1. Tarim Basin & Taklimakan Desert (1300 km x 700 km) Comment-allez vous, mes chers amis?

2. Your last quiz (11 Nov. 2003) WASHINGTON -- U.S. space agency NASA has added its voice to congratulations being sent to Chinese mission controllers following the launch Wednesday of China's first astronaut. Applauding the successful launch, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said in a statement that 38-year- old Yang Liwei's flight into space was "an important achievement in the history of human exploration." "The Chinese people have a long and distinguished history of exploration," O'Keefe said. "NASA wishes China a continued safe human space flight program," he added. Although Wednesday's launch makes China only the third nation after Russia and the United States to have put a man into space, the Chinese achievement comes at a difficult time for NASA. Following the loss of the shuttle Columbia in February, the U.S. manned space program is grounded with no clear indication yet as to when it will resume. Officials have said they expect to resume flights next year, but the earliest date thought likely for a return to flight is not until September 2004. Without its remaining three shuttles in operation,NASA is having to rely on Russian space launches to ferry crew replacements and supplies to the orbiting International Space Station. It has no other operational vehicle capable of carrying humans into orbit and the success of the Chinese launch is likely to spur efforts to develop a shuttle successor. NASA applauds China space launch

3. China astronaut on charm offensive HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Just two weeks after he was blasted into history, China's first man in space has been assigned a new mission: Trying to lift the spirit of Hong Kong people. Yang Liwei is on a six-day morale-boosting trip to this former British colony where the economy is weak and opinion polls show government officials are deeply unpopular. Although some flag wavers told CNN they were ordered by the government to support the Yang visit, there have been spontaneous celebrations as well. And an exhibition about Yang's journey into space is packed out. As many as 85,000 people are expected to attend over the course of four days. He was described as "brave, humble and handsome" by some of those that CNN spoke to. But China is showcasing much more than a poster boy here. This is a chance for Hong Kong people to see up-close the technology China tailor-made for Yang and the other Chinese astronauts who will follow him into space. The country's scientists worked for 10 years to develop the suit which they claim is more flexible than the suits worn by U.S. and Russian astronauts. And the team behind Yang's Shenzhou 5 space capsule is proud of other innovations. Even the food on board was adapted to Chinese tastes. Yang Liwei munched away on this traditional Chinese delicacy when he was in space. Appropriately enough, it is known as mooncake. And while China is still long way from becoming a major power in space, some analysts say Yang could still be an inspirational force, especially in Hong Kong where lately the mood has been so downbeat. Michael Degolyer, of Baptist University, said: "I think Hong Kong people are looking for heroes. They need heroes." And they will probably get them. More Chinese space missions are planned and by the time the children attending this exhibition are grown up, who knows, China may well have put a man on the moon.

4. Writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae) Lake Manucouagan, Canada (impact crater)

5. 1. Basic personal data Family nameSex Given name Addresses (postal, telephone, FAX, e-mail) work home Date of birth Place of birth Nationality Family situation : celibate (single), married, divorced, widow, widower 2. Education and diplomas obtained (High school - optinal) National Taiwan University, B.Sc., 2000, geology Peking University, M.Sc., 2002, geochemistry University of Cambridge, Ph.D., 2005, geophysics Thesis title: Thesis advisor(s): CV - American style (1)

6. CV - American style (2) 3. Professional positions Present position : (professor) (organisation) (period) Past posts (= work experiences) (title) (organisation) (period) - in chronological order 4. Honors 5. Principal research domains or research interests 6. Professional or academic memberships 7. National or domestic responsibilities 8. International responsibilities 9. Languages and Hobbies 10. Publications articles abstracts books reviews editions 11. Reference (or referees): names and addresses

7. CV - for debutants 1.Basic personal data (as for CV-American style) 2.Customary section - objectives - competence - experience - current employment - educational background - references 3. Optional section - professional affiliations or memberships - voluntary missions (ex., fireman) - publications - patents - language ability - awards and distinctions - any other diplomas or credibilities - hobbies (bridge, tennis, music, etc.) & other interests

8. Now, it is your turn. Write your CV

9. Taipei Basin Bonne soiree Bon soir