英语4级模拟测试及答案

模拟测试试题参考答案

作文

Will E-books replace traditional books?

Recent decades have seen the rapid development of information technology, and thereby E-books have wound their way into our daily life. Because of the wide and quick popularity of E-books, there has been an increasing controversy over the question of whether E-books will replace traditional books or not.

Many people hold the idea that it will not take long for E-books to replace traditional books because E-books have quite a few advantages over traditional ones. First, E-books are more accessible to readers, because the readers just need to log onto the internet and read online. Second, thanks to the advanced technology, the cost of E-books is much lower, so it takes readers far less money to buy E-books. Last but not the least, reading E-books has developed into part of our daily life, which is particularly appealing to young users, who are the body part of the users of electronic products.

As far as I’m concerned, it is not likely for E-books to replace traditional books for lots of reasons. For example, long time of reading E-books will do more harm to our eyes, and readers will find themselves more accessible to printed materials because computers and the internet haven’t yet been popularized to ever y corner of our life.

阅读 1. A 2.D 3.B 4.C 5.A 6.B 7.C8. quite homogeneous, but small 9.relationships with consumers 10. the appropriate /proper media

听力：11-15. ADBBD 16-20 ABA AB 21-25 CDDAD 26-30 CACCA 31-35 DBCAD

36.highest

37.professional https://www.wendangku.net/doc/281483003.html,wyers

39.survived

40.engineering

41.Requirements

https://www.wendangku.net/doc/281483003.html,anized

43.full-time

(44) present their findings by writing a long paper that they have to defend before a group of

experts.

(45) Every year, the federal government collects information on research doctorates awarded in

the United States.

(46) Close to one-third of those doctorates went to foreign students in the United States on a

temporary visa.

选词填空47-51AIEFG 52-56 LJCNO

段落阅读56-61 BDDCA 62-66 CDBAB

完形填空67-71 CBADC 72-76 BDABB 77-81 AAABD 82-86 CACDA

翻译

87.______________ (把一切考虑过后), the trip to Paris has to be called off. （核心密卷4）

All things considered / Considering everthing

Everything taken into account/consideration

88.Prices are going up rapidly. Petrol now __________(现在汽油的价格十几年前的两倍) (核

心密卷3)

is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago

is twice the price of a few years ago

89._____________________________ （任何国家无论在什么情况下都不可以）have the

right to use nuclear weapons.( Under no circumstances should any nation)（06级第五次模拟试题）

90.By contrast, American mothers were more likely ______(把孩子成功归因于)natural talent.

(to attribute their children’s success to)（试点考试样卷）

91.The victim ______(本来会有机会活下来)if he had been taken to hospital in time (would

have had a chance to survive)（2006年12月23英语四级真题）

听力原文

11.W: I’m thinking of having more time to look for a good job next semester, so perhaps I

should take five courses this semester.

M: Wouldn’t four be wiser? Unless you’re absolutely sure of yourself.

Q: What does the man imply about the courses?

12.M: So you are not joining us on the trip to the theme park today? What are you working on so

diligently?

W: An editorial for the newspaper. If I miss the midnight deadline, it won’t be printed until next week.

Q: What is the woman trying to do?

13.M: Have you seen the author’s latest bestseller? I hear it’s qui te an interesting book.

W: I’ve just finished it, I really recommend it.

Q: What does the man and woman discussing?

14.W: So you have completed the experiment. You didn’t have too much trouble doing that, did

you?

M: It only took me most of the day. It r eally isn’t much different from the one I did last time.

Q: What are the man and woman discussing?

15.W: Where can I find a map of the university campus? I did not expect I would get lost here.

M: Have you tried the information centre?

Q: What does the man imply about the information office?

16.M: Could I hand in my paper a few days later? I think I still need to do more research on the

subject.

W: I’m afraid that’s out of the question.

Q: What does the woman mean?

17.M: We’ve sure been having a lot of rain lately; this might cause more oxygen in the water.

W: Haven’t we ever?

Q: What do we learn from the woman’s response?

18.M: I can’t believe your room is such a mess. Why don’t spend some time trying to make it

clean and tidy?

W: Have you been to our roo m? That’s Joan’s room.

Q: What does the woman mean?

