Text A Pre-reading task Exercise 1 Before reading the passage, read the questions carefully and then try to find the answers as you read the passage. What may the following paragraphs tell us about? Reading Comprehension Exercise 2 Circle the best answer according to the passage. 1. what is the purpose of the passage? to tell the readers what computers will look like in the future. To show the close relations between man and computers. To tell the reads how important silicon microchips are, To talk about the possible future uses of computers, 2. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage? A. People will one day do shopping at home through a computer terminal. B. In many factories computers have been used because they do not cause trouble and need no breaks. C. With the improvement of the microprocessor, more and more uses of computers will be found in the future. D. Computers will one day be used to help drivers. 3. Which of the following has NOT BEEN MENTIONED in the passage as a field in which computers can be used? A. City designs. B. Artificial intelligence. C. Space technology. D. Undersea exploration. 4. The passage implies that . A. the quality of microprocessors has only a slight effect on the development of computers B. the computers of tomorrow will offer a great help to the disabled C. with the rapid growth of computers, there will be less and less social problems D. computers will someday totally replace human beings in whatever fields 5. The author's attitude towards the possible future of computers is . A. doubtful B. negative C. positive D. practical Exercise 3 Say whether the statements are True or False according to the passage. I. In the future there will be more and more new uses of the computer. 2. Computers are now used in many ways such as helping the disabled, designing cars, travelling to other planets, banking and shopping. 3. Some day the computerized robots will replace human workers because they need no breaks. 4. It seems that the microprocessor is one of the most important parts in the computer. 5. In the future, some companies will use more and more computers and employ as fewer human workers as possible. Exercise 4 the passage you've just read, some of the experiments or facts of computer uses are mentioned, each inspiring some possible visions of the future. Now complete the table with the relevant information you've got from the passage. Experiments or facts Predictions of the future  Electronic banking and shopping    Near-normal brain for the disabled   Working at home  Robots in the General Motors plant in Newark, Delaware   Silicon microchips   Vocabulary and Structure Exercise 5 Choose the definition from Column B that best matches the word in Column A. A B 1. inspire a. a small mark 2. deaf b. a heavenly body that moves round the sun 3. artificial c. expensive 4. effect d. more and more 5. predict e. not able to hear at all or to hear well 6. planet f. man-made 7. spot g. put ideas into someone's mind 8. increasingly h. say or describe (a future happening) in advance 9. costly i. that can work by itself 10. automatic j. a result produced on the mind or feelings Exercise 6 Translate the expressions into Chinese or English. 1. limitless possibilities 有限的可能性 predict the possibility 探索改进的可能性 2. get a desired effect 产生意外的效果 go into effect bring a plan into effect 3. ink spots on one’s shirt 茄克衫上的血渍 look for a quiet spot be caught on the spot 4. give false evidence 获得可靠的证据 produce evidence against him weigh the evidence collected Exercise 7 Fill in the blanks with the given words. Change the form where necessary. costly explore predict potential generation effect inspire justify artificial equivalent 1. Sometimes it's not easy to tell silk from natural silk. 2. No medicine is perfect. Even good medicine may have some side . 3. Long, long ago people began to the possibility of flying up into the sky. 4. Nowadays quite a few young people would rather buy the consumer goods. 5. Although this area is still poor now, its wealth is considerable. 6. Cruel rule often leads to hatred, while reasonable management tends to loyalty. 7. The Chinese people succeeded in the earthquake in Haicheng on February 4, 1975. 8. The younger differs from the older one in many ways, such as the sense of values. 9. Yes, you have been very busy recently, but that can't your neglecting your homework. 10. Some of the English words have no exact in the Chinese language, e.g. "turn" in "It's your turn". Exercise 8 Complete the sentences with the given expressions. Change the form where necessary. go into work on respond to as high as try out talk back after all come up with 1. I think that the idea seems good but it needs to . 2. The red wood of California can grow to be three hundred feet. 3. They are a network of superhighways in and around the city. 4. We usually the sudden light by shutting our eyes for a moment. 5. Scientists will have to effective methods of increasing the world's food supply. 