1、UNIT 2 LOOKING INTO THE FUTURESection Reading and Thinking (1)阅读理解AWASHINGTONIt starts out laying flat, like a sheet of paper. Then it springs up, almost lifelike, and folds into moveable parts much like Japanese paper origami(折纸) art. And then it crawls away.This new kind of robot could someday be
2、used in space exploration, to slide into collapsed building sites to aid the search and rescue, or to speed up production on assembly lines, experts said.While this particular machines march to the world market is still years away, the report in the journal Science said the latest advances open the
3、way to a new frontier in personalised robotics.Not only is the material cheapit cost just $100it could be easily reprogrammed from one task to another, said Sam Felton, a researcher at Harvard Universitys Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and School of Engineering and Applied Scie
4、nces.“In the same way that if you have a Word document and you want to change a few words, you just reprint it at your home computer, you could take a robots digital plan, change a few things and reprint it,” Felton told reporters.The thin robot is built of layers, including paper, a middle layer of
5、 copper into a network of electrical leads, and an outer layer of shape-memory polymers(聚合物) that fold when heated. Once the batteries and motors are activated(激活), the robot folds itself much like a childs Transformer toy, and moves away like a crab.Other potential uses could include self-assemblin
6、g furniture,or even shelters that build themselves in disaster zones. “The exciting thing here is that you create this device that has computation(计算) put in the flat, printed version,” explained Daniela Rus, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the Massachusetts Institute of
7、Technology(MIT). “And when these devices lift up from the ground into three-D, they do it in a thoughtful way.”1. The author introduces the topic of the text by .A. giving a descriptionB. making a comparisonC. giving an exampleD. making a summary解析:推理判断题。分析文章第一段可知,作者首先对这款可以折叠的机器人进行了描述,通过此种方法引出文章的话题。
8、答案:A2. The robot could be used to .A. make paper origami artB. make toys for childrenC. do housework for humansD. search for survivors in an earthquake解析:推理判断题。分析文章第二段可知,这款机器人可能会被用来在地震中搜救幸存者。答案:D3. Which of the following is TRUE about the robot?A. It has been put into wide use.B. It doesnt cost much
9、 to make it.C. It is shaped like a crab.D. It is made of rare materials.解析:细节理解题。由文章第四段中的“it cost just $100”可知,这款机器人所使用的材料很便宜,因此不需要花很多钱就可以制作这款机器人。答案:BBBased on a new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geogra
10、phers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate(迁徙) north.Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of disease
11、s. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.According to Science Daily, a study predicts that by the year 2100, many of todays familiar cl
12、imates will be replaced by climates unknown in todays world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands of people in Sumatr
13、a and in 2008, thousands of people died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated(毁坏) in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most
14、agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesnt matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. Whats more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are beco
15、ming more frequent and serious.However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between the two things. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.4. What is the major function
16、 of paragraph 1?A. To arouse the readers concern.B. To introduce the theme of the whole passage.C. To summarise the whole passage.D. To state how climate changes.解析:推理判断题。根据第一段第一句可知,一项最新分析结果表明,世界的气候正在快速地发生重大变化,可能会严重地影响社会和环境。而接下来的几段则是围绕气候变化对社会和环境具体的影响而展开的。由此可推知,第一段主要是介绍文章的主题。故选B项。答案:B5. What is the a
17、uthors purpose of using the examples of earthquakes?A. To show major changes are taking place on the planet.B. To remind people to prevent future earthquakes.C. To show the damage earthquakes caused.D. To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future.解析:细节理解题。根据第三段第三句“The planet itself has been
18、 showing signs of change.”可知,列举地球上所发生的地震是为了说明地球正在发生着重大变化。故选A项。答案:A6. Which of the following is NOT true of climate change effects?A. Animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.B. It could lead to the spread of diseases.C. Current world climate zones could shift
19、 and com-pletely disappear.D. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.解析:细节理解题。根据第一段第二句可知,地理学家预计在未来的八十年中,现在的世界气候带可能会改变,有的可能会完全消失。C项中说现在的世界气候带可能会变化并可能会完全消失,与文中描述不符,因此C项错误。故选C项。答案:C7. What can be inferred from the passage?A. Animals and plants wont die out as long as climate changes s
