阅读理解

  While the artificial (man-made) hand is considerably less useful than the natural one, there may be some jobs that it can do more efficiently. From time to time we have to do rather difficult jobs and feel that one of our fingers is getting in the way. It is possible that on these occasions a specially designed artificial limb(肢体) would be more efficient.

  Scientists are now studying ways of increasing the power of the human limb, or rather, of its muscles. A machine under development, known as a “man-amplifier(放大器)” consists of a framework which the operator wears. Every movement he makes is repeated by the steel framework he is wearing, but the power which moves the parts of the frame comes from hydraulic(水力的) motors. If the operator bends down to pick something up, the work is done not by his own weak muscles but by the hydraulic motors, which makes it possible for him to lift 450 kilograms in each hand.

  Another machine called a “HardiMan” has two arms and hands which repeat every movement of the operator's arms and hands, but with much more strength. In this device(装置) the operator controls the movements directly. But just as the operations of a distant unmanned spaceship circling the moon can be controlled by radio signals, so also such devices could be radio-controlled. An astronaut exploring an unknown planet could send out a robot which would do the job for him and send back information. Will the day ever come when the machine, more powerful than man and controlled by a computer brain, takes over from its human inventor?

1.This passage is mainly about ________.

[  ]

A.the weakness of the human limb

B.the power and strength of the artificial hand

C.the use of robots in industry

D.the operation of the artificial hand in space exploration

2.According to the passage, the artificial hand is ________.

[  ]

A.better than the natural hand and very widely used

B.slower in doing some rather difficult jobs

C.operated by a strong man

D.being tried and tested to help people in some ways

3.In the passage, the writer tells us that a “man-amplifier” and a “HardiMan” ________.

[  ]

A.are both driven by hydraulic motors

B.are both controlled by radio signals

C.move as their operators' hands do

D.make it possible to work without natural hands

4.The advantage of a “HardiMan” over a “man-amplifier” mentioned in the passage is ________.

[  ]

A.it can be controlled from a distance

B.it can work with more strength and pick up more weight

C.it is more powerful and easier to operate

D.it is smaller in size

5.The writer of this passage believes that ________.

[  ]

A.artificial hands can take the place of natural ones in doing certain jobs with greater efficiency

B.man seems powerless in face of machines

C.natural hands cannot be compared with artificial. ones

D.machines will eventually(必定) get out of the control of their human inventors

It’s a goal for millions and millions of families every year——keep the Christmas spending within a certain amount, but can still afford the gifts that your loved ones will enjoy. Never has this concern been greater in recent years than right now. Even so, there are several things that you can do to help.

Hit the sales.

No one wants to get up at four o’clock in the morning and fight to get the best deal on Black Friday, and it’s surely very tough to pick up the courage and get out there in the cold for a good deal, but sometimes——it can be well worth. Many retailers(零售商) offer specials all through the day——and some even offer online Black Friday specials, so you may still be able to get a great deal on Black Friday.

Pay close attention to advertisements.

Once the Christmas shopping season is coming, retailers hungry for business will do just about whatever to get you in the store. Pay very close attention to weekly advertisements of sales among the major retailers and you may be lucky enough to find different prices for the same thing in different shops.

Shop online.

Some of us don’t like running from store to store in order to get the best price on the perfect gift, and some of us don’t like to go out in the cold at all——thankfully for us, we can do online shopping.

The world of online shopping lets people visit all the major retailers as well as some specialty stores that could only be found on the Internet. Customers can find exactly what they are looking for, at the best possible price without ever having to leave the house. With traditional Christmas shopping consumers are sometimes limited to what’s left in stock if they wait too long to get to a particular store.

The first paragraph implies that ______.

       A. nowadays not many people can afford expensive gifts

       B. recently many people don’t want to spend money on gifts

       C. Christmas is a time to make our loved ones enjoy their gifts

       D. Christmas is a time to make us feel free to buy our loved ones gifts

In the writer’s opinion, it is rewarding on Black Friday _____.

       A. if the weather is not very cold         B. if we don’t have to fight for the best deals

       C. if we don’t have to get up early           D. If we get what we want at a good price

The underlined word “specials” means_______.

       A. some experts in shopping             

       B. certain things for especially low price

       C. some kind of help for a certain customer

       D. things that can only be found on Friday

We can have more choices _____.

       A. on Black Friday               B. in a particular store

       C. on the Internet                 D. from retailers

Among various programs, TV talk shows have covered every inch of space on daytime television. And anyone who watches them regularly knows that each one is different in style. But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest, than the Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey shows.Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of "rubbish talk". The topics on his show are as surprising as can be. For example, the show takes the ever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate, to a different level. Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives.

Like Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes the TV talk show to its top. But Oprah goes in the opposite direction. The show is mainly about the improvement of society and different quality of life. Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors.

Compared to Oprah, the Jerry Springer show looks like poisonous waste being poured into society. Jerry ends every show with a "final word". He makes a small speech about the entire idea of the show. Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable.

Clean as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone. The show's main audience are middle-class Americans. Most of the people have the time, money and ability to deal with life's tough problems. Jerry Springer, on the other hand, has more of a connection with the young adults of society. These are 18-to 21year-olds whose main troubles in life include love, relationship, sex, money and drug. They are the ones who see some value and lessons to be learned through the show's exploitation.

