New center brings technology to traditional games

陜西鎮巴中學 李海運

題材文章詞數科技與娛樂348 難度 ★★★體裁建議用時新聞報道6′

Space travel，survival trips and flying through the air are all experiences people can have at a new kind of entertainment business in Los Angeles，California.It is called Two Bit Circus.

Many of the games at Two Bit Circus are similar to traditional games of skill played at carnivals（狂歡節）and amusement parks.They test simple skills like throwing objects to hit targets or knock over other objects.But they also involve new technology，including cameras and eyewear that surround users with computer-generated，three-dimensional pictures.These kinds of experiences are known as virtual reality.

Kelly Bentall was a recent visitor who played a game in which she had to throw a plastic ball.Then a computer-generated picture of the ball appeared on a screen in front of her.The picture followed the movements of the real ball and struck a picture of a computer-generated opponent （對手）.“I think it takes a series of arcade games （游戲機室游戲）to the next level，and there's a couple of games I played tonight where I wasout of breath，” Bentall said.

Another addition to the experience is the presence of a robot that serves alcoholic drinks.“I have not had a robot make my drink before，” said John Duncan， another visitor. “That was actually pretty cool.”

Two Bit Circus presents the newest developments in game technology.Many of the experiences are created in a work spaceconnected tothe entertainment center.

Eric Gradman is the chief technology officer and helped create Two Bit Circus.He is also a robot designer who created experimental designs for the United States military.He said his team is“alwaysexperimenting withnew forms of entertainment”.

Two Bit Circus is about the size of a department store.That is a good thing.Many department stores across the country have closed because people buy many products online now.That means there are large empty spaces available at a lower cost.These empty stores provide enough space to test and improve new games so that Two Bit Circus can be opened across the country.

Reading Check

Complete the summary with only one word for each blank.

Two Bit Circus is a good choice for space travel or survival trips.Two Bit Circus is a （n）1______._business in Los Angeles.Many games there are similar to 2______._ones.However，Two Bit Circus involves new 3._______in it，making it known as virtual 4._______.Another attraction of the new center is that a（n）5._______can serve drinks.

Two Bit Circus is as large as a department 6.________.With so many stores 7._______because of the online products，there is enough 8._______to improve new games at the empty stores.It is hoped that Two Bit Circus can be opened across the country.

Language Study

Ⅰ.Important vocabulary

1.be similar to和……類似

2.target n.目標

3.involve v.涉及

4.out of breath氣喘吁吁

5.be connected to與……有聯系

6.experiment with進行試驗

7.available adj.可獲得的

Ⅱ.Important sentences

1.But they also involve new technology， ________（include） cameras and eyewear_______surround users with computer-generated，three-dimensional pictures.

翻譯：_____________________________________________________________________________

【點石成金】本句第一空應填入including，including為介詞，意為“包括”；第二空應填入that，that引導定語從句，修飾cameras and eyewear，在從句中作主語。

2.These empty stores provide enough space _______（test） and improve new games_______Two Bit Circus can be opened across the country.

翻譯：____________________________________________________________________________

【點石成金】本句第一空應填入to test，動詞不定式在句中作定語；第二空應填入so that，so that引導結果狀語從句，意為“以便”。