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 (導(dǎo)航儀). 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.
小題1:What did Paula Ceely think was the cause of her accident?
A.She was not familiar with the road.
B.It was dark and raining heavily then.
C.The railway workers failed to give the signal.
D.Her GPS device didn't tell her about the crossing.
小題2: The phrase "near miss" (Paragraph 2) can best be replaced by ________.
A.close hitB.heavy loss
C.narrow escapeD.big mistake
小題3:Which of the following would Rick Stevenson most probably agree with?
A.Modern technology is what we can't live without.
B.Digital technology often falls short of our expectation.
C.Digital devices are more reliable than they used to be.
D.GPS error is not the only cause for Ceely's accident.
小題4:In the writer's opinion, Stevenson's argument is ________.
A.one-sidedB.reasonableC.puzzlingD.well-based
小題5:What is the real concern of the writer of this article?
A.The major causes of traffic accidents and car thefts.
B.The relationship between human and technology.
C.The shortcomings of digital devices we use.
D.The human unawareness of technical problems.

小題1:D
小題2:C
小題3:B
小題4:A
小題5:D
文章講述了一個因為導(dǎo)航儀出錯誤而引起的事故,故事大家現(xiàn)代的儀器也會出問題,不要過于依賴他們。人類對于很多技術(shù)并不是完全了解,需要加強學(xué)習(xí)。
小題1:推理題。根據(jù)第二段1行Ceely's near miss made the news because she blamed it on her GPS (導(dǎo)航儀)可知D正確。
小題2:根據(jù)第一段可知他很幸運,九死一生,沒有被撞。C正確。
小題3:推理題。根據(jù)文章第三段可知現(xiàn)代的很多裝置經(jīng)常不能符合我們的期望值。
小題4:推理題。根據(jù)文章第4段可知他的爭論只是單方的,他只聚焦于數(shù)字技術(shù)而忽視了很多其它方面的原因。
小題5:推理題。根據(jù)文章最后一段If there is such a way, it should involve more than just an awareness of the shortcomings of our machines?芍髡邠(dān)心的是D。
練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空


After seating myself in my room and turning on my computer, I noticed a Post-it note stuck to my monitor(顯示器). It read, “Don’t   36   your computer. You stayed up until midnight doing your homework last night.—Mom.” I   37  the note into the wastebasket. “Why do they   38  ?” I thought. “They’re never here anyway.”
Right after high school started, I almost   39  contact with my parents. With all their business   40 , they asked the neighbors to watch over me. Of course, the neighbors didn’t do such a(n)   41  job, as they had kids of their own to worry about. The only means of   42  between me and my parents was through Post-it notes.
After spending about eight hours away from home, I usually came home to find the house   43  empty. It made me sad. I would come home from school to be welcomed by   44 , to talk to no one and to be watched over by my neighbors. That was when I started   45  more clubs and staying after school more often   46  I didn’t have to feel so lonely. Luckily, at school, my friends were there   47  me. They were all there to give me a   48  or talk with me when I wanted to talk. I felt   49  when I was at school. Yet, something was still   50  — my parents.
Now I realize that nobody can   51  my parents. I wish that they would be there at home,   52  me to come back from school. There are   53  things my parents don’t know about me. I wish that they actually had a(n)   54  to understand me. I want them to understand that they’re my parents and I’m their kid and I   55  them.
小題1:
A.go throughB.depend onC.put upD.turn on
小題2:
A.showedB.threwC.ledD.pulled
小題3:
A.checkB.knowC.careD.speak
小題4:
A.lostB.builtC.wantedD.regained
小題5:
A.designsB.dreamsC.tripsD.partners
小題6:
A.freeB.easyC.carelessD.good
小題7:
A.communicationB.behaviorC.changeD.love
小題8:
A.suddenlyB.a(chǎn)lmostC.completelyD.necessarily
小題9:
A.everybodyB.a(chǎn)nybodyC.somebodyD.nobody
小題10:
A.creatingB.joiningC.findingD.serving
小題11:
A.thoughB.ifC.orD.so
小題12:
A.inB.a(chǎn)fterC.forD.without
小題13:
A.handB.wishC.suggestionD.reason
小題14:
A.friendlyB.noisyC.usefulD.great
小題15:
A.disappointingB.missingC.hatefulD.possible
小題16:
A.look forward toB.think highly of
C.take the place ofD.look down upon
小題17:
A.referring toB.turning toC.looking atD.waiting for
小題18:
A.too manyB.too fewC.a(chǎn) couple ofD.a(chǎn) few
小題19:
A.excuseB.chanceC.taskD.place
小題20:
A.supportB.followC.hateD.need

