In 1921, Karel Čapek’s play R. U. R.: Rossum’s Universal Robots had its first public performance in Prague, and was translated into English the following year. He needed a name for the factory produced humanoid workers of the story, and was thinking of coining something based on the word “labour”. But his brother Josef suggested an old Czech word for “forced labour”, robota. And the word “robot” was born.
If the Čapeks had known English, they might have chosen one of the words with relevant senses that were already in the language. “Automaton” had been available since the 17th century and “android” since the 18th. But the clear sound of “robot” seemed to capture the public imagination, because within five years it was being used not only for intelligent artificial beings but for any machine capable of carrying out a complex set of movements.
In science fictions(小说), the word took on new life, with writers such as Isaac Asimov writing well-regarded novels in which robots played a central role. It was these writers who first shortened “robot”to“bot”, but none of them could have expected the explosion of usages which arrived in the 1990s, as the shortened word came to be adopted in computing. Today, a bot is any piece of software that runs an automated task, such as in searching the Internet or playing computer games. It has also become a suffix (后缀), with the function of the“bot”explained in the other part of the word, as in searchbot, infobot, spybot and warbot.
As early as 1923, George Bernard Shaw had applied the word “robot” to people who act automatically, without thinking or emotion, usually because of the repetitive work they have to do. Now anyone having automaton-like behaviour risks attracting the label. A movie star called Samantha who has taken on the same type of character too many times might have her roles described as “Samanthabots.” And in 2009 “Obamabots” arrived-people who support Barack Obama without really knowing anything about him.
1. What does the underlined word “coining” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Delivering. | B．Predicting. | C．Inventing. | D．Recommending. |
| A．It was no longer linked with machines. | B．It was gradually replaced by “android”. |
| C．It was shortened and used in computing. | D．It was only adopted in well-regarded novels. |
| A．The usage of “robot” in different situations. |
| B．The impact of “robot” on people’s behaviour. |
| C．The popularity of “robot” among movie stars. |
| D．The connection of “robot” with public figures. |
| A．A writer’s biography. | B．A science fiction. |
| C．A technology newspaper. | D．A language encyclopedia. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Green is an important color in nature.
Someone who has the ability to grow plants well is said to have a green thumb. The expression comes from the early twentieth century.
Besides, green is also the color used to describe the powerful feeling-jealousy. The green-eyed monster is not a frightening creature (生物) from outer space. It is an expression used about four hundred years ago by British writer William Shakespeare in his play Othello.
In most places in the world, a green light is a signal to move ahead. In everyday speech, a green light means approval to continue with a project.
| A．Sometimes, the word green means young, fresh and growing. |
| B．It describes the unpleasant feeling when someone else has something that he wants. |
| C．A person with a green thumb seems to have the power to make plants grow quickly and well. |
| D．People enjoy different colors. |
| E．It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. |
| F．It was the result of hard work by agricultural scientists who had green thumbs. |
| G．You should take care of the plants in your garden. |
【推荐2】There are many online and in-person courses that promise to teach a “native accent”. But is it really necessary to sound exactly like a native speaker? Some experts say it is not. Eusebia V. Mont leads the Accent Modification (修正) Program at the University of Maryland's Department of Hearing & Speech Sciences. Mont talked about it to reporters.
Students come to the program for one or two school terms. They meet in a group for 90 minutes a week. Each student meets with one other student and a “doctor” for more individual work. Altogether the program amounts to about 60 hours of learning in class. Mont says the rate of progress absolutely depends on the type of accent it is, how long they've been speaking English and how often they speak English.
Mont says, “I view accent as the spread of culture; the spread of a person's individual identity - and I don't work to remove any part of the culture from an individual.”
Students will most probably work in English-speaking environments when they leave school. The program teaches them tools for this. For example, they learn how to give an “elevator pitch”— a short description of an idea—and how to discuss their research. They also practice interviewing and giving presentations at work.
Mont says that there are a few methods for modifying accent, but most have the same basis. One method is called the Compton Method. Arthur J. Compton developed the method for English learners who know English vocabulary and grammar fairly well. It begins with a test to find out how the student's native language affects different areas of pronunciation. Then learners use practice materials to record their own voice and compare their pronunciation attempts to recordings of a native speaker.
Another method is the Tomatis Method, which uses special headphones and includes listening to electronically modified voices and asks students to find the difference between their pronunciation and the voices they hear. This method is also used to cure children who have mental conditions that can cause difficulty in language learning.
