A
An exciting landing process of Chang’e－4 lunar probe (月球探测器) was seen through the monitor at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing，Jan.3，2019.It touched down on the far side of the moon at 10：26 a．m.Beijing Time，becoming the first spacecraft soft－landing on the moon’s unknown side never visible from Earth.
China’s Chang’e－4 probe has started the exploration on the far side of the moon thanks to the relay satellite that provides a communication link with ground control.The relay satellite，named Queqiao，meaning Magpie Bridge，after a Chinese legend (传说)，was launched on May 21，2018，and became the first communication satellite operating in the halo orbit，nearly 500，000 km from the earth.It can also provide communication for probes from other countries.The relay satellite will also be used for scientific and technological experiments.The maximum distance between the satellite and the Chang’e－4 probe on the far side of the moon is 79，000 km.The satellite processes data from the probe and sends it to Earth.
The satellite can stay in its orbit for a long time due to its relatively low fuel consumption，as the earth’s and moon’s gravity balances its orbital moving.While in orbit，it can“see” both the earth and the far side of the moon.
The concept of using a relay satellite in the halo orbit was first put forward by U．S.space experts in the 1960s，but was realized by Chinese space engineers.Researchers hope to use the cameras on the satellite to record asteroids (小行星) hitting the far side of the moon.To control the cost of the Chang’e－4 probe，the relay satellite was designed to be relatively small，weighing about 400 kg.
Researchers had just 30 months to develop the satellite，putting them under high pressure.To promote public interest in space exploration，the China National Space Administration invited people to write down their wishes for lunar and space exploration，and the relay satellite carries the names of tens of thousands of participants and their messages.
【语篇解读】 这是一篇应用文。文章报道了北京时间2019年1月3日10时26分，我国嫦娥四号探测器成功登陆月球背面，并通过“鹊桥”中继卫星传回了世界第一张近距离拍摄的月球背影像图。
21．What do we learn from the second paragraph?
A．The relay satellite was launched on Jan.3，2019.
B．Chang’e－4 probe was the first communication satellite.
C．The relay satellite only explores the far side of the moon.
D．The relay satellite can handle data from Chang’e－4 probe.
答案 D [细节理解题。根据第二段的最后一句“The satellite processes data from the probe and sends it to Earth.”可知，中继卫星可以处理来自嫦娥四号探测器的数据，然后发送到地球。故选D。]
22．Why was the size of the relay satellite relatively small?
A．To reduce the cost as much as possible.
B．To make it circle Moon for a longer time.
C．To avoid being crashed by other satellites.
D．To follow American space experts’ advice.
答案 A [细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的最后一句“To control the cost of the Chang’e－4 probe，the relay satellite was designed to be relatively small，weighing about 400 kg.”可知，中继卫星的尺寸相对较小是为了节约成本，故选A。]
23．What made researchers suffer from great stress?
A．Few people interested in the exploration on the moon.
B．The relay satellite carrying too much equipment.
C．Their lacking enough time to develop the relay satellite.
D．People’s never being optimistic about the relay satellite.
答案 C [细节理解题。根据最后一段的第一句“Researchers had just 30 months to develop the satellite，putting them under high pressure.”可知，研究者们压力很大是因为他们只有30个月的时间开发这个卫星，即缺乏时间，故选C。]
24．What is the main idea of the text?
A．China is a new space power after the USA.
B．Chang’e－4 probe lands on Moon’s far side.
C．Chinese space engineers make much progress.
D．Space exploration is a dangerous challenge.
答案 B [主旨大意题。文章主要报道了嫦娥四号探测器成功登陆月球，文章介绍了卫星在月球登陆的情况，因此，本文的主要内容是嫦娥四号探测器在月球背面着陆。故选B。]