W: Wonderful! I spent most of my time at the art museum. I especially liked the new wing. I was amazed to hear the guide explain the problems they had building it.

M: Right. I just read an article that went on and on about the cost – 90 million total I think

W: Yeah. The guide mentioned that. You could see they spared no expense.

M: It looked really unusual, at least from what I saw in the picture.

W: It is. The basic design is two triangles. In fact there are triangles all over. The paving stones in the courtyard, the skylights and even a lot of the sculptures.

M: One sculpture is a mobile. It’s in the courtyard and it’s made of pieces of aluminum that moves slowly in the air. It’s really impressive.

W: That was in the article too. It was said that the original was steel and it weighed so much that it wasn’t safe to hand.

M: Right. They did it over in aluminum so it wouldn’t come crashing down on someone’s head. W: You know the article went into that in detail. There was even an interview with the sculptor. M: I’d like to read that. Would you mind if I borrow the magazine sometime?

W: No. I wouldn’t mind if I haven’t thrown it out yet.

19.What did the woman think of the new wing of the museum?

20.How had the man learned about the museum?

21.According to the woman, what do the paving stones, skylights and mobile have in common?

22.What was the problem with the original mobile?

W: David, can I give you a hand with one of those grocery bags?

M: Sure, thank yo u so much. Could you take this one please? I didn’t realize how heavy these bags would be.

W: Why did you buy so much stuff when you have to walk back from the store?

M: Well, I didn’t intend to buy a lot. But I’m having some people over and I guess I ne eded more than I expected.

W: What’s the occasion?

M: Now the people I live with, the Kremers, have been on vacation for a month and I thought I’d surprise them. I’m inviting some of their friends and families for a welcome home dinner. W: Oh, that’s re ally thoughtful of you.

M: I figure it’s the best I can do for them. They’ve been letting me stay with them rent-free while I’m in school.

W: Really? That’s pretty generous of them.

M: Well, they understand how difficult it is to make ends meet when you’re a student. They’ve been such a big help to me. I thought that this might be a small way to thank them for the generosity.

23.What is David trying to do?

24.Why did David buy so much stuff when he had to walk home?

25.Why is David appreciative of the Kremers?

Passage One

Have you ever had travel problem because you airplane was late? It is a common problem and it is getting worse. Airport delays make people angry and cost the country billions in lost work time.

The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA is the government agency that oversees air travel. They studied the problem of airline delays.

They found eleven major problems and proposed eleven ways to fix them. Some of the problems are caused because different regions of the country do things differently. Also, more planes are flying. A strong economy has more people using airplanes to get round. Airplanes are a form of mass transportation now, like trains and buses were in the past. More planes in the airport cause delays. Weather is another main reason for delays. Weather causes about 70 % of delays. Fog or freezing rain can cause delays.

The first thing the FAA wants to do is take control away from the regions during heavy traffic times and bad weather. A national center would make decisions on things that affect the whole country. The FAA also wants to put more distance between planes in the sky when the weather is bad. This rule could cause even more delays.

The FAA knows that their solutions will not cure the problems with airport delays. But, they hope to make things better. There are just too many planes, too few traffic controllers, and not enough new technology.

26.What is the problem studied by FAA?

27.What is the main cause of airline delays according to the study?

28.Why is it likely that the FAA will create more delays?

Passage Two

On March 26, 2000, the Kingdome in Seattle was destroyed. It was taken down to make room for a new stadium. The blast from the falling Kingdome caused the Earth to shake as if an earthquake had happened.

Scientists placed more than 200 seismic reorders in the earth to measure the movement. They found which parts of the city shook the most. This information helped them predict which parts of the city would be damaged in a real earthquake.

On February 28, 2001, the real thing happened. The earthquake was 6.8 on the Richter scale. It damaged the same parts of Seattle that scientists had predicted from the Kingdome blast. It was a slab quake. It started deep in the earth, 37 miles below the surface on the Juan de Fuca plate.

Scientists have learned that deep earthquakes have very few aftershocks. The earthquake had only four. Another earthquake in California that was close to the surface had over 120 aftershocks. Scientists do not know why the deep earthquakes have fewer aftershocks.

Scientists plan to set off explosive in the ground near Seattle aimed at the slab. The shockwaves from the blast will bounce off the slab and give them an idea of where the plate is and how it is moving. This will give them more information in case another real earthquake hits the area.

