On March 4, a massivepiece of space junk reportedly crashed into the far side of the Moon. Due to its location facing away fromtheEarth, it may take months to identify the impact site of the object. However, scientists predict the crash will have little effect on the Moon besides forming a new crater.
The junk was initially thought to belong toan old SpaceX rocket after astronomersfirst noticed the object heading towards the Moon. However, it was later found that the debris was most likely a Chinese-owned rocket. Chinese officials have denied this, saying the rocketin questionhad burned upwhen re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
While the rocket’s original owner and its impact on the Moon are not significant, the issue does raise an important question about space junk. It’s estimated that there are currently more than 30,000 pieces of space junk larger than 10 centimeters in orbit around the Earth. These objects posevery little threat to us because they burn up in the atmosphere if they start to fall back to the planet.
However, these objects can be a significant threat to satellitesand other devices. These scrappieces move at speeds of up to eight kilometers per second and cause severe damage if they collide with essential devices in space. As a result, a growing group of scientists are calling foraction to resolve this issue before it affectsour ability to travel into space.
1. Which of the following is true about the space junk that hit the Moon?
(A) It was visible from the Earth when it struck the Moon.
(B) Astronomers did not notice it until it crashed into the Moon.
(C) A crater might be formed because of the impact of the junk.
(D) It was supposed to burn up in the atmosphere before it reached the Moon.
2. According to the passage, why is space junk a serious concern?
(A) It can threaten important satellites.
(B) It can cost a lot of money to clean it up.
(C) It can cause serious damage to the Moon.
(D) It can fall back down to Earth and harm people.
3. What are an increasing number of scientists asking for?
(A) Construction of more rockets to travel to space.
(B) Further research into the far side of the Moon.
Tammy identified the purse as hers by telling what it contained.
塔米藉著說出手提包內的東西指認這個手提包是她的。
The good mayor identified the well-being of his citizens with his own.
這位善良的市長把市民的幸福當作是自己的幸福。
The audience identified with the sorrow of the hero.
觀眾對這位男主角的悲痛感同身受。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
predict
[prɪˋdɪkt]
vt. 預測
=
foretell
Dad predicted that I would win the contest, and he was right.
老爸預測我會贏得這次的比賽，結果他是對的。
高中 Level 4
●
initially
[ɪˋnɪʃəlɪ]
adv. 開始時，最初
=
in the beginning
Initially, Andy was nice to Nancy, but eventually he left her. 剛開始安迪對南西蠻好的，但後來卻離開她。
高中 Level 4
●
issue
[ˋɪʃjʊ]
n. 重大議題；爭議；期刊
vt. 發行
The issue of sexual discrimination in the office was widely discussed during the meeting.
會議中辦公室性別歧視的議題被廣泛討論。
Susan took issue with Peter over who should be responsible for the mistake.
針對誰應對這個錯負責，蘇珊與彼得有所爭論。
What is at issue now is when we should deal with the problem.
現在受爭議的問題是，我們應要何時處理這個問題。
The latest issue of Vogue magazine featured an interview with Gal Gadot.
最新一期的《時尚》雜誌特刊出蓋兒•加朵的專訪。
The government has issued a large number of booklets to explain its new policies.
政府發行很多手冊來解釋它的新政策。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
estimate
[ˋɛstə͵met]
.vt. 估計
It is estimated that 20,000 people will participate in the demonstration.
估計將有 2 萬人參與這次的示威遊行。
An estimated 20,000 people will participate in the demonstration. 估計將有 2 萬人參與這次的示威遊行。
Please give me a rough estimate of how much time you’ll need to complete the project.
你需要花多久時間完成這件案子，請給我一個大約的數字。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
orbit
[ˋɔrbɪt]
n. 軌道
vt. 繞軌道運行
The satellite is in orbit around the Earth.
這顆衛星繞著地球運行。
It takes the Earth 365 days to orbit the Sun.
地球繞太陽運行一周需時 365 天。
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
device
[dɪˋvaɪs]
n. 裝置；設計
=
machine
=
mechanism
=
gadget
This machine has a safety device.
這臺機器有一個安全裝置。
The girl on the magazine cover is a device to get everyone’s attention.
雜誌上的封面女郎是用來引起大家注意的一種設計。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
severe
[səˋvɪr]
a. 嚴厲的；十分嚴重的
=
harsh
=
strict
The victim’s family wanted the judge to give the murderer a severe sentence.
被害者家屬要求法官對兇手從重量刑。
Without food and shelter, these animals will surely not survive the severe winter.
沒有食物和遮風避雨之處，這些動物肯定無法活過嚴冬。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
resolve
[rɪˋzɑlv]
vt. 解決；下決心
n. 決心（不可數）
The letter should resolve their doubts.