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Three Boys and a Dad
Brad closed the door slowly as Sue left home to visit her mother. Expecting a whole day to relax, he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favourite TV talk show on his first day off in months. “This will be like a walk in the park,” he’d told his wife. “I’ll look after the kids, and you can go visit your mom.”
Things started well, but just after eight o’clock, his three little “good kids”—Mike, Randy, and Alex—came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted “breakfast, daddy.” When food had not appeared within thirty seconds, Randy began using his spoon on Alex’s head as if it were a drum. Alex started to shout loudly in time to the beat(節(jié)拍). Mike chanted “Where’s my toast, where’s my toast” in the background. Brad realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds.
Life became worse after breakfast. Mike wore Randy’s underwear on his head. Randy locked himself in the bathroom, while Alex shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks, although they were before their very eyes. Someone named “Not Me” had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Brad knew the talk show had already started.
By ten o’clock, things were out of control. Alex was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Mike was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his colour pencils. Randy, thankfully, appeared to be reading quietly in the family room,but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Brad realised that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible.
At exactly 11:17, Brad called the daycare centre (日托所).“I suddenly have to go into work and my wife’s away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes?” The answer was obviously “yes” because Brad was smiling.
小題1:When his wife left home. Brad expected to          .
A.go out for a walk in the park
B.watch TV talk show with his children
C.enjoy his first day off work
D.read the newspaper to his children
小題2:Which of the following did Randy do?
A.Drawing on the wallB.Eating apple jam
C.Feeding the fish.D.Reading in a room
小題3:Why did Brad ask the daycare centre for help?
A.Because he wanted to clean up his house.
B.Because he suddenly had to go to his office
C.Because he found it hard to manage his boys home.
D.Because he had to take his wife back
小題4:This text is developed          .
A.by spaceB.by comparison C.by process D.by time

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


In America,Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort:brilliant beaches,a lively boardwalk,plenty of restaurants and nightspots,and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids.Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season,when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild.
Meanwhile,some safety tips should be followed,enjoying the happiness and excitement the beach offers.
The number l safety tip concerns ocean safety:pay attention to Flag conditions posted on the lifeguard stands.Lifeguards post a red flag to warn when the ocean water is dangerous.Take them seriously! Tourists from land-locked regions are particularly easily attracted by the magic of the waves.However,a calm ocean can become risky without warning.Make sure you swim near a lifeguard.Swimming without lifeguard protection is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards.
Never swim alone.Many drownings involve single swimmers.When you swim with someone else,if one of you has a problem,the other may be able to get help,including signaling for assistance from others.
Don't fight the current.The facts show that some 80% of rescues by lifeguards at ocean beaches are caused by currents.These currents are formed by surf and gravity,because once surf pushes water up the slope of a beach,gravity pulls it back.This can create concentrated rivers of water moving offshore.If you are caught in a rip current,don't fight it by trying to swim directly to shore.Instead,swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax,then swim to shore.Most rip currents are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will help bring you to safety.
小題1:When coming to Virginia Beach,children can enjoy the happiness of the following except       .
A.walking on the road made of woodB.joining the nightspots
C.having interesting rides D.skiing in the sea
小題2:Many people believe the best time to visit Virginia Beach may be     .
A.a(chǎn)fter autumn school term beginningB.in the slimmer vacation
C.during the Christmas holiday D.in the cold winter
小題3:Swimming in the sea you'd better not swim     .
A.with a friendB.within the sight of the lifeguard
C.with the current D.a(chǎn)s far as you like
小題4:From the passage,we can know     .
A.one in five persons swimming in the sea is drowned
B.if one with lifeguard were drowning,five persons without lifeguard would be
C.some 80%people drowning by the currents are rescued by lifeguards
D.some 20%drowning by the currents are rescued by life guards
小題5:The passage mainly tells us      .
A.some safety tips when swimming in the sea
B.the happiness and excitement the beach offers
C.Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort
D.the dangers for tourists from land-locked regions to swim in the sea