6. After his graduation from college, he first taught, then writing and publishing. 7. When his mother told him to stop watching television he to her and said, "I don't have to if I don't want to." 8. On the way back home we were caught in the rain and got wet through; I don't mind as we had a good time. Exercise 9 Study the models, paying attention to the use of what. Then complete the sentences. MODELS: It all depends on the things that you mean. = It all depends on what you mean. He bought the car with the money that he had in the bank. = He bought the car with what he had in the bank. 1. He saved (他赚的钱). 2. (他说的话) is quite true. 3. He is not (他过去那样子). 4. (引起事故的原因) was a broken bottle. 5. Do not put off until tomorrow (今天能做的事). 6. We can learn 我们原来不懂的东西 . Exercise 10 Rewrite the sentences by using both ... and .... neither... nor .... or either ... or .... EXAMPLE: Tom was late. So was Ann. Both Tom and Ann were late. 1. He didn't write. He didn't telephone. He . 2. Is that man's name Richard? Or is it Robert? It's one of the two. That man’s name . 3. I haven't got the time to go on holiday. And I haven't got the money. I' ve got . 4. The front of the house needs painting. The back needs painting too. 5. We can leave today or we can leave tomorrow -- whichever you prefer. We . 6. George doesn't smoke. And he doesn't drink. George . Text B Exercise 1 Answer the questions before reading the passage, AFTER-READING TASK Reading Comprehension Exercise 2 Decide whether the statements are True or False according to the passage. 1. Many people expressed their doubt about the computer's ability to think. 2. The computer is one of the most intelligent life forms on earth. 3. In order to find out whether computers are capable of thought, many people have to consider carefully the idea of thought in general. 4. Some people are not capable of thought because they often appear to be thoughtless or unthinking. 5. It has been proved in some way that computers may have the ability of thought Vocabulary and Structure Exercise 3 Fill in the blanks with the given words Change the form where necessary. assume evident superior remarkable consequence capable immense maintain demonstrate intelligence 1. If she's not here in ten minutes, we'll ______ she isn't coming. 2. Sometimes even wise people are_______ of such a foolish act. 3. It must be _______to all of you that there have been significant improvements in our working conditions. 4. They think they are _______ just because they have more money than I do. 5. Their study _______a direct link between smoking and lung cancer. 6. I have no doubt that reading classical literature will give you ___ satisfaction. 7. David claimed to have a _______memory, but he often forgot all about assignments. 8. It was hard for him to change his mind. He still_______ that he was right and you were wrong. 9. Be careful in handling such problems because a single mistake would perhaps lead to unexpected _______. 10. As known to all_____ is related to how quickly things are learned and understood, how long ideas are remembered and how well those ideas are used in problem-solving. Exercise 4 Complete the sentences with the given expressions, Change the form where necessary. in general true of compete with be linked to capable of in terms of superior to with regard to 1. A motorbike is______ in speed_______ a bicycle. 2. Salary______ closely________ living costs in a greater part of the world. 3. ______ your letter of application we have forwarded it to our head office. 4. I accept that the romance may have gone out of the marriage, but surely this is ______ many couples. 5. Money is important to us, but we cannot think of everything _______money. 6. When he gets angry, he is ______ anything, which is a weakness in his character. 7. At this moment I came to realize we'd been talking about the future ________ and nothing in particular. 8. I think this firm is too small to_______ large international companies. Exercise 5 Rewrite the sentences by using inversion (倒装). EXAMPLE: She at no time admitted she was a murderer. At no time did she admit she was a murderer. 1. I not only heard the car, I actually saw it crash. Not only_ 2. He hasn't once offered to help. Not once 3. We had hardly arrived at the campsite when it began to rain cats and dogs. 4. I have seldom been to a more terrible concert. 5. You must under no circumstances make jokes about religion. 6. The game had scarcely begun when it started raining. Skills Development and Practice Reading Skills Exemplification practice 1 Read the sentences. underline the examples and give the signal words of exemplification. EXAMPLE: Most companies and organizations have to think about the opinions of smaller groups -- their customers, for instance, or their workers or their shareholders. Signal word(s): for instance 1. News magazines such as Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report are published weekly. 