Compared with other TV talk shows, both the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows are____.

A. more interesting              B. unusually poplar       C. more detailed           D. more formal

Though the social problems Jerry Springer talks about appear unpleasant, people who watch the shows ______.

  A. show disbelief in them                                     B. are ready to face up to them

  C. remain cold to them                                             D. are willing to get away from them

Which of the following is likely to be a topic of the Oprah Winfrey show?

  A. A new type of robot.                                            B. National hatred.

  C. Family income planning.                                      D. Street accident.

We can learn from the passage that the two talk shows ____.

  A. have become the only ones of its kind                B. exploit the weaknesses in human nature

C. appear at different times of the day                    D. attract different people

What is the advantage of the Jerry Springer show?

  A. The show exposes the dark sides of society.     B. The show pours poisonous waste into society.

  C. Jerry sums up the whole idea of the show.       D. Jerry talks abou the improvement of society.

I stole your dog.No,I didn't set a foot on your house,but from the condition of your dog,I can imagine what it looks like—the word “rubbish” comes to mind.

I found her along a road,with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck,still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse.Not only did I know that most of the town people had already ignored her,judging by the place where I found her,but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods,the “cross” that she dragged behind her would have wrapped itself around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her.

She has a beautiful name now.Already in the first week she has come to look more like she should.Her eyes sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in greeting.She has stopped flinching(畏缩) when I make a sudden movement,because she knows now that I won't beat her.In fact,she rarely leaves my side.She's even become brave enough to bark at a cat and today I looked out of the window as she attempted to play with other dogs.No,it's clear that she does not miss you or her former life on a chain.

It's not clear yet whether she'll remain here or whether I'll find her a loving home where she can count on more individual attention than I can give her,but one thing is certain,this is a bit of stolen “property” which is never returning to you.So sue me,accuse me,plead with the court that she is rightfully yours...I'm convinced that this is the best “crime” I've ever committed.Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day when I stole your dog.I need only look into her beautiful brown eyes to know that she'd defend my decision with her life.If we have one prayer,it is that you will not replace her,and if we have one special day to celebrate together,it is the day I stole your dog and the day she stole my heart.

1.What's the author's attitude towards the former owner of the dog?

A.Puzzled.       B.Angry.

C.Shocked.       D.Satisfied.

2.It can be inferred from the passage that________.

A.the dog is not lovely

B.the dog tried to find a kind master

C.the dog was treated badly by its former master

D.the author will be charged with stealing the dog

3.What did the author think of his theft?

A.He was afraid of being punished.

B.He thought he had to do it.

C.He believed that the law would allow him to do so.

D.He did it with pride.

 

B

Have you ever been to the beautiful country of Holland and its capital Amsterdam? Anyone who has traveled to Amsterdam would probably agree on one thing: Amsterdam’s story is a tale of two cities—one during the day and a completely different one at night.

  During the day, the largest city in Holland sits quietly on the Amstel River. You can rent a bicycle, visit the Van Gogh or Anne Frank museum, or take a water taxi. But when the sun goes down, the partying begins. In the big clubs and in coffee shops, tourists gather to hang out, talk politics and smoke.

  Several areas of the city clearly show the two worlds that rule Amsterdam. And they’re all within a short taxi ride of each other. For example, Dam Square attracts daytime sightseers to its festivals, open markets, concerts and other events. Several beautiful and very popular hotels can be found there. And there’s the Royal Palace and the Magna Plaza shopping mall.

But at night party-seekers come to the square. Hip hop or funk music is heard there. So if you come, be ready to dance. The clubs don’t close down until 4 am.

And while you’re there, check out the various inexpensive ways to tour the city. Don’t worry about getting lost. Although Dutch is the official language, most people in Amsterdam speak English and are happy to help you with directions. And you’ll notice that half the people in the streets are on bicycles they rent.

  Amsterdam also has a well-planned canal system. For about 10 dollars, you can use the canal bus or a water taxi to cruise (巡游) the "Venice of the North".

 The city has a historic past. One impressive place to visit is the Anne Frank House on Nine Streets. It was there that the young Jewish girl wrote her famous diary during World War II. Visitors can view Anne’s original diary and climb behind the bookcase to the room where she and her family hid from the Nazis for two years.

59. The following means of transport are available to visitors in Amsterdam EXCEPT __________.

A. a carriage.                B. a bicycle.                 C. a canal bus.                     D. a water taxi.

60. When getting lost, a visitor can ask natives for directions in           .

A. only Dutch             B. Dutch or English              C. only English          D. Spanish and English

61. What can you learn about by visiting the Anne Frank House?

A. The happy experience of a girl survivor.     B. The glorious past of Amsterdam.

C. The hard life of the Jewish in World WarⅡ.    D. The hobbies of the Dutch.

62. The passage is intended to           .

A. call up people’s memories of World WarⅡ    

B. tell readers what A Tale of Two Cities is about

C. instruct visitors what to do and see in Holland

D. offer readers some information about Amsterdam

 

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