英语六级阅读练习无疑是提升英语能力的重要途径之一。通过这一方式，学习者不仅能够有效地锻炼自己的语言技能，如阅读理解和词汇运用，还能在实践中不断扩充六级词汇，深化对语法知识的理解。

以下是一个关于“系外行星学”主题的英语六级阅读练习示例，旨在帮助学习者在掌握知识的同时，进一步加深对英语运用的理解和感受。

英文原文

In recent years, the field of astronomy has witnessed a remarkable revolution, thanks to the advancements in technology. Telescopes have become more powerful, allowing astronomers to observe objects in space that were previously beyond reach. With these improvements, a new area of study has emerged, known as exoplanetology, which focuses on the exploration of planets outside our solar system.

近年来，由于技术的进步，天文学领域经历了显著的变革。望远镜变得更加强大，使天文学家能够观测到以前无法触及的太空物体。随着这些改进，出现了一个新的研究领域——系外行星学，它专注于探索我们太阳系之外的行星。

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars other than our Sun. These planets range in size, from dwarf planets similar to our Moon to gas giants larger than Jupiter. The discovery of exoplanets has challenged many existing theories about the formation of solar systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.

系外行星是围绕除太阳以外的恒星运行的行星。这些行星的大小各不相同，从类似我们月球的矮行星到比木星还大的气体巨星。系外行星的发现挑战了许多关于太阳系形成以及地球以外生命潜力的现有理论。

One of the most significant challenges in exoplanetology is the detection of these planets. Since they are so far away, their light is often overwhelmed by the brightness of their host stars. However, scientists have developed several techniques to overcome this obstacle, including the transit method, which involves observing the dimming of a star as an exoplanet passes in front of it.

系外行星学面临的一个最大挑战是检测这些行星。由于它们距离我们如此遥远，它们的光常常被它们的主恒星的光所淹没。然而，科学家们已经开发了几种技术来克服这一障碍，包括凌日法，该方法涉及观察一颗恒星在其前面的系外行星经过时变暗的情况。

In addition to detection, another crucial aspect of exoplanetology is characterizing these planets. This involves determining their mass, density, and atmosphere, which can provide clues about their potential for habitability. For example, the presence of water vapor in an exoplanet's atmosphere is a strong indicator of its ability to support life.

除了检测之外，系外行星学的另一个关键方面是描述这些行星的特性。这包括确定它们的质量、密度和大气层，这些都可以为它们的宜居潜力提供线索。例如，系外行星大气层中存在水蒸气是其支持生命能力的有力指标。

问题

1.What is exoplanetology focused on?
A. The study of stars.
B. The exploration of planets outside our solar system.
C. The formation of solar systems.
D. The potential for life on Earth.

2.What are the two main challenges in exoplanetology?
A. Detection and characterization of exoplanets.
B. The brightness of host stars.
C. The size of exoplanets.
D. The formation of solar systems.

3.What technique is mentioned in the passage for detecting exoplanets?
A. The transit method.
B. The gravitational lensing method.
C. The radial velocity method.
D. The direct imaging method.

答案解析

1.答案： B

解析： 根据段落一中的描述，“With these improvements, a new area of study has emerged, known as exoplanetology, which focuses on the exploration of planets outside our solar system.”（随着这些改进，出现了一个新的研究领域——系外行星学，它专注于探索我们太阳系之外的行星。）因此，系外行星学关注的是太阳系之外的行星的探索，选项B正确。

2.答案： A

解析： 段落三提到系外行星学面临的一个最大挑战是检测这些行星，而段落四提到另一个关键方面是描述这些行星的特性。因此，系外行星学的两个主要挑战是检测和描述系外行星，选项A正确。

3.答案： A

解析： 段落三提到科学家们已经开发了几种技术来克服检测系外行星的障碍，其中包括凌日法（the transit method），该方法涉及观察一颗恒星在其前面的系外行星经过时变暗的情况。因此，选项A正确。

以上就是英语六级阅读练习：系外行星学的文章示例，希望对大家有所帮助！