2. All human beings have certain basic needs, slit, such as eating, drinking, keeping warm and dry and so on. 3. The word "culture" has many meanings. For example, we sometimes say that people who know about art, music, and literature are cultured. 4. The value of a person's possessions, like a house and a car, is referred to as wealth 5. His rudeness was a typical example of his usual bad manners. 6. Most people would rather have more leisure than more money. This is illustrated by the fact that 51% of people said they would not work longer hours for more money. 7. Indeed, what are considered good table manners in some other countries are what British people try hardest to avoid. In Arabia, for instance, the people at a feast take pieces of food with their fingers and belch loudly to show that they hay appreciated it. 8. One-way communication occurs when a listener tries to make sense out of a speaker's remarks without actively taking part in the exchange of a message, A term that describes this style of communication is passive listening. Probably the most familiar examples of passive listening occur when students hear a professor lecture or when viewers watch television. Practice 2 Read the paragraph and complete the table that follow. There are two important considerations in choosing a good brand name for a new product. First it must be easy to remember. Short crisp(有生气的) names like Bic, Wisk, and Sprite are good examples. Second, it must create the right image in the mind of the buyer. For instance, car names such as Chrysler's Led Baron and Ford's Crown Victoria suggest aristocracy(贵族) and wealth. Main idea: Reasons: 1. Examples: Signal words: 2. Examples: Signal words:   Signal Words of Exemplification  like, an example of, such as, be illustrated by, for example, as illustrated by for instance,   Translation Practice Translation Skill 分译（1）：把英语中的一个单词或短语译成汉语句子 Practice 3 Translate the sentences into Chinese, using the translation skill you have just learned. 1. The computer can give Mary the right lesson for her: neither too fast nor too slow. 2. His failure to observe the safety regulations resulted in an accident to the machinery. 3. Throughout his life, Benjamin Franklin continued his education, learning from human contacts as well as from books. 4. They, not surprisingly, did not respond at all. 5. Their power increased with their number. Practice 4 Translate the sentences into Chinese. 1. A reaction to this terminology quickly followed: To put them in their place, computers were called "high-speed idiots", an effort to protect human vanity. 2. One consequence of speculation about the possibility of computer thought was that we were forced to examine with new care the idea of thought in general. 3. Scientists are working on devices that can electronically perform some sight and hearing functions, which could make life easier for the blind and deaf. 4. Video games, computerized special effects in movies, and real-life training machines now being used by the U.S. Army are causing some people to predict new educational uses for computers. 5. A group of Japanese scientists is working on a new generation of computers, which they hope will be able to understand vocal instructions, talk back to their users, and automatically try out alternate solutions to a problem to come up with the best answer. Practice 5 Translate the sentences into English. 1. 许多人认为饮食习惯与文化有关。 2. 对与人工智能的一些疑虑与计算机能否思考密切相关。 3. 显然，不少人对文化这个词的含义还不明了。 4. 从智力方面来看，计算机似乎应该排在植物和大多数动物之上。 5. 在智力方面似乎只有比较高级的动物才能与计算机相比。 Guided Writing Exemplification Practice 6 Complete the sentences by using the words given Make changes or add words if necessary. 1. Most of our solid waste is dumped on land, but there are better ways to handle the solid waste. _ (for example / bottles / cans / paper / recycle) 2. Some people are too vain. (for instance / worry too much / their appearance) 3. (a classic example of / relationship between language and perception / be/the word snow) In English language, there is only that one word to describe all of the possible kinds of snow. 4. Most people enjoy their jobs (as illustrated by / fact / 70% of people / say / they / be happy / in / work) 5. There are several factors that can prevent effective listening in a lecture. (one factor / be / physical distractions / such as / noise / outside / classroom) 6. (writer / often use / signal word / like and, also, but and however/join sentence) These signal words give information about the two sentences. Practice 7 Read the passage and then complete the sentences by using the words given Animals communicate with one another by means of cries: for example, many birds utter warning calls at the approach of danger; apes utter different cries, such as expressions of anger, fear and pleasure. But these various means of communication differ in important ways from human language. For instance, animals' cries are not articulate(发音清晰的). This means, basically, that they lack structure. They lack, for example, the kind of structure given by the contrast between vowels(原音) and consonants(.