中国发射神舟十二号

China launches the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft

刘立军 供稿

TRANSCRIPT

Scientists and workers at a Chinese satellite launch center in the Gobi desert are making their final preparations for the launch of the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft - a high-stakes crewed mission and China's first crewed launch in years, Reuters Maha Albadrawi reports. China will send three astronauts into orbit on Thursday, the first of four crewed space flights to complete the country's space station by the end of next year. Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming, and Tang Hongbo will launch into orbit aboard the spacecraft that morning from Jiuquan in northwestern Gansu province. Construction of China's space station began in April with the launch of Tianhe, the first and largest of three modules. It will be Tang Honbo's first space outing. That's Reuters Maha Albadrawi. Reporting by remote, I'm David Byrd, VOA News.

VOCABULARY

1. high-stakes adj. 高风险的

2. orbit n. a curved path followed by a planet or an object as it moves around another planet, star,

moon, etc. （天体等运行的）轨道。例如：the earth's orbit around the sun 地球环绕太阳的轨道

3. module n. a unit of a spacecraft that can function independently of the main part （航天器上独立的）舱。例如：the lunar module 登月舱

QUESTIONS

Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft is a high-stakes crewed mission and China's second crewed launch in years.

2. China will send four astronauts into orbit on Thursday.

3. This is the third of four crewed space flights to complete the country's space station by the end of next year.

4. Construction of China's space station began in April with the launch of Tianhe.

5. It will be Tang Honbo's second space outing.

KEY

Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

(F) 1. The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft is a high-stakes crewed mission and China's second crewed launch in years. （正确表达）The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft is a high-stakes crewed mission and China's first crewed launch in years.

(F) 2. China will send four astronauts into orbit on Thursday. （正确表达）China will send three astronauts into orbit on Thursday.

(F) 3. This is the third of four crewed space flights to complete the country's space station by the end of next year. （正确表达）This is the first of four crewed space flights to complete the country's space station by the end of next year.

(T) 4. Construction of China's space station began in April with the launch of Tianhe.

(F) 5. It will be Tang Honbo's second space outing. （正确表达）It will be Tang Honbo's first space outing.

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