B．To give practical advice.

C．To tell an interesting story.

D．To present an intelligent technology.

答案　D　[主旨大意题。从文章第一段中的A new research project will develop systems that allow men and machines to debate decisions.可知，本篇文章的写作目的是介绍一项智能技术。]

2．The underlined word "converse" in Paragraph 3 means "________"．

A．communicate B．compete

C．compare D．combine

答案　A　[词义猜测题。从文章第三段首句中的Talking computers及下一段中的The system Dr.Vasconcelos is dveloping will communicate with words on a computer screen rather than speech.可知，converse和communicate是同义词，意思是"交流"。]

3．What can the new computer be used to do according to the text?

A．To prevent the environment from being polluted.

B．To perform unmanned tasks in the deep sea.

C．To provide humans with some company.

D．To send unmanned computer to outer space.

答案　B　[细节理解题。根据第四段中的Potentially it can be used to accomplish unmanned robot missions to planets or the deep sea，defense systems and exploring the enemy environments such as the nuclear base.可知答案为B。]

4．A good side effect of conversing with robots is that________.

A．we can blame computers for the failures

B．all the dialogues are going to be recorded

C．it makes humans more responsible for the errors

D．people don't need to work any more

答案　C　[细节理解题。从文章最后一段可以看出，人机对话使得人类将担负