Question

【题目】Researchers with the University of Cambridge say they have the first real evidence of a new state of matter, some 40 years after it was first theorized.

Known as “quantum spin liquid(量子旋转水)”, the matter state causes normally unbreakable electrons to break into pieces called “Majorana fermions.” These fermions are an important discovery. Physicists believe the material is vital to further develop quantum computing. Computers employing Majorana femuons would be able to carry out calculations beyond the scale of modern computers quickly, they say.

Quantum spin liquid explains some of the eccentric behaviors inside magnetic(磁性的) materials. In these materials, the electrons should behave like small bar magnets, all adjusting towards magnetic north when a material is cooled. But not all magnetic materials do this—if the material contains quantum spin liquid, the electrons don’t all line up and become involved.

“Until recently, we didn’t even know what the experimental fingerprints of a quantum spin liquid would look like,” researcher Dr.Dmitry Kovrizhin says. “That created a challenge for the researchers, so they decided to employ neutron scattering(神经扫描) techniques to look for evidence of break”. What they found surprised them. The features matched nearly exactly with quantum spin liquid models theorized by physicist Phil Anderson in 1973. The results of their breakthrough were then published in the scientific journal Nature Materials on Monday.

Don’t get too excited just yet on its applications, though. Kovirzhin’s work is only the beginning and as we’ve seen with quantum computing there is a lot of work to be done. But it’s still exciting regardless.

“It’s an important step for our understanding of quantum matter,” Kovrizhin says. “It’s fun to have another new quantum state that we’ve never seen before—it presents us with new possibilities to try new things.”

【1】What can we learn about “Majorana fermion” according to Paragraph 2?

A. It is an important discovery 40 years ago.

B. It is a surprising theory raised by Phil Anderson.

C. It is a key piece in developing quantum computer.

D. It is an unbreakable electrons employing computer.

【2】Which of the following can best replace the underlined word “eccentric” in Paragraph 3?

A. Strange. B. Complex. C. Permanent. D. Obvious.

【3】How did the researchers make the breakthrough?

A. By adjusting magnetic materials.

B. By using neutron scattering techniques.

C. By repeating maths calculations.

D. By changing electronic structure.

【4】What is the author’s tone about the future of quantum matter?

A. Negative. B. Doubtful. C. Indifferent. D. Optimistic.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】A

【3】B

【4】D

【解析】本文是一篇科普说明文，主要介绍了量子计算发展中的一个重大发现——量子旋转水，这种物质是发展量子计算的关键一环，能够解释磁性物质内部的活动，这个发现让专家们都对量子计算的未来充满信心。

【1】细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Physicists believe the material is vital to further develop quantum computing.”可知，物理学家认为马约拉纳费米子是发展量子计算关键的一部分，故C项正确。

【2】词义猜测题。根据第三段中的“In these materials, the electrons should behave like small bar magnets, all adjusting towards magnetic north when a material is cooled. But not all magnetic materials do this—if the material contains quantum spin liquid, the electrons don’t all line up and become involved.”可知，在磁性物质中，电子本应该像小磁条一样在物质冷却的时候全都指向此时北极，但不是所有的磁性材料都这样，如果这些材料含有量子旋转水，电子不会参与这种行为，量子旋转水能够解释这一奇怪的磁性物质内部活动，故A项正确。

【3】细节理解题。根据第四段中的“That created a challenge for the researchers, so they decided to employ neutron scattering techniques to look for evidence of break. What they found surprised them.”可知，研究人员是通过神经扫描技术取得重大突破的，故B项正确。

【4】观点态度题。根据最后两段内容，特别是第五段中的“Kovirzhin’s work is only the beginning and as we’ve seen with quantum computing there is a lot of work to be done. But it’s still exciting regardless.”可知，作者认为量子计算虽然还有很多工作要做，但是这个发现是让人兴奋的，由此可知作者对量子计算的未来是乐观的，故D项正确。