Question

The science fiction type of entertainment is considered by mot to be fathered by Jules Verne (A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) and H. G. Wells (The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds). Sei-Fi, as it is commonly shortened, is a fictional story in which science and technology have a significant influence on the characters and plot. Many such works are guesswork about what the future holds and how scientific findings and technological advances will shape humankind.

Writing in the late 1800s, Jules Verne was remarkably successful in his 10 guesses about future technologies of air conditioning, automobiles, the Internet, television, and underwater, air, and space travel. Unbelievably, of all places from which to choose, Jules Verne guessed Tampa, Florida, USA as the launching site of the first project to the Moon, which was only 200 kilometers away from the actual 1969 location at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

One of the best-known science fiction books is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning: Orwell was describing what he saw as the outcome of the ideas, trends, and emerging technologies of his time. Many invented terms from this novel have become common in everyday use, such as “big brother” and “doublethink”. Even the author’s name has been made into an adjective—Orwellian—and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual has no power and is completely controlled by the government. Nineteen Eighty-Four was translated into sixty-five languages within five years of its publication, setting a record that still stands.

What helps bring science fiction into being is usually a new discovery or innovation. The author creates an analysis of the potential influence and consequences and then wraps it in a pleasant story. For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. The science fiction author’s self-determined role is search the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling.

1.From the first paragraph, we know that science fiction might be ________.

A.a forecast of how a new discovery could influence mankind

B.a brief review of the present drawbacks of technology

C.a thoughtful look at the past and a prediction of the future

D.an analysis of how a new technology could be used to harm human.

2.Which of the following best describes Nineteen Eighty-Four?

A.A prediction of future technologies.

B.A warning of unfair and cruel ruling.

C.The motive of scientific development.

D.An imaginary perfect world of freedom.

3.From the passage we can learn that ________.

A.H.G. Wells predicted the Internet in the late 1800s

B.Nineteen Eighty-Four adopted some popular terms

C.Star Trek movie series were based on space exploration

D.Cape Canaveral was mentioned in Jules Verne’s fiction

4.According to the author, what is the role of science fiction in society?

A.A reference of technology.

B.A moral compass.

C.A record of science development.

D.A form of thinking about possibilities.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了过去的几部科幻小说对现在的预测和影响。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的Many such works are guesswork about what the future holds and how scientific findings and technological advances will shape humankind.可知，科幻小说主要是对现在的预测和影响，故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段中的it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning 以及Even the author’s name has been made into an adjective—Orwellian—and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual has no power and is completely controlled by the government. 可知，这部小说是对社会上的不公平和残酷制度的一种警告，故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据最后一段中的For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. 可知，《星际迷航》系列就是以太空探险为原形的，故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据文章最后一句The science fiction author’s self-determined role is search the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling.可知，作者认为科幻小说是对未来可能性的一种推测，故选D。