第3章 信息技术类


Unit 31


In a lab in Princeton University’s ultra-sleek chemistry building, researchers toil in a modern-day hunt for an elusive power: alchemy.

Throughout the centuries, alchemists tried in vain to transform common metals like iron and lead into precious ones like gold or platinum. Today, Paul Chirik, a professor of chemistry at Princeton, has managed a new twist on the timeworn pursuit.

Dr. Chirik, 39, has learned how to make iron function like platinum, in chemical reactions that are crucial to manufacturing scores of basic materials. While he can’t, sadly, transmute a lump of iron ore into a pile of valuable jewelry, his version of alchemy is far more practical, and the implications are wide-ranging.

The process could herald a new era of flexible manufacturing technologies, while enabling companies to steer clear of scarce elements as prices rise or obtaining them becomes environmentally or geopolitically risky.

“No chemist would think lithium was in short supply,” Dr. Chirik said, “but what happens if you put a lithium battery in every car? This is why chemistry needs to be ahead of the curve. We need to have adaptable solutions.”

Despite the cost and relative scarcity of precious metals—iridium, platinum, rhodium—we rely on them to manufacture products from denim to beer, pharmaceuticals to fuel cells. The elements are used as catalysts, substances that kick off or enable chemical reactions.

Dr. Chirik’s work involves dissolved catalysts, which are mixed into the end product. The molecules of the catalyst dissipate during the reaction. For instance, a solution containing platinum is used to make silicone emulsifiers, compounds that in turn feed products like makeup, cookware and glue. Tiny amounts of the expensive metal are scattered in all these things; your jeans, for instance, contain unrecoverable particles of platinum.

注（1）：本文选自The New York Times;

注（2）：本文习题模仿对象：本文习题的第1、5题模仿2011年真题Text 1的第1、5题；第2题模仿2010年真题Text 2的第2题；第3、4题模仿2011年真题Text 2的第3、4题。



1. We can learn from the first two paragraphs that alchemy ______.

A) incurs suspicion

B) is a new pursuit

C) hasn’t been realized

D) arouses curiosity

2. Which of the following is NOT true?

A) In some chemical reactions, iron can function like platinum.

B) Dr. Chirik’s practical alchemy enables him transform iron ore into valuable jewelry.

C) Flexible manufacturing technologies can avoid the use of scarce elements as prices rise in the future.

D) Chemists would think lithium was sufficient.

3. The phrase “be ahead of the curve” （Line 2, Paragraph 5） most probably means ______.

A) making change in advance

B) before curving

C) forward

D) keeping changing

4. It can be inferred from the last two paragraphs that ______.

A) catalysts are mixed into the end product

B) the molecules of the catalyst decompose during the reaction

C) it would be the biggest deal so far

D) catalysts feature in wide-ranging function in chemical reactions as well as in the end products

5. From the text we can see that the writer seems ______.

A) positive

B) negative

C) uncertain

D) neutral





篇章剖析


本文是一篇科技说明文，主要介绍了炼金术及其新发展。前两段介绍了炼金术由来已久，直到今天炼金师们依然在做新尝试；第三段讲述了奇瑞克博士学会如何使铁和铂具有相似功能，但依然不能点石为金；第四、五段讲述了灵活制造技术的到来具有很大意义，可以利用可替代的金属，进而避开一些环境或政治问题；文章最后两段则讲述了催化剂的重要作用。





词汇注释


elusive /ɪˈluːsɪv/ adj. 难获得的；难懂的；易忘的

alchemy /ˈælkəmi/ n. 炼金术；魔力

alchemist /ˈælkəmɪst/ n. 炼金士

platinum /ˈplætɪnəm/ n. 铂

timeworn /ˈtaɪmwɔːn/ adj. 陈旧的，老朽的

herald /ˈherəld/ v. 预示

lithium /ˈlɪθiəm/ n. 锂

iridium /ɪˈrɪdɪəm/ n. 铱

rhodium /ˈrəʊdɪəm/ n. 铑

pharmaceutical /ˌfɑːməˈsjuːtɪkl/ n. 药品adj. 制药的

catalyst /ˈkætəlɪst/ n. 催化剂

dissipate /ˈdɪsɪpeɪt/ v. 消失；驱散；浪费

silicone /ˈsɪlɪkəun/ n. 硅树脂

emulsifier /ɪˈmʌlsɪfaɪ(r)/ n. 乳化剂





难句突破


The process could herald a new era of flexible manufacturing technologies, while enabling companies to steer clear of scarce elements as prices rise or obtaining them becomes environmentally or geopolitically risky.

主体句式：The process could herald a era of flexible manufacturing technologies...

