【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[听力原文]
When Australian schoolgirl Jessica Watson sails through the heads of Sydney Harbor to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, she will be feted by the Australian Prime Minister, internationally renowned yachtsmen and, of course, her parents. But before she even gets to hug her mum after more than 200 days alone at sea, the 16-year-old will be met by her two heroes and fellow round-the-world teen solo yachtsmen: Australian Jesse Martin and Briton Mike Perham, who flew into Sydney from London to meet her. But Ms Watson was involved into controversy when it was revealed her achievement would not be officially recognized by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. However, the teenager was firm. She never aimed to receive an official record and simply wanted to sail the world non-stop, solo and unassisted before her 17th birthday on May 18. Since then her spirit has been buoyed as she has sailed up the coast of NSW and inched closer towards the finish line. Writing in her blog on her website this week, Ms Watson said she had been having problems with the yacht"s engine but said it did not phase her out because she was excited about completing her journey. When Ms Watson sets foot on dry land for the first time since she left on October 18 last year, it will be on the jetty of the world famous Sydney Opera House where she will be greeted by her parents then a VIP reception.
How old was Jessica Watson when she began to sail around the World?
[解析] 本文主要针对一个女孩的海上航行经历展开叙述，属于人物故事类题材。
短文中提到，16岁的女孩在经历200多天在大海中的独自航行后会投入妈妈的怀抱，而在她拥抱妈妈之前，她要跟心目中的两位英雄会面。由此可知，杰茜卡·沃森开始航行环游世界时只有16岁，故答案为A。