Question

It was not much bigger than a soccer ball and weighed less than 185 pounds. But 50 years ago, when the Russian satellite Sputnik successfully orbited the Earth, it made headlines around the world and marked the beginning of the race for space.

　 The launch of the world's first artificial satellite on October 4, 1957 ignitedBefore Sputnik's launch, the US had plans to send its own satellites into space to study cosmic (宇宙的) rays and gravity, among other things. But the Russians struck first, leaving US scientists and ordinary citizens in shock. To make matters worse, the Russians successfully launched a second satellite less than one month later. This one was much larger, at 1,120 pounds. The Americans were more eager than ever to make their mark in space.

　 Americans thought their time had finally come on December 6. But what was supposed to be a day to remember quickly turned into a disaster to forget. The US satellite Vanguard rose just four feet off the ground before its engine failed and it burst into flames. Finally, on January 31, 1958, the Americans had the reason to celebrate. The US satellite Explorer 1 blasted into space. During its voyage, it made one of the most significant scientific finds to date—the discovery of magnetic radiation belts around the Earth.

　 As the consequence of Sputnik, American Congress passed the National Defense Education Act of 1958.The act was aimed at improving education in science, mathematics, and foreign languages. Congress also passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958. The federal legislation (立法) created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, most commonly known as NASA.Today, the United States and Russia are no longer in competition. In fact, NASA astronauts and Russian cosmonauts are working together and making important scientific discoveries aboard the International Space Station.

1．How can we conclude the first period of the space race between the US and Russia?

A．A Russian victory. 　　　　 　B．A close game.

C．An American honor. 　　　　 　D．A hard win for both.

2．The Russians successfully launched the first satellite________ earlier than the Americans.

A．nearly half a year　 　　　 　B．about two months

C．less than 100 days　 　　　 　D．more than 100 days

3．In 1958 American Congress passed two acts for fear that ________.

A．the US wouldn't get any help from the Soviet Union

B．the Soviet Union would cancel the offer in the competition

C．the Soviet Union would do better than the US in the space race

D．the US would be in want of research forces

4．The underlined word “ignited” here can be replaced by “________”．

A．prepared　　　 B．caused　　　 C．approved　　 D．compared

 

Answer 1

ADCB

 

解析：推斷題。從第3段可知：俄羅斯一直在太空探索領域處于領先地位。

解析：　細節題。前蘇聯發射首顆衛星是在1957年10月4日，而美國則在1958年1月31日，故D項正確。

解析：推斷題。從第2段提到的兩國的太空競爭可推知。

解析：詞義推測題。根據句意可知是“激發，引起”了兩國緊張的太空競賽