Question

Cathy is a tetraplegic. She has not been able to move her arms, legs or speak since suffering a stroke（中风）nearly fifteen years ago. Recently, she learned how to control a robotic arm using her thoughts. She now can use brain activity to serve herself a drink.

The American woman is one of two people who took part in a research project known as BrainGate2. The researchers have spent years studying how to help people who are disabled regain movement in their arms and legs.

John Donoghue is a neuroscientist with Brown University and also was part of the project. He said, “People like Cathy have their brain disconnected from their body. So they are not able to go out and do everyday things that you and I can do, like reach for a glass of water or scratch your nose. Our idea is to avoid that damaged nervous system and go directly from the brain to the outside world, so the brain signals can, not control muscles, but control machines or devices like a computer or a robotic arm.”

The two disabled people had small sensors connected to the part of the brain that controls movement. The devices measured brain activity and sent that information to a computer. The computer has special software that turns the information into digital commands for operating other devices. The researchers used a highly developed robotic arm to recreate human actions．

The BrainGate team had its first success in 2006. A tetraplegic stabbing victim was able to use the brain—computer system to control a computer mouse. John says the latest development using robotic arms is a major victory.

A video of the latest experiment shows Cathy using the robotic arm to pick up a cup of coffee. She guides the cup toward her mouth, moves it forward and drinks through a straw.

Lead researcher Leigh Hochberg said the first time she did it was a magic moment.

The research team carried out almost 200 tests with two different robotic arms, which were able to pick up their target objects 43％ to 66％of the time.

The researchers are calling the information very promising. But they say it will take years to fully develop the technology for everyday use.

1.What kind of symptoms may a tetraplegic have?

A. He/She may suffer from amnesia and a loss of concentration.

B. His /Her part of body may become sore and swollen.

C. He/She may get frequent headaches or backaches.

D. He/She can’t move his/her arms or legs and has no ability to speak.

2.How does the robotic arm work?

A. brain signals small sensors muscle a robot arm

B. brain signals the nervous system musclea robot arm

C. brain signals small sensors a computer a robot arm

D. brain signals the nervous system a computer a robot arm

3.What can we know from this passage?

A．The technology had been put into use before 2006.

B．It won’t be long before the technology comes into daily use．

C．The two robotic arms couldn't pick up their target objects．

D. Quite a few experiments have been conducted for the technology．

4.What's the purpose of the research project?

A．To help the disabled people to move and speak．

B．To help the brain-computer system to control a computer mouse．

C．To help the disabled people use brain activity to serve themselves a drink．

D．To help the disabled people to get movement like having their arms and legs again．

Answer 1