Mont's final advice to English learners is not to expect to sound exactly like a native speaker. And remember: Even native English speakers do not all speak alike!
1. According to the passage, what is true about the Accent Modification Program?| A．It is aimed at helping students get rid of their accent. |
| B．It divides students into different classes according to their abilities. |
| C．It teaches students how to communicate in English-speaking environments. |
| D．It offers students a total of 90 minutes’ study over one or two school terms. |
| A．Discussing one’s research in brief. |
| B．Giving presentations in an effective way. |
| C．Practicing interviewing skills in an elevator. |
| D．Making others understand an idea in a short time. |
| A．They both use the method of comparison. |
| B．They both require students to take a test first. |
| C．They both serve students who have mastered English well. |
| D．They both require students to record their voices with equipment. |
| A．The development of the accent modification industry. |
| B．Keeping your identity while changing your accent. |
| C．The situation of the accent modification program. |
| D．Ways to sound like a native speaker. |
【推荐3】Learning a second language is really helpful for us.
1.You become smarter.
Learning a second language improves your memory (记忆).Becoming bilingual (双语的) exercises your brain，challenges you to concentrate,and improves your problemsolving skills.
2.It's great for traveling.
Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said that “the limits (限制) of your language are the limits of your world,” and he was right.
3.
Researchers are also saying that people who can speak different languages are more creative than monolingual (仅懂一种语言的) speakers.Learning a foreign language improves not only your ability to solve problems,it also makes you experiment with new words.
4.It builds up your selfconfidence.
You’re about to teach yourself to believe,“Yes,I can.” Confidence increases when a new skill is mastered,and learning a foreign language is no different.
| A．It increases your creativity. |
| B．You can share it with your new friends. |
| C．Learning a second language is easier as a child. |
| D．There are many advantages of learning a foreign language. |
| E．Bilingual students are likely to score higher than monolingual students. |
| F．Knowing more than one language opens up your vacation possibilities. |
| G．Confident people are more interesting than those who are unsure of themselves. |
【推荐1】“If you were bored, it wasn’t because there was nothing to do. It was because you hadn’t put enough effort into.” That was my Mum’s philosophy. Boredom has become trendy.
Some new studies show how boredom is good for creativity and innovation, as well as mental health. It is found that people were more creative following the completion of a boring and dull task. When people are bored, they have an increase in “associative thought”—the process of making new connections between ideas, which is linked to innovative thinking. These studies are impressive, but in reality, the benefits of boredom may be related to having time to clear your mind, be quiet or daydream.
In our world, it seems unrealistic that boredom could occur at all. Yet, there are valid reasons boredom may feel so painful. As it turns out, boredom might signal the fact that you have a need that isn’t being met. Our always-on world of social media may result in more connections, but they are superficial (表面的) and can get in the way of building a real sense of belonging. Feeling bored may signal the desire for a greater sense of community and the feeling that you fit in with others around you. So take the step of joining an organization to build face-to-face relationships. You’ll find depth that you won’t get from your screen no matter how many likes you get on your post.
Bored people often report that they feel a limited sense of meaning. If you want to reduce boredom and increase your sense of meaning, seek work where you can make a unique contribution, or find a cause you can support with your time and talent. If your definition of boredom is being quiet, mindful, and reflective, keep it up. But if you’re struggling with real boredom and the emptiness it provokes, consider whether you might seek new connections and more significant challenges. These are the things that will genuinely ease boredom and make you more effective in the process.
1. What was the opinion of the author’s mom towards boredom?| A．She thought it a philosophical question. |
| B．She considered her life was boring. |
| C．She believed it indicates having too much energy. |
| D．She thought less effort led to boredom. |
| A．It boosts innovative thinking. |
| B．It is a result of doing boring tasks. |
| C．It helps people connect with others. |
| D．It does harm to one’s mental health. |
| A．It may be a barrier to expanding one’s connections. |
| B．It may get in the way of enhancing one’s social status. |
| C．It may prevent people from developing a genuine sense of community. |
| D．It may make people feel that they ought to fit in with the outside world. |
| A．Count the likes they get on their posts. |
| B．Reflect on how they relate to others. |
| C．Engage in real-life interactions. |
| D．Participate in online discussions. |
| A．The importance of doing something original. |
| B．Strategies on dealing with boredom. |
| C．Ways to increase the meaning of life. |
| D．The distinction between two types of boredom. |
【推荐2】Electrical devices(仪器) could soon use power made by human energy. British scientist Max Donelan and other scientists in Canada and the United States have developed an experimental device that produces electricity from the physical movement of a person walking.
