Washoe, a female chimpanzee (黑猩猩) believed to be the first non-human to acquire human language, has died of natural causes at the research institute where she was kept.The chimp died on Tuesday night, according to Roger and Deborah Fouts, co-founders of The Chimpanzee and Human Communications Institute in Washington, where she lived.
Washoe was born in 1965 in Africa, where she was captured by the Air Force and taken to the US for research use in the space program. In 1966, she left the program and began living with two scientists, Allen and Beatrix Gardner, who led a project to teach the chimp American Sign Language (ASL) in Washoe, Nevada, for which it was named. Washoe had been living on Central Washington University’s Ellensburg Campus since 1980. She had a vocabulary of about 250 words. Also, Washoe taught sign language to three younger chimps: Tatu, 31, Loulis, 29, and Dar, 31
Primate (灵长类) researcher Jane Goodall, in Fouts’ book Next of Kin, noted the importance of the work with Washoe. “Roger, through his ongoing conversations with Washoe and her extended family, has opened a window into a chimpanzee’s mind,” Goodall said.
Though previous efforts to teach chimps spoken languages had failed, the researchers believed there was a better chance using signs. But Washoe’s language skills were disputed by scientists who believed that language is unique to humans. Among those who doubted that chimps could use language were linguist (语言学家) Noam Chomsky and Harvard scientist Steven Pinker. They believed primates simply learn to perform certain acts in order to receive rewards, and do not acquire true language. 

1. 1.

   As for its first task, Washoe was involved with _______.

   1. A.
      some space research
   2. B.
      a study on African animals
   3. C.
      an ASL project
   4. D.
      the program of training the Air Force
2. 2.

   In Goodall’s opinion, teaching Washoe ASL ______.

   1. A.
      was not successful
   2. B.
      led to the book Next of Kin
   3. C.
      won honor for Fouts
   4. D.
      made a difference
3. 3.

   In the last paragraph, the underlined word “disputed” probably means “______”.

   1. A.
      supported
   2. B.
      studied
   3. C.
      questioned
   4. D.
      discussed
4. 4.

   What can be inferred from the passage?

   1. A.
      The ASL project was first set up in Africa for the study on Washoe.
   2. B.
      Washoe may communicate with other chimps by signing.
   3. C.
      Washoe must have been able to speak 250 words or so.
   4. D.
      The researchers will prove that most chimps could use language.
5. 5.

   Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

   1. A.
      Washoe was the first animal to be taught human language.
   2. B.
      Washoe, the chimp, was named in honor of a place.
   3. C.
      There were four chimps in total at Ellensburg Campus.
   4. D.
      Chomsky believed primates only perform silent signs.

It was tall and narrow, and it stood outside a furniture shop. “Buy it,” she said at once. “We’ll carry it home on the roof rack (行李架). I’ve always wanted one like that.”

What could I do? Ten minutes later I was ￡20 poorer, and the cupboard was tied on to the roof rack. The police even stopped traffic to let us through. Carrying furniture was a good idea.

After a time my wife said, “There is a long line of cars behind. Why don’t they overtake(超车),I wonder?”

In fact a police car did overtake. The two officers inside looked at us seriously as they passed. But then with great kindness, they led us through the rush-hour traffic. The police car stopped at our village church. One of the officers came to me.

I was puzzled. “Thanks, officer,” I said. “You’ve been very kind. I live just down the road.”? He was staring at our load: first at the flowers, then at the cupboard. “Well, well,” he said, laughing, “It’s a cupboard you’ve got here! We thought it was…er, something else.”

My wife began to laugh. Then the truth hit me like a stone between the eyes. I smiled at the officer. “Yes, it’s a cupboard, but thanks again.” I drove home as fast as I could.

1.The writer writes the story in order to 　　  .

A. praise the police officers　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B.thank the other drivers

C.show people are kind to each other?　　　　　　 D.tell us their funny experience

2.The writer stopped their car on their way home 　　  .

A.to buy a cupboard?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B.to pick wild flowers

C.waiting for the lights to go green?　　　　　　    D.when they came to a flower shop

3.The driver behind didn’t overtake because 　　  .

