Question

Not only is astronomy a very old pastime（消遣）, it is also one that ordinary people can do with very cheap equipment. There are two types of astronomers: professional and amateur（業余的）. Often the only difference between them is that amateurs don’t get paid for their work! Amateur astronomers have discovered a lot  of  new and useful things, usually about new asteroid（小行星）or comets, but sometimes about events such as the birth or death of stars. People often think they need an expensive telescope to look at the stars, but in fact all that is needed to get started is a pair of binoculars. However, if one is planning a more ambitious project, them much more expensive equipment will be needed. One famous amateur astronomer is Sir Patrick Moore, who presents “The Sky at Night” at BBC TV, UK.

Binoculars are the best tool for a new astronomer. Many new astronomers start off by buying expensive or poorly-made telescopes, but do not know how to use them. Then they find that they do not know what they are looking at, and soon lose interest and go on to another hobby. A person starting out should first buy a book or a chart showing the constellations（星座）and the most important stars, then take some time to learn and understand the motions（運動）of the earth, the moon, and the planets. Then one can begin to learn about the sky with only eyes, binoculars, and a simple journal like a notebook, taking notes about what is seen.

Other reasons binoculars are so good for beginners are that they don’t cost much, and they can be easily and quickly taken out of their cases without lots of setting up and taking down again, as is done with a telescope. With binoculars, interesting things can be seen, such as the moon’s craters, many star clusters, and the moons of other planets. Binoculars are even better than telescopes for looking at things like the closer galaxies or very bright comets. Once one is familiar with the main star constellations and other main features of the night sky, then it may be time to buy a telescope.

1．The underlined word binoculars is probably a kind of         .

A．a television          B．a telescope            C．a radio               D．a spaceship

2．Which of the following is right according to the passage?

A．An amateur astronomer should buy an expensive telescope.

B．An amateur astronomer can earn a lot of money by observing the stars.

C．An amateur astronomer can do with very cheap equipment.

D．An amateur astronomer can achieve nothing in the field of astronomy.

3．What should new astronomers NOT do when they start out?

A．Go on to another hobby if they meet with some problems.

B．Know some knowledge about the stars first.

C．Understand the motion of the earth, the moon and the planets.

D．Prepare a notebook to take notes about what is seen.

4．What is probably the main idea of this passage?

A．There are two types of astronomers: professional and amateur.

B．Astronomy is much fun.

C．A binocular is a good choice for a new amateur astronomer.

D．A telescope is not necessary at all for astronomers.

5．Which of the following characteristics does not belong to the binoculars?

A．cheap       B．convenient       C．useful       D．better than telescopes

Answer 1

BCACD