Is an unknown force having an influence (1) on Pioneer 10 and 11, NASA’s oldest space probes? The probes have been travelling through space for over thirty years, but scientists have now (2) come to the conclusion that their current position does not correspond (3) to the predictions of where they should be. The probes appear to be (4 under the control of something other than the sun’s gravity. Scientists are unsure of the cause (5) of the probes’ slowness, but have narrowed (6) down the possibilities to three main options. They (7) put forward their suggestions at a conference this week. It is possible, but unlikely, (8) that both probes are malfunctioning in the same way at the same time; our understanding of gravity may be wrong, or an unknown force in the universe is (9) probably the cause of a difference to the speed of the craft. Scientists say they will need to carry (10) out more research before they can determine what the cause is.
III
a) disease - illness
work - job
type - sort
level - cross
b) to scorn - to despise
to realize - to understand
to prepare - to get ready
to refuse - to mean
c) strong - very
clever - intelligent
fashionable - popular
each - stupid
IV
1. A cat-and-dog life - is a constant or frequent quarrelling
2. To play cat and mouse - is treating someone kindly or cruelly, so that he/she doesn't know what to expect
3. A career coach is a guide or a adviser who helps to plan and manage a person's career
4. To cry wolf - is to call for help when you are not really in danger