A
Supermarkets are trying out new computers that make shopping carts more intelligent (具备智能的). They will help shoppers find cups or toilet soap，and keep a record of the bill.
The touchscreen devices (触摸屏装置) are on show at the Food Marketing Institute's exhibition here this week.“These devices are able to create value and get you around the store quicker，” said Michael Alexander，manager of Springboard Retail Networks Inc.，which makes a smart cart computer called the Concierge.
Canadian stores will test the Concierge in July.A similar device，IBM's “shopping buddy”， has recently been testmarketed at Stop & Shop stores in Massachusetts.
Neither device tells you how many fat grams or calories are in your cart，but they will flash you with items on sale.The idea is to make it easier for people to buy，not to have second thoughts that maybe you should put something back on the shelf.
“The whole model is driven by advertisers' need to get in front of shoppers，”said Alexander.“They're not watching 30second TV ads anymore.”
People can use a home computer to make their shopping lists.Once at the store，a shopper can use a preferred customer card to start a system that will organize the trip around the store.If you're looking for toothpicks，you type in the word or pick it from a list，and a map will appear on the screen showing where you are and where you can find them.
The devices also keep a record of what you buy.When you're finished，the device figures out your bill.Then you go to the checker or place your card into a selfcheckout stand and pay.
The new computerized shopping assistants don't come cheap.The Buddy devices will cost the average store about $160，000，and the Concierge will cost stores about $500 for each device.
【解题导语】 本文介绍了新电脑在商场的应用使得手推车更加智能。
21．The underlined word “They” (Paragraph 1) refers to ________.
A．supermarkets B．shop assistants
C．shopping carts D．shop managers
解析：选C 词义猜测题。由上文提到“make shopping carts more intelligent (具备智能的)”，然后出现了They，由此可知答案为C。
22．Which of the following is the correct order of shopping with the computerized shopping carts?
a．Start the system.
b．Make a shopping list.
c．Find the things you want.
d．Go to a selfcheckout stand.
A．a－b－d－c B．b－a－c－d
C．a－c－b－d D．b－c－a－d
解析：选B 细节理解题。由文中第六、七段可以看出，这种智能购物车的使用顺序，故选B。
23．We can learn from the last paragraph that ________.
A．intelligent shopping carts cost a large sum of money
B．the Concierge is cheaper than the Buddy devices
C．shop assistants with computer knowledge are well paid
D．average stores prefer the Concierge to the Buddy devices
解析：选A 推理判断题。由文中最后一段，$160,000和$500可知答案为A。
24．What might be the most suitable title for the text?
A．New Age for Supermarkets
B．Concierge and Shopping Buddy
C．New Computers Make Shopping Carts Smarter
D．Touchscreen Devices Make Shopping Enjoyable
解析：选C 标题归纳题。通读全文可知答案为C。
