Question

    Nowadays, learning Braille (盲文) is something of a dying art. With thousands of computer programs and other media now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille and most of them are learning to read by listening. In the United States, less than 10% of the 1.3 million people who are legally blind are Braille readers. However, learning Braille offers students much more than just a way to get information. Listening to information does not teach students how to spell or write well. These skills are better taught by actually reading. This is particularly true when we know that Braille users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and better employment opportunities. Learning to read and write Braille requires lots of practice, which can become dull. This is what the company Lego, which is making Braille Bricks to help blind students learn to read and write, is dealing with. We strongly believe the Bricks can help increase the level of interest in learning Braille.

Instead of the grid (网格) of raised dots normally found on top of Legos, Braille Bricks use the dot groups of the Braille alphabet. This allows the bricks to be “read”, but they still click together like normal Legos. Braille is often written with a special machine called a Brailler. If a student makes the wrong letter using the Brailler, it can’t really be fixed, since the letter is punched (打孔) into paper. Legos, on the other hand, are lots of fun to play with. If a student makes a mistake, fixing it is as easy as moving or changing a brick.

The company is trying the Bricks out with teachers and blind students in schools. Teachers report that students enjoy the Bricks and quickly invent games and fun ways to use them. On Lego’s new Braille Bricks, which are planned to hit commercial stores in the near future, Braille is also translated into numbers and letters allowing parents and educators to follow along.

1.What has made Braille used less in recent years?

A.The lack of its actual use.

B.The hard learning process.

C.The application of digital technology.

D.The decline in the number of the blind.

2.What does the author stress about Braille in Paragraph 1?

A.Its replacements. B.Its improvement.

C.Its shortcomings. D.Its importance.

3.What can we say about Lego’s Braille Bricks?

A.They are new reading systems.

B.They help the blind in a fun way.

C.They work like a special machine.

D.They come from the Braille alphabet.

4.What does the company expect of its Braille Bricks?

A.They’ll reach the consumers soon.

B.They’ll teach blind students new games.

C.They’ll lighten the burden on teachers.

D.They’ll be translated into other languages.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文属于说明文。近年来，由于数字技术的发展，盲人可以通过听来获取在过去要通过阅读盲文获得的信息。学盲文的人越来越少了，在美国只有不到10%的盲人能够阅读盲文。但盲文阅读对盲人的读写能力有很大帮助。乐高公司推出了一种乐高盲文积木，以提高盲人学习盲文的兴趣。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段With thousands of computer programs and other media now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille and most of them are learning to read by listening.“随着成千上万的电脑程序和其他媒体的出现，越来越少的孩子在学习阅读盲文，他们中的大多数人是通过听来学习阅读的。”由此可知，应该是数字技术的应用导致盲人使用盲文越来越少。故选C。

2.

推理判断题。根据第一段中However, learning Braille offers students much more than just a way to get information. Listening to information does not teach students how to spell or write well. These skills are better taught by actually reading. This is particularly true when we know that Braille users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and better employment opportunities.“然而，学习布莱叶盲文给学生提供的不仅仅是一种获取信息的方式。听信息并不能教学生如何拼写或写好。这些技能可以通过实际阅读来更好地传授。特别是当我们知道盲文使用者往往更独立，有更高的教育水平和更好的就业机会时，这种情况就更加明显。”由此可知，作者在第一段中强调了盲文的重要性。故选D。

3.

推理判断题。根据第一段Learning to read and write Braille requires lots of practice, which can become dull. This is what the company Lego, which is making Braille Bricks to help blind students learn to read and write, is dealing with.“学习阅读和书写盲文需要大量的练习，这会变得枯燥乏味。这就是乐高公司，生产盲文积木来帮助盲人学生学习阅读和写作，正在解决的问题。”以及第二段Legos, on the other hand, are lots of fun to play with. “另一方面，乐高玩具玩起来很有趣。”可知，乐高盲文积木以一种有趣的方式提升盲人的学习兴趣。故选B。

4.

细节理解题。根据最后一段On Lego’s new Braille Bricks, which are planned to hit commercial stores in the near future, Braille is also translated into numbers and letters allowing parents and educators to follow along.“乐高新推出的盲文积木计划在不久的将来上市，盲文还被翻译成数字和字母，让家长和教育工作者可以跟着学习。”可知，乐高公司希望乐高盲文积木尽快入市。故选A。