Question

 Global Positioning Systems（GPS） are now a part of everyday driving in many countries. These satellite-based systems provide turn-by-turn directions to help people get to where they want to go. But, they can also cause a lot of problems, send you to the wrong place or leave you completely lost. Many times, the driver is to blame. Sometimes a GPS error is responsible. Most often, says Barry Brown, it is a combination of the two.

We spoke to Mr. Brown by Skype （网络电话软件）. He told us about an incident involving a friend who had flown to an airport in the eastern United States. There he borrowed a GPS-equipped car to use during his stay. BARRY BROWN: “And they just plugged in an address and then set off to their destination. And, then it wasn’t until they were driving for thirty minutes that they realized they actually put in a destination back on the West Coast where they lived. They actually put their home address in. So again, the GPS is kind of 'garbage in garbage out'.”

Mr Brown says this is a common human error. But, he says, what makes the problem worse has to do with some of the shortcomings, or failures, of GPS equipment. BARRY BROWN: “One problem with a lot of the GPS units is that they have a very small screen and they just tell you the next turn. Because they just give you the next turn, sometimes that means that it is not really giving you the overview that you would need to know that it’s going to the wrong place.”

Barry Brown formerly served as a professor with the University of California, San Diego. While there, he worked on a project with Eric Laurier from the University of Edinburgh. The two men studied the effects of GPS devices on driving by placing cameras in people’s cars. They wrote a paper based on their research. It is called “The Normal, Natural Troubles of Driving with GPS.”

It lists several areas where GPS systems can cause confusion for drivers. These include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand. They also include timing issues(时机问题) related to when GPS commands are given.

Barry Brown says, “ To make GPS systems better we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together.”

1.In paragraph 2, Mr. Brown mentioned his friend in the conversation to _______.

A. build up his own reputation                

B. laugh at his stupid friend

C. prove the GPS system is only garbage  

D. describe an example of human error

2.What is the disadvantage of small screens in GPS equipment according to the text?

A. They just provide the next turn.         B. They are harmful to eyes.

C. They make drivers tired easily.          D. They often break down suddenly.

3. Which of the following statements would Barry Brown most likely agree with?

A. GPS units are to blame for most GPS service failures.

B. We should introduce higher standards for the driving license.

C. Cameras are urgently needed to help improve GPS systems.

D. Drivers, GPS systems and passengers should unite to improve GPS systems.

4.What is Mr. Brown’s attitude towards GPS?

A. Unconcerned.     B. Prejudiced.      

C. Objective.     D. Critical.

5.Which of the following statements can best describe the main idea of the pasage?

A. Driving with GPS can be difficult.

B. Driving confusions can be caused by small screens.

C. Driving without GPS should be much more convenient.

D. GPS equipment in driving to be deserted or improved

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.C

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：文章大意：本文是一篇科技说明文。通过科学调查分析表明：全球定位系统出现的问题是司机和全球定位系统失误两个方面的原因造成的。为了使全球定位系统更好的为我们服务，我们需要更好的理解司机、乘客和全球定位系统的协调工作。

1.推理判断题。段落大意题：从第二段的内容：They actually put their home address in. 和下面的句子:Mister Brown says this is a common human error.可知Mr Brown是在举人的错误的例子。故D正确。

2.2】细节理解题。根据文章第三段One problem with a lot of the GPS units is that they have a very small screen and they just tell you the next turn. Because they just give you the next turn, sometimes that means that it is not really giving you the overview that you would need to know that it’s going to the wrong place.可知答案。故A正确。

3.细节理解题。从最后一段的句子：Barry Brown says to make GPS systems better we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together.可知Barry Brown认为GPS系统，司机和乘客应该一起努力提高。故D正确。

4.推理判断题。此题是考查作者态度。作者在文章中只是客观的评价GPS的优缺点，故作者的态度是客观的。故C正确。

5.主旨大意题。从第一段的：But, they can also cause a lot of problems, send you to the wrong place or leave you completely lost.可知文章讲的是GPS带来的困难。故A正确。

考点：考查科普类短文阅读