Invisibility Ring

　　Scientists can’t yet make an invisibility cloak1 like the one that Harry Potter2 uses.But，for the first time，they’ve constructed a simple cloaking device that makes itself and somethingplaced inside it invisible to microwaves.

　　When a person “sees” an object，his or her eye senses many different waves of visiblelight as they bounce off the object.The eye and brain then work together to organize thesesensations and reconstruct the object’s original shape. So，to make an object invisible，scientists have to keep waves from bouncing off it.And they have to make sure the objectcasts no shadow.Otherwise，the absence of reflected light on one side would give the obiectaway.

　　Invisibility isn’t possible yet with waves of light that the human eye can see.But it is nowpossible with microwaves.Like visible light，microwaves are a form of radiant energy.Theyare part of the electromagnetic spectrum，which also includes radio waves，infrared light，ultraviolet rays，X rays，and gamma rays.The wavelengths of microwaves are shorter thanthose of radio waves but longer than those of visible light.

　　The scientists’ new “invisibility device” is the size of a drink coaster and shaped like aring.The ring is made of a special material with unusual ability.When microwaves strike thering，very few bounce off it.Instead，they pass through the ring，which bends the waves allthe way around until they reach the opposite side.The waves then return to their originalpaths.

　　To a detector set up to receive microwaves on the other side of the ring，it looks as if thewaves never changed their paths as if there were no object in the way! So，the ring is effectively invisible.

　　When the researchers put a small cdpper loop inside the ring，it，too，is nearly invisible. However，the cloaking device and anything inside it do cast a pale shadow.And the deviceworks only for microwaves，not for visible light or any kind of electromagnetic radiation.So，Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak doesn’t have any real competition yet.

　　詞匯：

　　invisibility/invizE5biliti/n.看不見，無形 spectrum/5spektrEm/n.光譜

　　cloak/klEuk/斗篷，披風(fēng) infrared/5infrE5red/adj.紅外線的

　　microwave/5maikrEuweiv/n.微波 ultraviolet ray 紫外線

　　reconstruct/5ri:kEn5strQkt/v.重建 gamma ray 伽馬射線

　　radiant/5reidjEnt/adj.輻射的 wavelength/5weivleNW/n.波長

　　electromagnetic/IlektrEJ5mA^nItIk/adj.電磁的coaster/5kEustE(r)/n.托盤，墊子

　　練習(xí)：

　　1.Harry Potter is mentioned in the passage，because scientists

　　Acan now make an invisible cloak of the same kind as he uses.

　　Btry to make an invisible cloak of the same kind as he uses.

　　Ctry to invent a device Similar in idea to the invisible cloak he uses.

　　Dknow that it is possible to make an invisible cloak of the same kind.

　　2.What is true of microwaves?

　　ATheir wavelengths are shorter than those of visible light.

　　BTheir wavelengths are longer than those of visible light.

　　CThey are different from visible light as they are a kind of radiant energy.

　　DThey are visible to the human eye.

　　3.What is NOT true of the invisibility device?

　　AIt is made of a special material with unusual ability.

　　BMicrowaves bounce off it when they strike it.

　　CMicrowaves pass through it when they strike it.

　　DIt bends the microwaves all the way around until they reach the opposite

　　side.

　　4.What does the word “coaster” mean in the passage?

　　AA disk or plate placed under a drinking glass to protect a table top.

　　BA vessel engaged in coastal trade.

　　CA roller coaster.

　　DA resident of a coastal area.

　　5.Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak doesn’t have any real competition yet，

　　because

　　Ascientists have not found out how his cloak works.

　　Bthe cloaking device is a total failure.

　　Cthe cloaking device works only for microwaves.

　　Dthe cloaking device works only for visible light.

