选修一册第二单元阅读讲解

选修一册第二单元第14页阅读讲解

SMART HOMES TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
智能的家让生活更加便利

Have you ever forgotten to lock the door of your house? Or, have you ever forgotten to switch off the TV or computer? These kinds of things happen to us all the time, waste resources, and can sometimes lead to problems. However, in the not-too-distant future, we will be living in smart homes that will lock the door for us when we are away and remember to switch off the TV when we forget. These smart homes will keep us secure, save us energy, and provide a more comfortable environment to live in.
你忘记过锁家门吗？或是你忘记过关掉电视或电脑吗？诸如此类的事情经常发生在我们身上，浪费资源，有时还会引发问题。然而在不久的将来，我们将生活在智能的家里。智能的家会在我们外出时锁好家门，会在我们忘记关掉电视的时候替我们关上。这样的智能家居将保障我们的安全，节省我们的能源，为我们提供一个更为舒适的居住环境。

Intelligent Controls
智能控制

knob /nɒb/ noun [C] (ROUND OBJECT)
a round handle, or a small, round device for controlling a machine or electrical equipment
球形把手；（机器等的）旋钮

appliance noun [ C ] /əˈplaɪ.əns/
a device, machine, or piece of equipment, especially an electrical one that is used in the house, such as a cooker or washing machine
装置，器械；（尤指）家用电器

air conditioner noun [ C ] /ˈeə kənˌdɪʃ.ən.ər/
a machine that keeps the air in a building cool
空调机；空调设备

just about
几乎，差不多

integrate verb /ˈɪn.tɪ.ɡreɪt/[ T ]
to combine two or more things in order to become more effective
使合并，使成为一体

sensor noun [ C ] /ˈsen.sər/
a device that is used to record that something is present[存在的] or that there are changes in something
传感器

tell verb (KNOW) [ I or T ]
to know, recognize, or be certain
知道；辨别；确定

energy-efficient adjective /ˈen.ə.dʒi.ɪˌfɪʃ.ənt/
using little electricity, gas, etc.
节省能源的；能源利用效率高的

mode noun (WAY) /məʊd/
[ C or U ] formal
a way of operating, living, or behaving
方法；做法；方式

turn verb (GO ROUND)[ I or T ]
to (cause to) move in a circle around a fixed[固定的] point or line
（使）转动；（使）旋转

switch noun (DEVICE) /swɪtʃ/[ C ]
a small device, usually pushed up or down with your finger, that controls and turns on or off an electric current[电流]
开关

routine noun /ruːˈtiːn/[ C or U ]
a usual or fixed way of doing things
惯例，常规；例行公事

instant noun [ S ] /ˈɪn.stənt/
an extremely short period of time
瞬息，顷刻

the instant (= as soon as)
一...就...

control noun (SWITCH)[ C ]
a switch or other device used to operate a machine such as a vehicle
（机器的）控制按钮，操纵装置

respond verb [ I ] /rɪˈspɒnd/
to say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done
回答，作答；回应，作出反应

command /kəˈmænd/ noun (ORDER) [ C ]
an order, especially one given by a soldier
（尤指军人发出的）命令，指示
Today, we have to use switches for our lights, knobs for our appliances, and remote controls for our TVs and air conditioners. In the future, we will be using advanced technology every day for automatic control of just about everything in our home. The future home will use integrated sensors to tell when you leave home each morning, and then go into an energy-efficient mode all by itself. You will no longer have to think about turning switches on and off yourself. Your home will also learn your daily routine and preferences, so everything will be ready for you when you get home each evening. Your lights will come on the instant you enter the door along with your favourite music or TV programmes, and you will find your dinner already prepared for you. All controls will respond to voice commands, so if you want to change your routine, you just say aloud what you want and the home system will obey.
今天，我们必须使用开关来控制我们的电灯，使用旋钮来控制我们的家用电器，使用遥控器来控制我们的电视机和空调。未来，我们每天都能使用先进的技术来自动控制家里几乎所有的东西。未来的住宅将使用集成传感器来感应你每天早晨何时出门，然后自动进入节能模式。你再也不用想着自己打开或关闭各种开关。你的住宅还能了解你的日程安排和喜好，所以每天晚上你回到家时，一切都已经准备就绪。在你步入家门的一刹那，灯光亮起，你最喜爱的音乐或电视节目随即开启，而且你会发现晚餐也已备好。所有的控制器都将响应语音指令，因此如果你想要改变日程安排，你只需大声说出你的想法，家居系统就会照办。

