A
Traditionally, robots have been hard, made of metal and other rigid material. But a team of scientists at Harvard University in the US has managed to build an entirely soft robot—one that draws inspiration from an octopus(章鱼)．
Described in science journal Nature, the “Octobot” could pave the way for more effective autonomous robots that could be used in search，rescue and exploration. “The Octobot is a minimal system which may serve as a foundation for a new generation of completely soft, autonomous robots，” the study's authors wrote.
Robots built for precise, repetitive movements in a controlled environment don't do so well on rough terrains(地形) or in unpredictable conditions. And they aren't especially safe around humans, because they're made out of hard and heavy parts that could be potentially dangerous to their users.
So researchers have been working on building soft robots for decades. They've taken inspiration from nature, looking to animals from jellyfish to cockroaches, which are often made up of more flexible matter.
But creating a completely soft robot remains a challenge. Even if engineers build a silicone(硅酮) body, it's still a grand challenge to construct flexible versions of essential parts, such as a source of power.
“Although soft robotics is still in its early stage, it holds great promise for several applications, such as searchandrescue operations and exploration，” Barbara Mazzolai and Virgilio Mattoli of the Italian Institute of Technology's Center for MicroBioRobotics, wrote in a comment. “Soft robots might also open up new approaches to improving wellness and quality of life.”
语篇导读 科学家受到章鱼的启发，制造了软体机器人，本文介绍了这种机器人的研发过程、用处及局限等。
1．What's the special feature of “Octobot”？
A．It's soft. B．It's made of metal.
C．It's very small. D．It looks like an octopus.
解析 A 细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句可知，“Octobot”是一种可以用作软体机器人基础部件的微型系统，据此可知，“Octobot”的特点是柔软，故选A项。
2．What's the disadvantage of traditional robots?
A．They're hard to control.
B．They're too heavy to move.
C．They can't predict conditions.
D．They can't behave well all the time.
解析 D 推理判断题。根据第三段可知，传统机器人无法在崎岖的地形上很好地运行，它们还可能对人造成伤害；据此可推知，传统机器人并非总是运行良好，故选D项。
3．One of the biggest challenges is to build Octobot's ________.
A．silicone body B．complex components
C．precise movements D．flexible power source
解析 D 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段第二句可知，制造柔韧性强的关键部件仍然面临巨大的挑战，如提供动力的部件，故选D项。
4．What's the possible application of “Octobot”？
A．Medical research. B．Life rescue.
C．Machine operation. D．House cleaning.
解析 B 细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句可知，尽管软体机器人开发还处于早期阶段，但它极可能应用于诸如搜索救援和探险等活动，故选B项。
