单选题
It was not "the comet of the century" experts predicted it
might be. However, Kohoutek has provided a bonanza of scientific information. It
was first spotted 370 million miles from Earth, by an astronomer who was
searching the sky for asteroids, and after whom the comet was named. Scientists
who tracked Kohoutek the ten months before it passed the Earth predicted the
comet would be a brilliant spectacle. But Kohoutek fell short of these
predictions, disappointing millions of amateur sky watchers, when it proved too
pale to be seen with the unaided eye. Researchers were very happy nonetheless
with the new information they were able to glean from their investigation of the
comet. Perhaps the most significant discovery was the identification of two
important chemical compounds—methyl cyanide and hydrogen cyanide—never before
seen in comets, but found it the far reaches of interstellar space. This
discovery revealed new clues about the origin of comets. Most astronomers agree
that comets are primordial remnants from the formation of the solar system, but
whether they were born between Jupiter and Neptune or much farther out toward
interstellar space has been the subject of much debate. If compounds no more
complex than ammonia and methane, Key components of Jupiter, were seen in
comets, it would suggest that comets form within the planetary orbits. But more
complex compounds, such as the methyl cyanide found in Kohoutek, point to
formation far beyond the planets; there the deep freeze of space has kept them
unchanged.
单选题
Why was Kohoutek referred to as "the comet of the century"?
A. It was thought to be extremely old.
B. It passes the Earth once a century.
C. Scientists predicted it would be very bright.
D. Scientists have been tracking it for a century.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 从第一段“scientists…predicted the comet would be a brilliant spectacle. But Kohoutek fell short of these predictions”可知，第一句“世纪彗星没有像专家预测的那样”是指彗星不够明亮。
单选题
In what respect was Kohoutek a disappointment?
A. It could be seen only through special equipment.
B. It did not approach the Earth.
C. It did not provide valuable scientific information.
D. It was moving too rapidly for scientists to photograph.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 文章里说到，预测结果是彗星的到来会是“brilliant spectacle”光耀夺目的壮观，而实际上too pale to be seen with the unaided eye。
单选题
According to the passage, what is one major component of Jupiter?
A. Hydrogen cyanide.
B. Methyl cyanide.
C. Hydrogen.
D. Ammonia.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 文章倒数第四行：If compounds no more complex than ammonia and methane, key components of Jupiter, were seen in comets. 如果混合物只是氮和甲烷，那么在彗星上发现木星的主要元素是氮和甲烷。
单选题
Which of the following questions is best answered by information gained
from Kohoutek?
A. Where were comets formed?
B. When were comets formed?
C. Where was the solar system formed?
D. How was the solar system formed?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 从考胡泰克得出的信息证明了彗星在哪儿形成的。文章第八句："This discovery revealed new dues about the origin of comets。