Passage Eleven
The stone age, The Iron Age. Entire epochs have been named for materials. So what to call the decades ahead? The choice will be tough. Welcome to the age of superstuff. Material science -- once the least sexy technology is bursting with new, practical discoveries led by superconducting ceramics that may revolutionize electronics. But superconductors are just part of the picture: from house and cars to cook pots and artificial teeth, the world will someday be made of different stuff. Exotic plastics, glass and ceramics will shape the future just as surely as have genetic engineering and computer science.
The key to the new materials is researchers increasing ability to manipulate substances at the molecular level. Ceramics, for example, have long been limited by their brittleness. But by minimizing the microscopic imperfections that cause it, scientists are making far stronger ceramics that still retain such qualities as hardness and heat resistance. Ford Motor Co. now uses ceramic tools to cut steel. A firm called Kyocera has created a line of ceramic scissors and knives that stay sharp for years and never rust or corrode.
A similar transformation has overtaken plastics. High-strength polymers now form bridges, ice-skating rinks and helicopter rotors. And one new plastic that generates electricity when vibrated or pushed is used in electric guitars, touch sensors for robot hands and karate jackets that automatically record each punch and chop. Even plastic litter, which once threatened to permanently blot the landscape, has proved amenable to molecular tinkering. Several manufacturers now make biodegradable forms; some plastic six-pack rings for example, gradually decompose when exposed to sunlight. Researchers are developing ways to make plastics as recyclable as metal or glass. Besides, composites plastic reinforced with fibers of graphite or other compounds made the round-the-world flight of the voyager possible and have even been proved in combat: a helmet saved an infantrymans life by deflecting two bullets in the Grenada invasion.
Some advanced materials are old standard with a new twist. The newest fiberoptic cable that carry telephone calls cross-country are made of glass so transparent that a piece of 100 miles thick is clearer than a standard window pane.
But new materials have no impact until they are made into products. And that transition could prove difficult, for switching requires lengthy research and investment. It can be said a firmer handle on how to move to commercialization will determine the success or failure of a country in the near future.
1.How many new materials are mentioned in this passage?
[A] Two
Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
2.Why does the author mention genetic engineering and computer science?
[A] To compare them with the new materials.
To show the significance of the new materials on the future world.
[C] To compare the new materials to them.
[D] To explain his view point.
3.Why is transition difficult?
[A] Because transition requires money and time.
Because many manufacturers are unwilling to change their equipment.
[C] Because research on new materials is very difficult.
[D]Because it takes 10 years.
4.Where lies success of a country in the New Age of superstuff?
[A] It lies in research.
It lies in investment.
[C] It lies in innovation.
[D] It lies in application.
专家详解:五种方法突破SAT阅读
SAT阅读技巧和步骤
SAT阅读技巧之详略得当
SAT阅读技巧 多做练习培养语感
三大SAT阅读高分技巧
SAT阅读技巧分享
SAT阅读技巧之句子结构
SAT阅读解题技巧之概述题
SAT阅读填空题答题技巧五个
SAT阅读技巧之细节定位题
SAT阅读技巧(记叙文)
SAT文章阅读的步骤和技巧
4大SAT阅读解题技巧
SAT阅读技巧 单词和句子的关系
3大SAT阅读答题技巧
SAT阅读技巧与题型分析
SAT阅读技巧之利用介词解题
三大SAT阅读重点题型解答方法
SAT阅读技巧 排除法
提高SAT阅读能力的两个有效方法
SAT阅读词汇应用技巧之辨析易混词汇
牛人分享SAT阅读经验
SAT阅读的特点和应试技巧
SAT阅读高分经验
三大SAT阅读技巧和步骤
SAT阅读答题技巧之排除法
寻找SAT阅读文章主题的技巧
SAT阅读考试答题技巧
SAT阅读假设题型解题技巧
两大SAT阅读技巧提高阅读速度
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