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A space startup company is planning to launch tourists way up into Earth's atmosphere in a giant balloon. This trip to the stratosphere, which is a place between about 10 and 50 kilometres above the surface of the earth, will give lucky guests wonderful views of the planet and the curvature of the Earth. Space Perspective is the company behind the out of this world travel plans.

It recently announced the development of its “Spaceship Neptune”, a flying space balloon that carries a pod. This pod aims to hold nine people, a minibar, a toilet and plenty of large windows. The aim is for the giant balloon to fly tourists 10,000 feet into the stratosphere in a pressurized capsule(密封舱). The trip would involve a two-hour upward journey. Once there, the plan is to hover over the Atlantic Ocean for two hours, which means that you will stay in the same position in the air for a long time and then there's a two-hour trip back down. Test flights without people are expected to begin in 2021. If all goes well, tickets could be sold as early as in 2024. However, reports suggest these will cost a large sum of money, which may reach up to $125,000.

Space Perspective was founded by Jane Poynter and Taber McCallum. Their website states, "For the first time, we can make the exciting spaceflight accessible to you, our explorers, in a safe, comfortable manner with the fewest physical requirements and as simple as boarding an airplane. Our pressurized capsule affords a shirt-sleeves environment, and comes with a refreshments bar and a toilet , of course." The nine people on board will include a pilot. The aim by the end of the decade is to have 500 of these missions taking off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, each year.

1.What can we learn from Paragraph 1?

A Space Perspective made a space plan for a new company.

B Explorers will have a chance to travel in space by airplane.

C It may not be able to satisfy all the tourists’ needs during the trip.

D Tourists will enjoy an amazing view of the Earth on a new perspective.

解析：选D。推理判断题。根据文章第一段第二句This trip to the stratosphere, which is a place between about 10 and 50 kilometres above the surface of the earth, will give lucky guests wonderful views of the planet and the curvature of the Earth.可知，这次平流层之旅是一个距离地球表面10至50公里的地方，幸运的客人可以看到地球美妙的景象和地球的弯曲表面，由此说明游客将以一个新的视角欣赏到地球的美妙景象，故选D。

2.Which is not mentioned about Spaceship Neptune?

A The process of the space travel.

B The capacity and function of the pod.

C The development in different periods.

D The price of the ticket to a space flying.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章第二段提到“海王星”飞船的行程、容量和功能以及门票，并未提到其不同时期的发展，故选C。

3.The underline word “hover” in Paragraph 2 means _______.

A to move around in the air

B to fly up high in the air

C to fall off the air

D to stay in the air

解析：选D。词义猜测题。根据文章第二段...which means that you will stay in the same position in the air for a long time...可知，计划在空中同一位置长时间停留。由此推测stay in the same position in the air就是对前面划线词hover的解释，意为“空中悬停或盘旋”，故选D。

4.What can we know from the statement on the website?

A There is no doubt that everyone is able to fly to space safely.

B You may have the same experience and feelings as those in a plane.

C The tourists can enjoy a warm and comfortable service in the travel.

D No one can provide such a great spaceflight now except Space Perspective.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据文章最后一段Our pressurized capsule affords a shirt-sleeves environment, and comes with a refreshments bar and a toilet , of course.可知，该密封舱将提供一个穿短袖衬衫的环境，还有一个茶点吧和卫生间，由此说明游客可以在旅行中享受温馨舒适的服务。故选C。