Question

In the future those who are taking care of old people may get help from the house itself.

Over the last few years, new technology, such as the Internet, Wi-Fi and flat TV screens, has changed our homes and the way that we live. Now, another technology revolution is happening. A new project at the University of Hertfordshire wants to create a home that monitors people living in it who are elderly.

The researchers have developed a wristband device（装置）which helps us to watch the elderly person who is wearing it. The device collects information to see if the person has fallen or has wandered away from where he or she should be.

The assisted-living project is part of the university’s wider Interhome project, which is the development of a smart house. The house remembers the habits of the person who lives there and it uses very low amounts of energy. The Interhome team hope that offering this service will help take care of the elderly. They say, “It’s very important that these technologies are there to help and support and not replace any of the existing services.”

The Interhome is not just a research method. It’s also a way for students from different scientific backgrounds to learn and develop technology. The university uses the latest technology to help students get experience by developing new hardware and software themselves. The team includes design, engineering and computer science students working together.

“We are working on a smart-home project in Watford with some companies at the moment,” says the project leader. “We are looking at how a smart home can provide even more services.” This could help millions of old people around the world have a better and safer life in the future.

1.The wristband device benefits its users by       .

A. changing the living habits of the elderly

B. monitoring people who live in a smart home

C. offering information to the person wearing it

D. watching over the elderly who may fall or get lost

2.Whom does the University of Hertfordshire have in its research team?

A. Students who want to find a job eagerly.

B. Students who prefer to work on their own.

C. Students from different scientific backgrounds.

D. Students with a lot of rich working experience.

3.What is the project leader’s attitude towards the future of the smart home project?

A. Uncertain.    B. Uninterested.

C. Optimistic.    D. Disappointed.

4.What might be the main idea of the passage?

A. A wristband device has changed the way that we live.

B. A smart home helps students develop hardware and software.

C. An Interhome project has been put into use to help the elderly.

D. An Interhome project will help the old live a better and safer life.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.C

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文中介绍了一款旨在帮助照顾老人的新科技；这种新科技项目的设计者们对它的推广相当看好。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句 The device collects information to see if the person has fallen or has wandered away from where he or she should be可知该装置是收集老人是否摔倒；是否走失之类的信息。故选D。

2.推理判断题。根据第五段最后一句 The team includes design engineering and computer science. Science students working together可知该研究队成员包括设计部学生，工程部学生，计算机科学部学生;这些学生共同努力研制。可以推知：成员来自不同科技背景的学生。故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句 This could help millions of old people around the world have a better and safer life in the future可知项目部领导对“智能家庭”项目的态度是很乐观的。A项意为：“不确定的”;B项意为：“不感兴趣的”;C项意为：“乐观的”;D项意为：“失望的”；故选C。

4.主旨大意题。根据第二段第二行 Now, another technology revolution is happening可知现在这款新科技将要改变生活。A、C两项使用了现在完成时，表达的是“已经发生的动作”；故在“时间上”是与全文不符，故排除。本文主要讲的是一款新科技要帮助老人过上更好的生活，而不是“帮学生研发硬件和软件”。故选D。