The food on the moon has come a long way from the freeze – dried bread to half – dried food. They have changed a lot in the past few years. And now US scientists want to grow vegetables in mini – greenhouses on the moon.
Scientists say they are looking forward to a time when people on the moon or even Mars will be able to eat green and fresh vegetables. Paragon Space Development Corporation has shown people what it called the first step toward growing flowers – and finally food – on the moon.
Paragon, which is a partner of NASA in experiments at the International Space Station, calls it a “Lunar Oasis (绿洲)”
This is a closed greenhouse placed in a metal box. It is designed to safely land a laboratory plant on the moon surface, and protect it while it grows.
The small greenhouse is to be sent up into space by Odyssey Moon Ltd, which takes part in the Google Lunar X Prize. This competition offers $ 20 million to any company which can send up, land and operate a lunar rover (月面车) on the moon surface.
Leaders of Paragon say future testing of the “Lunar Oasis” will be driven by Odyssey’s flight schedule, which will not happen until 2012 at the earliest.
When it is sent up, the greenhouse will have the seeds (种子) of cabbage inside it. Because they go from seed to flower in just 14 days, they can complete their life cycle in a lunar night.
“Growing plants on the Moon or Mars seems so far away, but it is important that we do this research now,” Paragon president Jane Poynter said. “It takes a long time to do a lot of research.”
小题1:What do we know about “Lunar Oasis” from the passage?
A．It is made of wood by scientists.
B．It is open for people who are on the Mars.
C．It can carry different kinds of plants to the moon.
D．It will protect plats to grow on the moon.小题2:The seeds of cabbage are chosen because they .
A．have beautiful followers
B．can grow very quickly
C．can grow in the greenhouse
D．can grow bigger than other seeds小题3:According to the passage, Paragon Space Development Corporation .
A．has produced food on the moon
B．is in charge of NASA in experiments
C．takes part in the Google Lunar X Prize
D．may test “Lunar Oasis” in the future小题4:What does Jane Poynter think of growing plants on other planets?
A．It is possible.
B．It can be realized easily
C．It is impossible.
D．It will come true very soon.小题5:What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Exploring the Moon and the Mars
B．Making Use of the Lunar Rover
C．Researching Fresh Food on the Moon
D．Seeking the Living Things on the Moon
