阅读理解。
Paper Plane to Be Dropped from Space
For most people, it is enough to see their paper planes fly for a few feet. The Japanese, however, want to
make a paper plane fly for 240 miles from space. This crazy paper plane plan was brought up by the leader of
Japan Origami Plane Association (日本折纸飞机协会), Mr. Takuo. In 1999, Mr. Takuo asked Mr. Suzuki, a
designer, if he could help design a 3-metre plane for a TV program. The plane flew successfully from the top
of a mountain. Then Mr. Takuo asked Mr. Suzuki if he would help send a paper plane from space. They made
plans to drop a paper plane from the International Space Station down to the Earth. The idea is to develop a
kind of modern plane that can study the atmosphere.
An 8-inch-long paper plane has been made and treated with a chemical ( 化学药品) so that it can survive
the temperature of 200℃ as it enters the Earth's atmosphere again. Another 3-inch-long paper plane has been
tested at the temperature of up to 300℃. The paper plane will probably start its trip during a space walk. It will
continue at the same speed as the space station, but its orbit (轨道) will change slowly. Maybe it will survive
the drop, but the researchers don't know where it will land, so they have written a message in several languages,
saying, "This plane flew from the International Space Station. Please return the plane to Japan Origami Plane
Association."
If the paper plane successfully flies from space, some new design ideas can be explored. It seems to be a
crazy idea, but who can say that it isn't a creative one?
1. What can we learn about the paper plane in the research?
A. It can survive high temperatures.
B. It can send messages from space.
C. It can land where people want it to.
D. It can study the atmosphere.
2. Why was the message written in several languages on the paper plane?
A. Because it is an international project.
B. Because it belongs to several countries.
C. Because it may land somewhere outside Japan.
D. Because it is popular with people in different countries.
3. Why do the Japanese do the research on the paper plane?
A. To set up a world record of the biggest paper plane.
B. To provide useful ideas for making a kind of modern plane.
C. To make the life in the space station more colorful.
D. To make Japan Origami Plane Association well known in the world.
