General Electric has found robots far more productive in some work than human workers.In one case, a robot saved enough to pay for itself in ten months.At Ford Motor Company, about fifty small robots are deftly fitting light bulbs into dashboards and speakers into car radios.
The next phase of the computer revolution may well turn out to be the robot revolution.Robots have been fixtures in comedy and science fiction for a long time, but the first industrial robot wasn’t used in the United States until 1961.Industrial robots scarcely resemble the stereotyped humanoid with flashing eyes and a combinations chest.They’re basically just combinations of a computer with very deft and efficient producing machines.What’s really new, of course, is the extent to which these electronic wonders are transforming the way people work and the composition of the work force, especially in Japan.There are about 36,000 robots working in Japan and approximately 6,500 in the United States.In early 1982, Raymond Donovan, U.S.Secretary of Labor, predicted that by 1990 half the workers in U.S.factories would be specialists trained to service and repair robots.
It’s easy to see why these “steel-collar workers” can be preferable to their human counterparts.They cause fewer personnel problems:they're never absent, and they never ask for more holidays, take vacations, or file grievances.They also give more consistent attention to quality control, are more efficient and effective performers, and are definitely cheaper to keep.Robots, which cost about $30,000 to $150,000 each, usually work two shifts a gay.The displaced workers would draw salaries and benefits of about $790,000 a year.However, robots still cannot replace all facets of the human worker.The automated factory is feasible, but when it comes to reason and informed decisions, robots are still in the same league with machines, at least for now.
(1)
The details given in the underlined sentences in Paragraph 2 ________.
[ ]
A.
illustrate the technical superiority of Japanese technology over American technology
B.
warn against the possibility that robot workers will replace human workers
C.
show the growth in acceptance of robot workers worldwide
D.
prove the need to catch up with Japanese technology
(2)
In Line 3 Paragraph 1, the word “deftly” means ________.
[ ]
A.
clumsily
B.
expensively
C.
lightly
D.
skillfully
(3)
In this passage, the author shows preference in favor of ________.
[ ]
A.
General Electric
B.
steel-collar workers
C.
more factory personnel
D.
Ford Motor
(4)
The writer of this passage probably ________.
[ ]
A.
sees a role for both robot and human factory workers
Wearing earphones, using complex Net language and constantly text messaging friends, the Gen-90s following the Gen-80s begin to make their world debut(初次登台).
Each generation or age group has its own symbols and lifestyle.Read on and judge for yourselves if you fit the Gen-90s profile(简介).
Earphones
These little devices seem to grow on the heads of the Gen-90s.They might lead to MP3, MP4 or MP101 players, giving these young people a plugged-in,cool and perhaps self-addicted look, of course, life is not always music to the ears.
Martian language
They have created their own code-like online language.It’s a mixture of English, Japanese and Chinese that perhaps only Martians can understand.This is an imaginative generation, though they need to be careful to keep it out of their term papers.
Self-Portrait
Saying “cheese” to their own digital cameras is routine for this generation.A little bit of narcissism(自恋)never hurts anyone.It helps them reflect a little on their own lives.But be aware of the risks of posting private photos online.
Text-messaging
They can type their mobile phones as fast as they can speak.This is a generation that respects efficiency.However, oral communication is important and will never go out of style.
(1)
Who are the intended readers of the passage?
[ ]
A.
Teenagers
B.
Educators
C.
Socialists
D.
Parents
(2)
According to the passage, if you belong to the Gen-90s, you will ________.
[ ]
A.
just appreciate yourself and ignore others’ strengths.
B.
make your presentation and have your own symbols and lifestyle.
C.
have the same symbols and lifestyle of the Gen-80s.
D.
like music and dance very much.
(3)
According to the text, the writer will choose ________ as a good example to the Gen-90.
[ ]
A.
Li Hua likes music and always wearing ipod
B.
Zhang Chao is not only an imaginative boy but do everything efficiently.
C.
Lily is a shy girl and she doesn’t like making friends.
D.
Fangfang likes being taken photos of and often posting them on line.
(4)
According to this passage, which is FALSE?
[ ]
A.
Not all teens are cautious about posting photos.
B.
They type their mobile phones so fast that it can catch the speed of speaking.
C.
The Gen-90s have a preference for some music players, and even regard them as a necessary part of life.
D.
They don’t use the cool and complex online language in formal writing.
(5)
The main idea of the passage is about ________.
[ ]
A.
the Gen-90s’ happy life
B.
the difference between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
C.
the Gen-90s’unique lifestyle and some practical warnings
D.
the similarities between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
阅读理解
AAAGH! The Generation 90s is coming!