Regular Health Checks
定期健康检查

constant adjective (FREQUENT[happening often])/ˈkɒn.stənt/
happening a lot or all the time
经常发生的；连续发生的；连续不断的

track noun (MARKS) [ C usually plural ]
a mark[痕迹] or line[一系列] of marks left on the ground or on another surface by an animal, person, or vehicle that has moved over it, showing the direction they moved in
踪迹；足迹；车辙

abnormal adjective /æbˈnɔː.məl/
different from what is usual or average, especially in a way that is bad
反常的；异常的；变态的（尤指不好的）

critical adjective (SERIOUS)
extremely serious or dangerous
严重的；危急的，危险的

potentially adverb /pəˈten.ʃəl.i/
possibly
潜在地；可能地

possibly adverb (NOT CERTAIN)
used when something is not certain
可能地
In addition, your smart home will be monitoring your health for you every day. Your bed, for example, will record how well you sleep every night. It will also be checking your body weight. If you start to have sleep or weight problems, it will send a warning to your phone. It will also give you suggestions on a healthier diet and how to sleep better. Smart toilets will be keeping constant track of your health as well. They can warn you early on if there is something abnormal or if you have a critical illness, such as cancer, and potentially save your life.
此外，你的智能家居每天都会监测你的健康状况。例如，你的床铺会记录你每晚的睡眠状况，还能检测你的体重。如果你开始有睡眠或体重问题，它会将警告发到你的手机上。此外，就如何实现更加健康的饮食和更好的睡眠，它还会给予你建议。智能马桶也会持续跟踪你的健康状况。如果发现异常情况，或是你得了癌症等重大疾病，智能马桶会提前警告你，并有可能挽救你的生命。

No More Disasters
不再有事故

prevent verb [ T ] /prɪˈvent/
to stop something from happening or someone from doing something
阻止，妨碍；预防

damage verb [ T ] /ˈdæm.ɪdʒ/
to harm or spoil something
损害，危害；损坏；伤害

spoil verb (DESTROY)[ T ]
to destroy or reduce the pleasure, interest, or beauty of something
破坏；糟蹋；毁掉

pipe noun [C] (TUBE)
a tube inside which liquid or gas flows from one place to another
管；管子；管道

leak verb [I or T] (LIQUID/GAS)
(of a liquid or gas) to escape from a hole or crack in a pipe or container; (of a container) to allow liquid or gas to escape
（液体或气体）漏，泄漏

short noun [C] (ELECTRICITY)
informal for short circuit
短路（同 short circuit）

[short circuit]
noun [ C ] /ˌʃɔːt ˈsɜː.kɪt/
a bad electrical connection that causes the current to flow in the wrong direction, often having the effect of stopping the power supply
短路

wiring noun [ U ] /ˈwaɪə.rɪŋ/
the system of wires that carry electricity in a building
（建筑物中的）线路，布线

detect verb [ T ] /dɪˈtekt/
to discover something, usually using special equipment
（通常指用特殊设备）探测，检测，测出

fix verb (REPAIR) [ T ]
to repair something
修理

flooded adjective (WATER)
covered with water
被水淹没的

catch verb (BURN)
catch fire
to start burning
着火；失火
Smart homes will be able to prevent serious damage from accidents. For example, if a water pipe starts leaking, or if there is a short in the electrical wiring, your smart home will detect it and provide you with the relevant information. This way, you will be able to fix the problem before your home becomes flooded or catches fire.
智能家居将能够防止事故造成严重损害。例如，如果水管漏水或者发生电线短路，你的智能家居会检测出来，并给你提供相关的信息。这样一来，你就能够在家里水流满地或着火前及时解决问题。

fantasy noun [ C or U ] /ˈfæn.tə.si/
a pleasant situation that you enjoy thinking about but is unlikely to happen, or the activity of imagining things like this
幻想；想象

innovation noun [ C or U ] /ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/
(the use of) a new idea or method
新观念；新方法；（新观念或方法的）创造，使用

sense /sens/ noun (MEANING)[ C ]
one of the possible meanings of a word or phrase
含义，意义

in every sense
in every way[方面] or feature[特征]
从任何意义上看

in a sense (also in one sense)
thinking about something in one way, but not in every way
从某种意义上讲

nevertheless adverb /ˌnev.ə.ðəˈles/
(also nonetheless)
despite what has just been said or referred to
不过，仍然；尽管如此

nonetheless adverb /ˌnʌn.ðəˈles/
(also nevertheless)
despite what has just been said or done
然而，但是；尽管
This smart technology is not a fantasy. Many of these new innovations are already available and being used in some homes. In this sense, the home of tomorrow is already the home of today. Nevertheless, it will take some years before most new homes begin to use this new technology.
这种智能技术不是幻想。这些新近的革新中有许多已经唾手可得，并且正在一些住宅中使用。从这个意义上说，明日之家已经是今日之家。然而，还需要过些年大多数新住宅才会开始使用这种新技术。

