当前位置: 高中英语 / 阅读理解
  • 1. (2020·杨浦模拟) 阅读理解

        David Miles, an Australian inventor has been accused of cheating desperate farmers by charging up to $50,000 Australian dollars for delivering rain on demand without so much as explaining the technology behind his business.

        On the official Miles Research website, Miles explains that in the 1990's he realized that it was possible to influence weather patterns by creating a bridge between 'the present' and a 'near-future event' in the physical space-time continuum. He found that by applying small amounts of energy intelligently, even a large, messy weather system approaching from the future could be eased.

        While somewhat fascinating, Miles' explanation does little to explain how he is able to bring rainfall to the lands of farmers. He makes references to famous but debatable concepts like "the butterfly effect". "We were advised against patenting because it's basically exposing how it works. There are a lot of big companies that invest in hunting out patents," Miles said. "I understand the doubts, the only other way is to fully prove up our science and physics. If we did that, we'll lose it, it will be taken up as a national security interest and it'll then be weaponized."

        Miles' claims raised suspicions for obvious reasons, including a since-deleted section of his company website, which claimed that his technology used "electromagnetic scalar waves", which scientists say don't even exist.

        The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned people against doing business with him, but the Australian inventor claims the ACCC is only trying to defame him and his company, as in reality they are success based – if it doesn't rain, they don't get paid.

        "Consumers signed the agreement that if by the end of June they receive 100mm, they pay $50,000, if they only receive 50mm, they would only pay $25,000. Anything under half, we don't want to be paid," Miles said of a handful of Wimmera farmers who agreed to take him up on his offer to deliver rain.

        Believe it or not, one of the farmers who paid David Miles for his so-called rain-making capabilities told ABC Radio that he was quite happy with the results.

    1. (1) David Miles claims to be capable of ________.
      A . influencing the weather system B . predicting the future events C . reducing the atmospheric temperature D . easing the gravitational energy
    2. (2) ACCC issued warning against doing business with Miles because ________.
      A . he charged too much for the services provided B . there was no solid science to back up his technology C . his practice was a threat to national security interest D . he didn't officially patent his technology with ACCC
    3. (3) According to Miles, how much will he be paid if the farmers receive 15mm of rain?
      A . $50,000. B . $25,000. C . $12,500. D . $0.
    4. (4) What can be inferred from the passage?
      A . Miles needed safer facilities for his business. B . Miles brought about good crops as expected. C . Miles wasn't discouraged by the critics. D . Miles was arrested by the local police.

微信扫码预览、分享更方便