China launched its first lunar probe（探測(cè)器）on Wednesday，Oct. 24，moving a step closer to fulfilling its ambitions of one day reaching the moon.

The Chang’e-I satellite，named after a Chinese goddess who flew to the moon，1ifted off at 6：05 pm．Officials and tourists watched the launching at a site in Sichuan Province，while state television broadcasted live to the rest of the nation.

The probe is expected to circle around the moon for the next year，providing satellite images and other information．China prepares to launch a space vehicle to the moon by 2012 and then send an astronaut by 2020. Within an hour after its lift-off，the probe’s solar panels（電池板）had been opened，and space officials declared the launching a success.

In recent years，China’s space program has attracted international attention for its ambitions and fast—rising technological ability．In 2003，China became one of the only three nations after the United States and the former Soviet Union to send a man into space．However，the United States and other nations reacted violently with alarm when China successfully destroyed one of its own aging weather satellites out of use in a military test.

China is not the only space power in Asia. Last month，Japan launched its own lunar probe，and India plans its own lunar probe next year. Technological development is a motivator for all three countries，but so are nationalistic pride and regional competition.

“As lunar exploration shows our overall（綜合的）national strength，it is very significant for raising our international status and our national unity．”said Ouyang Ziyuan. a top scientist with China’s space program．

1．The Chang’e-I satellite               .

A．is the first lunar probe to circle around the moon

B．is the first satellite sent from Sichuan Province

C．has fulfilled China's ambitions of landing on the moon

D．has made it possible to launch a moon vehicle by 2012

2．Which of the following can be the first evidence for the successful launch of the probe?

A．The opening of the solar panels.         B．The circling around the moon.

C．The lifting off from the earth.               D．The sending—back of the information.

3．The United States and other nations felt greatly worried when                    .

A．China showed its ability to destroy satellites in space

B．China was the third nation to send a man into space

C．China showed its ambitions and technological ability

D．China was not the only emerging space power in Asia

4．China has presented         from the successful launch of Chang’e-I.

A．national military strength                    B．Hi—tech development

       C．international status D．overall national power