Throughout modern history, perhaps there has never been a scientist as iconic (偶像的) as Stephen Hawking.

    Whether he(educate) the world with his knowledge of the universe, or making fun of himself in TV shows, it is hard to imagine what the world will be like now Hawking is no longer in.

    On March 14, 2018, the British physicist passed away in Cambridge. Since then, many people have expressed their condolences (哀悼) on social media, including British computer scientist Tim Berners-Leeinvented the World Wide Web. “We have lost a great mind and a wonderful spirit,” Berners-Lee wrote.

    Hawking was an icon for many reasons, but he will be best remembered  his work in the field of science.

    Building on German scientist Albert Einstein's work, Hawking explained his belief that space (start) with the Big Bang, and will end with black holes.

“This complete set of laws can give us the  (answer) to questions like 'How did the universe begin?'” Hawking wrote in his 2010 workThe Grand Design. “Where is it going and will it have an end? If so, how will it end?”

    Besides his work in science, he also managed to overcome many difficulties in his personal life. While (study) at Cambridge University, he was diagnosed with motor neuron (运动神经元) disease at the age of 21. His  (ill) left him paralyzed and he was told he only had a short time to live. However, he went on to become one of the (great) minds the world has ever known.

    “I felt it was unfair. Why should this happen to me?” he once recalled. “At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realize the potential I felt I had. But now, 50 years later, I can be satisfied with my life.”

Hawking left behind a great legacy (遗产). His signature bookA Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes(publish) in 1988, became one of the world's best-selling science publications. And in 2014, UK actor Eddie Redmayne played Hawking in the movieThe Theory of Everything, which tells the tale of the physicist's life.

    He may no longer be with us Hawking will continue to inspire the world for generations to come. As he once said himself, “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet!”