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In a development that would have seemed hardly possible just over a decade ago, many of us have gained constant access to information. If we need to find out the score of a ballgame, learn how to perform a complicated mathematical task, or simply remember the name of the actress in the movie we are viewing, we need only turn to our laptops or smart phones and we can find the answers immediately. It has become such an ordinary practice to look up the answer to any question the moment it occurs. It can feel like going through withdrawal when we can't find out something immediately. We are seldom offline unless by choice and the Internet, with its search engines like Baidu and Google and the information stored there, has become an external (外部的）memory source that we can access at any time.
Storing information externally is nothing particularly new, even before the invention of computers. In any group relationship, people typically develop a transactive (交换式）memory, which is a combination of memory stores held directly by individuals and the memory stores they can access because they are in touch with someone who knows that information. Like linked computers that can address each other's memories, people in groups form transactive memory systems.
In a recent research led by Besty Sparrow of Columbia University, researchers have explored whether having online access to search engines has become a primary transactive memory source in itself. If asked the question whether there are any countries with only one color in their flag, for example, do we think about flags一or immediately think to go online to find out the answer?
In one experiment, the participants were asked to read 40 memorable unimportant statements of the type that they could look up online (e. g., an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain). Then they were asked to type the statements into computer to assure memory. Half the participants believed the computer would save what was typed and the other half believed the item would be erased. After the reading and typing task, participants wrote down as many of the statements as they could remember.
It turned out that participants who believed the computer would erase what they had typed had better recall than those who regarded the computer as the memory source.
The Internet has become a primary form of transactive memory , and processes of human memory are adapting to the new computing and communication technology. Just as we learn through transactive memory who knows what in our families and offices, we are learning what the computer “knows” and when we should attend to where we have stored information in our computer-based memories. The importance of the information from the Internet is almost equal to that of all the knowledge we gain from our friends and coworkers—and lose if they are out of touch. The experience of losing our Internet connection becomes more and more like losing a friend. We must always remain plugged in to know what the Internet knows.
50. Which of the following can best replace the underlined part of the first paragraph?
A. It is only too common. B. It is very painful.
C. It gives us pleasure. D. It makes us curious.
51. We can learn from paragraph 2 that_____.
A. transactive memory goes hand in hand with the computer technology
B. transactive memory is shared only when two people don't know each other
C. transactive memory exists long before the invention of the computer
D. transactive memory systems can be developed by an individual independently
52. Which of following is NOT correct about the experiment mentioned in the fourth paragraph?
A. “The fifth American president is James Monroe” is a statement fit for the experiment.
B. Reading and typing the statement are both intended for strengthening participants' memory.
C. Were the typing to be erased, the computer wouldn't be a reliable memory source for participants any longer.
D. The experiment suggests whether or not to type the information has little effect on our memory.
53. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A. We are becoming more and more dependent on the Internet for information.
B. The Internet is causing our brain to function less efficiently.
C. The Internet gives us access to a wide range of information without any disadvantages.
D. The author uses losing the access to the Internet to stress the sadness of losing a friend.
54. What is the author's tone in the last paragraph?
A. Approving. B. Doubtful. C. Objective. D. Optimistic.
55. What can we learn from the passage?
A. Transactive memory is essential to the development of mankind.
B. Search engines make us more curious and enthusiastic about new information.
C. The Internet is the most important form of transactive memory.
D. Changes in our memory processes serve as an adaptation to new technology
D
Growing up in rural Malawi, Africa, William Kamkwamba learned to accept that life was hard.
He lived with his parents and seven sisters in a small clay house without electricity or running water. Like most boys in his village , William was expected to assist his parents on the family farm, as well as keep up with his school work. Each night, like most Malawians, his family went to bed early because the kerosene oil they needed to light the lamps was costly.
A terrible drought in 2000 left many Malawians hungry, and William's family was no exception.
In 2003 at the age of 13, William and many other children were forced to drop out of school when their parents could no longer afford his schooling. William had to work even harder to help his family, but he wasn't ready to give up his education. He went to the local library and took out some books to study. One book, called Using Energy, sparked William's interest in science and gave him an idea that significantly changed his future.
In the book, William found a picture of a windmill (风车), and a brief description of how it could be used to generate electricity from wind. He knew that there was plenty of wind in his village, and realized that if he could build a windmill like that, he could give his family and the . people in his village a much better life. There was just one problem. The book didn't explain how to build a windmill, and neither did any of the other books in the library.
What happened over the next year demonstrated William's incredible ambition and determination. He began to collect any kinds of materials he thought could be useful—scraps of wood, broken bicycles, old shoes—and started to build a windmill next to his family's house. He endured many challenges and failures. Other people in his village called him crazy and said his idea would never work. Finally, at the age of 14, William completed his first windmill. When they saw electric lights and heard the sound of music on the radio coming from William^ house , the village people came running. He had done it. William Kamkwamba had found a way to capture the wind.
Kamkwamba's autobiography (自传）, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind^ tells the story of how the rest of the world came to know about his achievements. With the help of international supporters, his village now has clean running water, solar powered lighting, and electric power. As a result of his actions, Kamkwamba was invited to study engineering at Dartmouth College, one of the top-ranking universities in the U. S. He also travels the world and gives talks about how he made his dream a reality.
56. William went to the local library because
A. he wanted to find some materials for his invention
B. B. it was his favorite way to kill time and relax
C. he wanted to continue his education
D. it was believed to be a way to change his fate
57. Paragraph 3 is mainly about_____.
A. why the windmill is so attractive
B. how William got inspired by a hook
C. why William decided to continue his education
D. how a windmill works to produce electricity
58. The living conditions in William's village are much better now mainly because
A. William has helped build a power station
B. the villagers are greatly encouraged by William
C. William autobiography is locally popular
D. it has received much outside help
59. William Kamkwamba can be best described as_____.
A. ambitious and determined B. honest and forgiving
C.brave and patient D.reasonable and humorous
60. What is the message conveyed in the passage?
A. We should strike while the iron is hot.
B. A good beginning makes a good end.
C. One who lives his dream can make a difference.
D. You'd better not put all the eggs in one basket.
