A group of students in Japan have created a realistic robot baby to motivate young people to start planning a family so as to increase the country’s birth rate. The automated (自动化的)doll developed at the University of Tsukuba, called Yotara, laughs and “wakes up” when a rattle is shaken.
He can become angry and sleep like a real baby and he smiles when his stomach is pressed. The robot can also sneeze and have a runny nose, thanks to a heated water pump system. The students of the Graduate school of Comprehensive Human Science at the university created the robot last year with touch sensors. A projector sends the facial features onto a warm silicon balloon which makes up Yotara’s face. The robot’s facial expression and body movements change according to pressure applied to different parts of its body.
The information collected through touch sensors(传感器)under the silicon skin is processed by a special programme. It then changes the baby’s expression projected onto the balloon-face from behind. There is a hat on the robot’s head and a colorful blanket covering the robot’s limbs which simulate wiggling(摆动) with the help of a geared motor. “We wanted to create a new type of robot that is soft, cuddly and cute,” said project leader Hiroki Kunimura.
“We’d like people to experience the innocent, joyful expressions typical of small babies. Through this experience, it would be great if some people started feeling that they wanted to have their own baby, if they started feeling that work is not everything.”
Japan’s birth rate is among the lowest in the developed world at 1.37%, compared to 2.12% in the United States and l.84%in Britain. Japan is facing serious economic consequences with over a quarter of its citizens expected to be aged over 65 by 20l5.The population is expected to reduce by a third within 50 years if the birth rate does not increase.
【小题1】. What is the students’ purpose of creating such a baby?

A.To help old people who live alone.B.To give small children some pleasure
C.To comfort lonely young people.D.To increase the population of Japan.
【小题2】What’s the new type of robot like in Hiroki Kunimura’s mind?
A.It can do everything for humans.B.It is clever, humorous and loyal.
C.It is gentle, lovely and smart.D.It makes humans unhappy.
【小题3】. What can we learn from the passage?
A.Many young people in Japan don’t want to get married.
B.There may be a lack of workers in Japan in the future.
C.The lifespan(寿命)of Japanese people will decrease in the future.
D.The birth rate in Japan will start to increase slowly soon.

Do you want to improve the way you study? Do you feel nervous before a test? Many students say that a lack of concentration (注意力) is their biggest problem. It seriously affects their ability to study, so do their test results.
If so, use these tips to help you.
Study Techniques
l You should always study in the same place. You shouldn’t sit in a position that you use for another purpose. For example, when you sit on a sofa to study, your brain will think it is time to relax. Don’t watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you, so there is nothing to distract (make less concentrated) you. Before sitting down to study, gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks, pens, pencils and knives, make sure you have a dictionary. If your study desk or table is needed when you are not studying, store all your equipment in a box beside it.
l Your eyes will become tired if you try to read a text which is on a flat surface. Position your book at an angle of 30 degrees.
l Be realistic and don’t try to complete too much in one study period. Finish one thing before beginning another. If you need a break, get up and walk around for a few minutes, but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.
Test-taking Skills
l All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty of
rest is very important. This means do not study all night before your test! It is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.
l Exercise is a great way to reduce pressure. Doing some form of exercise every day will also
improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.
l When you arrive in the examination room, find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and
deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test, but not too often. Above all, take no notice of everyone else and give the test paper your undivided attention.
【小题1】Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A.You should study in a different place every day, so you don’t get bored.
B.Your concentration will improve if you study and watch TV at the same time.
C.Check the time during the exam at a certain time.
D.Staying up all night and studying is tiring, but you will learn a lot using this method.
【小题2】What does the underlined word “it”(paragraph 2)refer to?
A.Your study desk or table.B.Your textbook.
C.Your dictionary.D.The equipment you need.
【小题3】What can be inferred from the passage?
A.You shouldn’t look at everyone else during the test.
B.You will have enough energy to deal with your study and exams by eating healthy diet.
C.You’ll concentrate more if there is nothing to distract you.
D.If you feel tired during study, you can walk around for a few minutes.

STUDY  BOOKS

Basic Study Manual    Hardcover: $ 37.50

Future success depends on the ability to learn. Here are the answers to the questions most often asked by parents, teachers, business trainers and by students themselves. Read this book and learn:

* What the three barriers (障碍)to study are and what to do about them

* What to do if you get tired of a subject you are studying

* Twenty-six simple drills to help you learn how to study easily, rapidly and with full understanding

Buy and read the Basic Study Manual and use it to dramatically improve your ability to study.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Study Skills for Life    Hardcover: $31.99

L. Ron Hubbard’s study technology for teenagers opens the door to their future success by giving them the ability to study and learn. Fully illustrated for easy comprehension.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Learning How to Learn   Hardcover: $24.99

The basics of effective study for 8 to 12-year-olds, fully illustrated. Children who read and apply the materials in this book regain their liking for study and their ability to apply this knowledge in life. Get this book for a child you want to see win at his studies!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

How to Use a Dictionary Picture Book for Children   Hardcover: $34.90

In spite of billions of dollars spent on ‘educational research’, children are not taught the most basic skills of learning, even the most basic of these: how to use a dictionary. In fact, a search of educational books for children found no book that told them how to use a dictionary or that one should. Written for children 8 to 12-year-olds, this fully illustrated book will teach your child:

* How to find words in a dictionary       * The different ways that words are used

* What the different marks and symbols that are used in a dictionary mean

* How to use a dictionary to correctly pronounce words

It includes a section for parents and teachers showing you how to use this book with children. Buy this book and give it to your children to unlock their education. What’s more, you’ll just pay 50% for it before May 1, 2006.

40. Some of the four books were illustrated in order to_________

A. help readers understand them           B. persuade readers to buy them

C. reduce the cost of them                D. make them suitable to different readers

41. If you buy the four books on April 1, 2006, your will have to pay_______ for them.

A. $129.38                    B. $111.93        C. $64.69         D. $34.90

42. The purpose of the passage is to _______.

A. introduce the four books to readers      B. help children to learn English

C. enrich students knowledge about nature  D. sell the four books to students

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网