It is a humorous essay. But after reading it you will surely find that the author is most serious in writing it.
IS THERE LIFE ON EARTH?
Art Buchwald
There was great excitement on the planet of Venus this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as. photographs ever since.
The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, who first discovered it with his telescope 20,000 light years ago).
Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to the feasibility of a manned flying saucer landing on Earth. A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology.
"We have come to the conclusion, based on last week's satellite land- ing, "Prof. Zog said, "that there is no life on Earth. "
"How do you know this?" the science reporter of the Venus Evening 15 Star asked.
"For one thing, Earth's surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive. "
"What does this mean as far as our flying saucer program is con- cerned?"
"We shall have to take our own oxygen with us, which means a much heavier flying saucer than we originally planned. "
"Are there any other hazards that you discovered in your studies? "
"Take a look at this photo. You see this dark black cloud hovering over the surface of Earth? We call this the Consolidated Edison Belt. We don't know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there."
"Over here you will notice what seems to be a river, but the satellite findings indicate it is polluted and the water is unfit to drink. This means We shall have to carry our own water, which will add even greater weight to the saucer. "
"Sir, what are all those tiny black spots on the photographs? "
"We're not certain. They seem to be metal particles that move along certain paths. They emit gases, make noise and keep crashing into each other. There are so many of these paths and so many metal particles that it is impossible to land a flying saucer without its being smashed by one. "
"What are those stalagmite projections sticking up?"
"They're some type of granite formations that give off light at night.
Prof. Glom has named them skyscrapers since they seem to be scraping the skies. "
"If all you say is true, won't this set back the flying saucer program several years? "
"Yes, but we shall proceed as soon as the Grubstart gives us the added funds."
"Prof . Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there? "
"Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere sphere, then we can live anywhere. "
New Words
humorous a. funny; that makes people laugh 幽默的
humor n.
essay n. 散文，随笔
excitement n. the state or quality of being excited
planet n. large body in space that moves round a star, esp.
round the sun 行星
Venusian a. of or having to do with the planet Venus金星的
n. supposed Venus being 金星人
satellite n. spacecraft that goes round the planet earth and
sends back radio and television signals; heav-
enly body that goes round a planet (人造)卫星
signal n. 信号; 暗号
astronomer n. person who studies the science of the sun, moon, stars and planets 天文学家
telescope n. instrument with special glasses used for seeing distant things
extremely ad. very 极端, 非常
extreme a.
feasibility n. possibility of being carried out or don 可行性
feasible a.
manned a. occupied by one or more persons 载人的
saucer n. 浅碟；茶托
flying saucer n. 飞碟
conference n. meeting
press conference n. meeting arranged by an important person to which news reporters are invited to listen to a statement or ask questions 记者招待会
technology n. 技术
conclusion n. decision or opinion reached by reasoning 结论
conclude v.
reporter n. person who gathers news for a newspaper, magazine, or radio or TV station 记者
compose vt make up, form 组成, 构成
concrete n. building material made by mixing cement with sand, small stones and water 混凝土
atmosphere n all tlie gases round the earth; air in a place 大气；空气
carbon n. 碳
monoxide n. 一氧化物
deadly a. causing death; likely to cause death 致命的
gas n. 气体
survive vi. remain alive; continue to live or exist 活下来; 幸存
vt. remain alive after; live longer than 经历…后还活着；比…活得长
survival n.
program n. plan of what is to be done 计划
concern vt. be of importance or interest to; have an effect on 涉及;关系到
oxygen n. 氧；氧气
originally ad. formerly 起初, 原来
original a.
hazard n. danger
hover vi. stay in or near one place in the air 盘旋
consolidated a. united; combined 联合的
consolidate vt.
belt n. area that has some special quality;zone(地)带
indicate vt. show
indication n.
pollute vt. make (air, water, soil, etc.) dirty with manmade waste 污染
pollution n.
unfit a. not good enough; not suitable
particle n. 粒子；微粒
emit vt. send out 散发 , 射击
emission n.
crash v. fall or strike suddenly, violently and noisily 坠落；猛撞
smash v. (cause to) break into pieces violently(使)碎裂
stalagmite n.石笋
projection n. sth. that stands out from a surface 凸出物
project v.
type n. a particular kind, class or group 类型, 种类
granite n. hard grey stone used for building 花岗岩
formation n. sth. that is formed; way in which sth. is formed 形成(物)
skyscraper n. very tall building 摩天大楼
scrape vt. rub with sth. rough or sharp 刮, 擦
proceed vi. continue after having stopped ( 停顿后 ) 继续进行
fund n. sum of money set apart or available for a special purpose 资金 ; 基金
billion n. one thousand million
zilch n. zero; nothing at all
Phrases & Expressions
(be) known as also publicly called; named 以…闻名,通常名叫
name after . give the same name 以…名字命名
as to about, concerning 关于
base on upon , use as a basis or foundation for 以…为基础 把…基于
for one thing…(for another) in the first place… (in the second place)
be composed of have as members or parts 由…组成
as far as… be concerned to the degree that it matters to 就…而言
stick up stand upright; project 直立; 突出
give off emit; send out 发出 ; 散发出
set back delay the advance or development of 耽搁 ; 阻碍