Researches at Johns? Hopkins University's. Applied Physics laboratory? ( APL)? in Laurel , Maryland have designed a new human-like robot, Its name is Robo Sally. The machine can be controlled from a distance and can he used to do work that is dangerous for human beings.

?????? Roho Sally has two long arms with human-like hands. She can use her fingers to pick up? small objects .examine them in detail and do most things that human hands can do Each finger? contains a tiny motor capable of squeezing 20 pounds of pinch foree ,.enough to defuse a bomb? under the direction of an operator. She sits on a metal base with wheels that let her move around. turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects, .

?????? Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics? Program. "The purpose of that program is to develop prosthetic arms that have all the capability? of your natural arms .and you do all the complex motions that we can do with the natural arm- with the robot. "

?????? It was a difficult job. Mr. McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors to。 have the ability to do what a human hand does; It? also needs to have human-like strength. The? thumb was especially difficult because it permits the hand .to hold objects. And everything had.?? to fit into a space about the size of a human hand.

????? The next problem? .he says .was to figure out how to control the artificial hand. " So we had?? to figure out how to make the connection between the brain and this arm.

?????? For search-and-rescue duties.Roho Sally will be operated by a human being using a wire- less machine that is far from the robot. The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses.? The glasses permit the operator to see the robot's hands .even though they are far away.

????? Mr. McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used in what he calls "dull , dirty or dan- gerous" situations where fine human finger movements are required. He says the technology is? not ready for everyday application .but he predicts that within five years we will see some won-? derful improvements.

1.The underlined word " defuse"? in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to "_________".

A. remove?????????? B. discover??????????? C. equip??????????????? D. produce

2.According to Paragraph 2.which picture is Robo Sally?

3.What can we learn ahout the prosthetic arms according to the passage?

A. They are expected to function as well as natural ones.

B. They have many large motors controlled by robots.

C. They have human-like strength to control the robot.

D. They are connected with human brains.

4.Which of the following is true about Robo Sally according to Mr. McLoughlin?

A . Its operator doesn't need? any? equipment.

B. It has been Widely used in everyday life in the USA.

C. It can work in situations which are dangerous for humans.

D. It has made much money for the designer.

People believe that climbing can do  good to health. Where can you learn the skill of climbing then? If you think that you have to go to the mountains to learn how to climb, you’re wrong. Many Americans are learning to climb in city gyms. Here，people are learning on special climbing walls. The climbing wall goes straight up and has small holding places for hands and feet.
How do people climb the wall? To climb，you need special shoes and a harness (保护带) around your chest to hold you. There are ropes tied to your harness. The ropes hold you in place so that you don’t fall. A beginner’s wall is usually about 15 feet high, and you climb straight up. There are small pieces of metal that stick out for you to stand on and hold on to. Sometimes it’s easy to see the next piece of metal. Sometimes, it’s not. The most difficult part is to control your fear. It’s normal for humans to be afraid of falling, so it’s difficult not to feel fear. But when you move away from the wall, the harness and the ropes hold you，and you begin to feel safe. You move slowly until you reach the top.
Climbing attracts people because it’s good exercise for almost everyone. You use your whole body, especially your arms and legs. This sport gives your body a complete workout. When you climb，both your mind and your body can become stronger.
【小题1】What can we infer from the passage?

（2011·江西卷）D

Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.

     Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup(基因构成) as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.

Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.

    Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的) resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品)  of technological developments in the space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds dangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human being to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.

71. Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph1?

       A. To express his doubts.

       B. To compare different ideas.

       C. To introduce points for discussion.

       D. To describe the conditions on Earth.

72. What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph2?

       A. Humans are nature-born to do so.

       B. Humans have the tendency to fight.

       C. Humans may find new sources of food.

       D. Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

73. The underlined word“spin-offs” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to______.

       A. survival chances                                          B. potential resources

       C. unexpected benefits                               D. physical possessions

74. What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

       A. O       ur genetic makeup.                             B. Resources on the earth..

       C. The adaptive ability of humans.              D. By-products in space exploration.

75. Which of the statements can best sum un the passage?

       A. Space exploration has created many wonders.

       B. Space exploration provided the best value for money.

       C. Space exploration may help us avoid potential problems on Earth.

Anti-bird flu contingency (意外事故) measures, including a proposal to separate poultry from humans and a series of traffic and logistics (后勤) measures will be discussed at the Legislative Council's Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel meeting next month. Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Dr York Chow says the contingency plan would come into force if an outbreak occurred near Hong Kong.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Dr Chow said the separation of poultry from humans policy, which will be determined after a decision whether to set up a central slaughtering (屠宰) house or several regional ones, would be based on the demand for live chickens.

He pointed out that at present there were 30,000 live chickens imported from the Mainland and 30,000 supplied locally. If this demand persisted, there would be no central slaughtering house or wholesale point that could handle such an amount and regional slaughtering houses could be the choice.

He added that building of regional slaughtering houses took time, but stressed the need to study the views of the public and the sector before a final decision was made.

Regarding avian flu vaccination (种痘) for humans, Dr Chow said it was still being developed. He added that it may not be reliable in the case of an outbreak as records show vaccination can only offer 5% protection against a virus.

He said Hong Kong had more experience and expertise than neighbouring territories in the fight against viral outbreaks, and was willing to offer them help. He added there was no “boundary” for infectious diseases and close cooperation among different countries had to be maintained to fight against a possible outbreak.

It can be inferred from the first paragraph that ______.

A. the government is planning to take strong action to fight against bird flu

B. an outbreak which happened near Hong Kong made people very frightened

C. anti-bird flu contingency measures will come into use next month

D. Dr York Chow will organize a meeting to discuss the contingency plan

According to the passage, the best way to fight against bird flu is to ______.

A. separate poultry from humans                       B. set up a central slaughtering house

C. set up several regional slaughtering houses      D. get avian flu vaccination

When the final decision will be made mainly depends on ______.

A. the demand for live chickens                         B. the views of the public

C. the advice from experts

D. the time when regional slaughtering houses will be finished

Which of the following statements isn’t Dr York Chow’s opinion?

A. Hong Kong is better at dealing with viral outbreaks than its neighbours.

B. Infectious diseases could happen in any country.

C. Other territories should ask Hong Kong for help because it has more experience.

D. Cooperation is quite necessary when danger is coming.

Researchers are placing robotic dogs（机器狗）in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated（刺激）,”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote（使……成为现实）that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study, the robot, called AIBO, is placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect baseline data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activity before and after AIBO. Then, the researchers will review the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to him all the time, and he responds to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady, “When I’m watching TV, he’ll stay in my arms until he wants down. He has a mind of his own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog, because it was metal and not furry.” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more-valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels. Or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”

47. The purpose of Beck and Edwards’ study is to        .

A. understand human-animal relationship 

B. makes lonely old people’s life better

C．find the causes of old people’s loneliness 

D. promote the animal-assisted research

48. In the research, the old people are asked to        .

note the activities of AIBOs  

keep AIBOs at home for 12 weeks

C. record their feelings and activity 

D. analyze the collected information

49. What is the advantage of AIBO over live dogs?

It is easier to keep at home. 

B. It can help the disabled people.

C. It responds to all the human orders.

D. It can watch TV with its owner.

50. The author seems to suggest that the future robotic dogs may        .

A. cure certain diseases     B. keep old people active

C．change people’s beliefs  D. look more like real gods