A world-famous Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, has created the world’s first long-distance signing device(装置), the LongPen.
After many tiring book-signing from city to city, Atwood thought there must be a better way to do them . She hired some technical experts and started her own company in 2004. Together they designed the LongPen. Here’s how it works: The author writes a personal message and signature on a computer tablet(手写板) using a special pen. On the receiving end, in another city, a robotic arm fitted with a regular pen signs the book. The author and fan can talk with each other via webcams(网络摄像机) and computer screens。
Work on the LongPen began in Atwood’s basement(地下室). At first, they had no idea it would be as hard as it turned out to be. The device went through several versions, including one that actually had smoke coming out of it. The investing finally completed, teat runs w ere made in Ottawa, and the LongPen was officially launched at the 2006 London Book Fair. From here , Atwood conducted two transatlantic book signings of her latest book for fans in Toronto and New York City.
The LongPen produces a unique signature each time because it copies the movement of the author in real time. It has several other potential applications. It could increase credit card security and allow people to sign contracts from another province. The video exchange between signer and receiver can be recorded on DVD for proof when legal documents are used.
“It’s really fun”, said the owner of a bookstore, who was present for one of the test runs. “Obviously you can’t shake hands with the author， but there are chances for a connection that you don’t get from a regular book signing..
The response to the invention has not been all favorable. Atwood has received criticism from authors who think she is trying to end book tours. But she said, “It will be possible to go to places that you never got sent to before because the publishers couldn’t afford it.”
41. Why did Atwood decide to invent the LongPen?
A. To set up her own company
B. To win herself greater popularity
C. To write her books in a new way
C. To make book signings less tiring
42. How does the LongPen work?
A.It copies the author’s signature and prints it on a book.
B. It signs a book while receiving the author’s signature.
C. The webcam sends the author’s signature to another city.
D. The fan uses it to copy the author’s signature himself.
43. What do we know about the invention of the LongPen?
A. It has been completed but not put into use.
B. The basement caught fire by accident.
C. Some versions failed before its test run.
D. The designers were well-prepared for the difficulty.
44. How could the LongPen be used in the future?
A. To draft legal documents.
B. To improve credit card security
C. To keep a record of the author’s ideas.
D. To allow author and fan to exchange videos
45. What could be inferred from Paragraphs 5 and 6?
A. Atwood doesn’t mean to end book tours.
B. Critics think the LongPen is of little use
C. Bookstore owners do not support the LongPen
D. Publishers dislike the LongPen for its high cost
【考点】考察科普知识类阅读
【文章大意】本文介绍了一种特殊的远程签字笔LongPen，可以让作者在很远的城市为读者签名。文章介绍了这种发明的起因以及发明过程等信息。
41. 【答案】D
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第二段第一行After many tiring book-signing from city to city, Atwood thought there must be a better way to do them .可知在很多次令人疲惫的签名售书的活动以后，他认为应该有一个更好的方法。说明他想这样做是因为签名令人疲惫了。故D正确。
42. 【答案】B
【试题解析】细节题。根据第二段2,3,4行Here’s how it works: The author writes a personal message and signature on a computer tablet(手写板) using a special pen. On the receiving end, in another city, a robotic arm fitted with a regular pen signs the book.可知作者在一个城市里用一支特殊的笔写下签名，另外一个城市里的自动手臂会接受信号也写下同样的内容。故B正确。
43. 【答案】C
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第三段第三句. The device went through several versions, including one that actually had smoke coming out of it.可知这个装置的发明经历了很多次失败，最后才成功。故C项正确。
44. 【答案】B
【试题解析】细节题。根据文章第四段2,3行It could increase credit card security and allow people to sign contracts from another province. The video exchange between signer and receiver can be recorded on DVD for proof when legal documents are used.可知这种技术可以应用在信用卡技术方面，以提高信用卡的安全性。故B正确。
45. 【答案】A
【试题解析】推理题。根据第六段最后一句But she said, “It will be possible to go to places that you never got sent to before because the publishers couldn’t afford it.”这会让作者有机会去更多你没有去过的地方，因为出版商不可能出钱让你去。说明他发明LongPen并不想结束book tours.，而是让作者有更多的机会到处走走。故A正确。
【长难句解析】
“It will be possible to go to places that you never got sent to before because the publishers couldn’t afford it
【翻译】很可能让你去一些你以前从来没有被送去的地方，因为出版商无法承担得起。
【分析】本句中it是一个形式主语，真正的主语是后面的不定式to go to places that you never got sent to before；定语从句修饰先行词places；后面的because引导的是原因状语从句because the publishers couldn’t afford it。
