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    The Segway Human Transporter was invented by Dean Kamen．It is a two-wheeled vehicle designed for a single rider standing upright over its single axle（轴） and navigate using a set of handlebars resembling those on a bicycle．Electrically powered, it could travel over 15 miles on a single charge and reach speeds up to twelve miles per hour．Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．

    A college dropout and self-taught engineer, Kamen already held over 100 patents for his inventions when he developed the one he hoped would revolutionize short-distance travel．While still in college, Kamen started developing the medical devices （设备） that made his name．Later, he changed focus to the challenges faced by wheelchair users．His robotic wheelchair known as IBOT could climb stairs．This robot ended up paving the way for the Segway．

    Before showing his most recent invention, Kamen had kept it a top secret for months．When it turned out to be little more than a motor scooter, many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics（批评家） had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement．It answered the prayers of anyone who is worn out when walking downtown．Not everyone welcomed the Segway's arrival, though．Some complained it was too expensive, while others said it would further weaken the average American ' s fitness．A Japanese inventor even accused Kamen of stealing the idea for the Segway from him．

    Despite the controversy, the U．S．postal service began using Kamen's invention a month after its appearance, and a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month．The argument is still on whether the Segway will be remembered as the greatest invention since the light bulb, or just another forgettable electronic device．Anyway, trips to the local supermarket will never be the same again．

    1.Which statement best describes the critics' reaction to the Segway?

    A．Nothing but an electrical device．

    B．A disappointing engineering mistake．

    C．An expensive and disappointing invention．

    D．Disappointing, but still a successful device．

    2.Which is not a feature of the Segway?

    A．One person at a time can ride on it．

    B．It has two wheels with a single axle．

    C．It is powered by electricity and can go up to 12mph．

    D．Riders increase the speed by moving the handlebars

    3.Some people expressed dissatisfaction with the Segway because of its______.

    A．high cost               B．danger to traffic

    C．being difficult to use      D．contribution to laziness

    4.Shortly after the Segway appeared, there were _________.

    A．hopes for a larger model of it   

    B．no plans to do anything more with it

    C．some discussions on the unforgettable device

    D．plans to make tens of thousands of them a month

     

    【答案】

     

    1.D

    2.D

    3.A

    4.D

    【解析】

    试题分析：本文讲述了Dean Kamen发明的一种交通工具。这是一个有两个轮子的、适合一个人骑行的独轮车。它的速度和方向都要靠骑行者改变重量来控制。对于这种发明人们有着褒贬不一的看法。

    1.D细节理解题。 从文章第三段many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement可以判断这些批评家失望之余，不禁承认这是一项成就，故D选项正确．

    2.D细节理解题。从文章第一段末句 Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．可以判断D选项内容错误。

    3.A细节理解题。从文章第三段Some complained it was too expensive可知人们对这种发明的不满是因为它的价格过高，故A选项正确。

    4.D细节理解题。根据文章末段 a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month可知D选项正确。

    考点：考查科学发明类短文阅读。

     

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    阅读理解，阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中，选出最佳选项。

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