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Zhao Wenxuan,a film star from Taiwan,has been fond of seeing films since his childhood. He would sometimes go to the cinema for the same film four or five times. He also enjoys literature and art. Before he took the film acting as his career,he had worked in an airline in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan Province. His change of job to acting was quite by chance.
One day,he came across in the paper an advertisement for a leading actor to appear in the film named “Wedding Feast.” Full of excitement,he answered the job ad by telephoning the director of the film — Mr. Li An. It was this telephone call that had changed all his life. At last the director decided him to be the very person for the role. That he could be chosen owed much to his good command of English,natural manners and low pay for his work in the film.
The film “Wedding Feast” proved to be a hit. It won the German Golden Bear Award and entered the competition for one of the Oscar Academy Awards. Also, it was the first Taiwan film that was permitted to be shown in the U. S. Thanks to the film,Zhao Wenxuan became popular in Taiwan, Hong Kong and southeast Asia.
In 1994,Mr. Zhao acted as a leading role in the Hong Kong film,“Red Rose and White Rose”,in which many film stars like Ms Chen Chong from U. S. and Ms Ye Yuqing from the local area participated. This film was named for 10 prizes of the Taiwan Golden Horse Prize and at last it was awarded five prizes for the best play,actress and music. Zhao has regarded the film as one of his favorite films since he stepped into the acting circle.
Since 1993,Mr. Zhao has taken part in the shootings of 13 films, most of which are thought highly of.
Mr. Zhao said the that Taiwan should think to cooperate much with the mainland in the film producing industry and it would benefit each other. In recent years he often came to the mainland for film shooting. He has just completed his performance in the film “Love Affairs” directed by Mr. LiXin,a director from Shanghai Film Studio.
小題1:Why could Zhao Wenxuan play the leading role in the movie “Wedding Feast”?
A.Because he liked to see films very much.
B.Because he was a famous actor at that time.
C.Because he could speak English very well,acted naturally and gave no thought to the pay for his work in the movie.
D.Because the director of the movie knew him very well.
小題2:The text suggests that _____.
A.“Wedding Feast” is just an ordinary film
B.the film “Wedding Feast” disappointed people greatly
C.Zhao Wenxuan became a famous movie star because of the film “Wedding Feast”
D.A lot of the Taiwan films are shown in the U. S. every year
小題3:Which of the following is the right order for Mr. Zhao Wenxuan‘s experience?
a. He joined in the film “Red Rose and White Rose” in Hong Kong.
b. He worked in an airline in Taipei.
c. He suggested Taiwan and the mainland should film more together.
d. When he was a boy,he often went to the cinema.
e. He has just finished the film “Love Affairs” in Shanghai.
f. He acted an important role in the film “Wedding Feast”.
A.d,b,f,a,e,cB.a(chǎn),b,d,f,e,c
C.b,e,f,a,d,cD.c,b,e,a,f,d
小題4:From the text it can be inferred that _____.
A.one’s success is frequently (often) closely connected with a favorable chance
B.it is never too late to learn
C.know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of
defeat
D.there is no limit to knowledge

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


There are several ways you can find out about the countries and places you wish to visit. You can talk to friends who have travelled to the places. Or you can go and see a color film. Or you can read travel books.
It would seem that there are three kinds of travel books. The first are those that give a personal, subjective(主觀的)account of travels which the author has actually made himself. If they are informative and have a good index(索引), then they can be useful to you when you are planning your travels. The second kind are those books whose purpose is to give a purely objective(客觀的)description of things to be done and seen. If a well-read, cultured person has written such a book, then it is even more useful. It can be sorted as a selected guide book. The third kind are those books which are called “a guide” to some place or other. If they are good, they will, in addition to their factual information, give an analysis or an explanation. Like the first kind they can be inspiring and interesting. But their basic purpose is to help the reader who wishes to plan in the most practical way.
Whatever kind of travel book you choose you must make sure that it does not describe everything as “wonderful”, “excellent” or “magical”. You must also note its date of publication because travel is a very practical affair and many things change quickly in the twenty-first century. Finally, you should make sure that the contents are well presented and easy to find.
小題1:This passage is about      .
A.how to travelB.how to buy travel books
C.how to read a travel bookD.travel books
小題2:The following travel books may be of use when you plan your travels except      .
A.the book written by some people who have had the same travel experience themselves
B.the book which tells you what is worth doing and seeing based on the facts
C.the book in which a lot of big adjectives are used to draw your attention
D.the book which offers you a lot of useful information like a tour guide
小題3:The date of the publication must be noticed because      .
A.the world is changing and so are the places you are going to visit
B.the price of the book is always changing
C.the author of the book may be different
D.the contents of the book are always the same

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


Money Matters
Parents should help their children understand money.  小題1:  So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example. 
1.The basic function of money
Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收銀員).  小題2:  When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money. 
2. Money lessons
Approach money lessons with openness and honesty.   小題3:  If you must say no to a child’s request to spend money, explain, “You have enough toy trucks for now.” Or, if the request is for many different things, say, “You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.” 
3.  小題4:  
Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product—a name-brand butter and a generic(無商標(biāo)產(chǎn)品),for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money.  小題5: If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases. 
A. Wise decisions.
B. The value of money.
C. Permit the child to choose between them.
D. Tell your child why he can—or cannot—have certain things.
E. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you.
F. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.
G. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解