　　答案與題解：

　　1.C文章的第一段告訴我們，科學(xué)家還沒有發(fā)明哈里?波特使用的那種隱身衣，所以不能選 A;該段還告訴我們，科學(xué)家已制造了，一種裝置，這種裝置能使自身或置于其中的物體不被微波發(fā)現(xiàn)，所以C是正確選擇，也就是說，科學(xué)家發(fā)明的隱形裝置和哈里波特的隱身衣僅僅在概念上相同，這同時說明B和D是錯誤的選擇。

　　2.B第三段最后一句中告訴我們，A是錯誤選擇，B是正確選擇。該段第三句說，微波與可見光一樣都是一種輻射能，所以C的說法是錯誤的，不能選擇;根據(jù)該段第一句：with wavesof light that the human eye can see和第三句：Like visible light，可以得知D是錯誤的說法，也不能選擇。

　　3.B第四段第三句說，當(dāng)微波到達裝置表面時，very few bounce off。very few是幾乎沒有的意思，所以選擇B。其他選擇所述內(nèi)容都可以很容易在該段中找到。

　　4.A第四段第一句告訴我們，科學(xué)家的這個隱形裝置和一個杯墊差不多大小，所以A是正確選擇。coaster是一個多義詞，其他幾個選擇是該詞的其他意思，B：從事沿海貿(mào)易的船;C：過山車，摩天輪;D：海岸地區(qū)居民。

　　5.CA句在短文中沒有提到;按文章的內(nèi)容B不是正確的說法;文章最后一段說，And thedevice works only for microwaves，not forvisible light，所以C是正確選擇。

　　Japanese Car Keeps Watch for Drunk Drivers

　　A concept car developed by Japanese company Nissan1 has a breathalyzer-like detection system and other instruments that could help keep drunk or over tired drivers off the road.

　　The car’s sensors check odors inside the car and monitor a driver’s sweat for traces of alcohol.An in-car computer system can issue an alert or even lock up the ignition system if the driver seems over-the-limit.The air odor sensors are fixed firmly and deeply in the driver

　　and passenger seats，while a detector in the gear-shift knob measures perspiration from the driver’s palm.

　　Other carmakers have developed similar detection systems. For example，Sweden’s Volvo2 has developed a breathalyzer attached to a car’s seat belt that drivers must blow into before the engine will start.

　　Nissan’s new concept vehicle also includes a dashboard-mounted camera that tracks a drivers alertness by monitoring their eyes.It will sound an alarm and issue a spoken warning in Japanese or English if it judges that the driver needs to pull over and rest3.

　　The car technology is still in development，but general manager Kazuhiro Doi says the combination of different detection systems should improve the overall effectiveness of the technology. “For example，if the gear-shift sensor was bypassed by a passenger using it instead of the driver，the facial recognition system would still be used,” Doi says.Nissan has no specific timetable for marketing the system，but aims to use technology to cut the number of fatalities involving its vehicles to half 1995 levels by 2015.

　　The car’s seat belt can also tighten if drowsiness is detected，while an external camera checks that the car is keeping to its lane properly. However，Doi admits that some of the technology，such as the alcohol odor sensor，should be improved.“If you drink one beer，it’s going to register，so we need to study what’s the appropriate level for the system to activate,” he says.

　　In the UK4,some research groups are using similar advanced techniques to understand driver behavior and the effectiveness of different road designs.

　　詞匯:

　　breathalyzer n.呼氣酒精檢測器 alertness/ E5lE:tnis/n.警惕

　　sensor/5sensE(r)/ n.傳感器 bypass /5baIpB:s/v.繞過

　　odor/5EudE(r)/ n.氣味 facial/5feiFEl/adj.面部的

　　alert/E5lE:t/ adj.警惕的 fatality/ 5teilai/n.死亡事故

　　ignition/ i^5niFEn/n.點火 tighten/ 5taitEn/v.變緊，綁緊

　　gear-shift knob 換檔把手 drowsiness/5drauzinis/n.昏昏欲睡

　　perspiration/7pE:spE5reiFEn/n.出汗 activate/5Aktiveit/v.使活動，使激活

　　dashboard/5dAF7bC:d/n.儀表板;擋泥板

　　練習(xí)：

　　1. Which of the following statements is NOT true of the Japanese concept care

　　A It has a sensor system that could issue a warning if the driver is drunk.

　　B It has sensors that detect traces of alcohol inside the car.

　　C It has sensors locked up in the ignition system.

　　D It has a breathalyzer-like detection system.

　　2. What has Volvo developed?

　　A The same detection system mentioned in the previous paragraph.

　　B A breathalyzer attached to a car’s seat belt.

　　C A smart car seat belt.

　　D An intelligent engine.

　　3. What is the function of the camera mentioned in Paragraph 4?

　　A It monitors the driver’s eyes to see if he needs a rest.

　　B It judges if the driver wants to pull over.

　　C It judges if the driver wants to take a rest.