结构分析：这个长句看上去结构复杂，其实while后面是由or连接的两个并列成分整体作为一个独立主格结构，表结果。正是有了灵活的制造技术，公司才可以利用其他物质替代稀缺元素，达到节省资金，或者避免开采所引起的环境或地理政治问题。

句子译文：这项技术可能预示着一个灵活的制造技术的新时代的到来，公司从此便可以利用其他物质来替代价格日益上涨的稀缺元素，或者避开因为采集它们而引起的环境或地理政治问题。





题目分析


1. C 推断题。原文“alchemists tried in vain to transform common metals like...”中in vain这个词组表示“白费力气，徒劳”，虽然炼金师们尝试了各种方法，但炼金术还是没有实现，故C项正确。其余三项并没有在文章中体现。

2. B 细节题。文中对应原句“While he can’t, sadly, transmute a lump of iron ore into a pile of valuable jewelry, his version of alchemy is far more practical, and the implications are wide-ranging.”其中正确的逻辑关系是，虽然齐瑞克博士的炼金术更实用，影响更广泛，然而他并不能把铁矿石变成珠宝，B选项正好混淆了逻辑。A、C和D选项皆在文章中有直接或间接的体现。

3. A 语义题。由前后文语义和“We need to have adaptable solutions.”可以推断出，化学科学需要走在转变之前，以应对各种状况，也就是要提前做出改变，故选A。

4. D 推断题。最后两段讲述了催化剂不仅能促成化学反应，而且会被混合到最终产品中，由此可知D正确。A、B和C陈述的仅仅是一种现象，不能作为推断的结果。

5. D 情感态度题。本文是一篇科学研究类文章，旨在讲述科学技术，因此作者持中立态度。





参考译文


在普林斯顿大学一座超现代的化学楼的实验室里，科学家们正在苦心钻研一项很难获得的技术，它是当代的寻金之旅：炼金术。

几个世纪以来，炼金师都在尝试将普通的金属，如铁和铅，转化为像金或铂一样的贵重金属，但这些努力都是徒劳的。今天，普林斯顿大学的化学教授保罗·齐瑞克对这一陈年旧日的追求进行了新的尝试。

39岁的齐瑞克博士已经学会了如何使铁和铂具有相似的功能，在化学反应中，此功能对制造大量的基础材料至关重要。尽管他不能把一块铁矿石变成许多价值连城的珠宝，这很可惜，但他的炼金术其实更实用而且影响更为广泛。

这项技术可能预示着一个灵活的制造技术新时代的到来，公司从此便可以利用其他物质来替代价格日益上涨的稀缺元素，或者避开因为采集它们而引起的环境或地理政治问题。

齐瑞克说：“没有哪位化学家会觉得锂有一天会成为稀缺元素，但是如果每辆汽车都用锂电池做燃料呢？这就是为什么化学科学应走在转变之前的原因。我们需要可替代的办法。”

尽管贵重金属，如铱、铂、铑的成本昂贵而且相对稀缺，我们却在很多产品的生产方面依赖它们，从牛仔布到啤酒，从药品到燃料…它们被用作催化剂，即用来引起或促成化学反应的物质。

齐瑞克博士的工作涉及溶解性催化剂，它们被混合到最终产品中。催化剂的分子在反应过程中消失。例如，一种含有铂元素的溶液被用来制造硅乳化剂，该合成物转而又被用来制造化妆品、炊具和胶水。这些东西中都含有少量的昂贵金属，例如你的牛仔裤中就含有不可回收的铂粒子。





Unit 32


Tennis hopeful Jamie Hunt, 16, felt he could not become a world-class junior player while attending a regular school. The international circuit has players on the road 50% of the time—and it’s hard to focus on your backhand when you’re worrying about being on time for homeroom. So last year Hunt, who hones his ground strokes at Elite TNT Tennis Academy in April Sound, Texas, enrolled for academics in the $9,750-a-year University of Miami Online High School（UMOHS）, a virtual school that caters to athletes. “The online school gives me the flexibility I need,” says Hunt. “The workload is the same, but I can do it anywhere. It’s nicer to ask a question face-to-face with a teacher, but in some ways it prepares me better for college because I have to be more independent.” A year ago, Hunt’s world junior ranking was 886; now it’s 108.

Virtual high schools, which allow students to take classes via PC, have emerged as an increasingly popular education alternative, particularly for on-the-go athletes. UMOHS has more than 400 students enrolled, 65% of whom are athletes. Accredited by the 100-year-old Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, UMOHS offers honors and advanced-placement classes. All course material is online, along with assignments and due dates. For help, says principal Howard Liebman, “a student may e-mail, instant message or call the teacher.”

