值不值的问题。]
4．What's the author's attitude towards space travel?
A．Negative. B．Doubtful.
C．Positive. D．Not mentioned.
C [观点态度题。根据文章最后一段“I believe the potential of finding resources on other planets will make the cost of several decades of space exploration worthwhile.”可知作者的态度是积极的。]
