# Should space be explored by robots or by humans? - 科目：雅思阅读真题（Part 2） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2026.2.12辽宁大学 - 题目数：12 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/d52a9565-e811-4595-bbee-707595ddb62d（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 A The advisability of humans participating directly in space travel continues to cause many debates. There is no doubt that the presence of people on board a space vehicle makes its design much more complex and challenging, and produces a large increase in costs, since safety requirements are greatly increased, and the technology providing necessities for human passengers such as oxygen, food water must be guaranteed. Moreover, the systems required are bulky and costly, and their complexity increases for long-duration missions. Meanwhile, advances in electronics and computer science allow increasingly complex tasks to be entrusted to robots, and unmanned space probes are becoming lighter, smaller and more convenient. B However, experience has shown that the idea of humans in space is popular with the public. Humans can also be useful; there are many cases when only direct intervention by an astronaut or cosmonaut can correct the malfunction of an automatic device. Astronauts and cosmonauts have proved that they can adapt to conditions of weightlessness and work in space without encountering too many problems, as was seen in the operations to repair and to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. One human characteristic which is particularly precious in space missions, and which so far is lacking in robots, is the ability to perform a great variety of tasks. In addition, robots are not good at reacting to situations they have not been specifically prepared for. This is especially important in the case of deep space missions. While, in the case of the Moon, it is possible for someone on Earth to 'tele-operate' a robotic device such as a probe, as the two-way link time is only a couple of seconds, on Mars the two- way link time is several minutes, so sending instructions from Earth is more difficult. C Many of the promises of artificial intelligence are still far from being fulfilled. The construction of machines simulating human logical reasoning moves towards ever more distant dates. The more the performance of computers improves, the more we realise how difficult it is to build machines which display logical abilities. In the past it was confidently predicted that we would soon have fully automated factories in which all operations were performed without any human intervention, and forecasts of the complete substitution of workers by robots in many production areas were made. Today, these perspectives are being revised. It seems that all machines, even the smartest ones, must cooperate with humans. Rather than replacing humans, the present need appears to be for an intelligent machine capable of helping a human operator without replacing him or her. The word 'cobot', from 'collaborative robot', has been invented to designate this type. D A similar trend is also apparent in the field of space exploration. Tasks which were in the past entrusted only to machines are now performed by human beings, sometimes with the aim of using simpler and less costly devices, sometimes to obtain better performance. In many cases, to involve a person in the control loop is a welcome simplification which may lower the cost of a mission without compromising safety. Many operations originally designed to be performed under completely automatic control can be performed more efficiently by astronauts, perhaps helped by their 'cobots'. The human-machine relationship must evolve towards a closer collaboration. E One way this could happen is by adopting the Mars Outposts approach, proposed by the Planetary Society. This would involve sending a number of robotic research stations to Mars, equipped with permanent communications and navigational systems. They would perform research, and establish the infrastructure needed to prepare future landing sites for the exploration of Mars by humans. It has also been suggested that in the most difficult environments, as on Venus or Jupiter, robots could be controlled by human beings located in spaceships which remain in orbit around the planet. In this case the link time for communication between humans and robots would be far less than it would be from Earth. F But if space is to be more than a place to build automatic laboratories or set up industrial enterprises in the vicinity of our planet, the presence of humans is essential. They must learn how to voyage through space towards destinations which will be not only scientific bases but also places to live. If space is a frontier, that frontier must see the presence of people. So the aim for humankind in the future will be not just the exploration of space, but its colonisation. The result of exploring and living in space may be a deep change in the views which humankind has of itself. And this process is already under way. The images of Earth taken from the Moon in the Apollo programme have given humankind a new consciousness of its fragility, its smallness, and its unity. These impressions have triggered a realisation of the need to protect and preserve it, for it is the place in the solar system most suitable for US and above all it is the only place we have, at least for now. ## 题目与答案 ### 14. 14 Paragraph A 14 Paragraph A - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：problems in using humans for space exploration 原文定位：The advisability of humans participating directly in space travel continues to cause many debates. There is no doubt that the presence of people on board a space vehicle makes its design much more complex and challenging, and produces a large increase in costs, since safety requirements are greatly increased, and the technology providing necessities for human passengers such as oxygen, food water must be guaranteed. Moreover, the systems required are bulky and costly, and their complexity increases for long-duration missions 同义替换：「problems」↔「much more complex and challenging」；「using humans for space exploration」↔「humans participating directly in space travel」 ### 15. 15 Paragraph B 15 Paragraph B - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：some limitations of robots in space 原文定位：One human characteristic which is particularly precious in space missions, and which so far is lacking in robots, is the ability to perform a great variety of tasks. In addition, robots are not good at reacting to situations they have not been specifically prepared for. This is especially important in the case of deep space missions. While, in the case of the Moon, it is possible for someone on Earth to 'tele-operate' a robotic device such as a probe, as the two-way link time is only a couple of seconds, on Mars the two- way link time is several minutes, so sending instructions from Earth is more difficult 同义替换：「limitations」↔「lack the ability to perform various tasks」；「robots in space」↔「robotic device」 ### 16. 