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 These include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand.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 badly 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.subjective.

C. Objective.      D. Critical.

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

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 given up or improved

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.C

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇议论文，论述了GPS的引起的问题，最后告诉我们要想使得GPS更好，我们需让司机，乘客和GPS三者合作。

1.根据文章第二段第四句和第三段第一句They actually put their home address in；“Mr Brown says this is a common human error””他们实际是输入了他们家的住址”，布朗先生说这是一个普通的人为错误”； 故选D.

2.根据文章第二句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. “GPS系统中的一个问题是它们只有一个非常小的屏幕，而它们只会告诉你下一个路口”；故选A.

3. 考查推理判断。 Barry Brown最可能同意一下哪个观点？根据文章最后一段“ To make GPS systems better we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together.”“为了使得GPS变得更好，我们应该对如何使司机，乘客和GPS系统合作有一个更好的理解”；故选D.

4. 考查推理判断。布朗先生对GPS是什么态度？A. Unconcerned. 不关心B.subjective.主观的；C. Objective.客观的；D. Critical.批评的；在文章中，布朗先生既说了GPS的优点，又说了它的缺点并就如何使得GPS更好提出建议，因此布朗先生对GPS的态度是客观公正的；故选C.

5. 考查推理判断。以下选项哪个最能体现本文的主旨大意？But, they can also cause a lot of problems,“但是，他们也可能引起大量的麻烦”文章第一段开篇提了一下GPS的优点，但立即出现了but继而转折，将文章主题引向转折后的内容。故选A.

考点：考查科普类短文阅读。