大学英语精文本第二册.docVIP

UNTH 1 TEXT It is humorous essay. But after reading it you will surely find that the author is most serious in writing it. Ts There Life on Earth? There was great excitement on the planet of Venus this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the plant Earth, and is has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since. The satellite was directed into an area know as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, who first discovered it with his telescope 20,000 light years ago). Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology. We have come to the conclusion, based on last weeks satellite landing, Prof. Zog said, that there is no life on Earth. How do you know this? the science reporter of the Venus Evening Star asked. For one thing, Earths surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breather this air and survive. What does this mean as far as our flying sauce program is concerned? We shall have to take our own oxygen with us, which means a much heavier flying saucer than we originally planned. Are there any other hazards that you discovered in your studier? Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud hovering over the surface of Earth? We call this the Consolidated Edison Belt. We dont know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there. Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicate it is polluted and the water is unfit to drink. Th