A machine which makes water out of air could become the greatest household invention since the microwave． Using the same technology as a dehumidifier (除湿器)， the Water Mill is able to create a ready supply of drinking water by getting it from a limitless source－the air． The company behind the machine says not only does it offer all alterative to bottled water in developed countries，but it is a solution for the millions who face a daily water shortage．

The machine works by drawing in damp air through a filter(过滤器) and over a cooling element which changes it into water droplets．It can produce up to 12 liters a day．The Water Mill will also produce more water when storms pass over, as the humidity（湿度）in the air increases．In keeping with its ecodevelopment，the machine uses the same amount of electricity as three light bulbs．

  Inventor Jonathan Ritchey said：“The demand for water is off the chart．People are looking for freedom from water distribution systems that are shaky and unreliable”．

  The machine，which is about 3 feet wide，is likely to cost￡800 when it goes on sale here in the spring．Its maker, Canadian firm Element Four, estimates that a liter of water will cost around 20 pence to produce．

  Environmentalists claim half the world’s population will face water shortage because of climate change by 2080．One in five humans is said to lack access to safe drinking water．

  The Water Mill is not effective in areas with below about 30 percent relative humidity, but with average relative humidity in England of more than 70 percent that won’t be much of an issue here.

1.According to the author, the biggest advantage of the machine is its ______．

A．little power use  B．unlimited source  C．proper size  D．high production

2.We can conclude from the passage that the machine________．

A．can be used everywhere

B．has not been on sale

C．will replace the water distribution system

D．will solve the problem of water shortage

3.The underlined phrase “off the chart” in the passage means ________

A．record-breaking．  B．urgent．  C．unbelievable．D．amazing．

4.What would be the best title for this passage?________

A．Microwave for Household Use     B．Filter to Draw in Damp Air         

C．Mode Dehumidifier on Sale        D．Machine to Make Water out of Air

This washing machine is environmentally friendly because it uses _____ water and electricity than _________ models.

       A．less; older                                    B．less; elder

       C．fewer, older                                 D．fewer; elder

This machine is very easy______. Anybody can learn to use it in a few minutes.

A. operating                        B. to be operating              C. operated                         D. to operate

There are robots all around us. Some do very complicated jobs like flying airplanes and driving subway trains. and some do one simple job. When an automatic washing machine is switched on, water pours in. The machine waits until the water is warm enough for washing clothes. It does this by “feedback”(反馈). Information about what is happening is feedback into the robot to tell what to do next. Our eyes, ears and other senses are our feedback. They tell us what is going on around us. So robots are like human beings in two ways.

They work and they have feedback.

In some ways robots are better than human beings. They work quickly and do not make mistakes. They do not get bored doing the same job over and over again. And they never get tired. So robots are very useful in factories. They can be taught to do many different jobs. First their electronic brain must be shown how the job is done. A person moves the robot’s “arms” and “hands” through each part of the job.

The most intelligent robots can move and see. Their eyes are cameras. Their fingers can feel shapes and sizes of the objects. These robots have computer brains linked to their eyes and fingers, which control their actions. The expensive robots are used in scientific research. They do such job as handling radioactive materials.

In this passage the author tells us that ________.

A. robots are very popular

B. there are various kinds of robots

C. we see robots only at certain times

D. robots can be easily controlled

What does the author seem to inform you about robots?

A. They should be greatly improved.

B. They will probably take over in the future.

C. They are very helpful and useful to humans.

D. They are machines that break down a lot.

The author says that in industry ________.

A. robots break down a lot    

B. robots can do many jobs

C. robots only get in the way

D. robots sometimes cause troubles

The fact that a robot never gets bored doing the same job means that _______.

A. it is very much like human beings

B. it can do boring jobs for people

C. it will never bore people

D. it will work much better than human beings

The robots used for scientific research _______.

A. are not very clever     

B. are very cheap

C. are very big

D. are very costly

 Although the machine is _______, you need to use it correctly and safely.

A. in peace

B. in good use

C. in great need

D. in good condition