In recent years, 3D printers have mostly been used to create small, specialized items. This includes parts for automobiles, airplanes and medical devices. Many consumer products can also be 3D printed as well, from clothes to foods. Now, an increasing number of startup(新创办的)companies are using 3D printing to build entire homes. Since the technology is still developing, not many have yet been built. However, the top companies plan to greatly increase production in the coming years.
The startup company Icon, based in Austin, Texas, made news in 2018 by completing the first permitted 3D printed home in the U. S. At the time, it said the home had been built in just a day. Since then, the company says it has been developing new technologies in robotics, software and manufacturing materials. It designed its own 3D printer and said the robot-powered machine could create structures up to 185 square meters. The printing process uses a cement-based mixture that Icon says is stronger and saves more money than traditional building materials.
To date, Icon has completed 24 3D printed homes in the U. S. and Mexico. Among them was a community of 3D printed homes in a poor neighborhood in Mexico. The company has also completed a series of structures for homeless people in Austin. And it says it plans to open America's first housing development of 3D printed homes this summer.
A New York company, SQ4D, also uses 3D printing technology to build homes. In February, the company showed off a 130-square-meter model home to demonstrate (证明) its printer'sabilities. SQ4D plans to sell its homes starting at $299,000. The company has even started listing the homes on the Internet selling site Zillow. Kirk Andersen is SQ4D's director of operations. He told Reuters the 3D printer will permit buyers to easily create their own home design, room by room.
While 3 D printing as a home building method is just getting started, Andersen said others in the construction industry need to get prepared for big changes. “This is the beginning. This is just scratching the surface,” he said.
12. What can we learn about 3D printing technology from Paragraph 1?
A. It needs to be perfected.         B. It enjoys the highest status.
C. It is being used for building homes.     D. It helps produce some large and unique items.
13. What feature do 3D printed homes have when compared with traditional building methods?
A. They're more comfortable.         B. They're more environment-friendly.
C. They're more complex.            D. They're less expensive.
14. What is Andersen's attitude to the future of 3D printing as a home building way?
A. Concerned.     B. Favorable.     C. Doubtful.     D. Indifferent.
15. What is the main idea of the text?
A. The development of smart homes.     B. The importance of 3D printers.
C. 3D printing in building homes.        D. Construction industry's future.
12-15. CDBC
【文章大意】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了3D打印机的用途，特别是在建设房屋方面的用途。
12. 【答案】C
【解析】细节理解题。根据第一段第四句可知，3D打印技术正用于房屋建设中,由此可知答案选C。
13. 【答案】D
【解析】细节理解题。根据文章第二段The printing process uses a cement-based mixture that Icon says is stronger and saves more money than traditional building materials. 可知，与传统的建筑方法相比，3D打印的房屋能够省钱。
14. 【答案】B
【解析】观点态度题。根据最后一段Andersen said others in the construction industry need to get prepared for big changes. 并结合Andersen 所说的话可知，该项技术有很广阔的前景，因此他很支持这项技术。
15. 【答案】C
【解析】主旨大意题。本文主要讲述了3D打印机在房屋建设方面的作用，因此选项C符合。