Question

    Engineers in Upstate New York have invented a folded paper device that looks like a decorated art project. But don't be fooled. This is actually a paper-based battery. No, it doesn't look like any of those metal batteries running flashlights or smartphones. In these systems, the battery can be printed on a page. The battery 's power consists of living bacteria.

Paper electronics are simple to make and inexpensive, notes study leader Seokheun Choi, an engineer at Binghamton University. They need no electrical outlet to recharge. They just need more bacteria, which can be found everywhere — including dirty water.

“ Most batteries use chemicals to generate electricity. Substituting bacteria can be an advantage,” Choi says.“They are cheap and self-repairing.” What paper-based batteries won't do is generate much power. They do, however create enough to run small devices in faraway or dangerous places — such as a battlefield . They might also find use in medicine . For instance, they might power tiny sensors, such as the types used to measure blood sugar.

This invention is based on an observation made more than a century ago — that microbes （微生 物） produce electricity as they digest food. Scientists refer to the bio-batteries based on this principle as microbial fuel cells. A fuel cell generates electricity like a regular battery. But a regular battery stops producing electricity when its inner chemical reactions stop. A fuel cell uses fuel that can be refilled. In this case, bacteria serve as the fuel. By refilling more microbes, as needed, scientists can keep these fuel cells running.

Lab tests have shown that the new battery can produce a current. Now, Choi and his team are looking at ways to increase the power. They're studying different shapes and materials for the anode and cathode （正负 极）. They're also looking for the best ways to combine batteries for more power. The beauty of the paper devices is that you can simply fold them to connect them. And they surely will be a trend in the near future.

1.What makes the paper-based batteries different from other batteries?

A.They are mainly used to run smartphones.

B.They use bacteria to generate electricity.

C.They are used to decorate small devices.

D.They take a much shorter time to recharge.

2.What can the paper-based batteries do?

A.Power tiny devices. B.Lower blood sugar levels.

C.Produce much electricity. D.Change chemicals in the paper.

3.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A.The application of the new battery.

B.The characteristics of the paper batteries.

C.The intention to invent the device.

D.The working principle of the invention.

4.What is the author's attitude towards the development of the paper-based batteries?

A.Defensive. B.Optimistic.

C.Doubtful. D.Ambiguous.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.D

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了纸基电池的原理，这种电池可以通过微生物进行充电，同时，该电池也可以运用在医学方面，如测试血糖等。研发团队则在寻找能使该电池储存更多电量的方法。该电池最大的优势是可以随时随地折叠起来带走。

1.细节理解题。第二段最后两句提到“They need no electrical outlet to recharge. They just need more bacteria, which can be found everywhere — including dirty water.”这种电池是不需要外接发电设备进行充电的，只需要细菌就可以充电了，这是该电池与传统电池的不同之处。故选B。

2.细节理解题。第三段第三句提到“What paper-based batteries won't do is generate much power. They do, however create enough to run small devices in faraway or dangerous places”纸基电池不会储存很多的电量，但这些电量还是能远程支持一些小型设备或运用在一些危险的地方，A项符合题意，故选A。

3.主旨大意题。第四段第一句提到“This invention is based on an observation made more than a century ago — that microbes（微生物）produce electricity as they digest food”，这项发明是基于百年前的一项观察，即微生物在消化食物的时候会产生电量。因此，科学家们“Scientists refer to the bio-batteries based on this principle as microbial fuel cells”根据这一原理将生物电池成为微生物燃料电池。由此可知，第四段介绍了生物电池的工作原理，D项符合文意。故选D。

4.推理判断题。最后一段最后一句提到“The beauty of the paper devices is that you can simply fold them to connect them”该电池的优点是，人们可以简单地通过折叠来连接它们。作者用到beauty“优点”一词来说明该设备，说明作者对于该设备持一种积极的态度。A. Defensive.保守的，B. Optimistic.乐观的，C. Doubtful.怀疑的，D. Ambiguous.不明确的。B项符合文意，故选B。