Inventors are always looking for ways to make our lives easier, greener and a whole lot more fun. Take a look at the following breakthroughs in science and technology. What in the world will inventors dream up next?
Superhero Suit
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a superhero? Dream no more. There’s a real Iron Man suit, XOS 2, which instantly transforms the person wearing it. The suit provides the power to lift 200 pounds with ease and break slabs（厚片）of wood with a single karate chop. It was designed to help the military with heavy lifting. One person in the suit could do the work of three soldiers.
Up, Up and Away!
It took him 30 years to develop it, and now Glen Martin’s invention is ready to take off. The Martin Jetpack allows its operator to fly 8,000 feet into the air. Unfortunately, you can’t soar through the skies too long. The jetpack holds only 30 minutes’ worth of fuel. The aircraft will sell for $100,000.
Hardworking Robot
The EMIEW2 robot is the perfect office helper. Need a document delivered? No problem! It can also guide visitors to their destinations. The three-foot-tall robot can identify different human voices and respond to commands. One day, it may serve as a receptionist or a security guard.
Green Machine
Say goodbye to gasoline! The AirPod car runs on air power. That means this car won’t pollute the environment. A high-pressure air tank can fill the car in minutes. The three-wheeler can travel about 130 miles between fill-ups.
Beef Power
All aboard the beef train! Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer runs partly on fuel that is made from cow fat. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 10%. The train travels between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Fort Worth, Texas.
Robo-Guard
EMILY is a robotic, four-foot-long buoy (救生圈). She can swim through riptides (激流) at up to 24 miles per hour. Her inventor, Tony Mulligan, says that’s 15 times as fast as human lifeguards! EMILY is powered by a tiny electric pump and operated by remote control.What is the disadvantage of Glen Martin’s invention?
| A．It uses large amounts of fuel. | B．It only flies at low altitudes. |
| C．It needs a big landing field. | D．It has a small gas tank. |
Which of the following inventions may be popular with modern companies?
| A．The EMIEW2 robot. | B．EMILY. |
| C．XOS 2. | D．The Martin Jetpack. |
How many environment-friendly inventions are mentioned in the passage?
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
From the passage we learn that __________.
| A．the Superhero Suit is designed for fun |
| B．the EMIEW2 robot can tell different human voices |
| C．Robo-Guard may serve as a security guard |
| D．the AirPod car travels far with a little gas |
The company is willing to____the new technology if it can be shown to reduce production costs．（ ）
| A． |
look over |
B． |
bring in |
C． |
put aside |
D． |
knock out |
You____have scolded him for his poor performance．After all，he had done his best．（ ）
| A． |
must |
B． |
should |
C． |
mustn't |
D． |
shouldn't |
His vivid descriptions of country life quickly became popular，which established his_____as one of America's greatest writers．（ ）
| A． |
trust |
B． |
contact |
C． |
reputation |
D． |
theory |
﹣You seem to be in a really good mood．
﹣I finished my last test today．____ ! Now I'm free．（ ）
| A． |
What a pity |
| B． |
What a relief |
| C． |
I've got it |
| D． |
I've missed the point |
After years of observing human nature，I have decided that two qualities make the difference between men of great achievement and men of average performance，curiosity and discontent．I have never known an outstanding man who lacked either．And I have never known an average man who had both．The two belong together．
Together，these deep human urges（驱策力）count for much more than ambition．Galileo was not merely ambitious when he dropped objects of varying weights from the Leaning Tower at Pisa and timed their fall to the ground．Like Galileo，all the great names in history were curious and asked in discontent，"Why？Why？Why？"
Fortunately，curiosity and discontent don't have to be learned．We are born with them and need only recapture them．
"The great man，" said Mencius（孟子），"is he who does not lose his child's heart．" Yet most of us do lose it．We stop asking questions．We stop challenging custom．We just follow the crowd．And the crowd desires only the calm and restful average．It encourages us to occupy our own little corner，to avoid foolish leaps into the dark，to be satisfied．
Most of us meet new people，and new ideas，with hesitation．But once having met and liked them，we think how terrible it would have been，had we missed the chance．We will probably have to force ourselves to waken our curiosity and discontent and keep them awake．
How should you start？Modestly，so as not to become discouraged．I think of one friend who couldn't arrange flowers to satisfy herself．She was curious about how the experts did it．How she is one of the experts，writing books on flower arrangement．
One way to begin is to answer your own excuses．You haven't any special ability？Most people don't；there are only a few geniuses．You haven't any time？That's good，because it's always the people with no time who get things done．Harriet Stowe，mother of six，wrote parts of Uncle Tom's Cabin while cooking．You're too old？Remember that Thomas Costain was 57 when he published his first novel，and that Grandma Moses showed her first pictures when she was 78．
However you start，remember there is no better time to start than right now，for you'll never be more alive than you are at this moment．
（1）In writing Paragraph 1，the author aims to ．
A．propose a definition
B．make a comparison
C．reach a conclusion
D．present an argument
（2）What does the example of Galileo tell us？
A．Trial and error leads to the finding of truth．
B．Scientists tend to be curious and ambitious．
C．Creativity results from challenging authority．
D．Greatness comes from a lasting desire to explore．
（3）What can you do to recapture curiosity and discontent？
A．Observe the unknown around you．
B．Develop a questioning mind．
C．Lead a life of adventure．
D．Follow the fashion．
（4）What can we learn from Paragraphs 6 and 7？
A．Gaining success helps you become an expert．
B．The genius tends to get things done creatively．
C．Lack of talent and time is no reason for taking no action．
D．You should remain modest when approaching perfection．
（5）What could be the best title for the passage？
A．Curious Minds Never Feel Contented
B．Reflections on Human Nature
C．The Keys to Achievement
D．Never Too Late to Learn