人教高中英语高二下UNIT11-3

 

     THE  AGES  OF  MAN
        Human achievements come in all shapes and sizes. Knocking two rocks together can be just as important as sending a man to the moon. When ancient humans learnt to use stone tools and make fire, it meant the beginning of modern society. Later discoveries -- bronze¹, iron², steam, electricity, to name a few -- continued the development of society and shaped history. So important were these achievements that we often divide human history into time periods named after the latest technology of the time: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and so on.
         In modem³ times, scientific achievements have continued to drive the development of society. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw the widespread⁴ use of electricity and the birth of the steam engine, leading to factories andcities as we know them today. It was also the beginning of public education and the modern branches of science. The twentieth century brought us cars, nuclear power and space exploration⁵, and is sometimes called the "Atomic⁶ Age" or the "Space Age". Recently, the effect of computers and the Internet has given rise to the idea that we are living in the "Information Age".
       The connection between science and society is easy to see. Whatever the "age", each time period is shaped by the latest and most advanced technology. Scientific achievements also lead to new discoveries and inventions. In some cases, new technology makes it possible for scientists to answer questions and solve problems that once were too difficult. With more and better information, scientists can develop new theories, which in turn lead to future scientific achievements. The wheel of scientific development keeps on turning.
        It takes time for a new technology to enter everyday life. In most cases, the first to use it are governments and businesses. For example, electricity was first used in factories and did not become available to homes until several years later. The same was true for computers and cellphones. In the early days, computers were so large, expensive and difficult to use that only government and industry experts could use them. Soon, however, the technology became cheaper and programmes were developed for people who had little or no training.
       New technologies also show the role and importance of scientific achievements in society. At first, a new technology is seen as a rare⁷ and valuable resource⁸ that can strengthen⁹ a country and its economy¹⁰. Later on, scientists and businessmen develop products that can be bought and used by ordinary consumers¹¹. At the same time, it becomes easier and cheaper to make the products, which means¹² that more people can afford to buy products using the new technology. The computer chip is perhaps the best example. When it was first developed, a computer chip was very expensive and could only be made by a small group of experts in developed countries. Today, the technology is well known¹³ and computer chips are made in factories all over the world.
       Our ability to understand and use new technologies has also developed over the years. Science has become perhaps the most important field of study and many governments view science and technology as key to the development of a country. Schools and universities pay special attention to modern technology, both as subjects to study and as tools for teaching¹⁴. In China, as in most countries, provinces and cities build "technology parks", such as Zhongguancun, to make sure that companies and customers can benefit¹⁵ from the latest advances in science. By supporting research and development, a government can make new technologies and products available to us faster and at lower¹⁶ cost.
       We have come a long way since the earliest days of humankind, but new discoveries are as important as ever. Whatever the next "age" may be, it is sure to change our life and the way we understand the world and ourselves.                                                                             

 

 

1 bronze   

n.青铜；青铜艺术品

参考例句：

• She won a bronze medal.她得了铜牌。
• This statue is made of bronze.这个雕像是青铜做的。

2 iron   

n.铁，熨斗，坚强，烙铁，镣铐；vt.烫平，熨，用铁包；vi. 烫衣服

参考例句：

• The iron has lost its magnetic force.这块铁已失去了磁力。
• We need an electrician to mend the iron.我们要请电工修理熨斗。

3 modem   

n.调制解调器

参考例句：

• Does your computer have a modem?你的电脑有调制解调器吗？
• Provides a connection to your computer via a modem.通过调制解调器连接到计算机上。

4 widespread   

adj.广布的，普及的，流传宽广的

参考例句：

• Plastic is in widespread use.塑料已被广泛地使用。
• English is a widespread language.英语是一种很普及的语言。

5 exploration   

n.探险，踏勘，探测

参考例句：

• Their team will undertake exploration for oil.他们队将着手进行石油勘探工作。
• This book is descriptive of a scientific exploration.这本书是描写科学探险的。

6 atomic   

adj.(关于)原子的；原子能(武器)的

参考例句：

• The atomic theory is important.原子理论很重要。
• We should take part in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.我们应该参与原子能的和平应用。

7 rare   

adj.稀罕的，罕有的，珍贵的，稀薄的，半熟的，非常的；adv.非常

参考例句：

• It is rare to see a man over 160 years old.很少见到一个人能活到160岁。
• The zoo has a lot of rare animals in it.这个动物园有许多珍奇的动物。

8 resource   

n.资源，财力

参考例句：

• All pollution is simply an unused resource.所有的污染只不过是一种未被利用的资源。
• He is full of resource in any emergency.他富有随机应变的才能。

9 strengthen   

vt.加强，变坚固；vi.变强，股票上涨

参考例句：

• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。
• You wish to strengthen our forces in the south?你想要加强我们在南部的势力？

10 economy   

n.经济；节俭；秩序；机体

参考例句：

• We must do our best to develop the national economy.我们必须努力发展国民经济。
• The country's economy is not very healthy.国家的经济不很景气。

11 consumers   

消费者，顾客( consumer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Consumers are very nervous about the future. 消费者对未来非常忧虑。
• The future of the company will depend crucially on how consumers respond. 这家公司的未来主要取决于消费者的反应。

12 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

13 known   

adj.大家知道的；知名的，已知的

参考例句：

• He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
• He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。

14 teaching   

n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲

参考例句：

• We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
• He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。

15 benefit   

n.好处，益处，福利；vt.有益于，对…有益；vi.受益于

参考例句：

• The money is to be used for the benefit of the poor.这笔钱用来为穷人谋福利。
• He thought he would benefit from going to school.他认为上学对他有好处。

16 lower   

adj.较低的；地位较低的，低等的；低年级的；下游的；vt.放下，降下，放低；减低

参考例句：

• Society is divided into upper,middle and lower classes.社会分为上层、中层和下层阶级。
• This price is his minimum;he refuses to lower it any further.这个价格是他开的最低价，他拒绝再作任何降价。