2011江西高考英语

D Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup（基因构成）as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible. Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects. Exploration also allows minerals and other potential（潜在的）resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products（副产品）of technological developments in the space industry! While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist. While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future为什么人类要去探索太空?为什么要花金钱,时间和精力去探索和研究某种东西结果却收效甚微？资源是为什么要花费在太空研究上上,而不是花在研究地球自身的状况和居住在这里的人类呢? 这样的问题总是被人提及也是可以理解的。 也许问题的最佳答案存在于我们人类的基因构成。是什么促使我们的远古祖先从树上（生活）迁居到平原（生活）,并继而拓展到所有可能的地区和环境去生活呢？（因为）物种扩散的范围越广泛，所生存下来的几率就越大。也许太空探索的最好理由就是源于这种遗传倾向：尽力扩张可能的生存领域。 几乎(历史上）每一个成功的人类文明都拓展过（自己的生存空间）,因为通过这样做,可以识别周边地区的危险并对其有所准备。没有这些（拓展空间的）知识,我们可能完全被那些危险所灭绝；而拥有了这种知识,我们就可以减少它的影响。 拓展和探索为也为发现矿物质和其他(潜在的)资源提供了可能，即使我们不是马上就要用到这些资源,但将来我们可能会用得上它们。资源不仅仅是实际上的拥有，通过探索我们可以获得知识或者技能，这些技能可能会有医学上的应用：延长我们的生命或提高我们的生存质量。我们已经受益于其他发现，这当中包括改进地震预测, 改进卫星的气象预报功能和通讯系统。即使不沾锅和镀膜的太阳镜也是航天事业技术发展的副产物! 虽然很多资源被花费到看似回报率很低的太空探索上,太空探索却允许我们中间富有创造性、勇敢以及智慧的同伴们去关注什么可以去拯救我们人类。而太空亦充满了诸多关于“宇宙是如何形成的”或者“它是怎样运行的”这类的疑问和答案。（探索的）危险是存在的,但知识可以帮助人类生存下去。没有走出去探索太空的能力,拯救我们自己的机会可能也不复存在。 尽管地球是已知的唯一一个可以繁衍生命的行星,但确定的是，我们人类自身的适应能力会帮助我们定居到其他行星。当然，生活方式会有所不同,但人类的生活和文化在过去已经显示出它的适应性，未来，也必然可以做得到。