A. they wanted to show their special kindness

B.they were afraid the cupboard would fall down

C.they were admiring the flowers in the writer’s car

D.they wondered what was inside the cupboard

4.The writer’s wife began to laugh because 　　  .

A. she thought the police officers were foolish

B.she was interested in what the police officer said

C.she was glad they were treated kindly

D.she had realized the truth

5.As a matter of fact, the police 　　  .

A. failed to help the writer?　　　　    
?;　　　　　　　　 B.did help the writer

C.got the writer into trouble　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   D.made the writer angry

We spent a day in the country, picking wild flowers. Our car looked like a flower shop inside! On the way home we had to stop at traffic lights, and then my wife noticed the cupboard.

It was tall and narrow, and it stood outside a furniture shop. “Buy it,” she said at once. “We’ll carry it home on the roof rack (行李架). I’ve always wanted one like that.”

What could I do? Ten minutes later I was ￡20 poorer, and the cupboard was tied on to the roof rack. The police even stopped traffic to let us through. Carrying furniture was a good idea.

After a time my wife said, “There is a long line of cars behind. Why don’t they overtake(超车),I wonder?”

In fact a police car did overtake. The two officers inside looked at us seriously as they passed. But then with great kindness, they led us through the rush-hour traffic. The police car stopped at our village church. One of the officers came to me.

I was puzzled. “Thanks, officer,” I said. “You’ve been very kind. I live just down the road.”? He was staring at our load: first at the flowers, then at the cupboard. “Well, well,” he said, laughing, “It’s a cupboard you’ve got here! We thought it was…er, something else.”

My wife began to laugh. Then the truth hit me like a stone between the eyes. I smiled at the officer. “Yes, it’s a cupboard, but thanks again.” I drove home as fast as I could.

1.The writer writes the story in order to 　　  .

A. praise the police officers　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   B.thank the other drivers

C.show people are kind to each other?　　　　　　 D.tell us their funny experience

2.The writer stopped their car on their way home 　　  .

A.to buy a cupboard?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B.to pick wild flowers

C.waiting for the lights to go green?　　　　　　    D.when they came to a flower shop

3.The driver behind didn’t overtake because 　　  .

A. they wanted to show their special kindness

B.they were afraid the cupboard would fall down

C.they were admiring the flowers in the writer’s car

D.they wondered what was inside the cupboard

4.The writer’s wife began to laugh because 　　  .

A. she thought the police officers were foolish

B.she was interested in what the police officer said

C.she was glad they were treated kindly

D.she had realized the truth

5.As a matter of fact, the police 　　  .

A. failed to help the writer?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B.did help the writer

C.got the writer into trouble　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   D.made the writer angry

One evening in February 2007 . a student named Paula Ceely brought her car to a stop on a remote in Wales . She got out to open a metal gate that blocked her path . That's when she heard the whistle sounded by the driver of a train.Her Renault Clio parked across a railway line. Second later,she watched  the train drag her car almost a kilometre down the railway tracks.
Ceely's near miss  made the news because she blamed it on her GPS device(导航仪).She had never driven the route before .It was dark and raining heavily . Ceely was relying on her GPS. But it made no mention of the crossing ."I put my complete trust in the device and it led me right into the path of a speeding train ,"she told the BBC.
W ho is to blame here ? Rick Stevenson ,who tells Ceely's story in his book When Machines Fail US, finger at the limitations of technology. We put our faith in digital devices, he says,
but our digital helpers are too often not up to the job. They are filled with small  problems. And it’s not just GPS devices: Stevenson takes us on a tour of digital disasters involving everything from mobile phones to wireless key boards.
The problem with his argument in the book is that it’s  not clear why he only focuses digital technology,while  there may be a number of other possible  causes. A map-maker might have left the crossing off a paper map. Maybe we should blame Ceely for not paying attention. perhaps the railway authorities are at fault for poor signaling system. Or maybe someone has studied the relative dangers and worked out that there really is something specific wrong with the CPS equipment. But Stevenson doesn’t say.
It’s a problem that runs through the book. In a section on cars, Stevenson gives an accout of the advanced techniques that criminals use to defeat computer-based locking systems for cars. He offers two independent sets of figures on car theft; both show a small rise in some parts of the country. He says that once once again not all new locks have proved reliable. Perhaps, but maybe it’s also due to the shortage of policemen on the streets. Or changing social circumstances. Or some combination of these factors .
The game between humans and their smart devices  is complex. It is shaped by economics and psychology and the cultures we live in. Somewhere in the mix of those forces there may be  way a wiser use of technology.   
If there is such a way, it should involve more than just  an awareness of the shortcomings of our machines. After all, we have lived with them for thousands  of years. They have probably been fooling us for just as long .
【小题1】
What did Paula Ceely think was the cause of her accident?           

