Ⅲ. Complete the following passage with the words or phrases in the boxes. Each can be used only once（将下列单词或词组填入空格。每个单词或词组只能填一次）
A. known B. launch C. meaning D. latest E. most promising
It is reported that NASA will soon 1 a new spacecraft called TESS. The launch is scheduled for April 16 from Florida, using a rocket from the private company SpaceX. TESS will be sent into Earth orbit for a two-year mission. Scientists hope the spacecraft will enlarge the 2 list of exoplanets — planets that orbit distant stars. Over the past 20 years, nearly 3,500 exoplanets have been documented, mostly by the Kepler space telescope. TESS is designed to build on Kepler’s work and is expected to find thousands more. Unlike Kepler, which focused on a small area, TESS will survey almost the entire sky, 3 it will cover 400 times more space. This increases the chance of finding Earth-sized planets. Such worlds are considered the 4 candidates for hosting life, as they may have rocky surfaces and oceans.
1. 2. 3. 4.
A. likely B. similar to C. chance D. completely E. meaning
The Kepler space telescope has transformed space science over the past 20 years. Its discoveries have 5 changed our understanding of the universe, revealing that planets are common. Among the nearly 3,500 exoplanets found, many are Earth-sized or “super-Earth” sized — worlds no larger than twice the size of our planet. Experts believe such worlds hold the greatest 6 of having rocky surfaces or oceans, which are essential for life. This makes them the most promising candidates for hosting life, unlike large, gas-based planets 7 Jupiter or Neptune. Now, NASA’s upcoming TESS mission will build on Kepler’s legacy. Scientists expect TESS to find thousands more exoplanets, especially those orbiting nearby bright stars. These stars are 8 to be prime targets for future telescopes, which will analyze planetary atmospheres for signs of water or other life-related chemicals.
5. 6. 7. 8.

1. B 2. A 3. C 4. E 5. D 6. C 7. B 8. A

【分析】本题为英语选词填空题，需结合句子的语法结构、上下文语义及词汇用法，从给定选项中选择合适的词，且每个词只能用一次。解题时先通读全文把握大意，再逐个分析空格：先判断空格处的词性（如动词、形容词、副词等），再结合语境匹配语义，最后确定答案。
【解析】1. 第一空：will后接动词原形，NASA发射航天器需用动词launch，故选B；2. 第二空：修饰名词list，需形容词，known表示“已知的”，符合“已知系外行星列表”的语义，故选A；3. 第三空：前后句为解释关系，需表“意味着”的词，meaning符合语境，故选C；4. 第四空：修饰名词candidates，需形容词，most promising表示“最有希望的”，符合“最有希望的生命候选星球”的语义，故选E；5. 第五空：修饰动词changed，需副词，completely表示“完全地”，符合“完全改变对宇宙的理解”的语义，故选D；6. 第六空：固定搭配hold the chance of，意为“有...的机会”，故选C；7. 第七空：需表“与...相似”的短语，similar to符合“与木星或土星相似的行星”的语义，故选B；8. 第八空：固定搭配be likely to，意为“可能”，故选A。
【答案】1.B 2.A 3.C 4.E 5.D 6.C 7.B 8.A
【知识点】英语选词填空、词汇辨析、固定搭配
【点评】本题考查英语词汇在语境中的运用，需结合语法和语义分析，难度适中，学生只要掌握常见词汇的用法及语境分析方法即可完成。
【难度系数】0.6