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Passage One
段落一
Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream.
从很早以前，人们一直迷恋着地球以外的地方也存在生命的想法。直到近来，科学家们认为在其他星球上存在生命只不过是一个充满希望的梦。
But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system.
但是，现在他们开始查找可能有生命的地方。1997年，科学家们在恒星附近，例如太阳，发现了行星的踪迹。科学家们现在认为生命可能离我们更近，就在太阳系内。
One planet scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface.
科学家们正密切关注的地方是木卫二，木星的一个卫星。太空探测器提供了证据表明木卫二表层之下有一个海洋。
The probes have also made the scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat.
探测器也让科学家们认为木卫二表层有散发出火山热的岩石核心。
Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen.
火山活动的水和热量是生命形成的两个基本条件。第三个是一些基本的化学物质，如碳、氧和氮。
Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa's ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to.
科学家们认为在木卫二海洋底部可能存在这样的化学成分。他们可能已经创造了生命或即将产生生命。
You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential.
你可能在想光也是生命形成的必要条件。直到最近，科学家们仍认为光是不可或缺的。
But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa's sub-surface ocean doesn't automatically rule out life forming.
但现在已经在地球上发现，海洋几英里之下的黑暗洞穴内有细菌，即原始生命形式的存在。所以不能排除缺乏光的木卫二地下海洋有生命形成的可能性。
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
基于你听到的回答问题26至28。
Question 26. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?
问题26. 根据短文，科学家曾相信什么？
Question 27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?
问题27. 科学家们发现关于木卫二的什么信息？
Question 28. What have scientists come to know recently about the formation of life?
问题28. 最近，科学家就生命的形成了解到什么？
