16．Countries around the globe are spending billions of dollars and lots of time on various space missions，whether to Mars ①
other planets much further away.
Firstly， ②
（explore） space has already made a difference in the fight against world hunger.A number of the satellites record data on land and weather patterns.As ③
result，space-based science has helped farming in its efforts to grow enough food ④
（feed） Earth's increasing population.
Secondly，space exploration has already promoted technological ⑤
（improve） that benefit us all.High-end products around the world ⑥
（make） to a higher standard now because of advanced technology ⑦
was first created to meet the requirements for space exploration.
Finally，sending astronauts into space has helped people to think about the world's problems and even to find ways ⑧
（solve） them.Seeing pictures of our planet as an island in a black sea made people realise that our planet's resources are limited.The ⑨
（great） attention at present is on Mars because it is closer to Earth.In the future，humans may live on both planets.
⑩
closing，exploring space provides the world with many different benefits.Therefore，it should continue so as to provide new and better solutions to people's short-term and long-term problems.
