A
Every year, TIME selects the best inventions that are making the world better, smarter and , in some cases, a little more fun. Here are the ones on last year’s list.
The Ultimate Alarm Clock
It’s hard to believe that an alarm clock, called Hello Sense, can not only be beautiful but also improve your sleep. It can control the temperature, light and even air quality in your bedroom to help you have a perfect sleep environment. It can wake you up when you’re in the lightest part of your sleep cycle and ready to wake. You can also speak to Sense to find out how well you sleep.
The Folding Bike Helmet
People refuse to wear a helmet because it’s thick and heavy. The morpher, a bike helmet made from interweaved(交织的) plastic is just as strong as the traditional ones, but flexible enough to fold almost totally flat, making it easier to carry.
Shoes That Tie Themselves
Almost everyone who sees the movie Back to the Future wants a pair of shoes which tie themselves. Now, thanks to Nike, the shoe dream is a reality. When you press a button near the tongue, the sneakers themselves tighten and loosen around your feet. Simplified shoe fastening could be helpful for the athletes during the competition, and it’s especially useful for people with the impaired(受损的) motor nerve.
Sweet Potatoes That Could Save Lives
In sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of vitamin A puts children at risk of blindness, and other diseases. Plant scientists are helping some countries grow their own solutions in the form of sweet potatoes. And they fight against droughts. Last year, the orange-colored sweet potatoes won the World Food Prize and have been seen as a healthy crop for all.
21. What do we know about Hello Sense?
A. It shows you ways of sleeping well.
B. It can serve as a light in your bedroom.
C. It tries its best to improve your quality of sleep.
D. It can wake you up at any time every day.
22. Who are more suitable to wear shoes that tie themselves?
A. Ones who enjoy seeing Back to the Future.
B. Ones who practice running.
C. Ones who are fans of Nike.
D. Ones who have trouble with the motor nerve.
23. From the last paragraph, we can infer Sweet Potatoes__________.
A. make a difference in sub-Saharan Africa
B. can keep children off any disease
C. are often used to prevent droughts
D. have taken place of other crops in Africa
24. Which column is the passage probably taken from?
A. History. B. Travel. C. Science. D. Culture.
