The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest structure humans have ever putinto space. This gigantic satellite is used both as a laboratory for new technologies andan observation platform for astronomical, environmental and geological research. It isa permanently occupied outpost in outer space and it is considered to be an importantstepping-stonefor further space exploration.The space station flies at an average altitude of 400 kilometers above the Earth and itcircles the globe every 90 minutes at a speed of about 28,000 kilometers per hour, whichmeans that in just one day, the station travels about the distance it would take from Earthto the moon and back. It also means that astronauts on board the ISS get to see a sunriseevery one and a half hour. Five different space agencies representing 15 countries built the International SpaceStation for no less than 100 billion dollars. The primary partners on the project are NASA,Russia’s Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities, the European Space Agency,the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.The International Space Station was taken into space piece-by-piece, which meansthat consists of modules and connectingnodes that contain living quarters and laboratoriespowered by solar panels. Thefirst module, the Russia Zarya, was launched in 1998. Sincethen, a number of different modules have been added, extending the ISS one piece at atime. The space station spans the area of a U.S. football field, and weighs 391,000 kilograms.The complex now has more living space than a conventional five-bedroom house, andhas two bathrooms and gym facilities and a 360-degree bay window. Astronauts have alsocompared the space station’s living space to the cabin of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet.
I.Decide whether the following sentences are true (T) or false (F).
1.The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite that is placed into orbit.
2.Once on the ISS, scientists can make astronomical observations.
3.The ISS’s low Earth orbit is about 400 kilometers above sea level.
4.It takes 45 minutes for the ISS to make one complete turn around the Earth.
5.The ISS includes contributions from 15 nations.
6.Approximately 100 billion dollars were spent for the construction of the ISS.
7.The ISS was built on the ground and then launched into space in one go
8.The ISS covers an area as big as a football field and weighs almost 400 tonnes.

II.Choose the correct answer.
I.What does the passage mainly discuss?
1. The functions of the ISSb.
AThe launch and structure of the ISSc.
B The origin of the ISSd.
C General information about theISS
2.In one day the station travels _________________.
D. approximately the distance it would take from Earth to themoon
b. twice the distance it would take from Earth to the moo
C. exactly the distance it would take from Earth to the moon
D. lessthan the distance it would take from Earth to the moon
3.What does the phrase “stepping-stone” in the first paragraph mean?
A. piece of rock
B. way of success
C. means of progress d. step forward
4.According to the passage, the International SpaceStation ____________________.
A. is a joint project between five participating space agencies
B. is worth less than $100 billionc.
C. was built by astronauts from 15 different countries
D. isprimarily operated by the United State (NASA)
5.All the following statements are true EXCEPT __________________.
a. The ISS was constructed and assembled module by module.
b. The construction of the ISS was started in 1998.
c. The ISS has the volume of a five-bedroom house.
d. The ISS is around the size of a Boeing 747 plane