A．closebit

B．heavyloss

C．narrow escape

D．bigmistake

One evening in February 2007, a student named Paula Ceely brought her car to a stop on a remote road in Wales. She got out to open a metal gate that blocked her path. That's when she heard the whistle sounded by the driver of a train. Her Renault Clio was parked across a railway line. Seconds later, she watched the train drag her car almost a kilometre down the railway tracks.
Ceely's near miss made the news because she blamed it on her GPS (导航仪). She had never driven the route before. It was dark and raining heavily. Ceely was relying on her GPS, but it made no mention of the crossing. "I put my complete trust in the device and it led me right into the path of a speeding train." she told the BBC.
Who is to blame here? Rick Stevenson, who tells Ceely's story in his book When Machines Fail Us, points the finger at the limitations of technology. We put our faith in digital devices, he says, but our digital helpers are too often not up to the job. They are filled with small problems. And it's not just GPS devices: Stevenson takes us on a tour of digital disasters involving everything from mobile phones to wireless keyboards.
The problem with his argument in the book is that it's not clear why he only focuses on digital technology, while there may be a number of other possible causes. A map-maker might have left the crossing off a paper map. Maybe we should blame Ceely for not paying attention. Perhaps the railway authorities are at fault for poor signalling system. Or maybe someone has studied the relative dangers and worked out that there really is something specific wrong with the GPS equipment. But Stevenson doesn't say.
It's a problem that runs through the book. In a section on cars, Stevenson gives an account of the advanced techniques that criminals use to defeat computer-based locking systems for cars. He offers two independent sets of figures on car theft; both show a small rise in some parts of the country. He says that once again not all new locks have proved reliable. Perhaps, but maybe it's also due to the shortage of policemen on the streets. Or changing social circumstances. Or some combination of these factors.
The game between humans and their smart devices is amusing and complex. It is shaped by economics and psychology and the cultures we live in. Somewhere in the mix of those forces there may be a way for a wiser use of technology.
If there is such a way, it should involve more than just an awareness of the shortcomings of our machines. After all, we have lived with them for thousands of years. They have probably been fooling us for just as long.

1. 1.

   What did Paula Ceely think was the cause of her accident?

   1. A.
      She was not familiar with the road.
   2. B.
      It was dark and raining heavily then.
   3. C.
      The railway workers failed to give the signal.
   4. D.
      Her GPS device didn't tell her about the crossing.
2. 2.

   The phrase "near miss" (Paragraph 2) can best be replaced by ________.

   1. A.
      close hit
   2. B.
      heavy loss
   3. C.
      narrow escape
   4. D.
      big mistake
3. 3.

   Which of the following would Rick Stevenson most probably agree with?

   1. A.
      Modern technology is what we can't live without.
   2. B.
      Digital technology often falls short of our expectation.
   3. C.
      Digital devices are more reliable than they used to be.
   4. D.
      GPS error is not the only cause for Ceely's accident.
4. 4.

   In the writer's opinion, Stevenson's argument is ________.

   1. A.
      one-sided
   2. B.
      reasonable
   3. C.
      puzzling
   4. D.
      well-based
5. 5.

   What is the real concern of the writer of this article?

   1. A.
      The major causes of traffic accidents and car thefts.
   2. B.
      The relationship between human and technology.
   3. C.
      The shortcomings of digital devices we use.
   4. D.
      The human unawareness of technical problems.