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 infantryman s 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?
Two
Three
Four
Five
2.Why does the author mention genetic engineering and computer science?
To compare them with the new materials.
To show the significance of the new materials on the future world.
To compare the new materials to them.
To explain his view point.
3.Why is transition difficult?
Because transition requires money and time.
Because many manufacturers are unwilling to change their equipment.
Because research on new materials is very difficult.
Because it takes 10 years.
4.Where lies success of a country in the New Age of superstuff?
It lies in research.
It lies in investment.
It lies in innovation.
It lies in application.
大学英语六级阅读练习之二
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(14)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(26)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(24)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(6)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(11)
英语六级考试阅读改革的两大变化
大学英语六级仔细阅读练习题(三)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(2)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(7)
做英语六级阅读理解的三重境界
英语六级考试阅读长难句翻译与分析
大学英语六级阅读练习之十
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(29)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(22)
大学英语六级阅读练习:工人阶级
英语六级阅读练习:书籍和互联网
大学英语六级阅读考前冲刺练习(一)
大学英语六级阅读练习:医学世界
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(8)
英语六级阅读理解仔细阅读题常用解题方法
大学英语六级阅读练习:聚酯纤维
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(21)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(15)
大学英语六级信息匹配题复习指导
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(1)
英语六级阅读真题长难句解析(12)
大学英语六级仔细阅读练习题(一)
英语六级阅读考点分析和解题思路解析
做英语六级阅读会遇到的四大难点问题及解决方法
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |