B
On February 21, 2022, US company SpaceX sent 46 satellites into space. Then six days later, China sent 22 satellites into space. Why do we need so many satellites? What do they do for us?
At present, there are more than 3,000 active satellites moving around the Earth. Satellites have all kinds of roles, from sending TV signals, giving you directions on the road, to helping scientists with their research. For example, the 22 satellites China sent up are part of the BeiDou Navigation(导航) Satellite System. Shared bikes that use BeiDou chips can provide more correct positions, making them easier to find.
Before the use of satellites, TV signals didn't reach very far. Mountains or tall buildings would block the signals. Phone calls to faraway places were also a problem. Setting up telephone wires over long distances is difficult. With satellites, TV signals and phone calls can be sent directly to a satellite and back down to different places on the Earth. SpaceX's Starlink project plans to use satellites to provide people with the internet all over the world.
Satellites can also provide information about clouds, oceans, land and ice. They help scientists with predictions of changes in weather and climate. By watching and checking wildfires and volcanoes(火山), satellites help emergency workers deal with natural disasters. Farmers can use satellite pictures to decide the best time to water their fields.
Some satellites fly near other planets. They may look for water on Mars or take close-up pictures of Saturn's(土星的) rings. One video website even sent a satellite into space to look at other planets and share pictures and videos with users.
(
D
) 5. When did China send the 22 satellites into space?
A. On February 15, 2022.
B. On February 21, 2022.
C. On February 26, 2022.
D. On February 27, 2022.
(
C
) 6. What may the underlined word "block" in paragraph 3 mean?
A. Help.
B. Provide.
C. Stop.
D. Change.
(
A
) 7. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. Humans have sent more than 3,000 active satellites into space now.
B. There are 22 satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in all.
C. Satellites help emergency workers with predictions of changes in weather and climate.
D. Before the use of satellites, making phone calls to faraway places was easy.
(
C
) 8. What's the structure of this passage?
A. ①②③/④⑤
B. ①②/③④/⑤
C. ①/②③④⑤
D. ①/②③④/⑤
(
B
) 9. Which can be the best title for this passage?
A. Where do people send satellites?
B. What can satellites do for us?
C. How do people make satellites?
D. When can we see satellites?
