单选题
The more time scientists spend designing computers the more they marvel at the human brain. Tasks that baffle (难住) the most advanced supercomputer—recognizing a face, reading a handwritten note—are child's play for the 3-pound organ. Most important, unlike any conventional computer, the brain can learn from its mistakes. Researchers have tried for years to program computers to imitate the brain's abilities, but without success. Now a growing number of designers believe they have the answer: if a computer is to function more like a person and less like an over-grown calculator, it must be built more like a brain, which distributes information across a vast interconnected web of nerve cells, or neurons. Conventional computers function by following a chainlike sequence of detailed instructions. Although very fast, their processors can perform only one task at a time. This approach works best in solving problems that can be broken down into simpler logical pieces. The processors in a neural-network computer, by contrast, form a network much like the nerve cells in the brain. Since these artificial neurons are interconnected, they can share information and perform tasks at the same time. This two-dimensional approach works best at recognizing patterns. Instead of programming a neural-network computer to make decisions, its maker trains it to recognize patterns in any solution to a problem by repeatedly feeding examples to the machine. Neural networks come in all shapes and sizes. Until now most exist as software simulations (模拟品) because redesigning computer chips took a lot of time and money. By experimenting with different approaches through software rather than hardware, scientists have been able to avoid costly mistakes.
单选题
It can be inferred from the first paragraph that the most advanced supercomputer ______. A. can recognize a face and read a handwritten note B. can learn from its mistakes C. weighs only 3 pounds D. cannot distribute information across an interconnected web of nerve cells
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题考查推理能力。根据文章第一段最后一句“if a computer is to function more like a person and less like an over—grown calculator，it must be built more like a brain，which distributes information across a vast interconnected web of nerve cells，or neurons”可知，人脑可通过巨大的神经细胞或神经元互联网络传输信息，但最先进的超级计算机却不行，所以D项正确。
单选题
What is NOT true of a conventional computer? A. It must be programmed before it works. B. It can only solve one problem at a time. C. It is good at solving one problem at a time. D. It is trained to recognize patterns instead of making decisions.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题考查细节。根据第三段“Instead of programming a neural-network computer to make decisions，its maker trains it to recognize patterns in any solution to a problem by repeatedly feeding examples to the machine．”可知，被训练来识别所有解决问题的方法的程序是神经网络计算机，而不是传统的计算机，所以D项说法与原文不符。
单选题
The main feature of a neural-network computer is that ______. A. its processors act as an interconnected web of neurons B. it is programmed to make decisions C. its networks are of all shapes and sizes D. its neurons are artificial
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 本题考查细节。根据文中第二段中的“The processors in a neural-network computer，by contrast，form a network much like the nerve cells in the brain．”可知，神经网络计算机处理器形成的网络更像人脑中的神经细胞，所以A项符合题意。
单选题
The expression "this two-dimensional approach" in the second paragraph refers to ______. A. the conventional computer and the neural computer B. making decisions and recognizing patterns C. sharing information and performing tasks D. the computer and the human brain
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题考查推理能力。根据文章第二段中的“Since these artificial neurons are interconnected，they can share information and perform tasks at the same time．”可知，this two-dimensional approach指share information和perform tasks，所以C项符合题意。
单选题
Scientists use software rather than hardware in their experiments because ______. A. it can avoid redesigning computer chips B. it can save a lot of time and money C. it can avoid making mistakes D. it is more like the human brain
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题考查细节。根据文章最后一句话“By experimenting with different approaches through software rather than hardware， scientists have been able to avoid costly mistakes．”可知，科学家用软件而不是硬件做实验是为了节省金钱，所以B项符合题意。