29.How was the Kingdome in Seattle destroyed?

30.Why did scientists measure the collapse of the Kingdome?

31.What is most puzzling to scientists about the earthquake?

32.What are scientists planning to do according to the passage?

Passage Three

People have always looked to the sky and wondered about what they saw. As centuries of discoveries flew by, it became obvious that humans would not be content to just gaze at the solar system. We wanted to blast off into it as well.

Once again, technology allowed us to accomplish our goal. On October 4, 1957, a Soviet rocket sent the first man-made satellite into space. It was called Sputnik, the Russian word for “traveler”. Even though Sputnik was nothing more than a small aluminum ball with a radio inside, it started a whole new era of space exploration.

In May 1961 President John F. Kennedy challenged American scientists to land a person on the moon before the end of the 1960s. In the quest to do this, scientists faced many obstacles. For example to get a spaceship all the way to the moon and back would demand a rocket engine powerful enough to make the trip.

Scientists realized that it would be difficult for one heavy rocket loaded with fuel to reach the moon. Instead, they decide to use a multistage rocket. When the fuel in one stage of a multistage rocket is used up, that stage falls away. This makes the rockets lighter, and the engine of the next stage can ignite and thrust the rocket even faster and higher.

As you know, Americans successfully landed on the moon in July 1969. Since then our knowledge of the solar system has increased dramatically.

33.Which of the following is NOT true of the first manned space flight?

34.What is the key to building a spacecraft bound for the Moon?

35.How could the scientists have made the trip to the Moon a success?

The (36) highest degree that a student can earn is a doctorate. Some doctorates are (37) professional degrees, as opposed to a degree based on research. Medical students, for example, receive an M.D., fr om the Latin “medicinae doctor”. Future (38) lawyers receive a J.D., for “juris” or “jurum” doctor, meaning a doctor of law or laws.

Someone with a PhD is a “doctor of philosophy. Many people earn a PhD, yet no t many are philosophers. The name has (39) survived since the Middle Ages when many areas of study were called philosophy.

Students can receive a PhD in (40) engineering, social work education, music, history and a lot of other areas. (41) Requirements can differ from one university to another and from one area of study to another. But the National Science Foundation says American doctoral education is (42) organized around a research experience.

A PhD usually requires at least three years of (43) full-time study after a bachelor’s degree. Usually, PhD candidates must have a master’s degree before they sit for special examinations. They have to carry out original research and (44) present their findings by writing a long paper that they have to defend before a group of experts.

(45) Every year, the federal government collects information on research doctorates awarded in the United States. More than forty-three thousand students received a research doctorate in 2005.

(46) Close to one-third of those doctorates went to foreign students in the United States on a temporary visa. Most of them studied engineering, physical science or life science.

大学英语四级模拟试题四(附含答案解析)

