18．Life will probably be very different in 2050．First of all，it seems that TV channels will have disappeared by 2050．Instead，people will choose a programme from a"menu"and a computer will send the programme directly to the television．Today，we can use the World Wide Web to read newspaper stories and see pictures on a computer thousands of kilometers away．By 2050，music，films，programmes，newspapers and books will come to us in this way．
In many places，agriculture（农业） is developing quickly and people are growing fruit and vegetables for export．This uses a lot of water．Therefore，there could be serious shortages．Some futurologists predict（预测） that water could be the cause of war if we don't act now．
In future，cars will run on new，clean fuels and they will go very fast．Cars will have computers to control the speed of them and there won't be any accidents．Today，many cars have computers that tell drivers exactly where they are．By 2050，the computer will control the car and drive it to your destination．Also，by 2050，space planes will fly people from Los Angels to Tokyo in just two hours．
Some big companies now prefer to use robots that do not ask for pay rises or go on strike（罢工），and work 24hours a day．By 2050，we will see robots everywhere-in factories，schools，offices，hospitals，shops and homes．
By 2050，we will be able to help blind and deaf people see again and hear again．Nowadays，scientists have discovered how to control genes（基因） and have already produced clones of animals．By 2050，scientists will be able to produce clones of people and decide how they look，how they behave and how much intelligence they have．Scientists will be able to do these things，but should they？
24．By 2050，people will get information mainly byD．
A．watching TV B．reading newspapers
C．listening to the radio D．turning to a website
25．From the second paragraph，we learn thatA．
A．the need for water in the future will increase a lot
B．future wars will lead to an increasing need for water
C．there can be no agriculture without enough water
D．the population will decrease for lack of water
26．Which of the following is NOT a reality at the present time？D
A．Scientists have found out how to control genes．
B．Cars have computers which tell drivers their positions．
C．People can learn about what has happened anywhere on the Internet．
D．Robots have completely replaced humans in some factories．
27．What will play the biggest part in the quality of future life？B
A．Medicine． B．Technology．
C．Education． D．Agriculture．
分析 本文是一篇科教类阅读，文章主要介绍了在未来的2050年，随着科技的发展，人类社会可能发生的种种变化．科技在未来的生活质量中扮演最大的角色．
解答 DADB
24．D细节理解题．根据第一段By 2050，music，films，programmes，newspapers and books will come to us in this way．可知到2050年，音乐、电影、节目和书本将会通过网站向我们展现．由此可知，到 2050 年，人们主要通过网站来获取信息．故选D．
25．A理解判断题．根据第二段Therefore，there could be serious shortages．Some futurologists predict（预测） that water could be the cause of war if we don't act now．可知未来可能会有严重的水短缺，一些未来预言家预测如果我们现在不采取行动，水抢夺可能会导致战争．故选A．
26．D推理判断题．根据第四段Some big companies now prefer to use robots that do not ask for pay rises or go on strike（罢工），and work 24hours a day．By 2050，we will see robots everywhere-in factories，schools，offices，hospitals，shops and homes．可知一些大公司现在更喜欢使用机器人，它们不要求加薪或罢工，而且一天工作24小时．到2050年，我们会在工厂，学校，办公室，医院，商店和房屋看到机器人．但并不代表机器人可以完全取代人类．故选D．
27．B理解判断题．根据全文内容可知，文章介绍了在未来的2050年，随着科技的发展，人类社会可能发生的种种变化．由此可知，科技在未来的生活质量中扮演最大的角色．故选B．
点评 本文属于科学幻想类短文，内容较为简单易懂，做题时要注意文章的首段和每一段的首句或尾句，因为它们往往就是文章的主题句．阅读中要注意要点之间的关系．然后带着问题，再读全文，找出答题所需要的依据，完成阅读任务．
