The Segway Human Transporter was invented by Dean Kamen．It is a two-wheeled vehicle designed for a single rider standing upright over its single axle（轴） and navigate using a set of handlebars resembling those on a bicycle．Electrically powered, it could travel over 15 miles on a single charge and reach speeds up to twelve miles per hour．Its speed and direction can be controlled by riders' changing their weights．
A college dropout and self-taught engineer, Kamen already held over 100 patents for his inventions when he developed the one he hoped would revolutionize short-distance travel．While still in college, Kamen started developing the medical devices （设备） that made his name．Later, he changed focus to the challenges faced by wheelchair users．His robotic wheelchair known as IBOT could climb stairs．This robot ended up paving the way for the Segway．
Before showing his most recent invention, Kamen had kept it a top secret for months．When it turned out to be little more than a motor scooter, many publicly expressed their disappointment．On closer examination, however, even his critics（批评家） had to admit that the vehicle was an engineering achievement．It answered the prayers of anyone who is worn out when walking downtown．Not everyone welcomed the Segway's arrival, though．Some complained it was too expensive, while others said it would further weaken the average American ' s fitness．A Japanese inventor even accused Kamen of stealing the idea for the Segway from him．
Despite the controversy, the U．S．postal service began using Kamen's invention a month after its appearance, and a factory was built with plans to produce about 40,000 Segways every month．The argument is still on whether the Segway will be remembered as the greatest invention since the light bulb, or just another forgettable electronic device．Anyway, trips to the local supermarket will never be the same again．
小题1:Which statement best describes the critics' reaction to the Segway?
A．Nothing but an electrical device．
B．A disappointing engineering mistake．
C．An expensive and disappointing invention．
D．Disappointing, but still a successful device．小题2:Which is not a feature of the Segway?
A．One person at a time can ride on it．
B．It has two wheels with a single axle．
C．It is powered by electricity and can go up to 12mph．
D．Riders increase the speed by moving the handlebars小题3:Some people expressed dissatisfaction with the Segway because of its______.
A．high cost
B．danger to traffic
C．being difficult to use
D．contribution to laziness小题4:Shortly after the Segway appeared, there were _________.
A．hopes for a larger model of it
B．no plans to do anything more with it
C．some discussions on the unforgettable device
D．plans to make tens of thousands of them a month
