閱讀理解。
My house is made out of wood, glass and stone. It is also made out of software. If you come to visit,
you'll probably be surprised when you come in. Someone will give you an electronic PIN (個人身份號碼)
to wear. This PIN tells the house who and where you are. The house uses this information to give you what
you need. When it's dark outside, the PIN turns on the lights nearest you, and then turns them off as you
walk away from them. Music moves with you too. If the house knows your favorite music, it plays it. The
music seems to be everywhere, but in fact other people in the house hear different music or no music. If
you get a telephone call, only the nearest telephone rings.
Of course, you are also able to tell the house if you want something. There is a home control console
(控制臺), a small machine that turns things on and off around you.
The PIN and the console are new ideas, but they are in fact like many things we have today. If you want
to go to a movie, you need a ticket. If I give you my car keys, you can use my car. The car works for you
because you have the keys. My house works for you because you wear the PIN or hold the console.
I believe that ten years from now, most new homes will have the systems that I've put in my house. The
systems will probably be even bigger and better than the ones I've put in today.
I like to try new ideas. I know that some of my ideas will work better than others. But I hope that one
day I will stop thinking of these systems as new, and ask myself instead, "How will I live without them?"
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. How to develop a new system.
B. The function of the PIN.
C. A home for the future.
D. Easy life in the future.
2. What's the purpose when the writer wrote the fourth paragraph?
A. To let readers know why his ideas are new.
B. To let readers know how special his house is.
C. To explain the importance of the PIN and the console.
D. To explain more easily what the functions of the PIN and the console are.
3. The writer's new house is different from ordinary ones mainly because _____.
A. it has been controlled by computers
B. you can make a telephone call anywhere
C. it has your favorite music following you
D. the writer is able to change his new idea into practice
4. What is the writer most likely to be according to the passage?
A. An IT expert.
B. A famous doctor.
C. An idealist.
D. An experienced teacher.
5. What can't be done in the writer's new house?
A. turns on the lights
B. play music
C. get a telephone call
D. go swimming