- 1 - 河北省秦皇岛市卢龙县2016 高考英语阅读理解含语法填空练习（9）阅读理解。Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked. Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成 ) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible. Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects. Exploration also allows minerals and other potential(潜在的 ) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offsincluding improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products(副产品) of technological developments in the space industry! While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist. While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future. 本文是一篇议论文，向我们阐述了人类进行太空探索的原因。人类的基因构成决定了人类探索- 2 - 其他领域包括太空的能力。人类探索太空可能暂时没有多大用处，但是在将来这可能会帮助人类生存下去。1Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph 1? ATo express his doubts. BTo compare different ideas. CTo introduce points for discussion. DTo describe the conditions on Earth. 答案： C 。推理判断题。作者在第一段提出问题目的是引出下面要讨论的话题。2What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph 2? AHumans are nature-born to do so.BHumans have the tendency to fight. CHumans may find new sources of food. DHumans dont like to stay in the same place. 答案： A 。细节理解题。根据第二段的第一句可知人类探索太空的原因是其基因的构成。3The underlined word “spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to _.Asurvival chances Bpotential resources Cunexpected benefits Dphysical possessions 答案： C。词义猜测题。 后面所说的“ improvements in earthquake prediction， in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems”可知此处的划线短语意为“益处，好处”。4What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets? AOur genetic makeup. BResources on the earth. CThe adaptive ability of humans. DBy-products in space exploration.答案： C 。细节理解题。根据最后一段的第一句话可知，人类的适应能力会让人类在其他星球生存下去。5Which of the statements can best sum up the passage? ASpace exploration has created many wonders. BSpace exploration provides the best value for money. CSpace exploration can benefit science and technology. DSpace exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth. 答案： D 。主旨大意题。A、B两项可以容易地排除。全文主要讲的是太空探索对帮助人类生存的益处，而不是对科技的益处。阅读理解- 3 - Lisa Pina never thought she would need the fire safety training she received during her apprenticeship (学徒期 ) as a union painter and dry waller.On Friday morning，she was thanking God she had it. On Thursday night ， while Pina was babysitting her granddaughter，nephew and two nieces in her sisters apartment ，she smelled smoke and realized the apartment building was on fire.When her 4-year-old granddaughter Ilean Garcia began saying，“We re going to die，”she knew she had to act.Pina,39，first sealed the door，and then told all four children to get on the floor.After calling 911，she told the children to start singing and promised them all treats as soon as they reached safety. “I said ，OK ，we re going to lie down and we re all going to play a game ，” Pina said. “We all started singing our ABCs and 123s.I was just trying to make it fun.”Pina patiently waited，and a few minutes later，Riverside County sheriffs deputies ( 治安官的助手) arrived.Pina，Ilean,8-year-old Gabriel Parga,5-year-old Aubreyana Parga and 4-year-old Meriyah Parga were all trapped on the second floor as flames filled the first story. Pina did the only thing she could.She opened the window and dropped the children