"Sir, what are all those tiny black spots on the photographs?"
"We're not certain. They seem to be metal particles that move along certain paths. They emit gases, make noise and keep crashing into each other. There are so many of these paths and so many metal particles that it is impossible to land a flying saucer without its being smashed by one."
"What are those stalagmite projections sticking up豎起?"
"They're some type（表某一種：some+單數 ）of granite formations that give off light at night. Prof. Glom has named them skyscrapers since they seem to be scraping the skies."
"If all you say is true, won't this set back the flying saucer program several years?"
"Yes, but we shall proceed as soon as the Grubstart gives us the added funds."
"Prof. Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there?
"Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere, then we can live anywhere."
smash
v. (cause to) break into pieces violently (使)碎裂
stalagmite
n. 石筍
projection
n. sth. that stands out from a surface 凸出物
type
n. a particular kind, class or group 類型，種類
granite
n. hard grey stone used for building 花崗巖
formation
n. sth. that is formed; way in which sth. is formed 形成（物）
skyscraper
n. very tall building 摩天大樓
scrape
vt. rub with sth. rough or sharp 刮，擦
proceed
vi. continue after having stopped （停頓后）繼續進行
fund foundation基金會
n. sum of money set apart or available for a special purpose 資金；基金
billion
n. one thousand million
zilch
n. zero; nothing at all