Nowadays, some companies around the world are now offering humanoid (human-like) robots. They are being designed (设计) to look as human as possible. These products of technology are at the center of a debate (辩论): Should they be made to look like humans or just like what they are machines?

Robots are playing an increasingly bigger role in our lives. In some countries, robots have been entertaining kids and helping the elderly. Some experts say robots will be more effective at such jobs if they look like humans. Research has shown that people feel closer to human-like robots. Also, human-like robots suit environments that are designed for humans. After all, the world is full of stairs (楼梯), hallways, shelves at shoulder height and sightlines at eye level.

But other experts say robots don’t need to look like humans. Humanoid robots also have disadvantages. If robots look like us, we may expect them to act like us. However, they may make us disappointed because they can’t always do that yet. For example, they can’t laugh at the right moments during a conversation. Many people also find human-like robots scary.

I think the human body is not the best design for many of the jobs we want robots to do. Just think of small, flat robot vacuums (真空吸尘器). They can go under a sofa to pick up the dust balls. Can human-like robots also do this? Even if robots can be made into humanlike ones, why do we limit (限定) them to two legs and two arms? Why not four and six so they can pick up the elderly or sick people comfortably? And that super intelligent AI almost certainly wouldn’t pick one body design to carry its mind around in. Why limit computational capacity (算力) to what fits inside a single head?

What’s your opinion about robots’ shapes?

1.1. According to the second paragraph, the reasons why robots should be designed to look like humans include ________. ①People feel closer to humanoid robots. ②Robots are widely used in the industrial field. ③Humanoid robots can serve the people effectively. ④Humanoid robots can suit human environments.

A ①②④

B ①③④

C ②③④

D ①②③

解析：选B。第 1 题：题型为细节理解题解析：题目要求找出第二段中机器人应设计成人形的原因。文中明确提到 “部分专家表示，若机器人外形酷似人类，在这类工作中会更高效”，对应③；“研究表明，人们会觉得与人形机器人更亲近”，对应①；“人形机器人适配为人类设计的环境”，对应④。而②“机器人在工业领域广泛应用” 在第二段中未提及，因此排除含②的选项，答案为 B。

2.2. Other experts don’t agree that robots are designed to look like humans because humanoid robots ________.

A cost a lot

B can’t cry or laugh

C can’t have conversations with humans

D can’t always behave like us as we expect

解析：选D。第 2 题：题型为细节理解题解析：本题考查反对者的核心观点。第三段指出 “若机器人长得像我们，我们可能会期望它们像人类一样行动，但它们目前还无法始终做到这一点，这会让我们失望”，这是反对者的核心理由。A 选项 “成本高” 文中未提及；B 选项 “不会哭或笑” 只是举例说明机器人无法模仿人类行为，并非核心原因；C 选项 “不能与人类交流” 与原文 “对话中无法恰当发笑” 不符，机器人可交流但无法契合人类情境，因此答案为 D。

3.3. What’s the writer’s opinion according to the fourth paragraph?

A Robots can’t be made to look like humans.

B Humanoid design is still the best choice for robots.

C A robot should be designed with more arms, legs and heads.

D The design of a robot’s shape should depend on its use.

解析：选D。第 3 题：题型为观点态度题解析：第四段作者以扫地机器人为例，说明人形设计不适合清扫工作，又提出为照顾老人可设计多肢体机器人，核心是想表达机器人外形应根据用途设计。A 选项与原文 “即便机器人可以被制造成人形” 相悖；B 选项与作者 “人类身体并非最佳设计” 的观点相反；C 选项 “设计更多肢体和头部” 只是作者举的例子，并非核心观点，因此答案为 D。

4.4. What’s the best title of this passage?

A The Development of Humanoid Robots

B A Debate about Improving the Services of Robots

C Should Robots Look like Humans?

D Different Robots, Different Services

解析：选C。第 4 题：题型为主旨大意题解析：文章开篇即抛出核心辩论话题 “机器人应仿人类外形还是保持机器形态”，后续围绕该话题展开正反方论述及作者观点，主旨明确。A 选项 “人形机器人的发展” 非文章重点；B 选项 “提升机器人服务的辩论” 偏离主题，辩论核心是外形而非服务；D 选项 “不同机器人有不同服务” 未在文中体现，因此答案为 C。