Three Chinese astronauts recently arrived at the country’s new space station in another step forward for the growing space power. Here is a look at some of the space station’s major goals.

The three-member crew will stay for three months in the station’s main living space, called a module (舱). The module is named Tianhe, which means “Harmony of the Heavens” in Chinese. The astronauts will carry out science experiments and perform maintenance (维护). They also plan to complete space walks and prepare the station to receive two other modules next year.

While China admits it arrived late to the space station game, it says its new station is modern and includes the latest space technology. Tianhe might even outlast the International Space Station (ISS), which is nearing the end of its operational lifespan. The recent launch brought back China’s crewed space program after a five-year break. China has now sent 14 astronauts into space since its first launch in 2003. It is the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to do so.

As its economy experienced growth in the 1990s, China made a plan for space exploration. Since then, it has attempted to carry out this plan carefully and evenly. China was barred from joining the ISS. It is likely, however, that China would have built its own station anyway because of its goal to become a major space power.

Ji Qiming is the Assistant Director of the China Manned Space Agency. He recently told reporters that the building and operation of the space station will raise the level of Chinese technologies. He also said it will “accumulate experience for all the people”.

The space program is part of an overall drive to help China take on even larger projects. China also wants to expand cooperation with Russia and other, mostly European, countries along with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. China’s space program has been a large part of its national pride. It represents the country’s rise from a poor nation to become the world’s second-largest economy in the last 40 years.

本时文内容由奇速英语国际教育研究院原创编写，未经书面授权，禁止复制和任何商业用途，版权所有，侵权必究！（作者投稿及时文阅读定制请联系微信：18980471698）

1.Which of the following is NOT included in the trip’s purpose?

A Astronauts will walk in space.

B Astronauts will do some experiments.

C Astronauts will keep the station in good state.

D Astronauts will receive two more modules.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第二段The astronauts will carry out science experiments and perform maintenance. They also plan to complete space walks and prepare the station to receive two other modules next year.可知，宇航员将进行科学实验和维护工作。他们还计划完成太空行走，并为空间站明年接收另外两个舱做好准备，并不是宇航员接收。故选D。

2.What can we infer from Paragraph 3?

A China started late in the field of space but never failed.

B China’s space technology has taken the lead in the world.

C Tianhe will take the place of the International Space Station.

D Chinese astronauts appeared at the space station five years ago.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第三段The recent launch brought back China’s crewed space program after a five-year break.可知，最近的这次发射使中国的载人航天计划在中断了五年之后又恢复了。推断五年前中国宇航员曾出现在空间站。故选D。

3.Why did China want to build the space station?

A To break the block of foreign technology.

B To realize the dream of being a space power.

C To let space technology benefit mankind.

D To prove the development of science and technology.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第四段It is likely, however, that China would have built its own station anyway because of its goal to become a major space power.可知，中国建造自己的空间站的目的在于要成为一个航天大国。故选B。

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A China has learned a lot from foreign space experience.

B China’s space program promotes the development of economy.

C Space station construction can’t be done without economic base.

D China has achieved good results in cooperation with other countries.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。根据第四段As its economy experienced growth in the 1990s, China made a plan for space exploration.及最后一段It represents the country’s rise from a poor nation to become the world’s second-largest economy in the last 40 years.可知，随着20世纪90年代中国经济的发展，中国制定了太空探索计划。该计划代表着中国在过去40年里从一个贫穷国家崛起为世界第二大经济体。由此说明空间站建设离不开经济基础。故选C。