Reading for Writing 课文精读 · 太空探索的价值
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段（提出争议）
Countries around the globe are spending billions of dollars and lots of time on various space missions, whether to Mars or other planets much further away. Some people argue that we should stop wasting time and money exploring space. Instead, we should feed the world’s poor and find immediate solutions to other problems, such as pollution and fatal diseases. However, others feel this is a shallow view which fails to realise how exploring space helps us.
全球各国正把数十亿美元和大量时间花在各种太空任务上，无论是去火星还是去更远的其他行星。一些人主张我们应该停止在探索太空上浪费时间和金钱。相反，我们应该去养活世界上的穷人，并为污染、致命疾病等其他问题寻找即时解决方案。然而，另一些人觉得这是一种狭隘的观点，没能认识到探索太空如何帮助我们。
第2段（论点一：应对饥荒）
Firstly, exploring space has already made a difference in the fight against world hunger. It has directly resulted in the many satellites that now orbit Earth. A number of the satellites record data on land and weather patterns. Then the data is transmitted to scientists on Earth. After careful analysis, the scientists can provide useful recommendations and advice for farmers. As a result, space-based science has helped farming in its efforts to grow enough food to feed Earth’s increasing population.
首先，探索太空已经在对抗世界饥饿的斗争中发挥了作用。它直接促成了如今环绕地球运行的众多卫星。一些卫星记录土地与天气模式的数据。随后这些数据被传送给地球上的科学家。经过仔细分析，科学家能为农民提供有用的建议。结果，航天科学帮助农业努力生产足够的食物，以养活地球上不断增长的人口。
第3段（论点二：技术溢出）
Secondly, space exploration has already promoted technological improvements that benefit us all. High-end products around the world are made to a higher standard now because of advanced technology which was first created to meet the requirements for space exploration. For example, space technologies have helped the research and development of different types of new material. They have also helped companies make better heart monitors and other machines that doctors regularly use. Today, space technologies are widely used in all kinds of industries, and everyday products such as GPS, memory foam pillows, and smartphone cameras are changing our lives.
其次，太空探索已经推动了惠及我们所有人的技术改进。由于最初为满足太空探索需求而创造的先进技术，全球高端产品现在达到了更高的标准。例如，航天技术帮助研发了各类新材料。它们还帮助公司制造更好的心脏监测仪以及医生经常使用的其他机器。如今，航天技术被广泛应用于各行各业，而 GPS、记忆棉枕头、智能手机摄像头等日常产品正在改变我们的生活。
第4段（论点三：启发思考与未来）
Finally, sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world’s problems and even to find ways to solve them. Seeing pictures of our planet as an island in a black sea made people realise that our planet’s resources are limited. In order to provide for such a rapidly increasing population, scientists are trying to find other planets that could one day be our new home. The greatest attention at present is on Mars because it is closer to Earth. In the future humans may live on both planets.
最后，把宇航员送入太空帮助人们思考世界性的问题，甚至找到解决办法。看到我们的星球如同黑色海洋中的一座孤岛，人们意识到地球的资源是有限的。为了供养如此快速增长的人口，科学家正试图寻找有一天能成为我们新家园的其他行星。目前最受关注的是火星，因为它离地球更近。未来，人类或许会同时生活在两颗行星上。
第5段（结论）
In closing, exploring space provides the world with many different benefits. Therefore, it should continue so as to provide new and better solutions to people’s short-term and long-term problems.
总之，探索太空为世界带来了许多不同的益处。因此，它应当继续下去，以便为人们短期和长期的难题提供更优更新的解决方案。
二、重点单词
globe n.：地球；地球仪。Countries around the globe
mission n.：任务；使命。various space missions
argue v.：主张；争论。Some people argue that ...
fatal adj.：致命的。fatal diseases
shallow adj.：浅的；肤浅的。this is a shallow view
recommendation n.：建议；推荐。useful recommendations and advice
promote v.：促进；推动。has promoted technological improvements
advanced adj.：先进的。because of advanced technology
requirement n.：要求；需求。meet the requirements for ...
monitor n.：监测仪；显示器。better heart monitors
resource n.：资源。our planet’s resources are limited
provide for v.：供养；为……提供所需。provide for such a population
benefit n. / v.：益处；使受益。many different benefits
三、一词多义与熟词生义
globe 常见义"地球仪"，课文中 around the globe 指"全球、世界各地"。
mission 常见义"使命、任务"，课文中 space missions 指"航天任务 / 飞行任务"。
shallow 常见义"浅的（水）"，课文中 a shallow view 引申为"肤浅的、狭隘的（看法）"。
monitor 常见义作动词"监视"，课文中作名词，意为"监测仪、显示器"（heart monitors 心脏监测仪）。
benefit 常见义作动词"使受益"，课文中 many different benefits 作名词，意为"益处、好处"。
provide for 常见义"为……做准备"，课文中 provide for such a population 指"供养（这么多）人口"。
四、重点词块
around the globe 全球
spend ... on 在……上花费
argue that 主张 / 认为
stop wasting 停止浪费
find solutions to 找到……的解决办法
fail to 未能；做不到
make a difference 起作用；有影响
result in 导致；造成
a number of 若干；一些
transmit ... to 把……传送给
as a result 结果；因此
promote improvements 推动改进
meet the requirements for 满足……的需求
be widely used in 广泛应用于
in order to 为了
at present 目前；现在
in closing 总之；最后
so as to 以便；为了
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】However, others feel this is a shallow view which fails to realise how exploring space helps us.
