How would we travel without maps? It would be a bit adventurous (冒险的) to set off from Oxford University to go to London Bridge if there was not a map of the London Underground at each station. In fact, a lot of the early map—makers were explorers (探险家), especially in the 15th and 16th centuries.

So what did people do before there were maps? Well, it was quite easy to use natural signs like mountains and rivers if you were travelling on foot or riding a horse. People took small boats down rivers and followed coastlines (海岸线). And people world use time, not distance (距离), to measure(测量)the way they went; the next village was a three—hour ride, for example.

In fact, in the early maps, people did not draw marks. They drew stars. It was very easy to the night sky and use it for navigation (航行). The sky was a lot clearer before the light pollution from cities appeared. When towns and cities were built, people drew road maps which gave distances and directions.

The London Underground was opened in 1863 and it also used a road map style. But a man called Henry Beck realized that travelling by train was not the same as driving your car across London. Passengers only needed to know which stations to change. His new design for the Underground map was not very popular with the train companies at first. But the passengers loved it and 700,000 copies were printed in 1933.

These days, of course, you can ride a bike, drive a car or go through a forest and know where you are exactly with a GPS. It’s really difficult to get lost!

1.When did road maps come out?

A. Around 15th and 16th centuries.

B. When people began to travel by train.

C. When people began to travel by sea.

D. When cities and towns were built.

2.Which of the following is TRUE?

A. GPS helped people to travel long time ago.

B. Ancient (古代的) people could travel on a horse without maps.

C. The sky was polluted by light before cities were built.

D. Henry Beck’s map was not popular with passengers.

3.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Maps have a long history.

B. We never get lost these days.

C. We can’t travel with maps.

D. Henry Beck designed a new map.

There was the world's advanced robot exhibition(展览)in Moscow. Over 20 skilled robot performers from all over the world took part in the exhibition.

The exhibition was opened by British-born Titan,a world-famous dancing robot that had performed together with artists.Besides its quick moves,the robot is also known for its stand-up comedy and beautiful voice.

Robot Hespin,a life-sized humanoid robot can make others happy.The robot not only sings and dances but also acts as a museum guide.It's very impressive.It can even hold conversations with humans.

Then there is Cubic,an ordinary boxy robot that has been created to make our lives easier.It can read the latest news,switch off lights,and order pizza.Cubic can hold basic conversations and tell jokes.

South Korea's friendly robots not only dance but also clean floors.Germany's famous metal rock band performs wonderfully.

Most of the robots seem to have some kinds of dancing skills.The organizers say that their main purpose is to create a meeting place or a global platform to enable the people of Russia to experience some of the world's most advanced robots.

1.Where was the robot exhibition?

A. China. B. Moscow. C. Japan. D. Korea.

2.What is Titan famous for?

A. Its quick moves. B. Its stand-up comedy.

C. Its beautiful voice. D. All above.

3.What does the underlined word humanoid mean in the third paragraph?

A. 人造的 B. 人类的 C. 仿真的 D. 人形的

4. can dance and clean the floors according to the passage.

A. Titan B. Hespin C. Cubic D. Korea's robots

5.What is the main purpose of this exhibition?

A. To offer each country a chance to show their advanced robots.

B. To show off Russia's advanced robots.

C. To enable Russian to experience some of the world's most advanced robots.

D. To make people's lives easier.

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