Question

【題目】Robotic Pets

I am going to predict how people are going to be with future technology in their life. I think robotic pets are going to be increasingly popular as the technology develops. At least I am going to build what I think is a strong case for this prediction.

From a neurological point of view, I do not see anything in the　way to people bonding (紐帶) fully with robotic pets. The human　brain can attach (賦予) emotions to things and respond to emotional signaling. Being alive is simply not required. From how objects move, our brains infer that they are able to act with their own will　and purpose. If they move in a way that cannot be explained simply as passive (被動的) movement, then they must be moving on their own. Therefore, they　can connect to the emotional centers in our brains. We either fear them, or love them, or　hunger for them, or whatever. We can respond emotionally with cartoon creatures, with　animals, and yes, even with robots. Our brains treat things that act alive as if they are　alive—no different.

One of the opposite points that people often bring up is that they love the way their pets behave, not just look. This gets to AI, which has been developing at a fast pace. We have AI that can beat world masters in chess and go. I have no doubt we can build AI to mimic (模仿) the behavior of dogs and cats, if not now then probably within a generation.

So we will have no problem fully emotionally bonding with a robotic pet. But this doesn't mean we would prefer such a pet. One argument against robotic pets is that they will be expensive compared to a live pet—but this is likely not to be true forever. Living pets need to be fed, and they need at least basic medical care, and they may need to be boarded at times. Also, people spend hundreds of dollars on pets, __________or thousands of dollars on purebred species. Robotic pets will finally cost less in total than biological ones.

But let's get to the real reason people will prefer robotic pets at last. The possibilities for building in useful technology are endless. An advanced robotic pet could also serve as a defensive and alarm system. You could recharge your cell phone off their batteries. They could be a walking cell phone. They would be excellent companions for the elder, affording them more independence for longer. This in itself would be a huge cost saving—anything that keeps people out of a nursing home is cost effective.

Imagination is really the only limitation, once you have the basics of a working robot. When the technology crosses a certain limit, this will be a thing. Future generations may consider keeping a living animal in your home as primitive (原始的) and cruel. They may have a point.

【1】Why can we bond fully with robotic pets?

A.They can respond to our reactions.

B.They can move actively and freely.

C.Our brains can treat things differently.

D.Our brains can attach emotions to them.

【2】According to the passage, we know that 　　　　.

A.robotic pets will be cost effective in the future

B.present AI can mimic all the behaviors of live pets

C.the elder prefer to have robotic pets as companions

D.the young think it primitive and cruel to keep live pets

【3】The writer probably agrees that 　　　　.

A.live pets will serve us better

B.it is easier to keep live pets at home

C.technology ensures robotic pets a bright future

D.imagination limits the development of robotic pets

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】A

【3】C

【解析】

短文大意：本文從神經(jīng)學(xué)、情感聯(lián)系和建設(shè)有用技術(shù)等幾個方面介紹了機(jī)器寵物隨著科技的發(fā)展越來越受人們歡迎的原因。

【1】題意：為什么我們能與機(jī)器人寵物建立起全面的聯(lián)系?考查細(xì)節(jié)判斷。根據(jù)The human brain can attach emotions to things and respond to emotional signaling.和下文We can respond emotionally with cartoon creatures, with　animals, and yes, even with robots. Our brains treat things that act alive as if they are alive-no different.可知人類的大腦可以將情感與事物聯(lián)系起來，我們的大腦可以用卡通動物，動物，甚至是機(jī)器人來表達(dá)情感，Our brains can attach emotions to them.符合題意，故選D。

【2】題意：根據(jù)這篇文章，我們知道機(jī)器人寵物在未來將是經(jīng)濟(jì)有效的�？疾榧�(xì)節(jié)判斷。A. 機(jī)器人寵物在未來將是經(jīng)濟(jì)有效的；根據(jù)An advanced robotic pet could also serve as a defensive and alarm system…This in itself would be a huge cost saving—anything that keeps people out of a nursing home is cost effective.可知說法正確。B. 現(xiàn)在的人工智能可以模仿活體寵物的所有行為；根據(jù)I have no doubt we can build AI to mimic the behavior of dogs and cats, if not now then probably within a generation.可知說法錯誤。C. 老年人喜歡有機(jī)器寵物作伴；根據(jù)They would be excellent companions for the elder, affording them more independence for longer. This in itself would be a huge cost saving—anything that keeps people 可知說法錯誤。D. 年輕人認(rèn)為養(yǎng)寵物既原始又殘忍；根據(jù)Future generations may consider keeping a living animal in your home as primitive and cruel.可知錯誤。綜合以上分析，故選A。

【3】題意：作者可能認(rèn)為，技術(shù)保證了機(jī)器人寵物的光明未來。考查觀點態(tài)度。根據(jù)When the technology crosses a certain limit, this will be a thing. Future generations may consider keeping a living animal in your home as primitive and cruel. They may have a point.可知技術(shù)突破一定限度時，機(jī)器人寵物的未來是很好的；technology ensures robotic pets a bright future符合文意，故選C。