After their 15-year-old dog Bailey died in 2007, Ron and his wife, Ann, looked for months to find the right new pet. “I love dogs,” says Ron, a worker at a health club in Waukesha, Wisconsin. “I can’t imagine not having one.”
Finally, the couple spotted a young dog at the Humane Society in Milwaukee. His name was Oscar. “He was very attractive,” says Ron, 65. Oscar quickly made himself at home, sleeping on his new owners’ bed at night.
A diabetic(糖尿病人) for 25 years, Ron faithfully took his medicine four times a day and generally had no problems. But on March 17, at about 3 a.m., he got out of bed to use the bathroom. Suddenly, he fell down to the floor. “I must have taken the wrong amount of medicine before I went to sleep, because my blood sugar was dangerously low,” he says.
“Normally, Oscar is very quiet and well-behaved,” says Ron. “But when I hit the floor, he let out sounds like a wild animal.”
“Honestly, it sounded like the dog from hell,” says Ann, who was awakened by the sound.” I didn’t know what the sound was. Then I saw my husband lying on the bathroom floor. He was cold.” She ran for the phone and called an ambulance.
Ron spent several hours in the hospital. By 6:30a.m., he was well enough to go home. “You would never suspect Oscar of any heroism.” says his grateful owner. “He’s a wonderful little guy. We are lucky enough to own him.”
Even before Oscar’s heroic action, the couple had given their pet a new nickname(昵稱). “We felt the name Oscar wasn’t good enough,” says Ron, “so sometimes we call him Eduardo”—more suitable, they think, for their dog.
小題1:What was Ann doing when Ron went to the bathroom?
A.She was sleeping.
B.She was watching TV.
C.She was taking care of Oscar.
D.She was talking with someone on the phone.
小題2:Why did Ron fell onto the floor in the bathroom?
  1. He forgot to take his medicine.
  2. The floor in the bathroom was too wet.
  3. He took the wrong amount of medicine.
  4. He is a diabetic and accidentally ate some sugar.
小題3:Which of the following is TRUE?
  1. Oscar was 15 years old when he was found.
  2. The sound of Oscar was usually like a wild animal.
  3. Ron got diabetes when he was 40 years old.
  4. Ron had to take his medicine three times a day.
小題4:From the passage we can learn that Oscar_______________.
  1. is a little noisy at home
  2. sleeps with his owners at night
  3. got his new nickname after the story
  4. was found at a health club in Waukesha

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

完形填空(共15小題;每小題2分,滿分30分)
閱讀下面短文,掌握其大意,然后從1~15各題所給的A、B、C和D項中,選出最佳選項,并在答題卡上將該項涂黑。
As she walked round the large shop, Edith realized how difficult it was to choose a suitable Christmas   1 for her father.
She wished that he were as easy to   2 as her mother, who was always   3  with perfume (香水). Besides, shoping at this time of the year was a most   4  job. People   5  on your feet, pushed you with their shoulders and almost   6  you over in their hurry in order to find something cheap ahead of you.
Partly to have a rest, Edith paused in front of a counter, where some beautiful ties were on show . "They are real silk," the shop assistant told her with a smile trying to   7  her to buy one. But Edith knew from past   8  that her choice of ties hardly ever pleased her father.
She moved on slowly and then, quite by chance,  9  where a small crowd of men had gathered round a counter. She found some fine pipes on sale and the shapes were very beautiful. Edith did not hesitate for long, although her father   10  smoked a pipe once in a while, she believed this was   11  to please him.
When she got home, with her small but   12  present hidden in her handbag, it was time for supper and her parents were already at table. Her mother was in great   13  . "Your father has at last decided to stop smoking," she told her daughter happily. Edith was so   14  that she could not  15  a single word.
小題1:
A.suit B.card C.pipe D.gift
小題2:
A.remind B.please C.hopeD.suppose
小題3:
A.interested B.a(chǎn)nnoyed C.impressive D.satisfied
小題4:
A.unhappy B.careful C.exciting D.a(chǎn)mazing
小題5:
A.walked B.stepped C.lifted D.stood
小題6:
A.turned B.hit C.brought D.knocked
小題7:
A.hope B.a(chǎn)sk C.force D.persuade
小題8:
A.experience B.stories C.friends D.a(chǎn)ctivities
小題9:
A.stopped B.saw C.a(chǎn)sked D.found
小題10:
A.a(chǎn)lways B.nearly C.only D.never
小題11:
A.hardlyB.impossibly C.possibly D.certainly
小題12:
A.cheap B.well-chosen C.expensive D.ready-made
小題13:
A.excitement B.a(chǎn)nger C.sadness D.disappointment
小題14:
A.glad B.happy C.surprised D.excited
小題15:
A.tellB.sayC.thinkD.talk

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案