英语听力精选进阶版 6413

As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. A tragic¹ event in India – the gang rape² of a young woman – led engineering students to develop a bra that can deliver a 3800kv electric shock to any would-be attacker.

Manisha Mohan, from the SRM University in Chennaiher, says that it can also send a text message to the local police station with the GPS coordinates³ of the victim's location.

The bra is fitted with a pressure sensor⁴ connected to an electric circuit. But layers of fabric⁵ and precise calibration ensure that the device won't harm the wearer nor be triggered by a friendly hug.

On the other side of the world, the possibilities offered by wearable technology are inspiring a University of Colorado PhD student to design a dress that will help deaf people by recognising vibrations⁶.

Halley Profita, who was interviewed by BBC’s Fiona Graham, points out that people with disabilities avoid using some products, such as hearing aids, because they call attention to them. She says: "We look at developing products that are both aesthetic⁷ and functional⁸."

Her creation, called Flutter, is still at the research stage. Ms Profita hopes to start testing it out on people later this year. She wants the system to be foolproof.

Some designers aim to have people expressing themselves more through their garments. A California-based start-up called Machina wants people not only to look good but also to sound good. It is using skilled Mexican artisans to handcraft a jacket that makes music.

Linda Franco is one of Machina's founders⁹. She says that her inspiration came from seeing a musician make music just by using his computer and explains: "We wanted to bring the act of performance back to life by having the musician use his body as an interface¹⁰."

Embedded¹¹ in the fabric are electronic components¹² which can detect the position of the wearer's fingers and track the movement of their arms, a joystick and four push buttons.

Experiments with the hardware are promising¹³, but how comfortable people will be interacting with their clothes is still to be seen. How ready are you to actually wear your computer?

Quiz 测验

1. How can Manisha Mohan's invention prevent rape?

By delivering an electric shock to the would-be attacker and informing the police of the location of the victim.

2. What will make the special bra harmless to the wearer?

Layers of fabric and precise calibration.

3. Is this statement true or false? Ms Profita's dress is foolproof.

False. Ms Profita wants to test the garment on people to make sure it is easy to use and effective.

4. What inspired Linda Franco to produce a jacket that makes music?

The sight of a man playing music through his computer at a concert.

5. Which expression means ''pleasing to the eye''?

Aesthetic.

Glossary 词汇表

an invention 发明，创造

engineering 工程学的

an electric shock 电击

a text message 一条短信

the GPS coordinates 全球定位系统坐标

a sensor 一个传感器

an electric circuit 一个电路

calibration 精确测量

a device 一个装置、设备

vibrations 震动

aesthetic 美的

functional 实用的

to be foolproof 万无一失的，容易操作的

an artisan 一名手工艺者、工匠

an interface 一个交界面

to embed 嵌入、插入

an electronic component 一个电子零件

a joystick 一个操纵杆

a push button 一个按钮

hardware 硬件

1 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

2 rape   

n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸

参考例句：

• The rape of the countryside had a profound ravage on them.对乡村的掠夺给他们造成严重创伤。
• He was brought to court and charged with rape.他被带到法庭并被指控犯有强奸罪。

3 coordinates   

n.相配之衣物；坐标( coordinate的名词复数 )；（颜色协调的）配套服装；[复数]女套服；同等重要的人（或物）v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的第三人称单数 )；协调；协同；成为同等

参考例句：

• The town coordinates on this map are 695037. 该镇在这幅地图上的坐标是695037。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, headed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator, coordinates all UN emergency relief. 联合国人道主义事务协调厅在紧急救济协调员领导下，负责协调联合国的所有紧急救济工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 sensor   

n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官）

参考例句：

• The temperature sensor is enclosed in a protective well.温度传感器密封在保护套管中。
• He plugged the sensor into a outlet.他把传感器插进电源插座。

5 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

6 vibrations   

n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动

参考例句：

• We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。
• I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 aesthetic   

adj.美学的，审美的，有美感

参考例句：

• My aesthetic standards are quite different from his.我的审美标准与他的大不相同。
• The professor advanced a new aesthetic theory.那位教授提出了新的美学理论。

8 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。

9 founders   

n.创始人( founder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty. 他是该大学医学院的创建人之一。 来自辞典例句
• The founders of our religion made this a cornerstone of morality. 我们宗教的创始人把这看作是道德的基石。 来自辞典例句

10 interface   

n.接合部位，分界面；v.(使)互相联系

参考例句：

• My computer has a network interface,which allows me to get to other computers.我的计算机有网络接口可以与其它计算机连在一起。
• This program has perspicuous interface and extensive application. 该程序界面明了，适用范围广。

11 embedded   

a.扎牢的

参考例句：

• an operation to remove glass that was embedded in his leg 取出扎入他腿部玻璃的手术
• He has embedded his name in the minds of millions of people. 他的名字铭刻在数百万人民心中。

12 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

13 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。