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1 以下の英文を読んで、 次の問いに答えなさい。
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(1)
Our solar system is full of asteroids", which are rocky bodies that orbit our
sun. Most asteroids are found in an "asteroid belt" between Mars and Jupiter and
range in size from a few meters ( (1) ) several kilometers in diameter. While
smaller asteroids are generally harmless, scientists and astronomers worry about
the risk posed by larger ones. Recently, they have been hunting for "near-Earth"
asteroids, which are asteroids that come particularly close to our planet and
could actually hit us. ( (2) ), more than 5,000 near-Earth asteroids have been
identified.
Fortunately, most asteroids never reach our planet. Small asteroids generally
burn up in Earth's thick atmosphere, and large asteroids are rare. (3) Given their
large number, however, one will hit Earth eventually. Asteroids 5 kilometers or
more in diameter hit Earth only about once every 10 million years, but when they
(4)do, it's disastrous. Scientists believe that a 10 kilometer asteroid would kill most
of life on Earth. (5) After the initial tsunamis and fires, the dust and smoke caused
by an asteroid impact would eventually cover our planet, blocking sunlight and
perhaps causing an ice age. ( (6) ) freezing temperatures and plants unable to
grow, many living things would die out.
Now that we know about near-Earth asteroids, people have begun thinking
about how to (7)prevent them from hitting Earth. One idea is to use nuclear
weapons to blast asteroids into many smaller pieces which could still cause harm
if they hit Earth. A safer way to prevent an asteroid from impacting Earth would
be to change its direction. Even a small change in the asteroid's direction could be
enough to make it miss Earth. One way to do this is to use a rocket to push the
asteroid in another direction.
Near-Earth asteroids are a real threat to life on Earth, and we aren't completely
sure how to deal with them. ( (8) ), we will have enough time to find a solution
before the next dangerous asteroid threatens our planet.
空所 (1) (2) (6) (8) に入れるのに最も適切なものを選び 記号で答えなさい。ただし、文頭に
くるものも小文字で与えてある。 (各2点)
ア by
*
regrettably
(1)
1 for
ウ
up to
I with
in addition
+
hopefully
(2)
(6)
" so far
(8)
2 下線部 (3) を和訳しなさい。 (5点)
3 下線部(4)の具体的な内容を本文中の英語2語で答えなさい。(2点)
4 下線部 (5) を和訳しなさい。(5点)
5 下線部 (7) を可能にする2つの方法を. それぞれ 20字以内の日本語で答えなさい。(各4点)
1
②
(中)
T
wat
6 本文の内容と合うものには○を、合わないものには×を記しなさい。(各3点)
a. There are very large asteroids which are several kilometers across.
b. Most asteroids in the "asteroid belt" are very small but pose a great threat to Earth.
((大震油)
c. Scientists and astronomers have found that "near-Earth" asteroids are increasing in
number every year.
d. Small asteroids are mostly unable to reach Earth because of the Earth's thick
atmosphere.
e. At present, we don't have an entirely reliable method to avoid the impact of a large
asteroid.
bucg at
d
E) asteroid
blast 「~を爆破する 」
Key Words
e.1
orbit 動力
2.8 identify
e.17 die out
3 range [動]
2.10 atmosphere
.19 nuclear
3 diameter
12.13 disastrous
22 direction
15 pose
2.15 impact
27 threaten
3