20、lowly.B. Theres enough data for us to predict the future of climate change.C. The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration.D. Earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change.解析:推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句“However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our ow
21、n and some scientists believe there may be some connection between the two things.”可知,地球并不是唯一一个在经历气候变化的星球。故选D项。答案:DCFuturologists(未来学家) predict that life will probably be very different in 2050 in all the fields of activities, from entertainment to technology.First of all, it seems that TV channels
22、will have disappeared by 2050. Instead, people will choose a programme from a “menu” and a computer will send the programme directly to the television. Today, we can use the Internet to read newspaper stories and see pictures on a computer thousands of kilometres away. By 2050, music, films, program
23、mes, newspapers and books will come to us by computer. We will also be able to see, smell and touch the things that we see on television.In transport, cars will run on new, clean “gas” and they will go very fast. Cars will have computers to control the speed and there wont be any accidents. Today, m
24、any cars have computers that tell drivers exactly where they are. By 2050, the computer will control the car and drive it where you want to go. Space planes will fly all over the world and people will fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo in just two hours.In technology, robots will have replaced people in
25、factories. Many factories already use robots. Big companies prefer robotsthey do not ask for pay rises or go on strike, and they work 24 hours a day. By 2050, we will see robots everywherein factories, schools, offices, hospitals, shops and homes.Last but not least, medicine technology will have con
26、quered many diseases. By 2050, we will be able to help blind and deaf people see again and hear again.8. What can be the development of transport that benefits people most by 2050?A. Cars will go at a very high speed on their own.B. Space planes will fly all over the world in a short time.C. There w
27、ill be less pollution and no car accidents.D. Computers will tell people where they are going.解析:细节理解题。文章第三段前两句提及“clean gas”与“there wont be any accidents”,因此C项正确。答案:C9. It can be implied in the passage that by 2050 .A. people will live more healthily and longerB. computers will control the speed of
28、carsC. people can read newspapers by computerD. there will be no people working in factories解析:推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中的“Last but not least, medicine technology will have conquered many diseases.”判断,未来人们会更健康、更长寿。答案:A10. What is the authors attitude towards peoples life in the future?A. Doubtful. B. Sad.C. Ha
29、ppy.D. Worried.解析:观点态度题。作者在叙述未来生活各个领域的变化时,给予了积极评价。因此选C。答案:CReading and Thinking (2)基础测评. 单句语法填空1. As the work can be divided among several people, it can be done(efficient).2. Dont let yourself be persuaded buying things that you dont really want.3. He shook me by the hand and we had a conversation
30、(instant).4. Despite the _(warn) from the local government, the travellers went to play by the sea.5. He drove so fast that the car disappeared in the (distant) right away.6. The prison was ordered to tighten (secure) after a prisoner escaped yesterday.7. Not only can the technique be used to predic
31、t major diseases, but it also enables people to foresee the examinees food(prefer).8. Ive decided to block all the information from a friend, who (constant) shares links to various healthy tips.9. My parents thought it was (normal) for a boy to be interested in ballet.10. I dont think what he said i
32、s relevant the topic we are discussing.答案:1. efficiently2. into3. instantly4. warning5. distance6. security7. preferences8. constantly9. abnormal10. to. 用方框中所给短语的适当形式填空along with, early on, in addition, switch off, come on,as to, catch fire, lead to, in this sense, keep track of1. When not in a room
33、, youd better all the lights and the fan.2. This problem may more serious ones if left unsolved.3. Bank statements help you where your money is going.4. , we should make laws to prevent people throwing away rubbish everywhere.5. Sarah, who has taken part in shows top models, wants to prove that she
34、has brains as well as beauty.6. I realised Id never pass the exam. 7. Frank was very uncertain whether it was the right job for him.8. It is known that stone buildings are not easy to .9. , good crisis management also contributes to crisis prevention.10. A dog started barking and lights in the house
35、.答案:1. switch off2. lead to3. keep track of4. In addition5. along with6. early on7. as to8. catch fire9. In this sense10. came on. 语法填空In the not-too-distant future, we will be living in smart homes. These smart homes will keep us secure, save us energy, and provide a more comfortable environment 1.
