The Segway Human Transporter was invented by Dean Kamen．It is a two-wheeled vehicle designed for a single rider standing upright over its single axle（軸） and navigate using a set of handlebars resembling those on a bicycle．Electrically powered, it could travel over 15 miles on a single charge and reach speeds up to twelve miles per hour．Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．

A college dropout and self-taught engineer, Kamen already held over 100 patents for his inventions when he developed the one he hoped would revolutionize short-distance travel．While still in college, Kamen started developing the medical devices （設(shè)備） that made his name．Later, he changed focus to the challenges faced by wheelchair users．His robotic wheelchair known as IBOT could climb stairs．This robot ended up paving the way for the Segway．

Before showing his most recent invention, Kamen had kept it a top secret for months．When it turned out to be little more than a motor scooter, many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics（批評家） had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement．It answered the prayers of anyone who is worn out when walking downtown．Not everyone welcomed the Segway's arrival, though．Some complained it was too expensive, while others said it would further weaken the average American ' s fitness．A Japanese inventor even accused Kamen of stealing the idea for the Segway from him．

Despite the controversy, the U．S．postal service began using Kamen's invention a month after its appearance, and a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month．The argument is still on whether the Segway will be remembered as the greatest invention since the light bulb, or just another forgettable electronic device．Anyway, trips to the local supermarket will never be the same again．

1.Which statement best describes the critics' reaction to the Segway?

A．Nothing but an electrical device．

B．A disappointing engineering mistake．

C．An expensive and disappointing invention．

D．Disappointing, but still a successful device．

2.Which is not a feature of the Segway?

A．One person at a time can ride on it．

B．It has two wheels with a single axle．

C．It is powered by electricity and can go up to 12mph．

D．Riders increase the speed by moving the handlebars

3.Some people expressed dissatisfaction with the Segway because of its______.

A．high cost               B．danger to traffic

C．being difficult to use      D．contribution to laziness

4.Shortly after the Segway appeared, there were _________.

A．hopes for a larger model of it   

B．no plans to do anything more with it

C．some discussions on the unforgettable device

D．plans to make tens of thousands of them a month

 

【答案】

 

1.D

2.D

3.A

4.D

【解析】

試題分析：本文講述了Dean Kamen發(fā)明的一種交通工具。這是一個有兩個輪子的、適合一個人騎行的獨輪車。它的速度和方向都要靠騎行者改變重量來控制。對于這種發(fā)明人們有著褒貶不一的看法。

1.D細節(jié)理解題。 從文章第三段many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement可以判斷這些批評家失望之余，不禁承認這是一項成就，故D選項正確．

2.D細節(jié)理解題。從文章第一段末句 Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．可以判斷D選項內(nèi)容錯誤。

3.A細節(jié)理解題。從文章第三段Some complained it was too expensive可知人們對這種發(fā)明的不滿是因為它的價格過高，故A選項正確。

4.D細節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章末段 a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month可知D選項正確。

考點：考查科學發(fā)明類短文閱讀。

 

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