《2025年点津英语天天练英语时文阅读八年级》

The world's first wooden satellite-LignoSat
全球首颗木制卫星——LignoSat
Satellites are very useful in our daily lives. They help us make phone calls, watch TV, use GPS, get weather forecasts and do many other things. Satellites have always been made of metal. But scientists in Japan are testing a wooden satellite called "LignoSat". "Ligno" comes from the Latin(拉丁语的) word for wood.
The small satellite is in the shape of a cube(立方体). Each side is about ten centimetres long. The cube has a metal frame, but its sides are made of wood. The scientists used a special woodworking method to make the wooden panels. This method doesn't use nails(钉子) or glue. Instead, the scientists carefully cut the pieces of wood to fit them together tightly.
Why did the scientists use wood to build the satellite? First of all, using wood in satellites can help reduce space junk. Satellites always burn up when they come back into the Earth's atmosphere. Burning metal satellites leaves behind a cloud of pollution while burning wood does not. Also, wood lasts longer in space because there is neither water to rot the wood nor oxygen to burn it.
In November 2024, LignoSat was sent into orbit around the Earth. The satellite has sensors inside. They can help scientists answer a few questions. For example, how well will the wood hold up(维持)? In space, the temperature can go from 100°C to -100°C in an hour. How much will the wood expand and shrink as the temperature changes? If the experiment works, scientists might use wood to build bigger satellites or even houses in space!
答案链接 P103
(D) 1. What can satellites do for us in our daily lives?
A. Help us make phone calls and clean the house.
B. Help us watch TV, use GPS, and do the dishes.
C. Help us use GPS, get weather forecasts and do the homework.
D. Help us make phone calls, watch TV, use GPS, get weather forecasts and so on.
(A) 2. What makes "LignoSat" special according to the article?
A. It's mainly made of wood.
B. It has a Latin name which means wood.
C. It can do more things than those computers.
D. It is in the shape of a cube and each side is very long.
(B) 3. Which of the following is TRUE about "LignoSat" according to paragraph 2?
A. LignoSat is in the shape of a large size ball.
B. A special method has been taken to make the wooden panels.
C. Although there are no nails, scientist use glue to fit them.
D. The frame and sides of the wooden satellite are made of wood.
(C) 4. In which class you will probably learn the article?
A. Geography.
B. Biology.
C. Science.
D. Chinese.

答案： 1. D 根据第一段中的“They help us make phone calls, watch TV, use GPS, get weather forecasts and do many other things.”可知,卫星能帮助我们打电话、看电视、使用 GPS、获取天气预报,以及做许多其他的事情。故选 D。
2. A 根据第一段中的“Satellites have always been made of metal. But scientists in Japan are testing a wooden satellite called ‘LignoSat’.”和第二段内容可知,传统卫星是由金属制成的,而 LignoSat 主要是由木头制成的卫星。故选 A。
3. B 根据第二段中的“The scientists used a special woodworking method to make the wooden panels.”可知,科学家们使用一种特殊的木工方法来制作木板。故选 B。
4. C 通读全文内容可知,文章主要介绍了木制卫星 LignoSat,包括其制作材料、形状、优点以及进行的实验等,属于科学领域的内容,最有可能在科学课上学到。故选 C。