选修一册第二单元第20页阅读讲解

SHOULD WE FIGHT NEW TECHNOLOGY?
我们应该抗拒新技术吗？

shocking adjective (SURPRISING)
extremely surprising
令人震惊的，令人极为惊讶的

headline noun [ C ] /ˈhed.laɪn/
a line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper, or the main points of the news that are broadcast on television or radio
（报纸的）标题；（电视或广播的）内容提要

crash verb (HAVE AN ACCIDENT) [ I or T ]
If a vehicle crashes or someone crashes it, it is involved in an accident, usually a serious one in which the vehicle is damaged and someone is hurt.
撞（车）；撞毁，撞坏；坠毁

oppose verb [ T ] /əˈpəʊz/
to disagree with something or someone, often by speaking or fighting against it, him, or her
反对；反抗；抵制

advance noun (MOVEMENT)[ C or U ]
the forward movement of something, or an improvement or development in something
前进；进步，进展；发展

hence /hens/ adverb (THEREFORE)
that is the reason or explanation for
因此，所以

therefore adverb /ˈðeə.fɔːr/
for that reason
因此，因而，所以

cease verb [ I or T ] formal /siːs/
to stop something
停止，中止

apologize verb [ I ] (UK usually apologise) /əˈpɒl.ə.dʒaɪz/
to tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused problems or unhappiness for them
道歉；认错；谢罪

deceased adjective formal /dɪˈsiːst/
dead
死的，死亡的，去世的

claim /kleɪm/ verb (SAY) [ T ]
to say that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it
声称；宣称；断言；主张
This morning, I saw the shocking headline: “Passenger Dies When Car Crashes in Driverless Mode”. In the article, various people said that the public should oppose the idea of developing driverless cars. They said that some advances in technology were unnecessary and could even be dangerous. Hence, we should cease accepting technology just because it is new. The newspaper reported that the car company had already apologised for the accident, but the families of the deceased said it was not enough. Nevertheless, the company still claimed that most people would be travelling in driverless cars one day soon.
今天早晨、我看到了这条令人震惊的新闻标题：“乘客死于无人驾驶模式下汽车的撞车事故”。在这篇报道中，多位人士表示公众应该反对发展无人驾驶汽车这一想法。他们说，有些技术进步是不必要的，甚至可能造成危险。所以，我们应停止仅仅因为技术是新的就接受它。该报称汽车公司已经为此次事故道歉，但是死者家属表示这还不够。然而，该公司仍然声称，不久的将来，大多数人都会乘坐无人驾驶汽车出行。

absence /ˈæb.səns/ noun (NOT EXISTING)[ U ]
the fact of not existing
不存在；缺乏

probably adverb /ˈprɒb.ə.bli/
used to mean that something is very likely
很可能；大概

rural adjective /ˈrʊə.rəl/
in, of, or like the countryside
乡村的，农村的；似乡村的

distant /ˈdɪs.tənt/ adjective (NOT CLOSE)
far away
遥远的，远方的

advocate verb [ T ] /ˈæd.və.keɪt/
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something
主张；拥护；支持；提倡

emphasis noun [ C or U ] /ˈem.fə.sɪs/
plural emphases['emfəsi:z]
the particular importance or attention that is given to something
重视；强调

luxury noun /ˈlʌk.ʃər.i/ [ C ]
something expensive that is pleasant to have but is not necessary
奢侈品，名贵品

argue verb (SHOW)[ T ]/ˈɑːrɡ.juː/
to show that something is true or exists
显示出；表明

since conjunction (BECAUSE)
because; as
因为；既然

appreciate verb (VALUE[珍视，重视]) /əˈpriː.ʃi.eɪt/
to recognize[认可；接受] how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it
欣赏；赏识；重视

rather adverb (PREFERENCE[偏爱]/ˈpref.ər.əns/)
rather than
instead of; used especially when you prefer one thing to another
宁愿，更喜欢；而不是
On the one hand, there are many different groups of people around the world who live happily in the absence of new technology. Probably the most well known are the Amish, a group of Christians living in rural America. They do not own or drive cars, watch TV, or use the Internet. They have lived mainly as farmers since the 18th century, and they will probably be living the same way in the distant future. They advocate a simple life with an emphasis on hard work, family, and community. They think that is better than caring about luxuries or following the lives of the rich and famous. It could even be argued that the Amish's quality of life is better since they live in and appreciate the natural environment rather than living in large, polluted cities.
一方面，世界上有许多不同群体的人，在没有新技术的情况下依然过着幸福的生活。也许最广为人知的要数阿曼门诺派----生活在美国乡村的一个基督教群体。他们既不拥有汽车，也不开车；不看电视，也不使用互联网。自十八世纪以来，他们基本上过着农夫的生活，而且在遥远的将来，他们的生活方式可能依然如此。他们提倡简朴的生活，强调实干、家庭和社区。他们认为，这样的生活要好过关注奢侈品或追随富人和名人的生活。甚至有人认为，阿曼门诺派的生活质量更高，因为他们生活在自然的环境中，怡然自得，而不是生活在污染严重的大城市里。

