Unit 2
Track 4-2-OL-5
In today’s report, we look at a new technology called pervasive computing.
Pervasive computing means putting tiny computers into everyday electronic appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. With pervasive computing, appliances can communicate with their urs – and with other appliances!
Some companies now ll pervasive computing products like a "smart" toaster. It remembers your favourite kind of toast: light or dark. Companies are designing a "smart" coffee maker and a "smart" clock. The coffee maker can measure the water and coffee. It can even put milk in your breakfast coffee and make black coffee in the afternoon. The clock will check the time on other clocks in your hou, and give information about other appliances. For example, it can tell you, "Your coffee maker needs more water."
And that’s only the beginning. One company is now advertising "Save time – phone your w
ashing machine!" engineers are making a "smart" hou. In this hou, the lights, heater, and air conditioner change automatically这就是中锋 when family members come home. This makes the home comfortable, and it saves a lot of energy. Pervasive computing could change many parts of our daily lives.
But do people really want pervasive computing? Do they really need technology everywhere? One company asked people about their opinions on "smart" appliances. There were surpris. A "smart" refrigerator can buy more food on the internet, but people didn’t want it, becau it might make mistakes.
"Pervasive computing is as important as a telephone," says Rebecca Blair, president of InnoTech Corporation. But some of the products are not uful, or even practical. Companies should learn more about the technology that people really want.
Track 4-2-OL-7卖火柴的小女孩
Local girl rescued
She may have a broken leg, but she can’t be happier. Morgan Bailey, 11, is happy to be alive.
Tuesday was like any other day for Morgan. She was at school. It was fourth period, and she was the first student to arrive in the gymnasium for her physical education class.
Suddenly there was a loud noi.
"There was a sharp cracking noi and then a loud boom. After that, I don’t remember anything," said Morgan.
The roof of the gymnasium had collapd under the heavy snow. Morgan was trapped underneath. She couldn’t escape.
"I woke up and there was a big piece of wood on my leg. I couldn’t move it. I was starting to get cold."
Fortunately, help was nearby. A new program using "rescue robots" was tried for the first time.
"We were nervous about using the robot," said Derrick Sneed, the man in charge of the program. "But in the end, the robot gave us reliable information. It went extremely well."
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The rescue robot was able to go into the gym and locate Morgan’s exact position.
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"We nd in robots first becau it may not be safe for humans," said Mr. Sneed. "Human beings are not as uful as robots in some situations. A gas leak, for example, could kill you or me but wouldn’t hurt a robot."
Although it didn’t happen in Morgan’s ca, some rescue robots can bring fresh air or water to people who are trapped.
Rescue robots go into rough, dangerous places. They work in life or death situations. They have to be durable.
Doctors say that Morgan is doing well. She should be going home in two or three days. What is the first thing she wants to do after she gets out of the hospital?
"I want to meet my hero," laughs Morgan. "That little robot that saved my life!"
Unit 3
Track 4-3-OL -5
1.A bank robbery in Virginia, USA, was stopped when the robber and the bank teller couldn’t reach an agreement. The robber pushed a holdup长城英语作文 note under the window, but the teller looked at it, said," I can’t read this," and gave it back. The robber pushed the note through a cond time. The teller crumpled the note up and threw it at the robber. He picked it up and walked out of the bank.
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2.A professional ice 狐狸之眼hockey player will miss the rest of this ason’s games becau he injured himlf. National Hockey League goalie Jean-Louis Blanchard went on the injured list after he fell and riously hurt his back. He was walking out of a restaurant in Ottawa, Canada, when he slipped on some ice.
3.The first international 敬老院送温暖活动camel beauty contest was held last week in Alxa, in western China. More than 100 dresd-up camels entered the contest. The judges examined the
m for shiny hair, tall humps, and beautiful costumes. Unlike human beauty contests, though, there were no interviews with the contestants.
4.Police in Sheffield, England, arrested a 41-year-old man for stealing five cars. Graham Owens went to car dealers and said he wanted to buy a car, and borrowed a car to test-drive. Each time, he drove the car around, then cleaned it inside and washed it outside---before leaving it at the side of the road, and walking home.