Wearing earphones, using complex Net language and constantly text messaging friends, the Gen-90s following the Gen-80s begin to make their world debut(初次登台).
Each generation or age group has its own symbols and lifestyle.Read on and judge for yourselves if you fit the Gen-90s profile(概况,简介).
Earphones
These little devices seem to grow on the heads of the Gen-90s.They might lead to MP3, MP4 or MP101 players, giving these young people a plugged-in,cool and perhaps self-addicted look, of course, life is not always music to the ears.
Martian language
They have created their own code-like online language.It’s a mixture of English, Japanese and Chinese that perhaps only Martians can understand.This is an imaginative generation, though they need to be careful to keep it out of their term papers.
Self-Portrait(肖像)
Saying “cheese” to their own digital cameras is routine for this generation.A little bit of narcissism(自恋)never hurts anyone.It helps them reflect a little on their own lives.But be aware of the risks of posting private photos online.
Text-messaging
They can type their mobile phones as fast as they can speak.This is a generation that respects efficiency.However, oral communication is important and will never go out of style.
(1)
Who are the intended readers of the passage?
[ ]
A.
Teenagers
B.
Educators
C.
Socialists
D.
Parents
(2)
According to the passage, if you belong to the Gen-90s, you will ________.
[ ]
A.
just appreciate yourself and ignore others’ strengths.
B.
make your presentation and have your own symbols and lifestyle.
C.
have the same symbols and lifestyle of the Gen-80s.
D.
like music and dance very much.
(3)
According to the text, the writer will choose ________ as a good example to the Gen-90.
[ ]
A.
Li Hua likes music and always wearing ipod
B.
Zhang Chao is not only an imaginative boy but do everything efficiently
C.
Lily is a shy girl and she doesn’t like making friends
D.
Fangfang likes being taken photos of and often posting them on line
(4)
According to this passage, which is FALSE?
[ ]
A.
Not all teens are cautious about posting photos.
B.
They type their mobile phones so fast that it can catch the speed of speaking.
C.
The Gen-90s have a preference for some music players, and even regard them as a necessary part of life.
D.
They don’t use the cool and complex online language in formal writing.
(5)
The main idea of the passage is about ________.
[ ]
A.
the Gen-90s’ happy life
B.
the difference between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
C.
the Gen-90s’ unique lifestyle and some practical warnings
D.
the similarities between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
阅读理解
AAAGH! The Generation 90s is coming!
Wearing earphones, using complex Net language and constantly text messaging friends, the Gen-90s following the Gen-80s begin to make their world debut(初次登台).
Each generation or age group has its own symbols and lifestyle.Read on and judge for yourselves if you fit the Gen-90s group.
Earphones
These little devices seem to grow on the heads of the Gen-90s.They might lead to MP3, MP4 or MP101 players, giving these young people a plugged-in, cool and perhaps self-addicted look, of course, life is not always music to the ears.
Martian language
They have created their own code-like online language.It's a mixture of English, Japanese and Chinese that perhaps only Martians can understand.This is an imaginative generation, though they need to be careful to keep it out of their term papers.
Self-Portrait
Saying “cheese” to their own digital cameras is usual for this generation.A little bit of narcissism(自恋)never hurts anyone.It helps them reflect a little on their own lives.But be aware of the risks of posting private photos online.
Text-messaging
They can type their mobile phones as fast as they can speak.This is a generation that respects efficiency.However, oral communication is important and will never go out of style.
(1)
According to the passage, if you belong to the Gen-90s, you will ________.
[ ]
A.
just appreciate yourself and ignore others' strengths.
B.
have your own symbols and lifestyle.
C.
have the same symbols and lifestyle of the Gen-80s.
D.
like music and dance very much.
(2)
According to the text, the writer will choose ________ as a good example to the Gen-90.
[ ]
A.
Li Hua likes music and always wearing iPod
B.
Zhang Chao is not only an imaginative boy but do everything efficiently.
C.
Lily is a shy girl and she doesn't like making friends.
D.
Fangfang likes being taken photos and often posting them on line.
(3)
According to this passage, which is FALSE?
[ ]
A.
Not all teens are cautious about posting photos.
B.
They type their mobile phones so fast that it can catch the speed of speaking.
C.
The Gen-90s have a preference for some music players, and even regard them as a necessary part of life.
D.
They don't use the cool and complex online language in formal writing.
(4)
The main idea of the passage is about ________.
[ ]
A.
the Gen-90s' happy life
B.
the difference between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s
C.
the Gen-90s' unique lifestyle and some practical warnings
D.
the similarities between the Gen-80s and the Gen-90s