A
If you've ever been annoyed by the sound of someone eating，especially as they noisily slurp noodles，don't worry, you're not alone.
A company has recently designed a fork that connects to an app on your smart phone，which will then play noise cancelling sounds if you happen to slurp your noodles too loudly.
The fork was designed with a microphone in its handle that is trained to recognize the sound of slurping. The microphone will then send a signal to the phone app. setting off the noise cancelling sounds.
The company that designed the fork, called Otohiko fork, was inspired by what is called "noodle harassment" by social media users, which is running wild in Japan.
"The Japanese, who generally dislike noisy eating. consider it proper and even preferable to suck up one's noodles with a loud slurping sound".
Unfortunately for visitors, however, such enthusiastic slurping tends to grate on their nerves, which is what lead to the creation of the phrase" noodle harassment" in the first place.
The company behind the fork, Nissin, is the very same company that invented Cup Noodles, who brought instant noodles to the world nearly 70 years ago, so they are definitely concerned about whether or not foreigners are put off by the sound of slurping noodles.
The fork is being sold for a good $130, but those bothered enough by noodle slurpers will likely find it well worth the money.
Nissin is only planning a limited run of 5000 forks for the time being, which can now be pre-ordered only through their website.
The company is planning to begin releasing them just in time for the holidays. Of course, it still remains to be seen if the fork can be programmed to drown out the sound of loud chewers, which is probably of greater concern to sensitive Westerners.
1. From the text we can know that_________.
A. "noodle harassment" is used to reduce the noise
B. the Otohiko fork will encourage noodle sales in Japan
C. the microphone in its handle stops the slurping sound
D. the app on a smart phone operates just like a silencer
2. The new fork was invented_______.
A. to bring noodle eaters more fun B. to solve a practical problem
C. to change the Japanese eating habit D. to popularize instant noodles
3. The new fork will be the most helpful for______.
A. Western visitors to Japan B. fans of Japanese noodles
C. the spread of Japanese culture D. the reform of Japanese food
4. Which of the following can be the best title ?
A. A New Fork Wins Popularity B. Nissin Makes Another Invention
C. A Noise Cancelling Fork Born D. Good News for Western Visitors
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. A 4. C
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。介绍了一种可以消除吃面条发出的刺耳声音的叉子，以及这种叉子的工作原理、有关背景知识和功能。
【1题详解】
推理判断题。从第二、三段A company has recently designed a fork that connects to an app on your smart phone，which will then play noise cancelling sounds if you happen to slurp your noodles too loudly. The fork was designed with a microphone in its handle that is trained to recognize the sound of slurping. The microphone will then send a signal to the phone app. setting off the noise cancelling sounds.可知，叉子柄上装有麦克风去感应吃面时发出的淅沥呼噜声，感应到声音后就将信息发送到安装在智能手机上的app，app就播放消音的声音，这样就听不到吃面时发出的声音了，这如同消音器（silencer）的工作原理。故选D。
【2题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第一段If you've ever been annoyed by the sound of someone eating，especially as they noisily slurp noodles，don't worry, you're not alone.可知如果你曾经对别人吃东西的声音感到困扰，尤其是当他们大声地吸面条的声音,别担心，你并不是一个人。可知吃面时发出的刺耳的声音是让很多人困扰的问题，于是新叉子的发明是解决了一个实际问题。故选B。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。从第四段和五段"The Japanese, who generally dislike noisy eating. consider it proper and even preferable to suck up one's noodles with a loud slurping sound". Unfortunately for visitors, however, such enthusiastic slurping tends to grate on their nerves, which is what lead to the creation of the phrase" noodle harassment" in the first place.可知，日本人对吃面时发出的声音并不反感，反而很享受，但西方人却很敏感，所以这种叉子对在日本的西方人最有用。故选A。
【4题详解】
主旨大意题。这是一篇新闻报道，介绍了新发明的叉子的工作原理、有关背景知识和功能，重点突出这种消音叉子的诞生。故选C。
