Question

【题目】Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.

Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.

In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.

“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices.

The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp (头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.

Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair.”

He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.

【1】BCI is a technology that can ________.

A. help the disabled to recover

B. control a person's thoughts

C. help to update computer systems

D. link the human brain with computers

【2】How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?

A. By talking to the machine.

B. By controlling his muscles.

C. By using his mind.

D. By moving his hand.

【3】Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

A. Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries

B. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled

C. New Findings About How the Human Brain Works

D. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【3】B

【解析】

试题分析: 本文是一则新闻报道，介绍了Brain-computer interface(BCI)技术的发明，原理和对残疾人带来的益处。

【1】D 细节理解题。根据文章第一段的scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. 可知，自20世纪70年代以来，科学家一直寻找途径能将人脑与电脑相连。BCI技术能帮助残疾人向机器发送指令。故选择D。

【2】C 细节理解题。根据第三段可知Tavella只是思考动他的左右手就能操作这个轮椅。甚至当他观察这台机器时就能进行交流，也能用他的思想指导机器人工作。因此机器人是在人脑的思想支配下进行工作的。故C项正确。

【3】B 主旨大意题。本文为科技说明文，开篇点题。介绍科学家研究的这项新技术BCI，对残疾人大有裨益。故正确答案为B项。