There’s no doubt that one of the greatest human achievements is the exploration of the space. Ever since astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to be sent into the orbit around the moon in 1961, scientists have been pushing the boundaries further and further. But until now the exploration into the unknown has been dominated(主导) by men.
Of course, in the past, women were also included in the space projects and played an active role on the ground and behind the scenes. For example. they worked as seamstresses(女裁缝师)，sewing vital spaceflight components. In fact, many of NASA’s key works would never have been possible without them. Recently Hollywood produced a movie called Hidden Figures to focus on a group of American female mathematicians, especially the black women, who helped NASA send the first American into space. But this was not women’s only contribution. Back in 1963, Soviet astronaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to be sent into space. However, after that, space flight programs were slow to employ women. In the USA. NASA didn’t accept applications from women to become astronauts until 1978.
But attitudes have changed and leading officials at NASA say that the first person to set foot on Mars should be a woman. The space agency aims to have a sex-balanced workforce but can only achieve that if equal numbers of men and women are trained for science and technology jobs. As Allison McIntryre told the BBC, “My director is a woman, We have female astronauts. We haven’t put a woman on the moon yet. And I think that perhaps the first person to step on Mars should be a woman.”
12. What did Yuri Gagarin do in 1961?
A. He landed on the moon in success. . B. He discovered many new boundaries.
C. He led scientists to explore the moon. D. He made the first journey into the space.
13. Why does the author mention the film Hidden Figures?
A. To show women are the true heroes of NASA’s first launch.
B. To stress that black people have won equal rights in NASA.
C. To prove women can do as well as men in NASA’ projects.
D. To present women’s contributions to NASA’s space programs.
14. What is Allison McIntryre’s attitude toward women astronauts?
A. Uncaring. .      B. Disapproving. .      C. Supportive. .      D. Disappointed.
15. What is the best title for the text?
A. Will the First Person to Step on Mars Be a Woman?
B. Great Achievements Have Been Made in Space Exploration?
C. Why Men Played an Important Role in Exploring the Unknown?
D. Men and Women Have Made Equal Contributions to NASA’s Projects?

D篇是一篇记叙文。虽然太空探索迄今为止主要由男性主导，但是女性也一直在默默地发挥着重要作用。NASA也准备让女性在太空探索中走向前台，女性甚至可能成为登陆火星的第一人。
12.D细节理解题。根据第一段“ Ever since astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to be sent into the orbit around the moon in1961.”可知，1961年，尤里加加林成为第一个完成太空旅行的人。
13.D推理判断题。根据第二段＂ In fact， many of NASA＇ s key works would never have been possible without them. Reccntly Hollywood produced a movie called Hidden Figures to focus on a group of American female mathematicians, especially the black
women，who helped NASA send the first American into space.”可知，作者提到隐藏人物》这部电影是为了举例说明在太空探索这一领域，女性曾做出过重大贡献。
14.C观点态度题。根据最后一段” My director is a woman. We have female astronauts. We haven’t put a woman on the moon yet. And I think that perhaps the first person to step on Mars should be a woman.’”可知， Allison Melntryre不但认可自己的女性上司，也支持女性成为第一个登上火星的人
15. A标题判断题。根据全文、尤其是最后一段＂ But attitudes have changed and leading officials at NASA say that the first person to