If asked if space exploration should continue, most Americans would give an immediate response either in favor of continuing or in favor of ending space exploration. A common response would be that space exploration is a waste of money. An average American, uneducated on the subject, might believe that the government is wasting billions of dollars on the research that has no merit. Someone strange to the subject might say that a space shuttle goes up once in a while and that is about all that happens. Research is ongoing and continues when there are no shuttles being launched. This also costs the government money. Does the extreme cost of space exploration make sense?

One argument is that the government is wasting money on the research not being used on Earth. Actually, the money goes to workers and scientists that support National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions (任務(wù)), and goes to major companies that play important roles in major sectors of the US economy. Boeing is a partner of NASA for aircraft, the same company that makes commercial aircraft for the airline industry.

Another benefit to continuing space exploration is the many spinoff (衍生的) technologies it provides. The artificial heart resulted from experiments on the space shuttle. The handheld Jaws of Life used to save victims from car accidents originated from the system used to separate the space shuttle from its booster rockets. Insulation in homes that keeps them warm and energy efficient is based on the technology used to insulate the space shuttle.

There are direct benefits to the economy provided by NASA missions as well as spinoff technologies. These advances are found in food, building materials, medical procedures and the vehicles we drive. While it can be proven that billions of dollars that could be used elsewhere is being spent on space exploration, the benefits it provides outweigh the terrible aspects. As a matter of fact, the money spent helps to improve the quality of our lives.

1.How is Paragraph 2 mainly developed?

A. By offering analyses.

B. By making comparisons.

C. By giving some examples.

D. By presenting research findings.

2.The function of Jaws of Life is to _____.

A. save people from traffic accidents

B. do experiments on the space shuttle

C. keep houses warm and energy efficient

D. separate the space shuttle from its booster rockets

3.In the author’s opinion, space exploration _____.

A. has changed our life completely

B. costs too much of our time

C. benefits us in many ways

D. has nothing to do with us

4.What would be the best title for the text?

A. Benefits of space exploration

B. Is space exploration worth the cost?

C. How to make space exploration affordable

D. Missions of the NASA space shuttle program

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