辅音). They also lack the kind of structure that enables us to divide a human utterance into words. We can change an utterance by replacing one word in it by another: a good illustration of this is a soldier who can say, e.g., "tanks approaching from the north"，or he can change one word and say "aircraft approaching from the north"; but a bird has a single alarm cry, which means "danger!" This is why the number of signals that an animal can make is very limited. In human language the number of possible utterances is infinite. It also explains why animal cries are very general in meaning. illustration for example an example such as for instance 1. At the approach of danger many birds utter warning calls: this is ____ of animals communication with each other. 2. Cries_____ those of anger, fear and pleasure, are uttered by apes. 3. There are important differences between human language and animal communication_____ animals' cries are not articulate. 4. Animals' cries lack, _____ , the kind of structure that enables us to divide a human utterance into words. 5. A good ______ of changing an utterance by substituting one word for another is a soldier who can say "tanks approaching from the north" or "aircraft approaching from the north". Practice 8 证明信 To whom it may concern: This is to certify that Mr. Wang Xiaochen has been employed in our company as a typist for the past three years. He has faithfully attended to his duties and has proved himself to be industrious and thoroughly reliable. Sincerely yours Ma Hongli   To whom it may concern: This is to certify that Mr. Li Yikang is physically and mentally healthy. This statement is based on his health history and a recent physical check-up. My observation of his health condition is that he is capable of doing extensive hard work both manually and intellectually. Sincerely yours, Wang Guoliang  写一封证明信，证明某人在你出任簿记员（book-keeper）三年，任职期间工作努力，忠于职守和诚实可靠。 Key to the Exercises Text A PRE-READING TASK Exercise 1 (Suggested Answer) 1. Computers are already widely used in industry and in universities. They are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can solve the most complex math problems or put thousands of unrelated facts in order. Computers could also be plugged into a national network and be used like radios. By means of tiny computerized translating machines, people from different parts of the world are able to talk to each other or to read foreign publications without much difficulty. In hospitals where computers are used, diagnosis becomes quicker and more accurate. Computers can even write out prescriptions. Computers are the most efficient assistants man has ever had and there seems to be no limit to the way in which they can be used to improve our lives. 2. Refer to "Text-related Information". In addition to the changes mentioned in the passage, people will see many other extraordinary changes as well when the new era is upon us. Whether in the home, the workplace or outer space, many of such changes will be of the sort that seemed unthinkable only a few years ago -- cars that can spot their own parking places, house-hold appliances that talk back, factories in orbit and computers powered by protein cells, to name just a few. WHILE-READING TASK What may the following paragraphs tell us about? The following paragraphs may tell us some future miracles of computers. AFTER-READING TASK Reading Comprehension Exercise 2 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. C Exercise 3 I.T 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. F Exercise 4 Experiments or facts Predictions of the future  Electronic banking and shopping Banking and shopping from home computer terminals  Devices for the disabled Near-normal brain for the disabled  People with limited ability to move around Working at home  Robots in the General Motors plant in Newark, Delaware Some dangerous or difficult tasks performed by the computerized robots  Silicon microchips New generation of computers with AI (Artificial Intelligence人工智能) abilities  Vocabulary and Structure Exercise 5 1. g 2. e 3. f 4. j 5. h 6. b 7. a 8. d 9. c 10. i Exercise 6 l．无限的可能性 limited possibilities 预测成功的可能性 explore the possibility of improvement 2．达到希望的效果 produce an unexpected effect 开始生效 使计划生效 3，衬衫上的墨水渍 blood spots on one’s jacket 寻找—个安静的地方 被当场抓住 4，作伪证 obtain reliable evidence 出示对他不利的证据 掂量收集到的证据 Exercise 7 1. artificial 2. effects 3. explore 4. costly 5. potential 6. inspire 7. predicting 8. generation 9. justify 10. equivalents Exercise 8 1. be tried out 2. as high as 3. working on 4. respond to 5. come up with 6. went into 7. talked back 8. after all Exercise 9 1. what he earned 2. What he said 3. what he used to be 4. What caused the accident 5. what you can do today 6. what we did not know before Exercise 10 1. He neither wrote nor telephoned. 2. That man's name is either Richard or Robert. 3. I've got neither the time nor the money to go on holiday, 4. Both the front and the back of the house need painting. 