　　D It issues an alarm when the driver speaks.

　　4. According to Doi,

　　A the overall effectiveness of the detection technology has improved.

　　B Nissan is making a timetable to market the detection system.

　　C it is impossible to improve the overall effectiveness of the detection system.

　　D Nissan aims to improve the detection technology to reduce the fatality rate.

　　5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in Paragraph 6?

　　A An external camera checks that the car is going properly.

　　B The car will automatically keep to its lane.

　　C The seat belt will tighten when the driver is found drowsy.

　　D The technology of the alcohol odor sensor should be improved.

　　答案與題解：

　　1. C 選項A、B、D所述內(nèi)容都可在短文的第一、第二段中找到。第二段最后一個句子告訴我們，傳感器裝在司機和乘客的座椅里，而不是在點火系統(tǒng)里，所以選擇C。

　　2. B 短文第三段告訴我們，沃爾沃公司也發(fā)明了一種相類似的酒精檢測裝置，安裝在保險帶上。所以B是正確選擇。

　　3. A 第四段描寫了安裝在概念車儀表板上的照相機的功能。相機跟蹤司機的眼睛的活動從而監(jiān)測司機是否保持清醒狀態(tài)，如果發(fā)現(xiàn)司機需要停車休息，便用英語或日語發(fā)出警告。所以除A以外，其他選擇都不正確。

　　4. D 短文第五段說，這種監(jiān)測技術(shù)仍然在發(fā)展之中，使用不同的監(jiān)測系統(tǒng)應(yīng)能改進這項技術(shù)的整體有效性，所以A和C都不是正確選擇。該段的最后一句說，日產(chǎn)公司并不準(zhǔn)備將這種監(jiān)測系統(tǒng)推向市場，但它的目標(biāo)是使用這種技術(shù)到2015年將日產(chǎn)車的事故率年減少到 1995年的一半。所以B也不是正確選擇，只有D表達了Doi的意思。

　　5. B 選項A、C、D在短文第六段都能找到，但是卻找不到選項B所表達的意思。

　　A Sunshade for the Planet

　　Even with the best will1 in the world，reducing our carbon emissions is not going to prevent global warming.It has become clear that even if we take the most strong measures to control emissions，the uncertainties in our climate models still lea'ye open the possibility of extreme warming and rises in sea level.At the same time，resistance by governments and special interest groups makes it quite possible that the actions suggested by climate scientists might not be implemented soon enough.

　　Fortunately，if the worst comes to the worst2，scientists still have a few tricks up their sleeves3.For the most part they have strongly resisted discussing these options for fear of inviting a sense of complacency that might thwart efforts to tackle the root of the problem.Until now，that is.A growing number of researchers are taking a fresh look at large-scale “geoengineering” projects that might be used to counteract global warming.“I use the analogy of methadone4,” says Stephen Schneider，a climate researcher at Stanford University in California who was among the first to draw attention to global warming.“If you have a heroin addict，the correct treatment is hospitalization，and a long rehab. But if they absolutely refuse，methadone is better than heroin.”

　　Basically the idea is to apply “sunscreen” to the whole planet.One astronomer has come up with a radical plan to cool Earth;launch trillions of feather-light discs into space，where they would form a vast cloud that would block the sun’s rays.It’s controversial，but recent studies suggest there are ways to deflect just enough of the sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface to counteract the warming produced by the greenhouse effect.Global climate models show that blocking just 1.8 per cent of the incident energy in the sun’s rays would cancel out the warming effects produced by a doubling of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That could be crucial，because even the most severe emissions-control measures being proposed would leave us with a doubling of carbon dioxide by the end of this century，and that would last for at least a century more.

　　詞匯：

　　emission/i5miFEn/n.發(fā)射，發(fā)射物 heroin/5herEuin/n.海洛因

　　complacency/kEm5pleIsEnsI/n.滿足 hospitalization/7hCspitElai5zeiFEn /

　　n.住院治療

　　thwart/WwC:t/v.反對，阻繞 rehab/ri:hAb/n.接受康復(fù)治療

　　geoengineering n.地質(zhì)工程 astronomer/ E5strRnEmE(r)/n.天文學(xué)家

　　trillion/ 5triljEn/n.(英、德) counteract/7kauntE5rAkt/v.抵消;抵制

　　百萬兆(1018);(美、法) 萬億，兆 (1012)

