Today just as technology changed the face of industry, farms have undergone an “agricultural”. On the farm of today, machines provide almost all the power. One of the most important benefits will be the farm computer. A few forward-looking farmers are already using computers to help them run their farms more efficiently. The computers help them keep more accurate records so they can make better decisions on what crops to plant, how much livestock to buy, when to sell their products, and how much profit they can expect. Many computer companies have been developing special computer programs just for farmers. Programs are being written for hog producers, grain farmers, potato farmers, and dairy farmers. In the future, farmers will be able to purchase computer programs made to their needs. Because of the growing importance of computers on the farm, students at agricultural colleges are required to take computer classes in addition to their normal agricultural courses. There can be no doubt that farmers will rely on computers even more in the future. While the old-time farm depended on horse power, and modern farms depend on machine power, farms of the future will depend on computer power. Another technological advance which is still in the experimental stage is the robot, a real “mechanized hired hand” that will be able to move and, in some ways, think like a human being. Agricultural engineers believe that computer-aided robots will make startling changes in farming before the end of the century. Unlike farmers of the present, farmers of the future will find that many day-to-day tasks will be done for them. Scientists are now developing robots that will be able to shear sheep, drive tractors, and harvest fruit. Even complex jobs will be done by robots. For example, in order to milk their cows, farmers must first drive them into the barn, then connect them to the milking machines, watch the machines, and disconnect them when they are finished. In the future, this will all be done by robots. In addition, when the milking is completed, the robots will automatically check to make sure that the milk is pure. The complete mobilization of the farm is far in the future, but engineers expect that some robots will be used before long.

1. Which sentence carried the main idea of the whole passage?

A. The first sentence of the first paragraph.

B. The first sentence of the second paragraph.

C. The first sentence of the third paragraph.

D. The last sentence of the second paragraph.

2. According to the passage, computers can not help farmers decide _______.

A. how much money they can earn from their products

B. whether to plant a certain kind of crop

C. what livestock to raise

D. when to sell their products

3. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Farmers in the future will depend totally on computers.

B. Both computers and robots have been in use on today’s farms.

C. Farmers mainly use machines on their farms at present

D. Students at agricultural colleges must take computer classes because they can do nothing without the help of computers on today’s farms.

4. According to the engineers, _______will be done by robots in the near future.

A. all farm work

B. milking cows

C. most of the farm work

D. some farm work

5. What is the best title for the whole passage?

A. Computer, Farmers’ Best Friend

B. Farmers in The Future

C. The Agricultural Revolution

D. Computers and Robots

【答案与解析】本文介绍了科学技术在农业方面的重大作用以及机器人将在农业中的应用。

1. A。主旨题。通过阅读全文可知整篇文章都是围绕第1段第1句而展开的，故答案为A。

2. C。细节题。从 The computers help them… make better 。可知A、B、D三项正确，C项中应把what 改为how much。

3. C。推断题。由 On the farm of today , machines provide almost all the power可推知C项正确。

4. C。细节题。从 The complete mobilization of the farm is far in the future, but engineers expect that some robots will be used before long 可知答案为C。

5. C。主旨题。从 Today just as technology changed the face of industry, farms have undergone an “agricultural revolution”(科技推动了农业的重大变革)，故答案选C。

【Quotes】

Technology is a double-edged sword.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life.

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.

I have seen firsthand that agricultural science has enormous potential to increase the yields of small farmers and lift them out of hunger and poverty.

There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.

Never be a food snob. Learn from everyone you meet - the fish guy at your market, the lady at the local diner, farmers, cheese makers. Ask questions, try everything and eat up!