Dallas mom Lori Bannon turned to another online school, Laurel Springs in Ojai, Calif. Bannon, who has a medical degree from Harvard, didn’t want to compromise the education of her daughter Lindsay, 13, an élite gymnast who spends eight hours a day in the gym. “Regular school was not an option,” says Bannon, “but I wanted to make sure she could go back at grade level if she quit gymnastics.” Laurel Springs’ enrollment has increased 35% a year for the past four years, to 1,800 students. At least 25% are either athletes or child entertainers.

Educators are split on the merits of such schools. Paul Orehovec, an enrollment officer for the University of Miami, admits, “I was somewhat of a skeptic. But when I looked into their programs and accreditation, I was excited. UMOHS is the first online school to be granted membership in the National Honor Society.” Kevin Roy, Elite’s director of education, sees pitfalls and potential in virtual schools. “You will never have that wonderful teacher who inspires you for life,” says Roy. “But the virtual school offers endless possibilities. I don’t know where education’s imagination will take this.”

注（1）：本文选自Time；

注（2）：本文习题命题模仿对象：第1、2、3、5题分别模仿2004年真题Text 4第1、2题，Text 1第2题和Text 3第5题；第4题模仿2014年真题Text 2第4题。



1. What does Jamie Hunt get from the virtual school?

A) The ability to perfect his tennis skills.

B) The time to do his school work.

C) The flexibility to finish the workload anywhere.

D) The independence he needs to be a good tennis player.

2. We can learn from the text that virtual high schools ______.

A) make it possible for athletes to receive training without delaying their school work

B) have gained ground as a major education form

C) are cheaper than real schools

D) prepare students better for colleges

3. Which of the following is NOT a practice in a virtual school?

A) Visiting a homeroom on time.

B) E-mailing teachers for questions.

C) Getting course materials online.

D) Taking classes via a PC.

4. Lori Bannon turned to online school because ______.

A) virtual school has more athlete students

B) virtual school offers better education

C) her daughter is an elite gymnast

D) regular school cannot meet her daughter’s condition

5. To which of the following is the author likely to agree?

A) The education provided by virtual schools is yet to be recognized by authorities.

B) Educators are divided as to whether students should take virtual schools.

C) Despite the defects, virtual schools show great potentials.

D) Regular schools will be replaced by virtual schools sooner or later.





篇章剖析


本文是一篇说明文，介绍了网上虚拟学校的发展状况。第一段以网坛小将Jamie Hunt的例子引出虚拟学校这个话题；第二段介绍了虚拟学校的特点以及迈阿密大学网上中学UMOHS；第三段介绍了另外一个到虚拟学校求学的例子；最后一段介绍了人们对虚拟学校的看法。





词汇注释


hopeful /ˈhəʊpfʊl/ n. 有希望成功的人

circuit /ˈsɜːkɪt/ n. 运动队（或运动场）联合会；联赛

backhand /ˈbækhænd/ n. （网球）反手击球，反手抽击

homeroom /ˈhəʊmruːm/ n. 年级教室

hone /həʊn/ vt. 磨炼；训练；使完美

ground stroke 【网】击触地球

virtual /ˈvɜːtjʊəl/ adj. 虚拟的

cater to 迎合

on-the-go /ˈɒnðəˈgəʊ/ adj. 忙碌的

accredit /əˈkredɪt/ vt. 承认资格；授权

advanced-placement 大学预科班

pitfall /ˈpɪtfɔːl/ n. 缺陷





难句突破


So last year Hunt, who hones his ground strokes at Elite TNT Tennis Academy in April Sound, Texas, enrolled for academics in the $9,750-a-year University of Miami Online High School （UMOHS）, a virtual school that caters to athletes.

主体句式：Hunt enrolled in the school.

结构分析：这是一个复杂句，主语Hunt带有一个who引导的非限定性定语从句，此外句中还有一个同位语，说明UMOHS的特点。

句子译文：所以去年亨特注册成为专为运动员开办的迈阿密大学网上中学（UMOHS）的学生，每年学费为9750美元。目前他正在位于得克萨斯州艾波桑德（April Sound）的“TNT精英网球学院”苦练击触地球技术。





题目分析


1. C 细节题。可以从第一段第六、七行Hunt自己的话“The online school gives me the flexibility I need...The workload is the same, but I can do it anywhere”得知答案。

2. A 推理题。根据第一段提到的虚拟学校的灵活性以及Hunt学习成绩的进步，以及第二段提到的它已经成为an increasingly popular education alternative, particularly for on-the-go athletes可以判断，这种学校可以让运动员既坚持训练又不至于耽误功课。

