A
There are some places on earth that humans simply can't reach. Mount Erebus in Antarctica is a good example. The great volcano in the continent offers a potential treasure of ancient DNA in its walls, but they're off limits to humans. Our lungs simply couldn't handle the high levels of carbon dioxide in the volcano. Mount Erebus and places like it are why NASA is building an iceclimbing robot called IceWorm.
While an organization had developed rockclimbing robots called LEMURs, scientists couldn't find a robot that can specifically take the challenge of climbing through ice. The IceWorm lead designer, Aaron Curtis, has wished the robot could take the challenge. IceWorm gets its name from the way it moves through the world. Around 1.4 meters tall, the robot stands on the ice with two feet that are equipped with sensors (传感器)．
The IceWorm had a test run in a potentially explosive volcanic environment. Curtis says, “Climbing was unsuccessful in the thick snow. But the test proved that its special design could make it be very fit to be in the ice. It climbed the ice for as long as unexpected eight hours.” Curtis also says the robot “wormed slowly up the wall like an inchworm” and that the IceWorm contained “a whole new way to move around” for a robot.
What's the potential for IceWorm? If IceWorm could climb through a wide variety of icy environments while taking samples (样品), it could prove an invaluable tool of study both on earth and in space exploration. On the home planet it could explore areas like Mount Erebus. On a faraway mission it could climb through the most frozen areas of worlds like Enceladus or Europa, where 50foottall icy mountain tops frighten many landers.
“While using an inchworm as inspiration might be new for a robot's travels, animal inspiration for robotic movement is widespread. Even tiny animals, like inchworms or fruit flies, can give engineers the ideas on leaps forward in robotic technology. Perhaps someday the most advanced robots will catch up with ants，” says David Grossman.
本文是一篇说明文。介绍了一个帮助人类探索的机器人。
1．What does the example of Mount Erebus reflect?
A．NASA's big discovery of some dangerous places.
B．The great civilization created by humans.
C．Some volcanoes' harm to nearby citizens.
D．The limitations of our physical ability to explore the world.
答案：D
解析：推理判断题。根据第一段的There are some places on earth that humans simply can't reach.和The great volcano...off limits to humans.可知，举这座火山这个例子说明人类在探索世界时身体方面的局限性。
2．The test run of IceWorm shows that ________.
A．it could move forward at a high speed
B．it would replace LEMURs sooner or later
C．it had the sensors enabling it to take plenty of samples
D．it could have a good performance in certain tough environment
答案：D
解析：细节理解题。根据第三段的But the test proved that its special design could make it be very fit to be in the ice. It climbed the ice for as long as unexpected eight hours.可知，这款冰虫机器人能够很好地在冰面上爬行。
3．Which of the following would David Grossman agree with?
A．That some animals' characteristics can promote robotic technology.
B．That future robots will probably move like IceWorm.
C．That future robots will help insects survive in the bad environment.
D．That IceWorm's invention shows humans' devotion to environmental protection.
答案：A
解析：推理判断题。根据最后一段的内容可知，David Grossman的话说明动物的有些特点能促进机器人技术的进步。
