The Internationa1 Space Station allows astronauts to live in space for extended amounts of time,
enabling them to explore the outside universe al1d conduct many experiments. However, nothing like that
exists for our oceans, and thanks to the high water pressure, ocean researchers are able to explore what
lies undersea for very short periods of time.
They are therefore never able to fully explore the deep inside areas of our oceans. However, if
French architect Jacques Rougerie has his way, that will change soon.
Jacques has designed a ship that will allow researchers to spend a long period of time observing the
sea life and conducting experiments. The huge l67ft. ship, named' SeaOrbiter', consists of two areas-one
above the water where the scientists and crew will live, and a lower pressurized deck (甲板), where
scientists will be able to spend as much time as they wish. Since it is powered by sea currents and wind,
he expects it to drift (漂流) along the oceans slowly, taking about two years to circumvent the globe.
Jacques will make their life as comfortable as possible in the ship. Besides being equipped with the
latest sailing tools and communication equipment, the ship will also have a gym, a television and a DVD
player! And these guys will not be eating freeze-dried food like astronauts. Instead, Jacques, an
accomplished chef, plans on cooking them delicious meals every day.
The biggest problem to this giant ship is the cost, which is expected to be over $500 million-per ship!
However, Jacques, who strongly believes that the secrets of our oceans may be the key to solving global
warming and a vital supply for food and medicine in the future, is confident he will be able to convince
governments all over the world to help out, and expects to start construction on not one, but four or five
of these amazing ships soon!
1. Why can't ocean researchers explore the deep oceans for a long time?
A. Because they can't stand the high water pressure.
B. Because it's too cold in deep ocean.
C. Because time for experiments is too limited.
D. Because it's dangerous to observe the sea life.
2. The underlined word "circumvent" probably means .
A. fly away
B. get around
C. travel through
D. move into
3. From the fourth paragraph we can learn that .
A. Jacques intends to design the ship mainly for sightseeing and traveling
B. living a comfortable life helps to do the ocean research quickly
C. it's much more expensive to eat freeze-dried food
D. researchers on Jacques'ship will live more comfortably than astronauts
4. In Jacques' opinion, which of the following is not the purpose of the undersea research?
A. To find supply for food in the future.
B. To find supply for medicine in the future.
C. To draw governments' attention to the construction of the ship.
D. To solve the global warming.
5. Which of the fol1owing would be the best title for the text?
A. Sea Orbite-the ship of the future
B. A new way to explore the deep oceans
C. A great architect-Jacques Rougerie
D. Travel around the globe in Sea Orbiter