3. A 细节题。根据第一段第二、三行“it’s hard to focus on your backhand when you’re worrying about being on time for homeroom”可知学生按时到年级教室是传统学校的一种做法。第二段介绍虚拟学校的时候有这样的描述：“所有的课程材料和课堂作业以及完成日期等信息都登在网上。由此可排除B、C、D。

4. D 细节题。根据上下文，Bannon的女儿每天要训练8小时，她又想让女儿的功课跟得上，就无法考虑上普通学校了。可见普通学校无法满足她女儿的条件。

5. C 推理题。文章最后一段说一位教务处长既看到了虚拟学校的不足，也看到了它们的潜力。并引用他的话说：“虚拟学校却提供了无限可能性。”可见虚拟学校虽然有缺陷，但仍然有着巨大的潜力。





参考译文


16岁的网坛小将杰米·亨特认为，他如果就读普通学校，就不可能成为世界级的青年运动员。参加国际巡回比赛的运动员50%的时间都在路上——当你担心自己不能准时出现在年级教室时，你就很难把注意力集中在反手击球上。所以去年亨特注册成为专为运动员开办的迈阿密大学网上中学（UMOHS）的学生，每年学费为9750美元。目前他正在位于得克萨斯州艾波桑德（April Sound）的“TNT精英网球学院”苦练击触地球技术。“这个网上学校使我可以根据需要灵活安排学习时间，”亨特说道。“学习任务不变，但我可以在任何地方学习。当面问老师问题当然好，但网上学校可以让我在某些方面更好地为上大学做准备，因为我必须更加独立。”一年前，亨特在国际青少年运动员排名中位列886位，现在已经升至108位。

虚拟中学通过个人电脑上课，正在成为一种越来越受欢迎的教育选择，对于那些忙碌的运动员来说尤其适合。迈阿密大学网上中学已经有400多名注册学生，其中65%都是运动员。该校得到了有着百年历史的南部院校协会的授权，可以授予荣誉，并为优秀学生提供大学预科班课程。所有的课程材料和课堂作业以及完成日期等信息都登在网上。如果需要帮助的话，该校校长霍华德·利伯曼说：“学生可以发电子邮件、发短信或者打电话和老师联系。”

达拉斯的洛丽·班农是一位母亲，她找到了另外一家网上学校，位于加利福尼亚州奥吉的劳雷尔·斯普林斯学校。班农毕业于哈佛大学医学院，她的女儿林赛今年13岁，是一个出色的体操运动员，每天都要在体育馆训练8小时。她不想耽误女儿的教育。“上不了普通学校，”班农说，“但我想确保她退役后学习还能跟得上。”劳雷尔·斯普林斯学校的注册人数在过去4年中以每年35%的速度增长，已经达到了1800人。其中至少有25%的学生要么是运动员，要么是儿童演员。

教育专家对这种学校的价值没有形成一致的意见。保罗·奥赫维克是迈阿密大学负责注册的官员，他承认，“我曾经心存疑虑。但是当我看了他们的教学计划和鉴定书之后，我感到十分振奋。迈阿密大学网上中学是第一个成为‘全国优等生联合会会员’的网上学校。”精英学校的教务长凯文·罗伊既看到了虚拟学校的不足，也看到了它们的潜力。“你不会碰到影响你一生的好老师，”罗伊说。“但虚拟学校却提供了无限可能性。我不知道教育的想象力会把这种可能性发挥到什么地步。”





Unit 33


Muffin Man has more than 2,000 songs on his hard drive, and he’s happy to share them. He’s a big fan of bands like Pearl Jam and the White Stripes, so there’s plenty of hard rock in his collection.

But chances are you’ll never get to it. The 21-year-old pizza cook, who asked to be identified by his online nickname, makes his songs available only through private file-sharing networks known as darknets. Unlike such public networks as Kazaa or Morpheus, which let you share songs with anyone, private networks operate more like underground nightclubs or secret societies. To gain access, you need to know the name of the group and a password. And the only way to get that information is from another member who invites you in. Some darknets even encrypt files and mask your identity within a group to keep eavesdroppers from finding out who you are and what you are sharing.

It’s a handy invention now that the recording industry has taken to suing kids who share music online. But darknets are not just for digital music files. Carving out a bit of privacy online has wide appeal; students, community groups and even political dissidents can use these hidden networks to share projects, papers and information. One part of the allure is anonymity; the other is exclusivity. Since participation is limited, file searches don’t turn up a lot of junk or pornography. Darknets offer the convenience of the Web without a lot of the bad stuff.