Question

There is a breakthrough in building aircrafts. Bendable wings covered with overlapping(部分重叠) pieces resembling fish sizes could be used to build swifter, fuel-efficient aircraft, a new study finds.

Nowadays, conventional aircrafts typically rely on ailerons (副翼) to help control the way the planes tip as they fly. However, when the Wright brothers flew the first airplane, Flyer 1, over a century ago, they used no ailerons but wires and pulleys that twisted the wood-and-canvas wings, to control the plane,

Scientists have long sought to develop aircrafts that can alter their wings during flight, just as birds can. However, most previous attempts have failed because they relied on heavy mechanical control structures within the wings. These structures were also complex and unreliable, said Neil Gershenfeld, a physicist and director of the Center for Bits and Atoms at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The new wing consists of a system of tiny, strong, lightweight modules. The shape of the wing can be changed uniformly along its length using two small motors, which apply a twisting pressure to each wingtip. These wings are covered in “skins” of overlapping strips of flexible material resembling fish sizes. These strips move across each other as the wings alter, providing a smooth outer surface, the researchers explained.

Wind-tunnel tests of these wings showed that they at least matched the aerodynamic properties of conventional wings, at about one-tenth the weight. Initial tests using remotely piloted aircrafts made with these wings have shown great promise, said Benjamin Jenett, a graduate student at the Center for Bits and Atoms at MIT.

The new modular structures the scientists developed could be manufactured quickly in mass quantities and then installed by teams of small robots. These modular structures also can be disassembled more easily, making repairs simpler.

“Still, the first aircraft built using this strategy will not be a passenger jet, ”Gershenfeld said. “Instead, the technology will likely first be tested on unmanned aircraft, leading to drones (无人机) that can fly for a long time, to help deliver internet access or medicine to remote villages and do some rescue works.”

1.Why did most previous aircrafts fail to fly like birds?

A. The previous wings were complicated and weighed a lot.

B. The previous aircraft relied on ailerons to control directions.

C. There were few scientists to do research on the lighter wings.

D. There was little fuel in the aircrafts to make them fly in the air.

2.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A. The shape of the new wings.

B. The result of the tested wings.

C. The function of the small motors.

D. The working principle of the new wings.

3.Which of the following can replace the underlined word“disassembled”in Paragraph 6?

A. put away

B. taken apart

C. invented

D. analyzed

4.What will the drones made by the new wings be firstly used to do?

A. Carry passengers.

B. Save people in danger.

C. Test planes.

D. Monitor the villages.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.B

4.B

【解析】本文是一篇科普性说明文。文章主要向我们讲述了一项新的研究发现，飞机的机翼建造有了很大的突破，能够使得飞机更快并且节能高效。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第三段However, most previous attempts have failed because they relied on heavy mechanical control structures within the wings.和These structures were also complex and unreliable可知大多数之前的尝试失败是因为他们依靠机翼内沉重的机械控制结构。故选A。

2.主旨大意题。根据文章第四段大意可知，本段主要讲述了新机翼的工作原理。故选D。

3.词义猜测题。根据These modular structures also can be disassembled more easily, making repairs simpler.可以猜测出disassemble为“分开”之意，故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据文章最后一段Instead, the technology will likely first be tested on unmanned aircraft, leading to drones (无人机) that can fly for a long time, to help deliver internet access or medicine to remote villages and do some rescue works.可知，新的机翼被首先应用的无人机上是为了做更多的援救。故选B。