Question

【题目】 Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal in a men’s luge (无舵雪橇) singles event at 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, South Korea — equaling the best finish ever for any member of the US Olympic luge team. In the luge, competitors lie flat, feet first, on a small sled (雪橇). They can travel around an icy track at speeds up to 140 kilometers an hour. The riders control the sled’s speed by changing the position of their feet or by moving their shoulders.

So why did the US luge team win a medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics? Most credit must go to Chris Mazdzer himself. The American said his win was a product of 16 years of preparation and intense training. But another reason for Mazdzer’s success could have been the 3-D printing technology, which his team used to make its equipment.

The term 3-D is short for three dimensional, meaning an object with length, width and height. In 3-D printing, 3-D models are first created as files, or documents, on a computer. The printer then uses a substance (物质) like plastic or metal to create physical objects. The process involves making one layer of material at a time until the objects reach full form.

The US luge team worked with an American company called Stratasys on the designing and manufacturing process for the sleds. First, the company made a scan, or image, of the body of every member of the luge team. Then, 3-D printing technology was used to create tools for making molds (模子) in the shape of Olympians on top of a sled. The process of designing and tooling sled parts is highly complex and can take several weeks. Officials from the US luge team say 3-D printing can greatly simplify the process, speeding up the production of parts.

Jon Owen, says the use of 3-D printing has made the team more competitive. It helps the team “continuously adjust designs and run the sleds on the track much faster than traditional processes,” he said. He added that the technology also provides a way to perfectly fit each rider to the sled, while cutting production time and costs.

【1】According to the author, what mainly contributed to Mazdzer’s winning the medal?

A.His own great efforts.B.His using a new technique.

C.The cooperation with his luge team.D.The US Olympic luge team’s encouragement.

【2】To make the sleds for the team, what did the company have to do?

A.To create tools for making sled parts.

B.To take some photos of the members first.

C.To create molds according to the members’ bodies.

D.To ask the Olympians to be present for several weeks.

【3】From the last paragraph we learn that 3-D printing most probably __________.

A.saves plenty of competitors’ training time

B.helps competitors achieve their full potential

C.requires great skills of riders to fit the track

D.allows riders to change their sleds continuously

【4】What is the text mainly about?

A.How 3-D printing usually works.

B.How we take advantage of 3-D printing.

C.How the US luge team performed this year.

D.How 3-D printing helped Team US go for gold.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】C

【3】B

【4】D

【解析】

本文是一篇科技说明文。克里斯·马兹泽尔赢得了一枚银牌。大部分要归功于克里斯·马兹泽尔本人16年的准备和紧张的训练。但马兹泽尔成功的另一个原因可能是由他的团队运用了3D打印技术。本文就主要介绍了3D打印技术对于雪橇制造的提升。

【1】细节理解题。根据第二段Most credit must go to Chris Mazdzer himself. The American said his win was a product of 16 years of preparation and intense training.一句可知克里斯·马兹泽尔赢得银牌主要归功于由克里斯·马兹泽尔本人的努力。故选A。

【2】细节理解题。根据3-D printing technology was used to create tools for making molds (模子) in the shape of Olympians on top of a sled.一句可知，公司需要借助3D技术按照参加奥运会的运动员的身材打造模子。故选C。

【3】推理判断题。根据最后一段可知3D打印技术可以使队伍更有竞争力，而且使雪橇更适合于运动员，这样就可以更大地发挥运动员的潜力。故选B。

【4】主旨大意题。本文主要讲述了克里斯·马兹泽尔赢得了一枚银牌，大部分要归功于由克里斯·马兹泽尔本人的准备和紧张的训练，但马兹泽尔成功的另一个原因可能是由他的团队运用了3D打印技术。因此推断本文就主要介绍了3D打印技术对于雪橇制造的提升。故选D。