B
Nowadays, some companies around the world are offering humanoid (human-like) robots. They are being designed to look as human as possible. These products of technology are at the centre of a debate (辩论): should they be made to look like humans or simply like machines?
Robots are playing an increasingly bigger role in our lives. In some countries, robots have been entertaining (使快乐) children and helping the elderly. Some experts say robots will be more effective at such jobs if they look like humans. Research has shown that people feel closer to human-like robots. Also, human-like robots suit environments that are designed for humans. After all, the world is full of stairs, hallways, shelves at shoulder height and sightlines at eye level.
But other experts say robots don’t need to look like humans. Humanoid robots also have disadvantages. If robots look like us, we may expect them to act like us. However, they may make us feel disappointed because they can’t always do that yet. For example, they can’t laugh at the right moments during a conversation. Many people also find human-like robots scary.
I think the human body is not the best design for many of the jobs we want robots to do. Just think of small, flat robot vacuums (真空吸尘器). They can go under a sofa
to pick up dust balls. Can human-like robots also do this? Even if robots can be made into human-like ones, why do we limit (限定) them to two legs and two arms? Why not four legs and six arms so they can pick up the elderly or sick people comfortably? And that super-intelligent AI almost certainly wouldn’t pick one body design to carry its mind around in. Why limit computational capacity (算力) to what fits inside a single head?
What is your opinion about robots’ shapes?
(
B
) 39. According to paragraph 2, the reasons why robots should be designed to look like humans include
.
① People feel closer to humanoid robots.
② Robots are widely used in the industrial field.
③ Humanoid robots can serve people effectively.
④ Humanoid robots can suit human environments.
A. ①②④ B. ①③④ C. ②③④ D. ①②③
(
D
) 40. Other experts do not agree that robots should be designed to look like humans because humanoid robots
.
A. cost a lot
B. can’t cry or laugh
C. can’t have conversations with humans
D. can’t always behave like us as we expect
(
C
) 41. What is the writer’s opinion according to paragraph 4?
A. Robots can’t be made to look like humans.
B. Humanoid design is still the best choice for robots.
C. The design of a robot’s shape should depend on its use.
D. A robot should be designed with more arms, legs and heads.
(
A
) 42. What is the best title for this passage?
A. Should robots look like humans?
B. Different robots, different services
C. The development of humanoid robots
D. A debate about improving the services of robots
