Technology is the application (应用)of knowledge to production. Thanks to modern technology, we have been able to increase greatly the efficiency of our work force. New machines and new methods have helped cut down time and expense while increasing overall output. This has meant more production and a higher standard of living. For most of us in America, modern technology is thought of as the reason why we can have cars and television sets. However, technology has also increased the amount of food available (有用的)to us, by means of modern farming machinery¹ and animalbreeding techniques, and has extended our life span via()medical technology.

Will mankind continue to live longer and have a higher quality of life? In large measure the answer depends on technology and our ability to use it widely. If we keep making progress as we have over the past fifty years, the answer is definitely yes. The advancement² of technology depends upon research and development, and the latest statistics (统计) show that the united States is continuing to pump billions of dollars annually(每年) into such efforts. So while we are running out of some scarce resources (少的资源) we may well find technological³ substitutes (代用品) for many of them through our research programs.

Therefore, in the final analysis the three major factors of production (land, labor⁴ and capital) are all influenced by technology. When we need new skills on techniques in medicine, people will start developing new technology to meet those needs. As equipment proves to be slow or inefficient⁵, new machines will be invented. Technology responds to our needs in helping⁶ us maintain our standard of living.

1. What is the best title for the passage?

A. The definition of technology

B. Modern technology

C. The application of technology

D. The development of technology

2. From the passage, we can infer that this article is probably _________.

A. a part of the introduction to American business

B. followed by the passage talking about factors of production

C. taken from a learned journal

D. Both A and B

3. Which is the main idea of the passage?

A. Modern technology is the key to the improvement of standard of living.

B. The three major factors of production-land, labor and capital are all influenced by technology.

C. Technology is the response to our needs.

D. The United States is making great efforts to advance its technology.

4. According to the passage, people can live a long life with the help of _________.

A. higer quality of life

B. medical technology

C. modem⁷ farming machinery

D. technological substitute

KEY: 1- 4BDAB