這封信應能解除他們的疑慮。
We did all we could to resolve the dispute.
我們盡了全力去解決這個紛爭。
It took me five hours to resolvethis problem.
我花了 5 個小時解決這個問題。
Kathy has resolved to marry Tony.
凱西已下定決心要嫁給東尼。
The lack of a pay raise strengthened Jason’s resolveto quit the job.
沒加薪加強了傑森辭掉工作的決心。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
visible
[ˋvɪzəb!]
a. 肉眼可見的；顯而易見的
The building was visible through the trees.
從這片樹林望出去可看見那棟建築物。
There’s been a visible change in Hank since he started exercising.
自從開始運動後，漢克有了明顯的改變。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
sb/sth in question
正被談論的某人／物
While we were talking about the newcomer, the colleague in question showed up.
我們正在討論新人時，被談論的那位同事就出現了。
●
debris
[dəˋbri]
n. 廢墟，殘垣斷瓦 (不可數)
=
remains
=
ruin
=
relic
The church was reduced to a pile of debris in the earthquake.
教堂在那次地震中化為一片廢墟。
高中 Level 5
●
massive
[ˋmæsɪv]
a. 巨大的；大量的
=
huge
=
gigantic
=
immense
The bookstore was massive, with five floors, two coffee shops, and thousands of books.
這間書店很大，有五層樓、兩間咖啡店及數千本書。
The typhoon caused a massive increase in vegetable prices.
颱風造成了蔬菜價格暴漲。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
crater
[ˋkretɚ]
n. . 火山口
The scientists are observing the crater for possible
volcanic activity.
科學家們在觀察火山口有無可能會有火山活動。
A huge rock from space cratered the earth 66 million
years ago, and many believe this event killed the
dinosaurs.
6,600 萬年前，從太空來的一顆巨大岩石把地球撞了個大凹 洞，很多人認為此一事件使恐龍滅絕。
高中 Level 6
●
astronomer
[əˋstrɑnəmɚ]
n. . 天文學家
I was too fat to be an astronaut, so I decided to be
an astronomer instead.
我太胖了當不了太空人，所以我下決心當個天文學家。
高中 Level 6
●
atmosphere
[ˋætməs͵fɪr]
n. 大氣；空氣；氛圍
=
feeling
=
mood
The satellite is fixed at a point just outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
那枚衛星被安置在地球大氣層外的某個定點上。
Mildew easily forms in my room because of the damp atmosphere.
因為空氣很潮溼，我的房間很容易長黴。
I like the warm and pleasant atmosphere in that coffee shop.
我喜歡那家咖啡廳溫暖又愉快的氣氛。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
satellite
[ˋsæt!͵aɪt]
n. 衛星
The Oscar ceremony was transmitted around the world by satellite.
奧斯卡頒獎典禮透過衛星向全球各地播送。
It is not too much to say that Danshui is a satellite town of Taipei city.
淡水是臺北市的衛星城，這個說法並不為過。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
scrap
[skræp]
n. 一小片 (紙、布) ; 少量，一點點
vt. 丟棄，廢除
三態
scrap / scrapped [skræpt] / scrapped [skræpt]
=
shred
Please write your phone number on this scrap of paper.
請把你的電話寫在這張小紙條上。
There ’s not a scrap of evidence to suggest that he murdered his wife. 絲毫沒有任何證據可以指出他謀殺了妻子。
We are considering scrapping our plan to set up another branch due to lack of funding.
由於資金不足，我們正考慮放棄設立另一家分公司的計畫。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
face away from...
背對⋯⋯；把臉轉離開⋯⋯
Allison faced away from the blood when the doctor was cleaning her wounds.
醫生在清洗艾莉森的傷口時，她把臉轉開不看血。
●
belong to sb/sth
屬於……；是……的成員
All the things you see here belong tome.
你在這兒所看到的東西都屬於我。
●
burn up...
將（紙張、文件等）燒毀
= burn... up
The secretary burned up all the papers before the police came.
那祕書在警方來之前就燒毀了所有的文件。
●
pose little / no threat to...
對⋯⋯的威脅不大／沒有威脅
The factory owner claimed that the waste posed no threat to human health, but the residents didn't believe him.
那位工廠老闆宣稱該廢料對人體的健康沒有危害，但居民不相信他。
●
call for sth/sb
需要某物；（公開地）呼籲某事；去接某人
Success calls for hard work and some good luck.
成功需要努力和一點好運。
Environmentalists are calling for immediate action to combat global warming.
環保人士呼籲立即採取行動遏止全球暖化。
The situation calls for immediate action.
這種情況需要立即採取行動。
Scientists around the world are calling for water conservation.
世界各地的科學家都在呼籲節約用水。
