A
The biggest challenge faced by travelers, especially those who like to have a backpacking trip is how to ensure a steady supply of clean clothes. Now, thanks to a great invention called Scrubba Wash Pack, that worry may be a thing of the past.
The portable washing machine was invented by Ash Newland in 2010, while he was planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Struck by the limited packing space, he got inspiration from traditional washboards to create a bag that could be used to clean clothes. Then he quitted his career as a lawyer and focused on perfecting the bag’s design. By 2012, the bag was ready for the public. It weighed only 180 grams and required very little storage space, making it perfect for anyone wishing to travel light.
Not surprisingly, the bag which was worth 55 dollars was an instant hit with travelers, university students and even passengers. However, Newland was not satisfied. He still saw a disadvantage of his invention—dirty clothes had to be carried around in a separate bag! The recently introduced Scrubba Wash Pack solves that problem.
In order to make the pack active, dirty clothes are placed inside the bag along with two or three liters of water. The bag is then shut tightly to ensure all air is squeezed out and the colors are massaged for a few minutes. After a quick wash, they are clean and ready to be dried. According to Newland, the pack can clean anything from jeans to smelly socks! What’s even more amazing is that with a capacity to hold 13 liters of water, it can be used to wash more clothes at a time.
The best part is that the 99-dollar pack that will be available for sale later this year, only weighs 300 grams and is completely foldable, making it easy to store when it’s not in use. With the Scrubba Wash Pack, wandering through foreign cities searching for a washing shop, or paying for washing machines may soon be a thing of the past!
【文章大意】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了Ash Newland的个人经历激发了他创造Scrubba Wash Pack, 这使得旅行者所担心的洗衣服问题即将成为过去。
1. What led Ash Newland to create the Scrubba Wash Pack?
A. His job requirements.
B. A traditional washboard.
C. His interest in invention.
D. His personal experience.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第二段的Struck by the limited packing space, he got inspiration from traditional washboards to create a bag that could be used to clean clothes. 被有限的包装空间所震撼, 他从传统的洗衣板中得到灵感, 创造了一个可以用来清洗衣服的袋子。可知Ash Newland的个人经历使其有了创造Scrubba Wash Pack的想法, 故D选项正确。
2. Why wasn’t Ash Newland satisfied with his former invention?
A. Clothes couldn’t be washed well.
B. The invention was not so convenient.
C. The bag couldn’t contain enough water.
D. The cost of the invention was very high.
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据第三段的However, Newland was not satisfied. He still saw a disadvantage of his invention—dirty clothes had to be carried around in a separate bag! 可知他认为他的发明有一个缺点——脏衣服必须放在一个单独的袋子里随身携带, 所以他认为他先前的发明不太方便, 故选择B项。
3. It can be inferred that the improved Scrubba Wash Pack ________.
A. turns to be much environmentally friendlier.
B. will replace the traditional washing machines.
C. will be widely used by more travelers in the future.
D. can encourage more people to travel a long distance.
【解析】选C。推理判断题。根据最后一段的With the Scrubba Wash Pack, wandering through foreign cities searching for a washing shop, or paying for washing machines may soon be a thing of the past!有了Scrubba洗衣袋, 在外国城市里闲逛, 寻找洗衣店, 或者购买洗衣机, 可能很快就会成为过去!可推知Scrubba Wash Pack将在未来被更多的旅行者广泛使用, 故选择C项。
4. What is the best title of this passage?
A. A thing of the past: Travelers’ worry of washing clothes.
B. The Scrubba Wash Pack—A bag free of washing.
C. The development of a great invention.
D. How to design a new pack for travelers.
【解析】选A。主旨大意题。根据文章最后一段, 可知旅行者所担心的洗衣服问题即将成为过去, 故选择A项。
【知识拓展】佳词积累
1. portable adj. 便携式的;轻便的
2. inspiration n. 灵感;启示
3. quit v. 放弃;离任
4. hit v. /n. 击打;袭击;成功
5. tightly adv. 紧紧地
6. capacity n. 能力;容量
7. foldable adj. 可折叠的