　　controversial/7kCntrE5vE:FEl /analogy/E5nAlEdVi/n.類似;模擬

　　adj.有爭議的

　　deflect/di5flekt/v.(使)偏轉(zhuǎn) methadone/ 5meWEdEun/n.美沙酮，美散痛

　　注釋：

　　1. the best will：最好的愿望

　　2. if the worst comes to theworst：如果最最糟糕的事情發(fā)生了。這是英式英語的用法，在美式英語中它說成if worst comes to worst。在不同的語境中，有不同的澤法，如：“If the worst comes to the worst，”Becky thought，“my retreat“secure;and l have the right- hand seat inthe barouche.”蓓墓想道：“逼到最后一條路，逃難是不怕的了，在他的大馬車?yán)?，我穩(wěn)穩(wěn)地有一個位子了?！庇秩纾篒fthe worst comes to the worst，we’ll sell the car.大不了我們把車賣了。

　　3. scientists still have a few tricks叩their sleeves：科學(xué)家們?nèi)匀挥行┎粸槿怂恼袛?shù)。 have something up one’s sleeve是英語成語，意思是：to have a secret idea or plan，有錦囊妙計，有所保留的，秘而不宣的謀略或計劃，例如：If this trip doesn’t work out I’ve still got a few ideas up my sleeve.

　　4. methadone：美沙酮，一種有效的合成麻醉藥，它不像口馬啡或海洛因那樣容易汁人上癮，在戒毒治療中被用作這些毒品的替代品。

　　練習(xí):

　　1. According to the first two paragraphs，the author thinks that

　　A strong measures have been taken by the government to prevent global warming.

　　B to reduce carbon emissions is all impossible mission.

　　C despite the difficulty，scientists have some options to prevent global warming.

　　D actions suggested by scientists will never be realized.

　　2. Scientists resist talking about their options because they don't want people to

　　A know what they are doing.

　　B feel their efforts are useless.

　　C think the problem has been solved.

　　D see the real problem.

　　3. What does Stephen Schneider say about a heroin addict and methadone?

　　A Methadone is an effective way to treat a hard heroin addict.

　　B Methadone is not a correct way to treat a heroin addict.

　　C Hospitalization together with methadone can work effectively with a heroin addict.

　　D Methadone and heroin are equally effective in treating a heroin addict.

　　4. What is Stephen Schneider’s idea of preventing global warming?

　　A To ask governments to take stronger measures;

　　B To increase the sunlight reaching the Earth.

　　C To apply sunscreen to the Earth.

　　D To decrease greenhouse gases.

　　5. What is NOT true of the effectiveness of “sunscreen”，according to the last paragraph?

　　A It deflects sunlight reaching the Earth to counteract the warming.

　　B It blocks the incident energy in the sun’s rays.

　　C It is a controversial method.

　　D It decreases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

　　答案與題解：

　　1. C 短文第一段講了防止地球變暖是一項艱巨的任務(wù)，第二段說，盡管如此，科學(xué)家還是有一些辦法，所以C是正確選擇。A是錯誤選擇，因為作者認(rèn)為政府和一些利益集團阻礙了科學(xué)家所倡導(dǎo)的行動的實施;B不是作者的觀點;D也不是正確選擇，因為第一段的最后一句“might not be implemented soon enough”并不表明永遠不能實現(xiàn)。

　　2. C 文章的第二段說，即使最糟糕的情況發(fā)生，科學(xué)家還是有幾招的。但他們不希望討論他們的招數(shù)，因為恐怕人們不再有危機感而削弱徹底解決問題的努力。所以C是正確選擇。

　　3. A 文章的第二段中，Stephen Schneider教授將自己解決地球變暖問題的辦法比作美沙酮，因為在癮君子拒絕正常住院治療時，服用美沙酮是一種緩解海洛因毒癮的有效方法。所以，A是正確的選擇。

　　4. C 文章最后一段的第一個句子提供的答案。

　　5. D 短文最后一段描述了“sunscreen”如何解決地球變暖問題。盡管有爭議，但是研究證明，“太陽屏”能反射和阻礙陽光，起到抵消由溫室效應(yīng)引起的地球升溫。最后一段的第三和第四句是理解這個問題的關(guān)鍵。D不是文章所表達的內(nèi).容，所以是正確答案。

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