Ⅳ.阅读理解
A
Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Braincomputer interface(BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.
Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic school in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated(展示)a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.
In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.
“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 external 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 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.
【语篇解读】 本文主要介绍了Jose Millan和Michele Tavella利用Braincomputer
interface(BCI) technology制作的由人的意念控制的轮椅以及其工作原理等。
1.BCI is a technology that can________.
A.help to update computer systems
B.link the human brain with computers
C.help the disabled to recover
D.control a person's thoughts
解析 细节理解题。由第一段中的...scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Braincomputer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.可知选B。
答案 B
2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?
A.By controlling his muscles.
B.By talking to the machine.
C.By moving his hand.
D.By using his mind.
解析 细节理解题。由第三段内容...Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.可知选D。
答案 D
3.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?
解析 细节理解题。由第五段前三句可知选C。
答案 C
4.The team will test with real patients to________.
A.make profits from them
B.prove the technology useful to them
C.make them live longer
D.learn about their physical condition
解析 细节理解题。 由最后一段中的One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from.可知选B。
答案 B
