上海高考英语试卷真题2023（上海2024高考英语真题题型）

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Ⅲ. Reading Comprehension（第41-55题，每题1分；第56-70题，每题2分。共45分）Section B

Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.

(C)

The universe expands with every passing second, stretching the space between galaxies like dough rising in an oven. But just how fast is this expansion happening? As telescopes like Hubble strive to answer this fundamental question, they encounter a perplexing gap between theoretical predictions and observed data.

Hubble's measurements indicate a faster rate of expansion in the modern universe compared to what was expected based on observations of the universe more than 13 billion years ago by the European Space Agency's Planck satellite. This inconsistency has been a subject of scientific inquiry for several years. However, it remains uncertain whether differences in measurement techniques or chance variations are responsible for this disparity.

Recent data from the Hubble telescope have significantly reduced the possibility that this discrepancy is merely a statistical fluke, with the chances now estimated at only 1 in 100,000. This marks a substantial improvement from previous estimates, which placed the odds at 1 in 3,000 less than a year ago. These precise measurements from Hubble lend weight to the hypothesis that new physics may be necessary to reconcile the observed mismatch.

Lead researcher Adam Riess, a Nobel laureate from the Space Telescope Science Institute and Johns Hopkins University, describes the tension between the early and late universe as one of the most exciting developments in cosmology in decades. He emphasizes that the growing disparity cannot be dismissed as a random occurrence and suggests that it may signal the need for a deeper understanding of the cosmos.

To determine distances in the universe, scientists rely on a "cosmic distance ladder" method. This involves accurately measuring distances to nearby galaxies and then using progressively distant galaxies as reference points. By observing stars like Cepheid variables, astronomers can calibrate this distance ladder. Riess and his team have been refining these measurements since 2005, aiming to improve our understanding of cosmic distances.

In their latest study, astronomers used Hubble to observe 70 Cepheid variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud. By comparing these stars with their more distant counterparts in galaxies hosting supernovae, they refined their measurement of the Hubble constant, reducing its uncertainty from 2.2% to 1.9%. Despite this increased precision, their calculated Hubble constant remains at odds with the value predicted by observations of the early universe conducted by Planck.

The Planck satellite, which maps the cosmic microwave background – a remnant of the universe's early stages - provides crucial data for understanding the universe's expansion. However, the discrepancy between these measurements and those from Hubble underscores the need for further investigation and the potential for new discoveries in cosmology.

63. Where do measurements of the early universe come from?

A. The space between galaxies.

B. Measurements from Hubble and other telescopes.

C. European Space Agency's Planck satellite.

D. The latest Hubble data.

64. Which of the following statements is in line with Adam Riess’ opinion?

A. The expansion speed of the modern universe is faster than expected.

B. New physics may be needed to explain this mismatch.

C.It is unlikely that this discrepancy occurred by chance.

D. Hubble's tension is the most exciting development in cosmology in decades.

65. What do scientists use to determine the distance of things in the universe?

A. A cosmic distance ladder.