单选题  
Computers and Humans

    The ideal companion machine—the computer—would not only look, feel, and sound friendly but would also behave in a pleasant manner. Its informal conversational style make interaction comfortable, and yet the machine would remain slightly unpredictable (不可预知的) and therefore very interesting. In its first encounter it might be somewhat hesitant, but as it came to know the user it would progress to a more relaxed and intimate style. The machine would not be a passive participant but would add its own suggestions, information, and opinions; it would sometimes take the initiative in developing or changing the topic and would have a personality of its own.
    Friendships are not made in a day, and the computer would be more acceptable as a friend if it imitated the gradual changes that occur when one person is getting to know another. At an appropriate time it might also express the kind of affection that stimulates attachment and intimacy. The whole process would be accomplished in a subtle way to avoid giving an impression of over-familiarity that would be likely to produce irritation (恼怒). After experiencing a wealth of powerful, well-timed friendship indicators, the user would be very likely to accept the computer as far more than a machine and might well come to regard it as a friend.
    An artificial relationship of this type would provide many of the benefits that people obtain from interpersonal friendships. The computer would participate in interesting conversation that could continue from previous discussions. It would have a familiarity with the user's life as revealed in earlier contact, and it would be understanding and good-humored. The computer's own personality would be lively and impressive, and it would develop in response to that of the user. With features such as these, the computer might indeed become a very attractive social partner.
单选题     Which feature belongs to the computer as an ideal companion machine?
 
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】根据题干中的ideal companion machine定位到原文第一段。该段前两句中提到,理想的机器伴侣——电脑——将不会只是看起来、摸起来和听起来友好,它还可以以亲和的方式运行。由此可知B项表述符合原文,故选B。
单选题     What would the computer do according to Paragraph 1 ?
 
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】根据题干定位到原文第一段。该段第三句和第四句中提到,初次结识的时候它可能会有些迟疑,但是随着对其使用者的了解不断加深,它会改进为一个更为轻松和亲密的方式。电脑将不是一个被动的参与者,它会提供自己的建议、信息和看法;它有时候还会主动拓展和改变主题,并且拥有自己的个性。由此可见,A、B两项表述错误,C项表述符合原文,故选C。D项表述并未在原文中提及,可排除。
单选题     What does the author imply by saying 'Friendships are not made in a day' (Line 1, Para. 2)?
 
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】根据题干定位到原文第二段。该段首句中提到,友谊不是在一天内铸就的,如果电脑模仿人与人相互了解的过程中所逐渐发生的变化,它就会更容易被接受成为朋友。可见电脑是可以成为人类的朋友的,只是需要一个渐进的过程和时间。因而C项表述符合原文,故选C。
单选题     The computer would develop friendships with humans in a(n) ______ way.
 
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】该题考查电脑与人类之间友谊形成的方式。原文第二段第三句中提到,电脑与人类发展友谊的整个过程是以微妙的方式实现的,以避免产生一种过度熟悉的印象而令人恼怒。故选C。
单选题     Throughout the passage, the author is ______ in his attitude toward the computer.
 
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】该题考查作者对电脑的态度。原文第三段最后一句中指出,有了这样一些特性,电脑将有可能真的成为一个颇具魅力的社交伴侣。由此可见作者是很看好电脑的发展的,故选A。