Question

    A new app aims to help parents interpret what their baby wants based on the sound of their cry. The free app ChatterBaby, which was released last month, analyzes the acoustic (声学的) features of a baby’s cry, to help parents understand whether their child might be hungry, fussy or in pain. While critics say caregivers should not rely too much on their smartphone, others say it’s a helpful tool for new or tired parents.

Ariana Anderson, a mother of four, developed the app. She originally designed the technology to help deaf parents better understand why their baby was upset, but soon realized it could be a helpful tool for all new parents.

To build a database, Anderson and her team uploaded 2,000 audio samples of infant(婴儿) cries. She used cries recorded during ear piercings and vaccinations to distinguish pain cries. And to create a baseline for the other two categories, a group of moms had to agree on whether the cry was either hungry or fussy.

Anderson’s team continues to collect data and hopes to make the app more accurate by asking parents to get specific about what certain sounds mean.

Pediatrician Eric Ball pointed out that evaluating cries can never be an exact science. “I think that all of the apps and technology that new parents are using now can be helpful but need to be taken seriously,” Ball said ,“ I do worry that some parents will get stuck in big data and turn their parenting into basically a spreadsheet(电子表格) which I think will take away the love and caring that parents are supposed to be providing for the children. ”

But Anderson said the aim of the app is to have parents interpret the results, not to provide a yes or no answer. The Bells, a couple using this app, say it’s a win-win. They believe they are not only helping their baby now but potentially others in the future.

1.How does the app judge what babies want?

A. By collecting data.

B. By recording all the sounds.

C. By analyzing the sound of their cries.

D. By asking parents about specific messages.

2.What was the app designed for in the beginning?

A. All new parents.    B. Deaf parents.

C. Ariana Anderson.    D. Crying babies.

3.What is Ball’s opinion about the app?

A. Parents should use the app wisely.

B. The app can create an accurate result.

C. Parents and babies are addicted to the app.

D. The app makes babies lose love and caring.

4.What is the text mainly about?

A. Parents should not rely too much on their smartphones.

B. A new app helps parents figure out why their babies are crying.

C. Parents can deal with babies’ hunger with the help of a new app.

D. A new app called ChatterBaby can prevent babies from crying.

Answer

1. C

2. B

3. A

4. B

【解析】

这是一篇新闻报道。短文报道了一款手机APP能帮你解读宝宝为什么会哭。

1.细节理解题。由第一段“A new app aims to help parents interpret what their baby wants based on the sound of their cry. The free app ChatterBaby, which was released last month, analyzes the acoustic (声学的) features of a baby’s cry, to help parents understand whether their child might be hungry, fussy or in pain”可知，一款新的应用程序旨在帮助父母根据婴儿的哭声来理解他们想要什么。上个月发布的免费应用程序ChatterBaby分析了婴儿啼哭的声音特征，以帮助父母了解他们的孩子是饿了、烦躁了还是痛苦了。所以应用程序通过分析他们的哭声来判断婴儿想要什么。故C选项正确。

2.细节理解题。由第二段“ She originally designed the technology to help deaf parents better understand why their baby was upset,”可知，她最初设计这项技术是为了帮助失聪父母更好地理解他们的孩子为什么心烦意乱。所以这款应用最初是为失聪的父母而设计的。故B选项正确。

3.推理判断题。由第五段“I think that all of the apps and technology that new parents are using now can be helpful but need to be taken seriously,”可知，我认为新父母现在使用的所有应用程序和技术都是有帮助的，但需要认真对待。所以通过Ball所说的话，可以判断出，Ball对这个应用程序的看法是家长们应该明智地使用这款应用程序。故A选项正确。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，短文介绍了ChatterBaby应用程序的工作原理，研发的过程以及不同人对这款应用程序所持有的不同观点。所有的这些都是在围绕着一款手机APP能帮你解读宝宝为什么哭而展开的。故判断出短文主要在讨论一款新的应用程序可以帮助父母弄清楚他们的孩子为什么哭。故B选项正确。