track verb (FOLLOW) [ T ]
to follow a person or animal by looking for proof that they have been somewhere, or by using electronic equipment
跟踪，追踪

potential adjective [ before noun ] /pəˈten.ʃəl/
possible when the necessary conditions exist
潜在的，可能的

moreover adverb formal /ˌmɔːˈrəʊ.vər/
(used to add information) also and more importantly
而且，加之，再者，此外

touch /tʌtʃ/ noun (COMMUNICATION)
be, get, keep, etc. in touch
to communicate or continue to communicate with someone by using a phone or writing to them
有／取得／保持（等等）联系

opposite adjective (DIFFERENT)/ˈɒp.ə.zɪt/
1.completely different
全然不同的，迥异的，截然相反的
2.opposite adjective (FACING)
being in a position on the other side; facing
另一边的，相反的，对面的

as conjunction (BECAUSE) /æz/
because
因为，由于

network noun [ C ] /ˈnet.wɜːk/
a large system consisting[/kənˈsɪst/由…组成] of many similar parts that are connected together
网络

media noun (NEWSPAPERS)/ˈmiː.di.ə/
the media [ S, + sing/pl verb ]
the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered[认为；把…当作] as a group
大众传播媒介，媒体
On the other hand, new technology has provided people everywhere with many benefits over the years. For example, the latest weather-tracking computer programmes give people lots of warnings about potential natural disasters, which saves many lives. Moreover, the Internet has made it possible for friends and family to keep in touch easily even if they are on opposite sides of the world. It has also made finding opportunities in life much easier, as it allows people to make larger networks of friends through using social media.
另一方面，多年来，新技术给世界各地的人们带来了种种好处。例如，最新的追踪天气的计算机程序为人们提供潜在自然灾害的种种预警，挽救了许多生命。此外，互联网使朋友和家人即使天各一方也能轻松保持联系。互联网还使人们在生活中更加容易找到机会，因为它让人们能够通过社交媒体建立更大的朋友圈。

personally adverb /ˈpɜː.sən.əl.i/
used when you give your opinion
就个人而言；就本人而言

benefit verb [ I or T ] /ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/
-t- or -tt-
to be helped by something or to help someone
得益，受惠；使受益；对…有帮助

technological adjective /ˌtek.nəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/
relating to[与…相关], or involving[涉及], technology
技术的，关于（或涉及）技术的

AI noun [ U ] /ˌeɪˈaɪ/
abbreviation for artificial intelligence
人工智能（artificial intelligence的缩写）

artificial adjective /ˌɑː.tɪˈfɪʃ.əl/
made by people, often as a copy of something natural
人造的，人工的；仿造的

intelligence /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒəns/ noun (ABILITY) [ U ]
the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason[（尤指基于实际情况的）判断力]
智力，智慧

get verb (REACH)[ I usually + adv/prep ]
to reach a particular stage[阶段], condition[状态], or time
达到（某个阶段或者时间点）；处于（某种状态）

shape noun (CONDITION) [ U ]/ʃeɪp/
condition, or state of health
情况；健康状况

prospect noun /ˈprɒs.pekt/ [ S ]
the idea[想法] of something that will or might happen in the future
前景；展望；设想

positive adjective (HOPEFUL) /ˈpɒz.ə.tɪv/
full of hope and confidence, or giving cause[理由；根据] for hope and confidence
建设性的；积极的；怀有希望的

negative /ˈneɡ.ə.tɪv/ adjective (WITHOUT HOPE)
not expecting good things, or likely to consider only the bad side of a situation
负面的，消极的

resist verb /rɪˈzɪst/[ T ]
to refuse to accept or be changed by something
抵制；阻挡；抗拒
Personally, I have benefited quite a lot from technological advances. I found my career as an AI designer through a social media network. My health monitor, which I wear all the time, has also helped me get into the best shape of my life. Of course, when new technology changes the way we live, it can be a scary prospect. Nevertheless, I will always look on the positive side of change and accept it rather than resist it.
就个人而言，技术进步让我受益匪浅。我通过一个社交网络找到了现在从事的人工智能设计师的职业。我一直随身佩戴的健康监护仪也帮助我达到了生活中的最佳状态。当然，当新技术改变我们的生活方式时，它可能会产生出一个让人担惊受怕的前景。然而，我将始终着眼于变革的积极一面，接受变革，而不是抗拒变革。