Question

Michael, a typical (典型的) American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal (接线端) in order to connect with the office. After work, he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder, or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn’t talk to any other human beings, and he doesn’t see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from contact with our fellow human beings.

　　The world of business is one area in which technology is isolating (使隔离) us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their jobs at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they’re dealing with. In addition, the way employees are paid will change. Workers’ salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts(账户), making paper checks(支票)unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.

　　Another area that technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.

13. The sentence “Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible” means ____ .

　　A .Michael is a person full of imagination and he can make his dreams come true

　　B. Michael is not a real person but probably the lifestyle does exist

　　C. Michael has ambitions but he can?t make his dreams come true

　　D. Michael is a person full of imagination and his lifestyle is common nowadays

14. What will the author most probably discuss after the last paragraph?

　　A. Games and sports.

　　B. Personal banking.

　　C. Music and films.

　　D. International business.

15. What is the main idea of the passage?

　　A. We may no longer need to communicate with other human beings.

　　B. Modern technology seems to be separating human beings.

　　C. We may no longer need to work in the office.

　　D. Modern technology makes it possible for us to work and entertain ourselves at home.

Answer 1

9-12 BAB

解析:

13.本题为句义理解题。imaginary意思是“假想的”，本句的意思为“迈克尔是假想的人物，但他的生活方式却是很可能存在的。”

14.本题为推理判断题。本文主要谈论了技术对人的生活方式的影响。谈论完经济和娱乐之后，应该会谈论这两个之外的话题，而B、C、D三项分别属于这两领域，故应选A Games and sports。

15.本题为主旨大意题。作者在这篇短文中主要讨论了科技的发展对人的影响。这些影响使人与人之间缺少了联系。