Question

    The clockwork radio is the only radio that doesn’t need electricity. It works by turning the handle (手柄)for a minute. Nowadays, thousands of these radios are made every day. They are bought by people in some places, where there isn’t any electricity. The clockwork radio was invented in 1991 by Trevor Bayliss, a British inventor. He had the idea within half an hour while he was listening to some news in the radio about Africa: some Africans were dying of AIDS and there was no easy way to send them information about the disease. The first one he made ran for 14 minutes before needing to turn the handle again, but one year later, it improved. However, people didn’t know it until it appeared on a television programme called Tomorrow’s World.

At the beginning, no one would help Trevor develop his idea for a new kind of radio. Finally, in 1994，his invention was shown on the TV programme, and afterwards, a South African businessman watched it and decided to help him. The first Freeplay radios were built in South Africa in 1995. Since then, the radios have been a great success. And then Trevor has become famous. He has been given many awards(奖品)，including one from Nelson Mandela.

Mr. Bayliss, whose latest project is a wind-up walking stick, created a website offering inventors suggestions on patenting (专利)and marketing. After that, he also invented electric shoes, which produce electricity as you walk. And the self-weighing suitcase is also his invention- you pick it up and the handle tells you how much it weighs. That’s very useful when you go to the airport.

1.When did the radio appear on Tomorrow’s World?

A.In 1991. B.In 1992. C.In 1994. D.In 1995.

2.Which of the following is the right order of the events for Mr. Bayliss?

a. He invented electric shoes.                        b. He met a South African businessman.

c. His clockwork radio was welcomed by people.        d. He improved his radio.

A.acdb. B.bcda. C.cadb. D.dbca.

3.Why did Mr. Bayliss create his website?

A.To introduce his ideas about inventions. B.To help inventors with their patents.

C.To sell the clockwork radios. D.To show his awards on it

4.What is the text mainly talking about?

A.The invention of the clockwork radio. B.The good use of the clockwork radio.

C.Mr. Bayliss’ patent protection. D.Mr. Bayliss’ inventive ideas.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了为了解决非洲人民没有一个简便的办法及时了解疾病知识的问题，英国发明家Trevor Bayliss发明了发条收音机，并简单介绍了Trevor Bayliss的其他发明。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段关键句“Finally, in 1994，his invention was shown on the TV programme”可知，在1994年他的发明出现在电视节目上。这里his invention指代的是上文提到的the clockwork radio，这里的the TV programme指代的是上文提到的Tomorrow’s World。故选C项。

2.

细节理解题。本题涉及到排序问题，首先根据第一段关键句“The first one he made ran for 14 minutes before needing to turn the handle again, but one year later, it improved.”可知，他在发明了第一个发条收音机的一年后，改进了他的收音机，这件事发生在1991年之后的一年，也就是1992年，与d. He improved his radio.内容相符；根据第二段关键句“Finally, in 1994，his invention was shown on the TV programme, and afterwards, a South African businessman watched it and decided to help him.”可知，他在1994年遇到一个南非商人，与b. He met a South African businessman.内容相符；根据第二段关键句“The first Freeplay radios were built in South Africa in 1995. Since then, the radios have been a great success.”可知，在1995年，他的发条收音机受到人们的欢迎，与c. His clockwork radio was welcomed by people.内容相符；根据最后一段关键句“After that, he also invented electric shoes, which produce electricity as you walk.”可知，他在发条收音机取得成功后，又发明了电动鞋，与a. He invented electric shoes.内容相符。按照事件发生的时间先后顺序，可推断出正确答案。故选D项。

3.

细节理解题。根据最后一段关键句“Mr. Bayliss, whose latest project is a wind-up walking stick, created a website offering inventors suggestions on patenting (专利)and marketing.”可知，他创立网站是为了给发明者提供专利和市场营销方面的建议。故选B项。

4.

主旨大意题。根据第一段关键句“The clockwork radio is the only radio that doesn’t need electricity.”及文章内容可知，文章主要介绍的是发条收音机的发明过程及目的，A项The invention of the clockwork radio.（发条收音机的发明）能够概括主旨。故选A项。