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Passage One
段落一
Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream.
從很早以前，人們一直迷戀著地球以外的地方也存在生命的想法。直到近來，科學(xué)家們認(rèn)為在其他星球上存在生命只不過是一個(gè)充滿希望的夢。
But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system.
但是，現(xiàn)在他們開始查找可能有生命的地方。1997年，科學(xué)家們在恒星附近，例如太陽，發(fā)現(xiàn)了行星的蹤跡。科學(xué)家們現(xiàn)在認(rèn)為生命可能離我們更近，就在太陽系內(nèi)。
One planet scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface.
科學(xué)家們正密切關(guān)注的地方是木衛(wèi)二，木星的一個(gè)衛(wèi)星。太空探測器提供了證據(jù)表明木衛(wèi)二表層之下有一個(gè)海洋。
The probes have also made the scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat.
探測器也讓科學(xué)家們認(rèn)為木衛(wèi)二表層有散發(fā)出火山熱的巖石核心。
Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen.
火山活動(dòng)的水和熱量是生命形成的兩個(gè)基本條件。第三個(gè)是一些基本的化學(xué)物質(zhì)，如碳、氧和氮。
Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa's ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to.
科學(xué)家們認(rèn)為在木衛(wèi)二海洋底部可能存在這樣的化學(xué)成分。他們可能已經(jīng)創(chuàng)造了生命或即將產(chǎn)生生命。
You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential.
你可能在想光也是生命形成的必要條件。直到最近，科學(xué)家們?nèi)哉J(rèn)為光是不可或缺的。
But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa's sub-surface ocean doesn't automatically rule out life forming.
但現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)在地球上發(fā)現(xiàn)，海洋幾英里之下的黑暗洞穴內(nèi)有細(xì)菌，即原始生命形式的存在。所以不能排除缺乏光的木衛(wèi)二地下海洋有生命形成的可能性。
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
基于你聽到的回答問題26至28。
Question 26. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?
問題26. 根據(jù)短文，科學(xué)家曾相信什么？
Question 27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?
問題27. 科學(xué)家們發(fā)現(xiàn)關(guān)于木衛(wèi)二的什么信息？
Question 28. What have scientists come to know recently about the formation of life?
問題28. 最近，科學(xué)家就生命的形成了解到什么？
