“The astronaut” had for a long time seemed “sacred and distant” to Gui Haichao until the researcher became a member of the Astronaut Center of China. The 36-year-old from Yunnan province is the first Chinese civilian (平民) to fly in space.

In 2005, Gui became a student at the School of Astronautics under Beihang University, majoring in spacecraft design and engineering. In the following years, Gui continued his study at Beihang and graduated in the summer of 2014 with a doctor’s degree in spacecraft design. The young researcher then spent two years in a post-doctoral program at the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering at York University in Toronto. He returned to Beihang in September 2017 after receiving the university’s invitation to teach at the School of Astronautics.

In the spring of 2018, Gui and his colleagues were told by the school’s president that China’s manned space authorities had decided to select the third batch (一批) of astronauts. Gui has been a fan of space exploration for many years and sometimes dreamed about doing his research in space, so he immediately came to fill in the application form. After rounds of physical checks and professional tests, Gui succeeded and started training at the Astronaut Center of China.

According to Wang Yue, a classmate and co-worker of Gui at the School of Astronautics, Gui told him privately that the physical training at the astronaut center was “intense and demanding” and posed a huge challenge to him. “But he didn’t quit the training and managed to pass all tests,” Wang said.

Thanks to his hard work, Gui progressed rapidly in every training course and was chosen for the Shenzhou XVI mission to become the first civilian and scientist in this country to travel in orbit. The professor said he feels fortunate and honored to become the first Chinese science payloads specialist (载荷专家) to fly in space.

1.What does the second paragraph talk about?

A Gui’s major achievements.

B Gui’s recent work experience.

C Gui’s academic background.

D Gui’s childhood experiences.

解析：选C。C段落大意题。该段主要讲了桂海潮的学术背景。故选C。

2.How might Gui feel when hearing about the selection of astronauts?

A Confident.

B Worried.

C Nervous.

D Excited.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第三段第二句“Gui has been a fan of space exploration for many years and sometimes dreamed about doing his research in space, so he immediately came to fill in the application form.”可知，多年来，桂海潮一直是太空探索的爱好者，有时他梦想着在太空进行研究，所以听到这个消息他立即填写申请表，因此可推断他应该很兴奋。故选D。

3.What does Wang Yue think of Gui?

A He is lucky.

B He is frank.

C He is determined.

D He is intelligent.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。根据第三段中桂海潮的同学兼同事王悦描述，航天员的训练工作很辛苦，但是桂海潮没有放弃，并且努力通过了各项考验，由此可推断，王悦认为桂海潮意志坚定。故选C。

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A Gui studied at Beihang for nine years.

B Gui used to be a teacher at York University.

C Gui never dreamed to be an astronaut.

D Gui regretted not being a member of the army.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第二段的“In 2005, Gui became a student at the School of Astronautics under Beihang University”以及后面的“graduated in the summer of 2014”可知，他在北航学习了9年。故选A。