Topic 20 Popular Science and Modern Technology (科普知识与现代技术)基础篇Frankfurt, Germany. Next month, who knows? You certainly won’t believe that I c an call you from my laptop, which is what I’m often doing these days using something called Skype.Skype lets me call any phone number anywhere in the world for about 2 cents a minute, alittle more to some places, such as the Middle East and Asia. Mycomputer does the dialing, and the processing of incoming andoutgoing voices. All you need is a broadband connection. With thebasic version of Skype, all anyone needs to make or receive a call is to install the program on his or her computer (and that includes personal digital assistants). All calls from PC to PC are free.You don’t even need a pair of headphones, though headphones can be a good idea if you wish to be discreet. I use my laptop’s built-in microphone.The paid service for calling regular telephones is called SkypeOut. The quality is completely clear, provided that there’s not too much traffic on the Internet. If there’s an echo, hang up and try again, and it usually gets better. There is one warning: on some computers, especially those run ning older versions of Windows, it doesn’t always work, or can sound like a confusing conversation. You can’t hear a thing.Skype was invented chiefly by a Swede named Niklas Zennstrom along with a group of programmers in Estonia.1. Wich of the following is wrong of the author?A. He has seldom communicated with others before using SkypeB. H often makes calls using SkypeC. H often has to go from place to placeD. H doesn’t know where he will be next month2. What does ―... a little more to some places,such as the Middle East and Asia‖ mean?A. The price is as cheap as that in other places in the world.B. The price is much higher in Europe than that in other places of the world.C. The price is a little higher in the Middle East and Asia than that in Europe.D. The price is the lowest and reasonable in Europe.3. Why did the author talked about his occupation in Paragraph 1?A. He did interviews around the world.B. He was proud of his job.C. He used to work with Skype.D. He wanted to raised the topic of the text.4. While using Skype, the author suggests ______.A. buying a new type of laptopB. making phones at noonC. installing newer versions of WindowsD. buying a pair of headphones【篇章导读】文中介绍一种叫做Skype的设备，通过它能在电脑上与他人打电话。
【答案解析】1. A。
细节理解题。
第一段中没讲他以前很少与别交流，所以应该选择A项。
2. C。
句意理解题。
第二段中讲通过一种叫Skype的设备打电话去中东或非洲的费用要高些。
3. D。
文章结构题。
文章第一段谈到作者的职业是为了引出下文的话题。
4. D。
细节理解题。
根据倒安徽第二段中信息There is one warning: on some computers, especially those running older versions of Windows, it doesn’t always work…可知答案。
【难句分析】The quality is completely clear, provided that there’s not too much traffic on the Internet.该句为主从复合句，句中provided that引导条件状语。
句意：如果网络不是很拥挤，效果是很好。
Solar water heaters are devices that use energy from the sun to heat water. Solar water heating is used around the world.The solar water heater described here is based on a design developed some years ago inAfghanistan. Since then, it has been built and used in manycountries. It can heat seventy liters of water to sixty degreesCelsius. It can do this between sunrise and noon on a clear daywith an average outside temperature of thirty-two degrees Celsius.There are two parts to the solar water heater. One part is madeof a sheet of metal painted black. This metal surface, placed incontact with the water, will heat the water. Black-painted surfacesthat receive the sun's heat become hotter than surfaces of any other color.The black metal plate is called a collector. There are several kinds of metal sheets that can be used for the collector. Metal sheets that have raised sections will work very well. These corrugated sheets often are used to make the roofs of houses.Once the water is heated, it is kept hot with material called insulation. This allows the water to stay warm for a long time.The second part of the solar water heater holds the water for the system. This storage tank can be a container that holds about one hundred liters. Two rubber pipes are attached to the water storage tank. One pipe lets water flow into the system. The other lets water flow out.When the water heater is working correctly, water will flow from the storage tank to the collector and back again. You can use the hot water at the top of the tank for washing and cleaning. You can change the flow of water so that the temperature is hot or warm as desired.This solar water heater is easy to build and operate. It will last about two years before the rubber pipes need to be replaced.There is also something else you will need to make the solar water heater work -- the sun. As you might expect, the heater will heat water only on sunny days.1. The Solar Water Heater will work ______.A. on sunny daysB. when placed on the roofC. only between sunrise and noon on a clear dayD. with an average outside temperature of thirty-two degrees Celsius2. Why is the sheet of metal painted black?A. to take in heatB. to give off heatC. to be water proofD. to be sun proof3. What’s the probable meaning of the underlin ed word corrugated in the fourth paragraph?A. paintedB. coloredC. raisedD. heated4. What is insulation used for while making a Solar Water Heater?A. To heat the waterB. To make the water flow easilyC. To make the water to stay warmD. To protect the Solar Water Heater5. What can be inferred from the text?A. It is not easy to make the solar water heater.B. The rubber pipes get replaced every other year.C. The heater can run well for many years on end.D. The temperature in the heater can’t be controlled.【篇章导读】太阳能热水器是一种吸收太阳能的辐射热能来热水的设备。