（二）
Scientists are developing a new kind of machine to take the place of humans. These machines can do jobs in places that are too dangerous for humans. For example, they are being developed to work in nuclear power center, deep under the oceans and in outer space.
John Marrit, a psychologist(心理学家) in Williamsburg Massachusetts, helped develop the new machine. This is how they work. A machine is placed in an area far away from the person who operates it. The person wears special hard hat with television screens and sound equipment. The screens and sound equipment let the person see and hear exactly what the machine is seeing and hearing. Mr. Marrit says this gives the person the feeling of being in the same place as the machine. The idea, he says, is being there without going there. The person uses an electronic control to make the machine move. The machine copies the person’s movements exactly. If the person raises his right arm, the machine raises the right arm, too. This means an expert can do a dangerous job while staying in the safe place. For example, a person can direct the machine to destroy a bomb without going near the bomb himself.
1. The new kind of machine being introduced in the passage is _______.
A. in existence B. only an idea
C. being tried out D. being researched and developed
2. The machine _______.
A. follows the person’s order
B. is controlled by a computer
C. does exactly what the person does
D. is controlled by a television on the person’s head
3. The difference between such a new machine and a robot is that _______.
A. the new machine is more difficult to make than a robot
B. the new machine is mo re difficult to be controlledC. a robot is controlled by man indirectly
D. a robot can’t be used in places too dangerous or faraway
【答案与解析】科学家正在开发一种代替人的机器，这种机器能代替人们从事一些危险的工作。
1. D。判断题。从第1句话Scientists are developing a new kind of machine to take the place of humans 可以看出，既然是正在开发当中，那肯定还未形成。
2. C。语义理解题。从第2段中的The machine copies the person’s movements exactly 可以明显看出为什么选C的原因。A项有一定的干扰性，但这种机器是人通过电控开关控制的，所以应排除。
3. A。判断题。这种机器还在开发当中，而机器人则有几十年历史了，由此可以肯定答案应该选A。
