Question

A world-famous Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, has created the world’s first long-distance signing device, the LongPen.

After many tiring book signings from city to city, Atwood thought there must be a better way to do them. She hired some technical experts and started her own company in 2004. Together they designed the LongPen. Here’s how it works: The author writes a personal message and signature on a computer tablet(手写板) using a special pen. On the receiving end, in another city, a robotic arm fitted with a regular pen signs the book. The author and fan can talk with each other via webcams(网络摄像机) and computer screens.

Work on the LongPen began in Atwood’s basement(地下室). At first, they had no idea it would be as hard as it turned out to be. The device went through several versions, including one that actually had smoke coming out of it. The investing finally completed, test runs were made in Ottawa, and the LongPen was officially launched at the 2006 London Book Fair. From here, Atwood conducted two transatlantic book signings of her latest book for fans in Toronto and New York City.

The LongPen produces a unique signature each time because it copies the movement of the author in real time. It has several other potential applications. It could increase credit card security and allow people to sign contracts from another province. The video exchange between signer and receiver can be recorded on DVD for proof when legal documents are used.

“It’s really fun,” said the owner of a bookstore, who was present for one of the test runs. “Obviously you can’t shake hands with the author, but there are chances for a connection that you don’t get from a regular book signing.”

The response to the invention has not been all favorable. Atwood has received criticism from authors who think she is trying to end book tours. But she said, “It will be possible to go to places that you never got sent to before because the publishers couldn’t afford it.”

1.How does the LongPen work?

A. It copies the author’s signature and prints it on a book.

B. It signs a book while receiving the author’s signature.

C. The fan uses it to copy the author’s signature himself.

D. The webcam sends the author’s signature to another city.

2.What do we know about the invention of the LongPen?

A. The designers were well-prepared for the difficulty.

B. The basement caught fire by accident.

C. Some versions failed before its test run.

D. It has been completed but not put into use.

3.How could the LongPen be used in the future?

A. To allow author and fan to exchange videos

B. To improve credit card security.

C. To keep a record of the author’s ideas.

D. To draft legal documents.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.B

【解析】

试题分析：这是一篇记叙文。短文叙述了Atwood的发明远距离的签名装置—Longpen的原因，是为了避免签名带来的烦恼，他的发明经过几次失败后，终于成功了，得到了社会的认可。

1.题。Longpen是怎样工作的？根据第二段中The author writes a personal message and signature on a computer tablet using a special pen. On the receiving end, in another city, a robotic arm fitted with a regular pen signs the book.可知，作者现在用一支特殊的笔在电脑板上签名，之后这种机器会根据接受到的信号用笔写在要签名的书上。故选B。

2.题。根据第三段中The device went several versions,including one that actually had smoke coming out of it. The inventing finally completed.可知，经过几次试验后，终于试验成功。故选C。

3.题。Longpen怎样在未来能够被使用？根据倒数第三段中It has several other potential applications.It could credit card security.可知，必须保证信用卡的安全，故选B。

【名师点睛】

在细节考查题中有一类事实细节题。该题属于细节类型的阅读理解题，一般只针对某个特定的细节，题型可以多种多样。此类题型一般分两种。第一种是直接理解题，在原文中可以直接找到答案。第二种是词义转换题，正确选项是原文有关词语和句子的转换。做此类试题一定要抓住事件发生的时间、地点、人物、发展过程和结局等环节，所选答案一定要符合原文，切不可望文生义。比如第15小题，B考查细节理解。Longpen是怎样工作的？根据The author writes a personal message and signature on a computer tablet using a special pen.On the receiving end,in another city,a robotic arm fitted with a regular pen signs the book.可知，作者现在用一支特殊的笔在电脑板上签名，之后这种机器会根据接受到的信号用笔写在要签名的书上。故选B。

考点：考查科普类阅读