懂你英语Level 6 Unit 3 Part 4 Reading【How Tech Improves Life】

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Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone. This is possible because of the development of technologies which involve connecting the brain to a computer or other electronic devices. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear. The device has several parts. One part is surgically implanted into the inner ear. There it stimulates nerves to cause the sensation of sound. The other part sits behind the ear and works like a miniature microphone.

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paralyzed = 麻痹的，瘫痪的

limb = 肢体

surgically = 如外科手术般地

implant = 植入

sensation = 感觉，知觉

miniature = 微型的，小型的

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Another new device allows those who have lost an arm or a leg to control their artificial limb just by thinking. The first human volunteer to try this out was Matt Nagel. Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

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vicious = 有恶意的，凶猛的，残暴的

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The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement. From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands. Hopefully, these commands would control the artificial hand attached to Matt’s arm.

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involved = 复杂难懂的

hair-thin = 头发粗细的

electrode = 电极

cortex = 皮质

decode = 破译，解码

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Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope. To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist. At that moment Matt made history, he became the first person to control an artificial limb by using a device surgically inserted into his brain.

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delight = 快乐，高兴

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Since the operation, Nagel has continued to test the technology and further investigate its capabilities. Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks. He can control a TV and even open emails. Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts. It is powerful evidence that technological advancements will improve our lives.

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investigate = 研究

capability = 功能，性能，能力

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Exercises:

1. What is the purpose of this article?

>> to educate the general public

2. How do the new devices implanted into people with artificial limbs operate?

>> by converting thoughts into commands

3. Something which is artificial is not natural.

4. When something emerges, it appears.

Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:

1. What can technology enable paralyzed people to do?

Paralyzed people can now control artificial limbs by thought alone.

2. To what can the scientists connect Matt’s brain?

From the plate, thin cables were connected to a small computer which decodes the signals from the plate and converts them into commands.

Fill in the blanks:

1. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear. The device has several parts.

2. The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved. First, a circular piece of his skull was removed. Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain. It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement. This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement.

Put the sentences below in order:

(1) It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.

(2) This plate detects the electrical signals in the brain that usually control hand movement.

(3) First, a circular piece of his skull was removed.

(4) The process of implanting the device into Matt was quite involved.

(5) Then a tiny plate with hair-thin electrodes was inserted into his brain.

Correct Order: (4) (3) (5) (1) (2)

Repeat & Read Sentences:

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1. One well-known use of such technology enables deaf people to hear.

2. Matt was paralyzed from the neck down due to a vicious knife attack.

3. Using thought alone, he can now perform a variety of tasks.

4. It was placed in the motor cortex, the brain region that controls movement.

5. Shortly after the operation, Matt was surrounded by the surgeons as he stared at his artificial hand with hope.

6. Such uses of technology are inspiring and bring joy to our hearts.

7. To the delight of the crowd, the hand started moving, and the fingers closed, becoming a fist.