Reading comprehension

EXTREME

JOBS

Read carefully and then answer the following questions.

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Reading

comprehension

Katy Croff Bell likes extremes. As an oceanographer, she oftenexplores the deepest parts of the ocean. Her days are long and tiring. She can sometimes spend weeks or months on a research ship. “We work in shifts to collect data 24 hours a day,” says Bell. “We typically work day and night with very little sleep.” But Bell isn’t complaining.

She often works with Robert Ballard, the oceanographer who found Titanicin 1985. Together, they explore the most remote parts of ourplanet. Bell uses the latest video technology and deep sea robotic vehicles to connect with hundreds of scientists and students all over the world. These students then get to watch live videos from the bottom of the ocean, and get to study subjects like geology andarcheology in real time.

Bell chose ocean exploration as a career after she went to sea for thefirst time in 1999. “My first sea going experience changed my life,” she says. “And I hope to use the excitement of exploration to inspire a new generation of young explorers.”

Wang Yaping has a job that lets her travel—all the way to space. Wang is an astronaut. In 2013, Wang became the second Chinese woman to travel to space. She was a member of the Shenzhou 10 spaceship crew and a member of the Tiangong-1 space station. While on Tiangong-1, China described her as its first teacher in space. She taught a physics class to Chinese students, in real time, by a liveTV broadcast. She spent more than two weeks in space before returning home as a national hero.

Wang had to go through an intense three-year training to preparefor life in space. “I think the training has helped me grow up . . . andfully embrace teamwork with my crewmates,” she said.

Wang remembers how she felt when the first Chinese astronaut went into space 10 years before her. She was watching it on TV. “I was so proud and also very excited. But as I watched it, it occurred to me: We have male pilots and female pilots. And then a male astronaut. When will there be a female astronaut? And today, it’s me becoming one of the first few.”

Questions

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about Bell is NOT true?

• She found Titanic with Ballard.

• She likes adventures.

• She thinks exploration is exciting.

Multiple Choice

Bell chose ocean exploration as a career because she______________.

• wanted to change her life

• thought it was exciting

• wanted to find Titanic

Multiple Choice

Which statement about Wang is true?

• She spent over two months in space.

• She is the first Chinese woman totravel to space.

• She taught physics from space.

Multiple Choice

What inspired Wang to become an astronaut?

• Taking a physics class

• Seeing China’s first astronaut in space on TV

• learning the importance of teamwork