Mars Was Not Always Bitterly Cold

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have reported evidence that Mars was warmer and wetter long ago than it is today.  The Caltech scientists say they have directly established the temperature of Mars four billion years ago. At least, they established the surface temperature on part of the planet at that time. The researchers say it is the first such evidence to be discovered and presented.

The Caltech scientists say carbonate（碳酸鹽） minerals formed on Mars at about eighteen degrees Celsius. They reached the finding after studying a meteorite（隕石） that had its beginnings near the Martian surface.

Today, the average temperature on Mars is sixty-three degrees below zero Celsius.

The finding was reported on the website of the National Academy of Sciences. Caltech Assistant Professor Woody Fischer helped to prepare the report. He says eighteen degrees Celsius is not especially cold or hot. He says this makes the finding extremely interesting. Knowing the temperature can give scientists an idea of the climate on Mars long ago. It can also help them decide whether the planet had liquid water. Spacecraft orbiting Mars have shown what appear to be rivers, lakebeds and mineral deposits. These pictures suggest that, at one time, water did flow there. Mars Rover vehicles and other spacecraft have confirmed the information.

Caltech Geology Professor John Eiler was another writer of the report. He says knowing the temperature of Mars from long ago provides valuable information. It shows that early in the planet's history, at least part of Mars could support a climate like that of Earth.

The meteorite the scientists examined is one of the oldest known rocks in the world. It is called the Allan Hills meteorite. Its name came from the place in Antarctica where it was found in 1984. The meteorite is believed to have blown loose from the Mars' surface when another space rock struck its "home."

1. The underlined word “establish” in Paragraph 1 probably means “___________”.

A．to set up

B．to make people accept a belief

C．to discover or prove

D．to start having a relationship with others

2.How did the scientists reach the finding?

A．By studying Allan Hills meteorite.

B．By using spacecraft orbiting Mars.

C．By studying minerals gathered on Mars

D．By studying a meteorite on the Martian surface.

3.According to the fourth paragraph, what have spacecraft orbiting Mars done?

A．Measuring the temperature of Mars.

B．Taking photos of the surface of Mars.

C．Confirming that there is water flowing on Mars.

D．Finding where human beings will probably land on Mars.

4.How did Allan Hills meteorite get its name?

A．From its original place on Mars.

B．From where it was found on the earth.

C．From the name of the scientist who found it.

D．From the name of the aircraft that discovered it

5. Where can we most probably read this passage?

A．In a biography of scientists.

B．In a geography magazine.

C．In an environment report.

D．In a science report.

 

【答案】

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.B

5.D

【解析】

試題分析：

1.從第一段最后一句The researchers say it is the first such evidence to be discovered and presented結(jié)合前面兩句可以說明科學(xué)家發(fā)現(xiàn)了40億年前的火星地表的溫度的證據(jù)。

2.從第二段They reached the finding after studying a meteorite（隕石） that had its beginnings near the Martian surface.及最后一段It is called the Allan Hills meteorite可知答案A, D答案錯在on the surface.

3.從第四段倒數(shù)第二，三可以看出宇宙飛船火星軌道是給火星地表拍照的。

4.從最后一段Its name came from the place in Antarctica where it was found in 1984可知正確答案。

5.從第一段第一句可知本文主要講的是一個科學(xué)報告，故選Ｄ

考點：科普說明文

點評：本文主要說明一個科學(xué)報告：許多年前火星比現(xiàn)在更溫暖，潮濕�？破照f明文要注意首段首句，往往會在首句點明一個科學(xué)研究發(fā)現(xiàn)。

 

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