4. What will man be like in the future — in 5,000 or even 50,000 years from now? We can only make _____, of course, but we can be sure that he will be different from what he is today, for man is slowly _____ all the time.

Let us take an obvious _____. Man, even five hundred years ago, was shorter than he is today. Now, on average, man is about three inches taller. Five hundred years is a relatively short period of time, so we may _____ that man will continue to grow taller. Again, in the modern world we use our brains a great deal. Even so, we still make use of only about 20% of the brain’s capacity (能力). As time goes on, _____, we shall have to use our brains more and more, and _____ we shall need larger ones! This is likely to _____ a physical change to the head, and in particular the forehead, which will grow larger.

Nowadays our eyes are in _____ use. In fact, we use them so much that very often they become _____ and we have to wear a pair of glasses. But over a very long period of time it is likely that man’s eyes will grow stronger.

On the other hand, we have a (n) ______ to make less use of our arms and legs. They, ______, are likely to grow weaker. At the same time, however, our fingers will grow more sensitive ______ they are used a great deal in modern life.

Another we are ______ about is our hair. This will ______ from the body altogether in the course of time because it does not ______ a useful purpose any longer. In the future, then, both sexes are likely to be bald (秃顶的).

Perhaps all this gives the ______ that future man will not be a very ______ creature to look at! This may well he true. All the same, ______ all these changes, future man will still have a lot in ______ with us. He will still be a human being, with thoughts and ______ similar to our own.

Over the centuries, there have been a few people who plan the future of the world for a living and they 【小题1】 (call) futurologists.

Hundreds of futurologists will gather at Newcastle University to hold a seminar about the future. Many people will attend the seminar with dreams of starting new enterprises 【小题2】 (base) on the predictions they will hear. I clicked 【小题3】 the websites of a few futurologists and got several predictions.

【小题4】 (short), computers will become handier. Then all of us can use our voices to control computers such as downloading files 【小题5】 updating computers just by saying a few words. By 2015, garments will have been made of new materials that will remain stainless 【小题6】 you spill on them, and they will never get old and worn. By 2025, there will have been no 【小题7】 (starve), no people who have to live on welfare, no discrimination, no conflict and people 【小题8】 (live) in peace and equality. By 2030, tiny, insect-like robots may be sent around the cells of our bodies 【小题9】 (assess) our health , which will have made it possible for us to live for at least 150 years. By 2050, we will be linking our brains to the much 【小题10】 (smart) computers and a huge database₉ and a new type of electronic human might have developed!