大学英语四级模拟题四 Part One Reading Comprehension (2’×10 = 20’) Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre. Passage One Air pollution can spread from city to city. It even spreads from one country to another. Some northern European countries have had “black snow”from pollutants that have traveled through the air from other countries and have fallen with the snow. So air pollution is really a global problem. Air pollution can kill babies, older people, and those who have respiratory（呼吸的）diseases. As found in cities, air pollution increases the risks of certain lung diseases. Air pollution can cause both airplane and car accidents because it cuts down visibility （能见度）. There are other possible health dangers from air pollution that we don’t know much about. For example, scientists are trying to find out whether chemicals that reach us from the air may cause changes in our cells. These changes might cause babies to be born with serious birth defects. Scientists are trying to learn how all the many chemicals are apt（易于的）to take into our bodies from air, water, food, and even medicines act together to affect our health and the way our bodies work. That is another reason why it is so important to begin to control pollution now instead of waiting until we learn all the answers. Air pollution costs us a lot of money. It corrodes（腐蚀）our buildings. It damages farm crops and forests. It has a destructive effect on our works of art. The cost of all this damage to our government is great. It would be much more worthwhile, both for us and for the government, to spend our tax dollars on air pollution control. 1. Air pollution may lead to airplane accidents because . A. it may cause pilots to be ill B. engines may fail from the air-borne dirt C. visibility is reduced D. it brings a lot of black snow 2. Scientists are trying to find a link between pollution and . A. intelligence levels B. birth problems C. man’s behavior D. the nervous system 3. Scientists have not yet determined . A. all of the effects of pollution on the human body B. how pollution can be controlled successfully C. when the atmosphere first became polluted D. how some snow becomes black 4. The author suggests that before air pollution becomes more serious, . A. factories will be forced to stop operating B. buildings should be protected C. the earth will begin to grow colder D. more money should be spent to solve the problem 5. We can conclude that . A. civilization may be ruined if pollution is not controlled B. pollution is more serious in Europe than it is in America C. most people do not know that pollution is a serious problem D. we should learn all the answers before we begin to control pollution Passage Two Stiletto heels could be banned from the workplace because of health and safety reasons, according to British Trade Union bosses. The Trade Union Congress, predominantly male, has proposed a motion arguing that high heels are disrespectful to women while they also contribute to long term injuries. They propose instead that women wear “sensible shoes”with an inch heel limit in an attempt to avoid future foot and back pain as well as injuries. The motion is due to be debated at next month’s conference. The motion states: “Congress believes high heels may look glamorous on the Hollywood catwalks but are completely in appropriate for the day-to-day working environment. Feet bear the burden of daily life, and for many workers prolonged standing, badly fitted footwear, and in particular high heels can be a hazard. Around two million days a year are lost through sickness as a result of lower limb disorders. Wearing high heels can cause long-term foot problems and also serious foot, knee and back pain and damaged joints. Many employers in the retail sector force women workers to wear high heels as part of their dress code. More must be done to raise awareness of this problem so that women workers and their feet are protected.” Nadline Dorries, the Tory Member of Parliament, however criticized the motion and said the extra height heels give women can help them when in the workplace. “I’m 5ft 3in and need every inch of my Christian Louboutin heels to look my male colleagues in the eye,”she said. “If high heels were banned in Westminster, no one would be able to find me. The Trade Union leaders need to get real, stop using obvious sexist tactics by discussing women’s

2016英语四级听力模拟训练试题(一)

2016英语四级听力模拟训练试题(一) Short Conversations 11. M: How many people speak English as their native tongue? W: Roughly I imagine about two hundred and fifty million in the United States and two hundred million in the British Commonwealth. Q: How many people are believed to be native speakers of English? 12. M: I'm still hungry, mother. I want the chocolate cake that I saw on the menu. W: But your weight is already a regular problem. Eat something that won't make you fatter. Q: What is the mother worried about? 13.

W: Look here, Peter. The Nile is longer than the Mississippi. M: Maybe. But the Nile doesn't have as much river traffic. Q: What are the man and woman probably doing? 14. W: I think we should do more to expand our business still further. M: No, to go back to what I was saying earlier, we really need to think again before making the decision. Q: What does the man think of the woman's suggestion? 15. M: Dr. Hanson wants to redecorate the patient's waiting room. He asked me to do some research to find out what colors would be best. W: That sounds like quite a job. How did you research something like that? Q: What is the woman's opinion of the research work? 16. W: Show me that sentence you were talking about. What page is it on? M: It's near the end of the book, on the next to last page. Right here, in this middle para graph.

2016年6月大学英语四级真题听力原文(一二三套)(20200629073241)