【主干】others feel (that) this is a shallow view ...
【分层】feel 后接省略 that 的宾语从句；which fails to realise ... 为定语从句修饰 view；how exploring space helps us 为 how 引导的宾语从句，作 realise 的宾语，其中 exploring space 为动名词作主语。
【译文】然而，另一些人觉得这是一种狭隘的观点，没能认识到探索太空如何帮助我们。
【考点】省略 that 的宾语从句；which 定语从句；how 宾语从句；动名词作主语。
【原句 2】High-end products around the world are made to a higher standard now because of advanced technology which was first created to meet the requirements for space exploration.
【主干】High-end products ... are made to a higher standard ...
【分层】around the world 为后置定语；because of advanced technology 为原因状语；which was first created ... 为定语从句修饰 technology；to meet the requirements 为不定式作目的状语。
【译文】由于最初为满足太空探索需求而创造的先进技术，全球高端产品现在达到了更高的标准。
【考点】被动语态；because of + 名词；which 定语从句；不定式表目的。
【原句 3】Seeing pictures of our planet as an island in a black sea made people realise that our planet’s resources are limited.
【主干】Seeing pictures ... made people realise that ...
【分层】Seeing pictures ... 为动名词短语作主语；as an island in a black sea 为宾语补足 / 同位说明；made people realise 为"make + 宾语 + 宾补（省略 to 的不定式）"；that 引导宾语从句。
【译文】看到我们的星球如同黑色海洋中的一座孤岛，人们意识到地球的资源是有限的。
【考点】动名词作主语；make sb do 结构；that 宾语从句。
【原句 4】In order to provide for such a rapidly increasing population, scientists are trying to find other planets that could one day be our new home.
【主干】scientists are trying to find other planets ...
【分层】In order to provide for ... 为不定式作目的状语；such a rapidly increasing population 中 rapidly increasing 为现在分词作前置定语；that could one day be ... 为定语从句修饰 planets。
【译文】为了供养如此快速增长的人口，科学家正试图寻找有一天能成为我们新家园的其他行星。
【考点】in order to 目的状语；现在分词作定语；that 定语从句。
【原句 5】Therefore, it should continue so as to provide new and better solutions to people’s short-term and long-term problems.
【主干】it should continue ...
【分层】Therefore 表因果；so as to provide ... 为不定式作目的状语；to people's ... problems 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 solutions。
【译文】因此，它应当继续下去，以便为人们短期和长期的难题提供更优更新的解决方案。
【考点】so as to 表目的（比 to 更正式）；介词短语后置定语。
六、语法点清单
1. 议论文结构标记词
Firstly / Secondly / Finally / In closing / Therefore。这是"总—分—总"论证文的骨架词，写作必备。
2. 定语从句（which / that）
a shallow view which fails ...；technological improvements that benefit ...；other planets that could ...。注意 which / that 指物。
3. 动名词作主语
Seeing pictures ... made people realise ...；exploring space helps us。动名词短语充当句子主语。
4. make + 宾语 + 宾补
made people realise that ...。用不带 to 的不定式作宾补，被动时还原 to（people were made to realise）。
5. 被动语态（一般现在 / 现在完成）
are made to a higher standard；has promoted；are widely used。说明客观事实常用被动。
6. 目的状语（in order to / so as to / to）
In order to provide ...；so as to provide ...；meet the requirements（to 省略）。三者都表目的，语体由正式到口语。
七、逻辑链
引争议（第1段）：有人反对烧钱探空 vs 有人认为是狭隘之见
↓
论点一（第2段）：航天→卫星→农业数据→缓解饥饿
↓
论点二（第3段）：航天→先进技术→新材料、医疗器械、日常用品（GPS等）
↓
论点三（第4段）：航天→唤醒资源危机意识→寻找新家园（火星）
↓
结论（第5段）：探空益处多，应予延续
这是一篇典型的"议论文"：先破后立——首段呈现反方观点并否定，随后用 Firstly / Secondly / Finally 三个并列论点论证，末段用 Therefore 收束，结构清晰，是英语论证文写作范本。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：Some people argue that ... However, others feel ...
课文：Some people argue that we should stop ... However, others feel this is a shallow view.
仿写：Some people argue that students should wear uniforms. However, others feel this limits personal expression.（有人认为该穿校服，另有人认为这限制个性表达。）——用于"呈现两方观点"。
模板 2：Firstly / Secondly / Finally, ...
课文：Firstly, exploring space has ... Secondly, ... Finally, ...
仿写：Firstly, reading broadens our horizons. Secondly, it improves our writing. Finally, it calms our mind.（第一……第二……最后……）——用于"分点论证"。
模板 3：It has directly resulted in ...
课文：It has directly resulted in the many satellites that now orbit Earth.
仿写：The reform has directly resulted in higher crop yields.（这项改革直接带来了更高的产量。）——用于写"因果关系"。
模板 4：... because of ... which was first created to ...
课文：... because of advanced technology which was first created to meet the requirements for ...
仿写：We enjoy fast internet because of fibre technology which was first created for scientific research.（我们享受高速网络，得益于最初为科研创造的光纤技术。）——用于写"技术源起与惠及"。
模板 5：In closing, ... Therefore, it should continue so as to ...
课文：In closing, exploring space provides ... Therefore, it should continue so as to provide ...
仿写：In closing, reading benefits us in many ways. Therefore, it should continue so as to enrich our life.（总之，阅读益处良多，因此应坚持以丰富人生。）——用于"总结 + 建议"。
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