“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with outside world and also to control devices.”
The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp (头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets(翻译) the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.
Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair.” He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.
24. How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory? A. By controlling his muscles. C. By moving his hand.
B. By talking to the machine. D. By using his mind.
25. Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5? A. scalp→computer→cap→wheelchair B. computer→cap→scalp→wheelchair C. scalp→cap→computer→wheelchair D. cap→computer→scalp→wheelchair
26. Which of the following would be the best title for the text? A. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center
B. New Findings About How the Human Brain Works C. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled D. Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries
C
Tim Richter and his wife, Linda, had taught for over 30 years near Buffalo, New York—he in computers, she in special education. “Teaching means everything to us.” Tim would say. In April 1998, he learned he would need a heart operation. It was the kind of news that leads to some serious thinking about life's purpose.
Not long after the surgery, Tim saw a brochure（手册） describing Imagination Library, a program started by Dolly Parton's foundation (基金会) that mailed a book every month to children from birth to age five in the singer's home town of Sevier, Tennessee. “I thought, maybe Linda and I could do something like this when we retire.” Tim recalls. He placed the brochure on his desk, “as a reminder”.
Five years later, now retired and with that brochure still on the desk, Tim clicked on imaginationlibrary.com. The program had been opened up to partners who could take advantage of book and postage discounts.
The quality of the books was of great concern to the Richters. Rather than sign up online, they went to Dollywood for a look-see. “We didn't want to give the children rubbish.” says Linda. The books—reviewed each year by teachers, literacy specialists, and Dollywood board members—included classics such as Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day and newer books like Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama series.
Satisfied, the couple set up the Richter Family Foundation and got to work. Since 2004, they have shipped more than 12,200 books to preschoolers in their area. Megan Williams, a mother of four, is more than appreciative：“This program introduces us to books I've never heard of.”
The Richters spend about $400 a month sending books to 200 children. “Some people sit there and wait to die.” says Tim. “Others get as busy as they can in the time they have left.”
27. What led Tim to think seriously about the meaning of life? A. His health problem.
B. His love for teaching. D. The news from the Web.
C. The influence of his wife.
28. What did Tim want to do after learning about Imagination Library? A. Give out brochures.
B. Do something similar.
C. Write books for children. D. Retire from being a teacher.
29. Why did the Richters go to Dollywood? A. To avoid signing up online.
B. To meet Dollywood board members. C. To make sure the books were the newest. D. To see if the books were of good quality.
30. What can we learn from Tim's words in the last paragraph? A. He needs more money to help the children. B. He wonders why some people are so busy. C. He tries to save those waiting to die. D. He considers his efforts worthwhile.
第二节（共5个小题；每小题2分，满分10分）
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Four simple ways to stay positive (积极的)
Trying to stay positive, both in good times and bad, is a great way to improve your quality of life. Try these four methods on a daily basis. Don’t think a lot about negativity (消极).
Of course, staying positive 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a bit difficult. Letting things get to you is normal, and it’s actually healthy to cry or express frustrations once in a while. It’s when those negative moments control your life that your emotional balance is at risk. 31 However, don’t give that sadness another second in your day. 32
What you put into your body directly affects how you feel on the outside. Fill yourself with good, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and limit snacking. Exercise is equally of great importance. Take a few days out of your week for at least half an hour of activity, and try to stick to a routine. 33 Be kind to others.
34 Making someone’s day a bit brighter not only puts a smile on his or her
face, but also yours as well. Remember to smile and treat each person with pity and respect. Good deeds are contagious (传染的), and your positive attitude may spread among others.
Take it one day at a time.
Being positive isn’t an easy thing. It’s a steady effort that we follow every hour of every day. 35 Instead, focus on living in the moment and doing what you can to make each moment better. A. Eat healthy and stay fit. B. Take your lunch breaks outside.
C. Don’t worry about what the future may bring. D. Gratefulness helps you appreciate life in bad times. E. Good feelings come from acts of kindness and selflessness. F. Take a few minutes to feel sad and accept what happened.
G. Even going outside for a walk and enjoying the sunshine improves your mood(心情).
第三部分：语言运用（共两节，满分45分）
第一节：完型填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该项涂黑。
On August 26, 1999, New York City was struck by a terrible rainstorm. The rain caused the streets to 36 and the subway system almost came to a stop.
Unfortunately, this happened during the morning rush hour. Many people who were going to work were 37 to go home. Some battled to 38 a taxi or to get on a bus. Still others faced the 39 bravely, walking miles to get to work. I 40 to be one of people on the way to work that morning. I went from subway line to subway line only to find that most 41 had stopped. After making my way 42 crowds of people, I finally found a subway line that was 43 . Unfortunately, there were so many people waiting to 44 the subway that I could not even get down the stairs to the 45 . So I took the train going in the opposite direction, and then switched back to the downtown train. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the train
相关推荐：
loading