英语听力精选进阶版 7135（在线收听）

Background: 维珍集团总裁 Richard Branson 向公众展示了世界上第一艘商业载人宇宙飞船。等通过严格的试航测试以后，六名乘客将有机会登上这艘子弹型飞船，真正感受宇宙旅行的刺激。

It’s 60 feet (18.3 metres) long, made of lightweight, fuel-efficient material and can carry eight people out of this world and back.

The first commercial spaceship was unveiled by Sir Richard Branson, who hopes to start passenger trips within two years. The price tag: ￡130,000 (1.4 million yuan).

"In time we hope to get that price down and down and down so that, you know, one day, people can think: 'Shall I take my family on holiday to the Caribbean or maybe we should try space travel this year?' That’s our aim."

Those that can pay will get the ultimate three-hour thrill ride. The spaceship rockets to 62 miles above the earth’s surface. Passengers will feel weightless for up to five minutes before heading down through the atmosphere and gliding back to earth.

Organisers say some 300 have already signed up. Space, as a tourist destination, may be one step closer.

Glossary 词汇表

feet 英尺 

fuel-efficient 省油的 

commercial 商业化的 

unveiled 揭幕，揭开 

the Caribbean 加勒比海地区 

ultimate 终极的 

thrill ride 刺激的航行 

spaceship 宇宙飞船 

rockets 用火箭运载 

gliding 滑行 

some 差不多 

signed up 登记了

Questions and Answers

How many people can the spaceship carry? 

Eight.

True or false: The spaceship costs ￡130,000. 

False. That's the price of a ticket on the spaceship.

How long will each trip last? 

Three hours.

True or false: Space is already a tourist destination. 

False. It is not yet a tourist destination, but it is "one step closer" to being one.