1999年6月北京成人本科学士学位英语考试试题及答案 

PartI Reading Comprehension 

Passage 1 

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage. 

“High tech” and “state of the art” are two expressions that describe very modern technology. High tech is just a shorter way of saying high technology. And high technology describes any invention, system of device that uses the newest ideas or discoveries of science and engineering. What is high tech? A computer is high tech. So is a communications satellite. A modern manufacturing(生产) system is surely high tech. High tech became a popular expression in the United States during the early l980’s. Because of improvements in technology, people could buy many new kinds of products in American stores, such as home computers, microwave(微波) ovens, etc. 

“State of the art” is something that is as modern as possible. It is a product that is based on the very latest methods and technology. Something that is “state of the art” is the newest possible design or product of a business or industry. A state of the art television set, for example, uses the most modern electronic design and parts. It is the best that one can buy. 

“State of the art” is not a new expression. Engineers have used it for years, to describe the best and most modern way of doing something. Millions of Americans began to use the expression in the late 1970’s. The reason was the computer revolution. Every computer company claimed that its computers were “state of the art”. 

Computer technology changed so fast that a state of the art computer today might be old tomorrow. The expression “state of the art” became common and popular as computers themselves. Now all kinds of products are said to be “state of the art”. 

1. What is the purpose of the passage? 
A. To tell how “high tech” and “state of the art” have developed. 
B. To give examples of “high tech”. 
C. To tell what “high tech” and “state of the” are. 
D. To describe very modern technology. 

2. What can we infer from the passage? 
A. American stores could provide new kinds of products to the people. 
B. High tech describes a technology that is not traditional. 
C. “State of the art” is not as popular as “high tech”. 
D. A modern plough pulled by oxen is “state of the art 

3. All the following examples are high tech except _________ 
A. a microwave over   B. a home computer   C. a hand pump   D. a satellite 

4. Which of the following statements is not true? 
A. since the computer revolution, the expression “state of the art” has become popular. 
B. “State of the art” means something that is the best one can  
C. With the rapid development of computer technology, a state of the tart computer may easily become out of date. 
D. All kinds of products are “state of the art” nowadays.