导读

　　Question 3 tests the ability to make generalizations. Para 2 says “A new movement in AI ... takes a closer look at the more roundabout way in which nature came up with intelligence. Many of these researchers study evolution and natural adaptation instead of ...” In Para 3, Conrad explains “it’s (the brain is) not simply a clever network of switches. There are lots of important things going on inside the brain cells themselves.” It is thus clear that “Conrad and his group of AI researchers have been making enormous efforts to find out how intelligence developed in nature.” C) is the correct answer. However, more than half the test takers missed the point of the above quoted sentences. Their selections were nothing but groundless guessing.

　　Question 4 tests the understanding of the author’s opinion about the new AI movement. The last sentence of Para 2 plus the first sentence of Para 3 apparently show that the author holds an affirmative attitude towards the new trend, though he also admits that “the notion ... remains controversial right now.” (See the last para) Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D) It may prove to be in the right direction though nobody is sure of its future prospects.

　　Question 5 is a local question. It tests the understanding of a specific sentence, i.e. the last sentence. “The only game in town” is a phrase meaning that something is the only possible course of action or choice. Even if you don’t know the phrase, you should be able to understand it through the context. The correct answer is A) The only approach to building an artificial intelligent computer. About 55 per cent of the test takers got the correct answer.