2016年6月大学英语四级真题第一套听力原文 SectionA News report 1 The international labor organization says the number of people without jobs is increasing. In its latest update on global employment trends, the agency says projections of the number on unemployed people this year range from 210 million to nearly 240 million people. The report warns that 200 million poor workers are at risk of joining the ranks of people leaving on less than 2 dollars per day in the past 3 years. The Director-General of the International Labor Organization Juan Somavia notes that some countries have taken measures to address the effects of the global crisis. However, he points out that many countries have not done so. And based on past experiences, it takes 4-5 years after economic recovery for unemployment to return to pre-crisis levels. Mr. Somavia says the International Labour Organization is proposing a global job agreement to deal with unemployment. “ It ' s key objective is to place the center of recovery efforts, measures will generate h igher levels of employment and provide basic social protection for the most vulnerable. 1、What is the news report main about? 2、What does Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization say? News Report 2 Big fast food chains in New York city have started to obey a first kind of its rule, requiring them to post calorie counts right on the menu. City Nurses is with New York department of health. “ We wanted to give people an opportunity to actually see the calories before the y purchase the food and make a decision and informed decision that if they want to make the healthier choice. If they want to eat fewer calories, they can. And we expect this will have a huge impact on obesity. And of course, if this has an impact on obesity, it will have an impact on diabetes and heart disease and high blood pressure. ” The new rules will be introduced as a part of anti-obesity campaign. That also includes a recent citywide ban on artificial trans-fats in restaurant food. The menu roll only applies to restaurants that serves standardized potion sizes and have fifty or more locations nationwide. Starting last Saturday, chains big enough to fall under the rule will face penalties of up to 2000 dollars for not showing calorie information in a prominent sports on their menus, preferably next to the price. 3. what are big fast food chains in New York city required to do according to the new rule? 4. What will happen to big restaurant chains that violate the new rule? News Report 3 Almost all companies recognize the importance of innovation today, but not many are able to integrate innovation into their business. A commentary in the Shanghai Daily points out that innovation doesn ' t mean piles of documents, it ' s something more prlaecstiacyasl. mThaenyartic people tend to assume that innovation just means creating something new, but actually it than that. It 'asn attitude of doing thing. A company should find ways to innovate not just in products but also in functions, business models and processes. The article cites the global giant Procter & Gamble as an example, saying a real innovative company should develop an innovation culture, and use it as a primary tool for success. Procter & Gamble has a “ Corporate Innovation Fund ”

新题型大学英语四级听力全真模拟试题听力原文 (16)

TEST 15 Section A Directions:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C), and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. 1. W: I thought you were going to pick up some strawberries to have after dinner. M: I went by Bailey’s Market to get some, but they were fresh out. Q: What does the man mean? 2. M: I hate missing breakfast! W: Me too, but if we’d stopped for breakfast, we would have missed the appointment. Q: What did the speakers do this morning? 3. M: Is this Dr. Goldsmith’s office? W: No. This is room 301. Dr. Goldsmith’s office is right downstairs from here. Q: Where is Dr. Goldsmith’s office? 4. W: What did you think of Brenda’s story? M: To tell you the truth, I found it hard to keep a straight face while she was telling it. Q: How did the man feel about the story? 5. W: Excuse me, sir. You are not supposed to be here. This area is for airport staff only. M: I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the sign. Q: What do we learn from the conversation? 6. M: I would like to move to the suburbs, but I don’t have enough money to pay the high taxes. W: I wish you could. It’s nice to live there. Q: Why isn’t the man moving to the suburbs? 7. M: Good morning. This is John Parker speaking. I’m just ringing to confirm my appointment with Mr. Smith for this afternoon. W: Yes. Mr. Smith’s expecting you at three o’clock. Q: Why is the man making the phone call? 8. M: I bought a few books at the new bookstore. Would you like to have a look at them? W: A few? It looks like you bought out the bookstore! Q: What does the woman mean?

大学英语四级真题听力原文一二三套

2016年6月大学英语四级真题听力原文(一二三套) 2016年6月大学英语四级真题第一套听力原文 SectionA News report 1 The international labor organization says the number of people without jobs is increasing. In its latest update on global employment trends, the agency says projections of the number on unemployed people this year range from 210 million to nearly 240 million people. The report warns that 200 million poor workers are at risk of joining the ranks of people leaving on less than 2 dollars per day in the past 3 years. The Director-General of the International Labor Organization Juan Somavia notes that some countries have taken measures to address the effects of the global crisis. However, he points out that many countries have not done so. And based on past experiences, it takes 4-5 years after economic recovery for unemployment to return to pre-crisis levels. Mr. Somavia says the International Labour Organization is proposing a global job agreement to deal with unemployment. “It's key objective is to place the center of recovery efforts, measures will generate higher levels of employment and provide basic social protection for the most vulnerable.” 1、What is the news report main about? 2、What does Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization say? News Report 2 Big fast food chains in New York city have started to obey a first kind of its rule, requiring them to post calorie counts right on the menu. City Nurses is with New York department of health. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to actually see the calories before they purchase the food and make a decision and informed decision that if they want to make the healthier choice. If they want to eat fewer calories, they can. And we expect this will have a huge impact on obesity. And of course, if this has an impact on obesity, it will have an impact on diabetes and heart disease and high blood pressure.” The new rules will be introduced as a part of anti-obesity campaign. That also includes a recent citywide ban on artificial trans-fats in restaurant food. The menu roll only applies to restaurants that serves standardized potion sizes and have fifty or more locations nationwide. Starting last Saturday, chains big enough to fall under the rule will face penalties of up to 2000 dollars for not showing calorie information in a prominent sports on their menus, preferably next to the price. 3. what are big fast food chains in New York city required to do according to the new rule? 4.What will happen to big restaurant chains that violate the new rule? News Report 3 Almost all companies recognize the importance of innovation today, but not many are able to

