Some people wonder why countries spend millions of dollars on space projects. They want to know how space research helps people on Earth. Actually space technology helps people on Earth every day. This is called "spin-off technology."
Spin-off technology is space technology that is now used on Earth.
In early space programs, such as the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, and in the Space Shuttle missions today, scientists developed objects for the astronauts to use on the moon and in space. We now use some of these objects every day.
For example, we have Quartz crystal clocks and watches accurate to within one minute a year. We purify the water we drink with a water filter designed for the astronauts' use in space.
The cordless, hand-held tools we use in our homes, such as vacuum cleaners, flashlights, drills and saws came from the technology of these early space programs.
On cold winter days we can stay warm with battery-operated gloves and socks, and specially made coats and jackets. All of these clothes are similar to the spacesuit designs that kept astronauts comfortable in the temperatures of the moon, and are spin-offs from space technology.
These products are only a few examples of the many ways space technology helps us in our everyday lives. No one knows how new spin-off technology from the International Space Station will help us in the future.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Q16: What do some people want to know about space exploration?
A) When America’s earliest space program started.
B) When the International Space Station was built.
C) How many space shuttle missions there will be.
D) How space research benefits people on Earth.
答案:D) How space research benefits people on Earth.
Q17: What did scientists do for the space shuttle missions?
A) They accurately calculated the speed of the orbiting shuttles.
B) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.
C) They tried to meet astronauts’specific requirements.
D) They tried to make best use of the latest technology.
答案:B) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.
Q18: What does the speaker say about Quartz crystal clocks and watches?
A) They are extremely accurate. C) They were first made in space.
B) They are expensive to make. D) They were invented in the 1970s.
答案:A) They are extremely accurate.
解析:
短文1主要讲的是航天工程技术以及它对我们日常生活的积极影响。从题目设置上看,本篇短文主要考查的是事实细节。根据“所听即所得”、“举例中有重点”以及顺序原则可以得出答案,正确选项为原文的同义替换或简单重复。
有些人想知道为什么国家要在太空项目上花费数百万美元。他们想知道太空研究如何帮助地球上的人们。实际上,太空技术每天都在帮助地球上的人们。这就是所谓的“副产品技术”。 副产品技术是现在在地球上使用的空间技术。 在早期的太空计划中,如20世纪60年代和70年代的阿波罗计划,以及今天的航天飞机计划中,科学家们开发了供宇航员在月球和太空中使用的物品。我们现在每天都在使用这些东西。 例如,我们有每年精确到一分钟的石英水晶钟和手表。我们用专门为宇航员在太空中使用而设计的滤水器来净化我们喝的水。 我们在家里使用的无绳手提工具,如吸尘器、手电筒、电钻和锯子,都来自这些早期太空计划的技术。
在寒冷的冬天,我们可以用电池供电的手套和袜子,以及特制的外套和夹克来保暖。所有这些衣服都类似于让宇航员在月球上保持舒适的宇航服设计,都是太空技术的副产品。 这些产品只是太空技术在日常生活中诸多方面帮助我们的几个例子。没有人知道国际空间站的新衍生技术将来会如何帮助我们。