The Future of Technology William, a businessman, arrives in a foreign airport. He doesn't show his passport. Instead, a machine in the wall reads the computer chip in his arm. This contains information about him: his name, age, and I.D number. He exits the airport, and a car door opens when it "sees" him. The car takes him to his hotel. His room "knows" he has entered the building and it "reads" his body. He is cold, so the room becomes warmer. William then watches a business presentation on a video wall. When he takes a bath, the presentation "follows him and continues on the bathroom wall. Finally, the room plays music to help him sleep. It turns off the music when it "sees" him sleeping. William doesn't exist, and none of this is real. But it might be soon. "In five to ten years, computing and communications are going to be free and everywhere, in your walls, in your car, on your body,' says Victor Zue, leader of Project Oxygen. Project Oxygen has one big idea: to create better relationships between machines and people. The dream is that computer will learn to understand what people want. So, what changes will there be at work? Firstly, the building will know where everyone is, all the time. You want to talk to someone? Type the person's name on the nearest computer. It will show you a map of the building and exactly where this person is. You then call this person, who picks up the nearest telephone, also shown on the computer. If he or she is busy with a client or in a meeting, the computer will tell you. Is all this really possible? Visit the Siebel Center, Illinois and see for yourself: computers in the doors and walls, cameras everywhere, the technology of the future, but here today. In the Siebel Center, Illinois, _ . A) computers are everywhere B) the technology of the future is there today C) there are cameras in the doors and walls D) the future technology will be there in 5-10 years
B
Hans was an honest fellow with a funny round good-humored face. Living alone, every day he worked in his garden. In all the countryside there was no garden so lovely as his. All sorts of flowers grew there, blooming in their proper order as the months went by, one flower taking another flower's place, so that there were always beautiful things to see, and pleasant odors to smell. Hans had many friends, the most devoted being the Miller. So devoted was the rich Miller to Hans that he'd never go by his garden without plucking a large bunch of flowers or a handful of sweet herbs, or filling his pockets with fruits. The Miller used to talk about noble ideas, and Hans nodded and smiled, feeling proud of having such a friend. The neighbors thought it strange that the rich Miller never gave Hans anything in return, though he had hundreds of sacks of flour, many cows and sheep, but Hans never troubled his head about these, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to listen to all the wonderful things about the unselfishness of true friendship. In spring, summer, and autumn Hans was very happy, but when winter came, and he had no fruit or flowers to sell, he suffered from cold and hunger. Though extremely lonely, the Miller never came to see him then. "There's no good in going to see Hans while the snow lasts." The Miller said to his wife, "When people are in trouble they shouldn't be bothered. So I'll wait till the spring comes when he's happy to give me flowers." "You're certainly very thoughtful," answered his wife, "It's quite a treat to hear you talk about friendship." "Couldn't we ask Hans up here?" said their son. "I'll give him half my meal, and show him my white rabbits." "How silly you are!" cried the Miller. "I really don't know what's the use of sending you to school. If Hans came up here, and saw our warm fire, our good supper, and our red wine, he might get envious, and envy is a most terrible thing, and would spoil anybody's nature. I am his best friend, and I'll always watch over him, and see that... The author described the Miller's behavior in order to _ . A) warn the readers about the danger of a false friend B) show the friendship between Hans and the Miller C) entertain the readers with an incredible joking tale D) persuade people to be as intelligent as the Miller
A
Q: A campaign is being launched to encourage children to _ 30 minutes of screen time a day to head for the great outdoors. The newly formed Wild Network--a collaboration of nearly 400 organizations--is attempting to attract youngsters away from television and computer screen and to fields, woods and parks. Members of the network include the National Trust, RSPB, Play England and the NHS. Organizers say it is the UK's biggest ever campaign to reconnect children with nature and outdoor play, and claim it could help improve fitness, mental alertness and general wellbeing. A documentary film, Project Wild Thing, will forecast the launch at more than 50 cinemas across the UK from Friday. It looks at the increasing link between children and nature. Andy Simpson, chairman of the Wild Network, said, "The tragic truth is that kids have lost touch with nature and the outdoors in just one generation. Time spent outdoors is down, roaming ranges have fallen largely, activity levels are declining and the ability to identify common species has been lost." Suggestions of how to get more time in nature include collecting conkers , camping or snail racing, and observing autumn colour on trees. From January, the network will aim to make suggestions to politicians on how government can do more to get children muddy and bright-eyed. This is not the first time the message of less screen, more play has been brought up. Children in the 1980s were requested to do the same by the BBC TV series Why Don't You, which somewhat confusingly called on its viewers to "switch off your TV set and go to do something less boring instead". For what purpose is the Wild Network organized? A) To make children read more books. B) To help children distinguish the natural world. C) To encourage children to participate in outdoor activities. D) To get children out of too much homework from school.
A: C
Q: Here is a poster on a middle school web site. Read the web-site poster. Going, Going, Gone! The Haynes Middle School Parent-Teacher organization Invites you to attend our latest fund-raiser, The Fourth Annual Haynes School Auction ! Saturday, May 10 6:00 p.m.-11: p.m. in the school hall 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. :All items for auction are previewed. 6:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. : Silent auction begins. 7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. : Highest bidders from silent auction are determined. 7:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. : Main auction begins. Items up for bid in the silent auction range in value from $ 5.00 to $ 30.00. Items up for bid in the main auction include the following: l Airline tickets to a place of your choice l Weekend getaways at first-class hotels l Season tickets to the Chicago Bears football game l $ 50 gift tickets to local gift shops, restaurants, and salons Don't miss the boat! Book your tickets today. Last year, tickets sold out in five days! Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. $ 15.00 per person All the money from the auction will be given to the prefix = st1 /HaynesSchoolcomputer lab. The phrase "first-come, first-served" tells you that _ . A) people can buy the tickets on the first day only B) the person who is first to arrive will receive a ticket at no charge C) food and drinks will be served at the auction D) tickets are sold in the order of who arrives first to buy them
A: D