36、 (live) in. In the future, we will be using 2. (advance) technology every day for automatic control of just about everything in our home. The future home 3. _(use) integrated sensors to tell when you leave home each morning, and then go into an energy-efficient mode all by 4. (it). Your home will al
37、so learn your daily routine and 5._(prefer), so everything will be ready for you when you get home each evening. All controls will respond to voice commands, so if you want to change your routine, you just say aloud 6. you want and the home system will obey.In addition, your smart home will be monit
38、oring your health for you every day. Smart homes will be able to prevent serious damage from 7. (accident).This smart technology is not 8. _fantasy. Many of these new 9. (innovate) are already available and being used in some homes. In this sense, the home of tomorrow is already the home of today. N
39、evertheless, it will take some years 10. most new homes begin to use this new technology.答案: 1. to live2. advanced3. will use4. itself5. preferences6. what7. accidents8. a9. innovations10. before提升测评. 完形填空Recently we carried out a survey of 1,000 people from different countries to find out what they
40、 think 1 will be like in the future. The results clearly show both our 2 and fears.The survey suggests that the 3one of the most important human relationshipswill change greatly. People will make friends through the Internet. Computers will become really 4 by 2050. Even now, some people describe the
41、m as their best friends! Others,5, say that we will become much more isolated(孤立的) from each other6 we will have little real human communication.Education will 7 a lot too. As more and more children will be using computers in school, certain 8, such as mental arithmetic(心算), wont be necessary. Even
42、writing by hand will have become a thing of the 9.According to the survey, home life will be 10. Most people believe that by 2050 robots will be doing the housework and that we will be eating 11 food. A lot of people think that we might only cook for fun in the future. Space exploration will become
43、increasingly 12. Fifty percent of the people we talked to 13 that man will regularly visit Mars.Pollution is something that seems to 14 many people. Some fear that it will 15 to get worse, and that our planet will become16 to live on. Others even 17 that one day well have to pay for clean air.18, pe
44、ople seem to be quite optimistic about genetic engineering(遗传工程学), as they think scientists will use it to 19 diseases like cancer and AIDS.No matter how dark or bright it may seem, it is up to us to20our planet and try to make it a better place.1. A. educationB. spaceC. natureD. life解析:根据下文描述的交友、教育
45、、太空探索以及污染问题等可知,此问卷调查是关于未来“生活(life)”的。答案:D2. A. tearsB. hopesC. rightsD. plans解析:根据空格后的fears以及下文描述的未来生活的不同方面可知,问卷结果显示了人们对未来生活的“期望(hope)”和担忧。答案:B3. A. marriageB. leadershipC. friendshipD. neighbourhood解析:根据下文的“one of the most important human relationships”和“People will make friends through the Interne
46、t.”可知,此处是说未来的“友谊(friendship)”会发生巨大的改变。答案:C4. A. privateB. perfectC. necessary D. expensive解析:根据本段描述电脑对人类关系的影响可知,到2050年,电脑将变得非常“必不可少(necessary)”。答案:C5. A. howeverB. insteadC. anyhowD. therefore解析:一些人认为电脑是他们最好的朋友!有些人认为人与人之间将变得更加孤立,这两者是转折关系,故选however。答案:A6. A. untilB. unlessC. becauseD. although解析:缺少真实
47、的人际交流是人们变得更加孤立的原因,故选because。答案:C7. A. provideB. completeC. receiveD. change解析:根据下文描述心算变得没有必要可知,未来的教育也会“改变(change)”很多。答案:D8. A. factsB. abilitiesC. goalsD. thoughts解析:由于电脑的普及,某些“技能(abilities)”,如心算,将没有必要。答案:B9. A. endB. pastC. momentD. future解析:甚至用手写字也会变得过时。a thing of the past指“过时的事物”。答案:B10. A. busie
48、rB. saferC. easierD. sadder解析:根据下文的“robots will be doing the housework”可知,未来家庭生活将变得“更简单(easier)”。答案:C11. A. unhealthyB. frozenC. overcookedD. ready-made解析:根据下文的“we might only cook for fun in the future”可知,到2050年人们基本不做饭,而是吃“已经做好的(ready-made)”饭。答案:D12. A. famousB. cheapC. popularD. difficult解析:根据下文的“m
49、an will regularly visit Mars”可知,未来的太空探索将越来越“流行;普及(popular)”。答案:C13. A. doubtB. believeC. rememberD. warn解析:根据上文的“Most people believe”可知,50%的受访者“相信(believe)”人类会定期拜访火星。答案:B14. A. confuseB. frightenC. satisfyD. worry解析:根据下文的“Some fear that .”可知,环境污染让很多人“担心(worry)”。答案:D15. A. stopB. continueC. refuseD.
50、begin解析:本段指污染带给人们的影响。有些人担心如果污染“继续(continue)”变得更糟糕,在地球上居住将变得“不可能(impossible)”。答案:B16. A. coldB. freeC. suitableD. impossible解析:参见上题解析。答案:D17. A. expectB. promiseC. predictD. wish解析:环境污染使得有些人“预测(predict)”有一天呼吸干净的空气也需要付费。答案:C18. A. As a resultB. In other wordsC. In a similar wayD. On the other hand解析:对
51、未来生活,人们一方面担心环境污染,而“另一方面(on the other hand)”则对遗传工程学抱有乐观的看法。答案:D19. A. catchB. preventC. spreadD. carry解析:根据上文的“be quite optimistic”可知,有一些人相信科学家可以利用遗传工程学“防治(prevent)”诸如癌症和艾滋病这样的疾病。答案:B20. A. look afterB. take overC. pay forD. think about解析:根据上述调查结果以及作者的结论“try to make it a better place”可知,作者认为我们应该“照顾(look after)”好地球。答案:A
