16．Why should mankind explore space？Why should money，time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits？Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth？These are questions that，understandably，are very often asked．
Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup（基因構(gòu)成）as human beings．What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains，and on into all possible areas and environments？The wider the spread of a species，the better its chance of survival．Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible．
Nearly every successful civilization has explored，because by doing so，any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for．Without knowledge，we may be completely destroyed by the danger．With knowledge，we can lessen its effects．
Exploration also allows minerals and other potential（潛在的）resources to be found．Even if we have no immediate need of them，they will perhaps be useful later．Resources may be more than physical possessions．Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration．The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives．We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction，in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems．Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products （副產(chǎn)品）of technological developments in the space industry!
While many resources are spent on what seems a small return，the exploration of space allows creative，brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us．While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works，it also holds dangers．The danger exists，but knowledge can help human beings to survive．Without the ability to reach out across space，the chance to save ourselves might not exist．
While Earth is the only planet known to support life，surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets．It is true that the lifestyle would be different，but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future．
28．Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1？C
A．To express his doubts．
B．To compare different ideas．
C．To introduce points for discussion．
D．To describe the conditions on Earth．
29．What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2？A
A．Humans are nature-born to do so．
B．Humans have the tendency to fight．
C．Humans may find new sources of food．
D．Humans don't like to stay in the same place．
30．The underlined word"spin-offs"in Paragraph 4probably refers toC．
A．survival chances B．potential resources
C．unexpected benefits D．physical possessions
31．Which of the statements can best sum up the passage？D
A．Space exploration has created many wonders．
B．Space exploration provides the best value for money．
C．Space exploration can benefit science and technology．
D．Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth．
分析 文章講述了人類對太空的探索．人類的天性決定了我們一定會探索太空，從已經(jīng)取得的成績看，效果不錯．此外，探索太空也是對人類的未來負責(zé)，可以幫我們尋找新能源，確保了人類的生存．
解答 28．C 寫作結(jié)構(gòu)題．文章用設(shè)問的方式是為了引出話題：人類探索太空的原因．故選C．
29．A 細節(jié)理解題．文章第二段說Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup as human beings人類探索太空原因存在與人類的基因中．故選A．
30．C 猜測詞意題．劃線前面說The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives人類已經(jīng)利用太空技術(shù)改善了我們的生活；后面說including improvements in earthquake prediction，in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems．Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products of technological developments in the space industry人類還從太空技術(shù)中獲得了很多附帶的好處．故選C．
31．D 主旨大意題．文章講述的是太空探索的問題和探索太空帶來的好處；文章倒數(shù)第二段說Without the ability to reach out across space，the chance to save ourselves might not exist不探索太空，我們?nèi)祟愐苍S很難生存下去．故選D．
點評 本文是科教類閱讀理解．做這類題材閱讀理解時要求考生對文章通讀一遍，做題時結(jié)合原文和題目有針對性的找出相關(guān)語句進行仔細分析，結(jié)合選項選出正確答案．推理判斷題也是要在抓住關(guān)鍵句子的基礎(chǔ)上合理的分析才能得出正確答案，切忌胡亂猜測，一定要做到有理有據(jù)
