Topic:
Should countries undertake space research?
英语范文
In the past, there were just two nations which undertook serious space exploration, namely the United States and the former Soviet Union. In fact, the “space race” began in the late1950s, with the Soviet Union launching the first manned rocket. It became a matter of national pride, as each country attempted to outdo the other in enhancing its international standing. When Americans landed the first man on the moon, it clearly represented a monumental national achievement.
Furthermore, space research has produced a variety of practical and beneficial discoveries and applications. For instance, Teflon, a non-stick surface used in cooking utensils, such as frying pans, was developed as a result of the space program. Moreover, we have a better understanding of climate patterns, together with a modern system of electronic communications, as a direct result of the hundreds of satellites which encircle our planet.
On the other hand, space research has considerable disadvantages. Obviously, space research is often carried out for military purposes. It undoubtedly adds to the arms race, endangering world peace. Think, for example, of American “Star Wars” project. How on earth does this benefit mankind?
Environmentally, there are significant reasons against launching rockets into space. The huge boosters used by vehicles escaping the earth's gravity produce considerable pollution, damaging the precious ozone layer. In addition, there are countless pieces of “space junk” floating around above our planet which one day could constitute a serious hazard.
题目：
国家是否应该进行太空探索？
译文：
在过去，仅仅有两个国家认真地进行过宇宙空间探索，即美国和前苏联。事实上，空间竞赛始于上个世纪50年代，前苏联发射了第一颗载人火箭。这已经成为了民族的骄傲，因为每个国家都希望超过其他的国家，提高自己在国际社会中的地位。美国人首次登陆月球无疑代表了国家取得的巨大成就。
此外，空间研究还提供了各种各样的实用而有益的发明和应用。在空间研究项目中，研制出一种叫做Teflon 不粘的表面材料，可以运用在烹饪器皿，如煎锅中。此外通过现代的电子通信系统和上百颗围绕着我们的星球卫星，我们还可以更好地了解气候模式。
从另一方面来看，空间研究也存在着相当大的弊端。显而易见，空间研究常常用于军事目的。毫无疑问这就促进了军备竞赛，威胁到世界和平。试想一下美国的“星球大站”计划，真的能够造福人类吗？
从环境方面看，也有很多充足的理由反对发射火箭升空。火箭运载工具使用的巨型助推器在摆脱地球引力时会造成严重的污染，从而破坏珍贵的臭氧层。还有大量的“宇宙垃圾”漂浮在我们生活星球的上空，总有一天会对我们造成严重的危害。
范文点评：
这是个辩论型题目，作者采用了对称式写法，一共写了四段，前两段是从正面来说空间探索带来的好处，举了很多例子。后面两段从空间研究的弊端来写该项目给人类带来的忧患。作者并没有明确表达自己的观点，而是从两面切入主题，写法巧妙，文章布局合理，理由充分，举例也比较多，语言上运用的模板句型很少，采用了许多不常用的独特句型，是一篇佳作。