14．The term"Industry 4.0"refers to the fourth industrial revolution．The first industrial revolution was the production of goods with machines like steam engines，which was followed by the second industrial revolution that introduced mass production with the help of electric power，followed by the digital revolution-the use of electronics and IT in production．
Industry 4.0is a high-tech project，which promotes the computerization of manufacturing （制造业）．The basic principle of Industry 4.0is that by connecting machines，work pieces and systems，we are creating intelligent networks along the entire value chain that can control each other automatically．The goal is the Smart Factory，which adapts well and uses resources efficiently as well as linking customers and business partners with great intelligence．Technological basis are the Internet systems and advanced factories．Experts believe that Industry 4.0could be a reality in about 10to 20years．
So，what effects does this change have on the classic manufacturing？According to an expert，"it is highly likely that the world of production will become more and more networked until everything is connected with everything else．"Networks and processes have so far been limited to one factory．But in the time of Industry 4.0，the boundaries （界限） of individual factories will most likely no longer exist．Instead，they will be lifted in order to inter-connect multiple factories or even geographical regions．
How is an Industry 4.0factory different from a today's factory？In current industry environment，providing high-end quality service or product with the least cost is the key to success．Factories are trying to increase their profit as much as possible．In the time of Industry 4.0，various data sources are available to provide worthwhile information about different aspects of the factory．Using data for understanding the current condition and checking faults and failures is a natural thing． The sharing of information around the clock and around the globe will enable these connected systems to manage themselves independently，work more efficiently and identify any errors quickly．
The good news is that Europe is much better prepared for the Industry 4.0revolution than one might think．Europe will position itself as a pioneer in the fourth revolution．Industry 4.0is a project in the high-tech strategy of the German government．Meanwhile，in the U．S．，some companies are also working hard on it．But the success of industry depends on whether business and politics can work together．It's not only politics that needs to help open the door for Industry 4.0．Every company is advised to seize the new digital opportunities．
41．What marks the coming of Industry 4.0？C
A．Steam engines．
B．Mass production．
C．Intelligent networks．
D．Use of electronics．
42．Industry 4.0will probably result inA in the world of manufacturing．
A．everything connected with everything else
B．production limited to an individual factory
C．networks and processes no longer existing
D．classic factories stopping their competition
43．What's the meaning of the underlined part in Para.4？C
A．Sharing information of the world time．
B．Global news broadcast at any time
C．Spreading news widely on the hour．
D．Instant worldwide information exchange．
44．According to the last paragraph，who is the most active in pushing Industry 4.0？C
A．The European companies．
B．The American government．
C．The German government．
D．The American companies．
45．The writer's attitude toward Industry 4.0can best be described asB．
A．negative
B．supportive
C．doubtful
D．cautious．
分析 Industry 4.0是一个高科技项目，是第四次革命．Industry 4.0的最基本原则是通过连接机器和工作系统，创造智能网络．欧洲使自己处于第四次革命的先锋，其中德国最为活跃．
解答 41 C细节理解题．根据第二段第二句The basic principle of Industry 4.0 is that by connecting machines，work pieces and systems，we are creating intelligent networks along the entire value chain that can control each other automatically．Industry 4.0的最基本原则是通过连接机器和工作系统，我们沿着能互相自动控制的整个价值链条正在创造智能网络．故选C．
42．A细节理解题．根据第三段第二句According to an expert，"it is highly likely that the world of production will become more and more networked until everything is connected with everything else．"按着一位专家说的，很可能产品的世界将变得越来越网络化直到每样东西与其他的每样东西连接在一起．故选A．
43 C词义猜测题．根据第四段第六句The sharing of information around the clock and around the globe will enable these connected systems to manage themselves independently，work more efficiently and identify any errors quickly．忙碌的、广泛的信息分享将使这些连接系统自主地管理他们自己，更加有效地工作和快速地验证错误．可知划线部分的意思是快速、广泛的信息交换，故选C．
44 C细节理解题．根据最后一段第二、三句Europe will position itself as a pioneer in the fourth revolution．Industry 4.0 is a project in the high-tech strategy of the German government．欧洲使自己处于第四次革命的先锋．Industry 4.0是德国政府高科技策略的一个项目．故选C．
45 B观点态度题．根据第一段第一句The term"Industry 4.0"refers to the fourth industrial revolution．Industry 4.0代表第四次革命；最后一段第一句The good news is that Europe is much better prepared for the Industry 4.0 revolution than one might think．好消息是更加充分地为Industry 4.0做好了准备．说明作者是支持的态度，故选B．
点评 本文属于科技类文章阅读．重在考察学生的细节理解和推理判断能力，做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句，和题干进行比较，再做出正确的选择．在做推理判断题不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