5. We can leave either today or tomorrow, 6. George neither smokes nor drinks. Text B PRE-READING TASK Exercise 1 1. Refer to "Introductory Remarks". 2. (Suggested Answer) The answer is probably "yes". As is known to all, computers can take almost any job where a series of actions are repeated over and over again. Some day perhaps, there will be factories producing television sets, tape recorders, cars, or other products, with all machines operated automatically by a central computer. And so gradually, the computer will relieve man of all monotonous, dull routine work, leaving him free for higher mental activities. However, even though computers may some day take over some of the tasks that were once accomplished by our own brains, they will never replace us human beings. AFTER-READING TASK Reading Comprehension Exercise 2 I.T 2. F 3. T 4. F 5. T Vocabulary and Structure Exercise 3 1. assume 2. capable 3. evident 4. superior 5. demonstrates/demonstrated 6. immense 7. remarkable 8. maintained 9. consequences 10. intelligence Exercise 4 1. superior.., to 2. is (closely) linked to 3. With regard to 4. true of 5. in terms of 6. capable of 7. in general 8. compete with Exercise 5 1. Not only did I hear the car, I actually saw it crash. 2. Not once has he offered to help. 3. Hardly had we arrived at the camp site when it began to rain cats and dogs. 4. Seldom have I been to a more terrible concert. 5. Under no circumstances must you make jokes about religion. 6. Scarcely had the game begun when it started raining. Skills Development and Practice Reading Skills Practice 1 1. News magazines such as Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and Worm Report are published weekly. (such as) 2. AH human beings have certain basic needs, such as eating, drinking, keeping warm and dry and so on. (such as) 3. The word "culture" has many meanings. For example, we sometimes say that people who know about art, music, and literature are cultured. (For example) 4. The value of a person's possessions, like a house and a car, is referred to as wealth. (like) 5: His rudeness was a typical example of his usual bad manners. (a typical example) 6. Most people would rather have more leisure than more money. This is illustrated by the fact that 51% of people said they would not work longer hours for more money. (is illustrated by) 7. Indeed, what are considered good table manners in some other countries are what British people try hardest to avoid. In Arabia, for instance, the people at a feast take pieces of food with their fingers and belch loudly to show that they have appreciated it. (for instance) 8. One-way communication occurs when a listener tries to make sense out of a speaker's remarks without actively taking part in the exchange of a message. A term that describes this style of communication is passive listening, Probably the most familiar examples of passive listening occur when students hear a professor lecture or when viewers watch television. (the most familiar examples of) Practice 2 Main idea: There are two important considerations when choosing a good brand name Reasons: 1. Easy to remember Examples: Bic. Wisk. Sprite Signal words: examples, like 2. Create right image Examples: Le Baron, Crown Victoria Signal words: for instance, Such as   Translation Practice Practice 3 1．计算机给玛丽上的课恰到好处，既不太快也不太慢。 2，他没有遵守安全规则，结果造成机器故障。 3．本杰明·富兰克林的整个—生都在受教育，他不仅从书本上学习，而且也从与人的交往中学习。 4．他们根本没有答复，这是不足为奇的。 5．随着人数的增加，他们力量也增强了。 Practice 4 1．接着便产生了对这一术语的反应：为了摆正其位置，人们把计算机称作“高速白痴”，以保护人类的 虚荣。 2．计算机可能有思想，这个推测使我们不得不用新的眼光来仔细考察思想这一主题。 3．科学家们正在研制具有——定视听功能的电子装置，使盲聋人的生活更加方便。 4．电子游戏，电影里由计算机控制产生的特殊视听效果，以及美军目前使用的实感训练机械装置，正引起一些人对计算机在教育领域里新用途作出预言。 5． 一群日本科学家正在研制新——代计算机，他们希望这种计算机能够听懂口头指令，能与用户对话，并且能自动选择不同的解决问题的方案以求得最佳结果。 Practice 5 1. Many people consider eating habits in connection with cultures. 2. Some of the worries about artificial intelligence are closely linked to the question of whether computers can think. 3. It is clear that quite a few people are not sure what we mean by the word culture. 4. It seems that, viewed in terms of intellect, the computer should be set well above plants and most animals. 5. It seems that only higher animals can compete with computers with regard to intellect. Guided Writing Practice 6 1. For example, bottles, cans and paper can be recycled. 2. For instance, they are worried too much about their appearance. 3. A classic example of the relationship between language and perception is the word snow 4. as is illustrated by the fact that 70% of people say they are happy in their work. 5. One factor is the physical distractions such as noises outside the classroom 6. Writers often use signal words like and, also, but and however to join sentences. Practice 7 1. an example 2. such as 3. for example (for instance) 4. for instance (for example) 5. illustration Practice 8 To whom it may concern: This is to certify that Mr. X has been employed in our company as a bookkeeper for the past three years. He has faithfully attended to his duties and has proved himself to be industrious and thoroughly reliable. Sincerely yours, Wang Li