The device connects to a person’s knee. As the person walks, the device captures energy each time the person slows down. To do this, the device helps with the slowing-down movement of the lea, the movements of the walking person push parts of a smart machine that produces electricity. Using the device, an adult walking quickly could produce thirteen watts of electricity in just a minute. Donelan says walking at that speed could produce enough power to operate a laptop computer for six minutes.
There are several possible uses for the device. Developers say it could help people who work in areas without electricity to operate small computers. The device could also be used in hospitals to operate heart pacemakers(起博器), it could even be used to assist in the movement of robotic arms and legs.
The experimental version of the device weighs about one and a half kilograms, but it is too costly for most people to buy. The researchers hope to make a lighter, less costly version. An improved version should be ready in one year. The developers hope the device will one day help developing countries, nearly twenty five percent of people around the world live without electric power.
A similar product was invented in 2005 by Larry Rome of the University of Pennsylvania. He created a bag carried on a person’s back that also produces power from walking. The knee device does not produce as much electricity as the bag, but the bag requires the walker to carry a load of twenty to thirty kilograms.
1. What is the disadvantage of the experimental version of the device?| A．It will increase the walker’s load. |
| B．It is too complex for people to use. |
| C．It will slow down one’s walking speed. |
| D．It is too expensive for most people to afford. |
| A．It can help the walker walk faster. |
| B．It needs to be equipped with a battery. |
| C．It can produce more power in a short period of time. |
| D．It produces power without adding more loads to the walker. |
| A．It can make it much easier for people to watch TV. |
| B．It can benefit the development of developing countries. |
| C．It can be applied in medical fields to operate heart pacemakers. |
| D．It can replace computers and robots when there is no electricity. |
| A．First device powered by walking is launched |
| B．Device gives new meaning to the idea of power walking |
| C．Human energy will become a main source of electricity |
| D．Advanced technology brings in a new way to operate heart pacemakers |
The US Open has been in existence for more than 120 years. The first tournament (锦标赛) was held in 1881 at the Newport Casino. It was called the US National Singles Championship. Entry was limited to only those clubs which were members of the United States National Lawn Tennis Association, and the competitors were all male, competing in both singles and doubles. Richard Sears won the men’s championship and he went on to win the next six men’s singles championships.
The Wimbledon
In 1875, the All England Croquet Club was troubled financially due to declining membership. A new sport called lawn tennis was gaining fast in popularity and taking away the members. Two years later, a new roller was needed for maintaining its lawns so the club proposed to hold a tournament to raise money. Twenty-two players entered that first Wimbledon tournament which was won by Spencer Gore in straight sets over W. C. Marshall. Two hundred spectators each paid a shilling to watch the final game, enabling the club to buy the needed roller plus some extra cash.
The French Open
The very first French Championship was held way back in 1891, and the tournament has since grown into one of the four tennis Grand Slam tournaments we know today. The first competition was a one-day national championship which was won by a British. The competition was poorly attended by world class players. It took 24 years before it became fully international and an accepted tennis grand slam event (大满贯赛事). After the First World War, French tennis was achieving stature (名声). Suzanne Lenglen was the predominant French player, winning the championships six times between 1920 and 1926.
The Australian Open
The very first tennis tournament ever played in Australia was held in January 1880, on the courts of the Melbourne Cricket Club. In 1905, the Australian Open was established as the Australasian Tennis Championship and was played at the Warehouseman's Cricket Ground in Melbourne. It became the Australian Championship in 1927 and the Australian Open in 1969. Women’s events were added in 1922.
1. What is special about the first U.S. Open?| A．It has a history of more than 120 years. |
| B．Only men were allowed to play in the game. |
| C．Richard Sears won six championships. |
| D．It has remained about the same through all these years. |
| A．raise some fund for a lawn roller |
| B．attract more people to play tennis |
| C．attract more audience to watch the game |
| D．celebrate the renaming of the club |
| A．the tournament has been played in the same place all these years |
| B．twenty-two players played in the first tournament |
| C．few good tennis players took part in the first French Championship |
| D．the players played in singles and doubles in the tournament |
| A．they were all born in the same year |
| B．they all had only male players in the first tournament |
| C．they have all experienced financial difficulties |
| D．they all have had a history of 120 years or more |
| A．how the four international tennis tournaments came into being |
| B．how long it took for women to have the right to play in the game |
| C．how the four international tennis tournaments get their present names |
| D．why the tennis tournaments are held in these four countries |
