Question

With the New Year just months away, you are probably looking forward to watching the wonderful fireworks(烟花) shows. Unfortunately, the over ten million blind Americans, and scores more around the world, have never been able to experience this joyful celebration. That may change soon thanks to Feeling Fireworks, a tactile(可触摸的) fireworks experience invented by the masterminds at the Disney Research Lab in Switzerland.

To experience the show, users stand in front of a large screen, which is made of special material. They then place their hands at the base of the screen and move them around to feel the fireworks. Alternatively, their hands can be placed in the center of the screen, where the initial explosions happen, and then moved across to explore other fireworks.

As the fireworks begin to explode, one of five nozzles(喷嘴) at the back of the screen starts to send out water, creating shaking movements. One specializes in the “blooming(开花) flower effect,” while another reproduces the“crackle(噼啪声)” effect. The rest take care of rockets and explosions. A computer controls the timing, while a Microsoft Kinect camera tracks the person’s movement. According to the inventors, Feeling Fireworks allows users to experience “tactile fireworks that are similar to physical fireworks happening in the sky.”

First appearing at the User Interface Software and Technology conference held in Quebec City, Canada from October 22 to October 25, 2017, the low-cost technology is still in its early stage, with only a 66 percent success rate. However, the team plans to continue-improving the experience and believes the day when everyone will be able to enjoy the thrill of fireworks shows is not far. When ready, Feeling Fireworks will initially be available only at Disney theme parks, and then hopefully, at fireworks shows worldwide.

1.What does the underlined word “That” in Paragraph 1 probably refer to?

A. The New Year celebration.

B. The blind people's attitude.

C. The Disney Research Lab in Switzerland.

D. Some people’s having no access to fireworks shows.

2.What should blind people do to experience the fireworks show?

A. Move their hands around the screen.    B. Pour some water onto the screen.

C. Stand at the back of the screen.    D. Sit at the base of the screen.

3.What role does the Microsoft Kinect camera play during the fireworks show?

A. It tracks the explosions.    B. It films the nozzles’ work.

C. It follows the users’ actions.    D. It records the movement of water.

4.What can be inferred about the Feeling Fireworks technology?

A. It is in its final stage.    B. It is extremely costly.

C. It is being used widely.    D. It is in need of perfecting.

5.What is the purpose of this text?

A. To discuss methods to treat blindness.

B. To introduce the idea of tactile fireworks.

C. To appeal for equal rights for blind people.

D. To present a new Disney sightseeing show

Answer

1. D

2. A

3. C

4. D

5. B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，世界上有很多盲人无法欣赏烟花爆竹表演，现在一个瑞士实验室发明了一种可触摸的烟花爆竹，让盲人可以体验烟花秀。文章中对这一新科技做了具体说明。

1.代词指代题。根据That前一句“Unfortunately, the over ten million blind Americans, and scores more around the world, have never been able to experience this joyful celebration.”可知，世界上很多盲人无法欣赏烟花爆竹表演，但是随着Feeling Fireworks的出现，这一情况可能会有所改变。“That”所指代的就是盲人无法欣赏烟花爆竹表演。故D项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句“…where the initial explosions happen, and then moved across to explore other fireworks.”可知，当第一个爆竹开始爆炸时，这些盲人要在屏幕上移动双手去体验其他的爆竹的爆炸。故A项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段第四句“A computer controls the timing, while a Microsoft Kinect camera tracks the person’s movement.”可知，Microsoft Kinect camera记录人们的移动，它需要跟踪记录人们的行动。故C项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句“…the low-cost technology is still in its early stage, with only a 66 percent success rate.”可知，这种技术还处于初级阶段，成功率并不高，还有很多需要完善的地方。故D项正确。

5.主旨大意题。本文是一篇说明文，根据文章第一段中“Unfortunately, the over ten million blind Americans, and scores more around the world, have never been able to experience this joyful celebration. That may change soon thanks to Feeling Fireworks, a tactile(可触摸的) fireworks experience invented by the masterminds at the Disney Research Lab in Switzerland.”可知，世界上有很多盲人无法欣赏烟花爆竹表演，现在一个瑞士实验室发明了一种可触摸的烟花爆竹，让盲人可以体验烟花秀。文章中对这一新科技做了具体说明，故B项正确。