Researchers from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), along with scholars from several famous Chinese universities, discovered ULM-1, an unidentified mineral crystal enriched with water molecules and ammonium(铵) on the moon from the Chang’e-5 lunar samples, shedding new light on potential sources of water and ammonia on the moon. It is an amazing breakthrough that indicates that for the first time, molecular water has been found in lunar soil. The research results have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy, according to CCTV.

    ULM-1’s chemistry and crystal structure is similar to a rare crater mineral that has been found recently on Earth. They are created on Earth when hot basalt (玄武岩) interacts with ammonia and water-rich volcanic gasses. Researchers have carried out in-depth investigations of chloride isotopes and chemicals to guarantee the accuracy of the discovery. The Cl isotopic (同位素的) composition of the mineral differs significantly from that of Earth minerals and matches that of minerals on the moon. Scientists also examined the chemical makeup of the mineral and its production circumstances.

    ___________________________________ The bottom line of water content in the lunar volcanic gasses, according to thermodynamic analyses, was similar to that of Ol Doinyo Lengai in Tanzania, the driest volcano on Earth. The findings therefore unveil (揭示) a complex history of lunar volcanic degassing (脱气), which is of great significance to the exploration of the moon’s evolutionary processes. Also, the discovery revealed the possibility of water molecules’ presence in the form of hydrated salts on the moon. As a result, the findings open up new possibilities for the future development and utilization of lunar resources, as the research signifies that such stable hydrated salts can be produced even in the vast sunlit regions of the moon.

    Without the lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-5 lunar probe, the successful finding would not have been possible. The samples, which are the youngest basalts ever discovered and come from the highest latitude on Earth to date, offer new opportunities for searching for lunar water. 

1.What is the main discovery regarding the Chang’e-5 lunar samples?

A The presence of a new type of mineral on Earth.

B The discovery of molecular water in lunar soil for the first time.

C A large amount of gold on the moon.

D A new method of space travel.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第一段倒数第二句“It is an amazing breakthrough that indicates that for the first time, molecular water has been found in lunar soil.”可知，在嫦娥五号带回的月球样本中，科学家发现了月球上一种富含水分子和铵的未知矿物晶体——ULM-1，这标志着科学家首次在月壤中发现了分子水。故选B。

2.What can we know about ULM-1’s chemistry and crystal structure?

A It is completely different and unique.

B It is similar to a common Earth mineral.

C It is similar to a rare crater mineral recently found on Earth.

D It has no similarities to any known Earth minerals.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“ULM-1’s chemistry and crystal structure is similar to a rare crater mineral that has been found recently on Earth.”可知，ULM-1的晶体结构和组成与地球上近年来发现的一种稀有火山口矿物相似。故选C。

3.What can be put back into the blank?

A This new discovery carries considerable significance in various respects.

B Scientists had not discovered any solid proof of water molecules on the moon.

C Due to the high temperatures on the moon, the existence of liquid water is impossible.

D This crystal could potentially exist in vast regions of the moon.

解析：选A。A 段落大意题。该段主要讲了这一新发现在各个方面所起的作用，因此“这一新发现在各个方面都具有相当大的意义”符合题意。故选A。

4.Which of the following is important to explore the moon’s evolution?

A The origin of the hot basalt.

B The history of lunar volcanic degassing.

C The age of the moon’s surface.

D The moon’s magnetic field history.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的“The findings therefore unveil a complex history of lunar volcanic degassing, which is of great significance to the exploration of the moon’s evolutionary processes.”可知，这揭示了复杂的月球火山脱气历史，对探讨月球的演化过程具有重要意义。故选B。