阅读理解。
Recently, a solar powered (太阳能动力的) plane took to the sky for the first time. It had passed an
important test on the way to travel around the world.
The plane took off from an airport in Switzerland (瑞士) at 45km an hour. It slowly rose above the
fields and into the sky.
"There has never been an airplane of that kind that could fly - never an airplane so big, so light, using
so little energy," said Bertrand Piccard, a leader of the project.
During the 90-minute flight, the plane did several turns. It climbed nearly 1.6km above the countryside.
Engineers plan to test a night flight before July. Then they will use the results of the tests to build a
second plane. They plan to travel around the world in that plane in 2012.
The plane flies at 70 km an hour. That is faster than a bike and slower than a car. Piccard and pilot Andre
Borschberg will take the plane around the world. The pilots will keep the plane in the air for up to five days
at a time.
"We want to fly it day and night with no fuel (燃料)," Piccard said.
1. How long did the first flight of the solar powered plane last?
A. 45 minutes
B. 60 minutes
C. 70 minutes
D. 90 minutes
2. What's the most special about the plane?
A. It uses no fuel
B. It's the fastest plane
C. It can fly highest
D. It's the heaviest plane
3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The plane goes much faster than a car
B. The plane took off at a speed of 45km an hour
C. Engineers plan to test a night flight before July
D. The plane will fly in the air or up to five days at a time
4. Which column (栏目) of a newspaper may the passage come from?
A. Food and Health
B. Scientist and Technology
C. Culture and Communication
D. Sports and Entertainment