16 Paragraph C 16 Paragraph C - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：robots on Earth - a re-evaluation 原文定位：Many of the promises of artificial intelligence are still far from being fulfilled;In the past it was confidently predicted that we would soon have fully automated factories in which all operations were performed without any human intervention;Today, these perspectives are being revised. It seems that all machines, even the smartest ones, must cooperate with humans 同义替换：「re-evaluation」↔「these perspectives are being revised」 ### 17. 17 Paragraph D 17 Paragraph D - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space 原文定位：A similar trend is also apparent in the field of space exploration. Tasks which were in the past entrusted only to machines are now performed by human beings;Many operations originally designed to be performed under completely automatic control can be performed more efficiently by astronauts;The human-machine relationship must evolve towards a closer collaboration 同义替换：「reconsideration」↔「past entrusted only to machines are now performed by human beings」；「in space」↔「space exploration」 ### 18. 18 Paragraph E 18 Paragraph E - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：possible examples of cooperation in space 原文定位：This would involve sending a number of robotic research stations to Mars, equipped with permanent communications and navigational systems. They would perform research, and establish the infrastructure needed to prepare future landing sites for the exploration of Mars by humans. It has also been suggested that in the most difficult environments, as on Venus or Jupiter, robots could be controlled by human beings located in spaceships which remain in orbit around the planet 同义替换：「possible examples」↔「two concrete schemes introduced」；「cooperation in space」↔「humans control robots in planetary exploration」 ### 19. 19 Paragraph F 19 Paragraph F - robots on Earth - a re-evaluation - the barriers to cooperation in space exploration - some limitations of robots in space - reduced expectations for space exploration - a general reconsideration of human/robot responsibilities in space - problems in using humans for space exploration **答案**：space settlement and the development of greater self-awareness 原文定位：So the aim for humankind in the future will be not just the exploration of space, but its colonisation. The result of exploring and living in space may be a deep change in the views which humankind has of itself. And this process is already under way. The images of Earth taken from the Moon in the Apollo programme have given humankind a new consciousness of its fragility, its smallness, and its unity 同义替换：「space settlement」↔「colonisation of space」；「greater self-awareness」↔「new consciousness of humankind itself」 ### 20-21. According to the writer, which TWO predictions about artificial intelligence have not yet been fulfilled? According to the writer, which TWO predictions about artificial intelligence have not yet been fulfilled? - Robots will work independently of humans. - Robots will begin to oppose human interests. - Robots will be used to help humans perform tasks more efficiently. - Robots will think in the same way as humans. - Robots will become too costly to use on space missions. **答案**：Robots will work independently of humans.,Robots will think in the same way as humans. 原文定位：Many of the promises of artificial intelligence are still far from being fulfilled;The construction of machines simulating human logical reasoning moves towards ever more distant dates;In the past it was confidently predicted that we would soon have fully automated factories in which all operations were performed without any human intervention, and forecasts of the complete substitution of workers by robots in many production areas were made 同义替换：「Robots will work independently of humans」↔「complete substitution of workers by robots」；「Robots will think in the same way as humans」↔「machines simulating human logical reasoning」 ### 22. Humans in space - the Mars Outposts approach and its implications One way of exploring space would be through collaboration between humans and robots. For example, when exploring the planet Mars, robots could be used to set up 22_____ and do initial research before humans arrive. Humans in space - the Mars Outposts approach and its implications One way of exploring space would be through collaboration between humans and robots. For example, when exploring the planet Mars, robots could be used to set up 22_____ and do initial research before humans arrive. **答案**：infrastructure 原文定位：They would perform research, and establish the infrastructure needed to prepare future landing sites for the exploration of Mars by humans 同义替换：「set up」↔「establish」；「before humans arrive」↔「prepare future landing sites for the exploration of Mars by humans」 ### 23. In other cases, humans could stay in orbiting 23_____ and give orders to robots working on the surface of the planet. In other cases, humans could stay in orbiting 23_____ and give orders to robots working on the surface of the planet. **答案**：spaceships 原文定位：It has also been suggested that in the most difficult environments, as on Venus or Jupiter, robots could be controlled by human beings located in spaceships which remain in orbit around the planet 同义替换：「stay in」↔「located in」 ### 24. This would increase the speed of 24_____ with the robots. In such ways, This would increase the speed of 24_____ with the robots. In such ways, **答案**：communication 原文定位：In this case the link time for communication between humans and robots would be far less than it would be from Earth 同义替换：「increase」↔「would be far less」 ### 25. robots might be used to work in space in commercial enterprises or 25_____ . robots might be used to work in space in commercial enterprises or 25_____ . **答案**：laboratories 原文定位：But if space is to be more than a place to build automatic laboratories or set up industrial enterprises in the vicinity of our planet 同义替换：「commercial」↔「industrial」 ### 26. However, the final aim of humankind may be the 26_____ of space and this could in turn change people's attitudes towards Earth. However, the final aim of humankind may be the 26_____ of space and this could in turn change people's attitudes towards Earth. **答案**：colonisation 原文定位：So the aim for humankind in the future will be not just the exploration of space, but its colonisation 同义替换：「the final aim of humankind」↔「the aim for humankind in the future」 --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。