NASA’s Mars detector (探测器), Opportunity, succeeded in finding signs that water once existed on the planet. Opportunity landed on Mars in January. Scientists now believe that the planet could once have supported life.
This discovery was chosen by Science, one of the world’s leading magazines, as the most important scientific achievement of 2004 last Friday.
“This little, wheeled, one-armed box went around another planet and has done something no human has ever managed,” according to Science. “It has discovered another place in the universe where life could once have existed.”
“Although we still can’t say that life could have existed in this environment, it is now certain that there was water on Mars,” said Steve Squyres, one of the scientists working on the Mars mission. The evidence es from pictures and chemical readings taken by Opportunity. It includes marks on rocks like those caused by flowing water on Earth and salty chemicals like those found in dried-out sea-beds. Scientists said the new evidence proved beyond doubt that water has existed on Mars. But it is still unknown whether the water on Mars was like an ocean or just ice.
While Opportunity has not found any signs of life, the presence of water means life is possible. “In everything we know about life on Earth, there is no example without liquid water,” Squyres said. “So water is important for the search for life on Mars.”
Researchers agree that a future mission (任务) should bring back physical samples (样品). But some scientists worry about the risk that this could introduce dangerous foreign creatures to Earth. “The problem here is how to get the samples back,” Squyres replied. “I think it is our responsibility to limit any risk.”
【小题1】 prove that water existed on Mars.A．The physical samples with salty chemicalsB．The marks on rocks and salty chemicalsC．Scientific achievements of 2004D．Creatures from Mars【小题2】Which of the following is TURE according to the text?A．It is now certain that there was water on Mars.B．The water on Mars was like an ocean.C．Evidence of life on Mars has been found.D．Search for life on Mars is a great risk to humans.【小题3】How did scientists draw the conclusion that there was water on Mars?A．The world’s leading magazine has announced the fact.B．Scientists have taken many pictures and chemical readings on the Mars.C．Astronauts have got some rocks from Mars.D．Scientists have made a study of the pictures and readings sent back by Mars detector.【小题4】It can be inferred that, if the creatures from Mars came to Earth, .A．they would be kind to humansB．they would be cruel to humansC．they would be a great danger to Earth D．it would be hard to say whether it would be a good news or bad newB
网友回答
(答案→)B
解析：文章介绍了火星探测器Opportunity发回的图片显示火星上有水的存在，同时也说明有可能存在着生命。
【小题1】细节题。根据第四段第4行It includes marks on rocks like those caused by flowing water on Earth and salty chemicals like those found in dried-out sea-beds.可知B正确。
【小题2】细节题。根据第四段第五行Scientists said the new evidence proved beyond doubt that water has existed on Mars.可知答案为A。
【小题3】细节题。根据第四段第三行The evidence es from pictures and chemical readings taken by Opportunity.可知D正确。
【小题4】推断题。根据文章最后一段第2行But some scientists worry about the risk that this could introduce dangerous foreign creatures to Earth.同时又想能研究样品。很难说是好还是坏。