大学英语四级模拟试题(1)

洛基英语，中国在线英语教育领导品牌 Model Test 1 Part One Listening Comprehension Section A Directions： In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said - Both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once. After each question there will be pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A）, B）, C）and D）, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a line through the centre. Example： You will hear： You will read： A） At the office. B） In the waiting room. C） At the airport. D） In a restaurant. From the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. This is most likely to have taken place at the office. Therefore, A） At the office is the best answer. You should choose [A] on the Answer Sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre. 1. A） She is not interested in the article. B） She has given the man much trouble. C） She would like to have a copy of the article. D） She doesn't want to take the trouble to read the article. 2. A） He saw the big tower he visited on TV~ B） He has visited the TV tower twice. C） He has visited the TV tower once. D） He will visit the TV tower in June. 3. A） The woman has trouble getting along with the professor. B） The woman regrets having taken up much of the professor's time. C） The woman knows the professor has been busy. D） The woman knows the professor has run into trouble. 4. A） He doesn't enjoy business trips as much as he used to. B） He doesn't think he is capable of doing the job. C） He thinks the pay is too low to support his family, D） He wants to spend more time with his family. 5. A） The man thought the essay was easy. B） They both had a hard time writing the essay. C） The woman thought the essay was easy. D） Neither of them has finished the assignment yet. 6. A） In the park. B） Between two buildings C） In his apartment. D） Under a huge tree. 7. A） It's awfully dull. B） It's really exciting.

2016英语四级听力考试模拟试题20

2016英语四级听力考试模拟试题20 M: I know what you mean. There are a million of books in this place and I can never find what I need。 Q: Where are the speakers? 12. W: Can I see you sometime this week? I missed part of your explanation on this week’s chemistry experiment。我要收藏 M: Ok, come to my office tomorrow around one o’clock。 Q: Who is the woman probably talking to? 13. W: What are the requirements for the course? M: There will be weekly quizzes and a final exam. You will have to go to the language lab at least two hours a week。 Q: What kind of course is this? 14. W: I’m sorry. We are just not happy with these plans for the living room。 M: Would you like me to draw up another set of blueprints? Q: What is the man’s job? 15. M: Julie, have you heard the one about the two bears

英语四级模拟试题及答案.

Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes) Directions: There are 4 passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. Passage One Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage. Unless we spend money to spot and prevent asteroids (小行星) now, one might crash into Earth and destroy life as we know it, say some scientists. Asteroids are bigger versions of the meteoroids (流星) that race across the night sky. Most orbit the sun far from Earth and don’t threaten us. But there are also thousands of asteroids whose orbits put them on a collision course with Earth. Buy $50 million worth of new telescopes right now. Then spend $10 million a year for the next 25 years to locate most of the space rocks. By the time we spot a fatal one, the scientists say, we’ll have a way to change its course. Some scientists favor pushing asteroids off course with nuclear weapons. But the cost wouldn’t be cheap. Is it worth it? Two things experts consider when judging any risk re: 1) How likely the event is; and 2) How bad the consequences if the event occurs. Experts think an asteroid big enough to destroy lots of life might strike Earth once every 500,000 years. Sounds pretty rare—but if one did fall, it would be the end of the world. “If we don’t take care of these big asteroids, they’ll take care of us,” says one scientist. “It’s that simple.” The cure, though, might be worse than the disease. Do we really want fleets of nuclear weapons sitting around on Earth? “The world has less to fear from doomsday (毁灭性的) rocks than from a great nuclear fleet set against them,” said a New York Times article. 21. What does the passage say about asteroids and meteoroids? A) They are heavenly bodies different in composition. B) They are heavenly bodies similar in nature.