A
Technology is the application(应用) of knowledge to production. Thanks to modern technology, we have been able to increase greatly the efficiency of our work force. New machines and new methods have helped cut down time and expense while increasing overall output. This has meant more production and a higher standard of living. For most of us in America, modern technology is thought of as the reason why we can have cars and television sets. However, technology has also increased the amount of food available to us, by means of modern farming machinery and animal breeding techniques, and has extended our life span via(通过) medical technology.
Will mankind continue to live longer and have a higher quality of life? In large measure the answer depends on technology and our ability to use it widely. If we keep making progress as we have over the past fifty years, the answer is definitely yes. The advancement of technology depends upon research and development, and the latest statistics(统计) show that the United States is continuing to pump billions of dollars annually(每年) into such efforts. So while we are running out of some scarce resources(少的资源) we may well find technological substitutes(代用品)for many of them through our research programs.
Therefore, in the final analysis the three major factors of production (land, labor and capital) are all influenced by technology. When we need new skills, on techniques in medicine, people will start developing new technology to meet those needs. As equipment proves to be slow or inefficient, new machines will be invented. Technology responds to our needs in helping us maintain our standard of living.
1. According to the passage, people can live a long life with the help of _______.
A. higher quality of life B. medical technology
C. modern farming machinery D. technological substitute
2. The three major factors of production include______
A. Land B. Labor
C. Capital D. Above all
3. What is the best title for the passage? _______
A. The definition of technology B. Modern technology
C. The application of technology D. The development of technology
【答案】1. B 2. D 3. B
【解析】
【分析】本文是说明文。短文主要介绍了现代科技在美国的重要作用。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“and has extended our life span via(通过) medical technology.”（并通过医疗技术延长了我们的寿命）由此可知，根据这篇文章，人们可以在医疗技术的帮助下长寿。故选B项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段“Therefore, in the final analysis the three major factors of production (land, labor and capital) are all influenced by technology.”（因此，归根结底，三大生产要素(土地、劳动力和资本)都受到技术的影响）由此可知，三大生产要素包括土地、劳动力和资本。故选D项。
【3题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第一段“Technology is the application(应用) of knowledge to production. Thanks to modern technology, we have been able to increase greatly the efficiency of our work force. For most of us in America, modern technology is thought of as the reason why we can have cars and television sets.”（技术是知识在生产中的应用。多亏了现代技术，我们才能大大提高劳动力的效率。对我们大多数美国人来说，现代科技被认为是我们能够拥有汽车和电视机的原因）由此可知，短文主要介绍了现代科技在美国的重要作用，所以短文的最佳标题为“现代技术”。故选B项。
