Level 1 · Reading series
Lesson 51 · Inside a Vending Machine
Audio track 51
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You put money into the coin slot of a vending machine. A sensor checks it. When you push a button, the machine checks the price and the shelf.
If the drink is not sold out, a motor moves it. The selected drink falls into the opening below. The machine may also return your change.
Many parts work inside the box, but the user sees only a few steps. A machine must also keep money and drinks secure.
Check your understanding
After reading, state the main idea in one sentence and find a line that supports it.
Chinese translation
你把钱放进自动售货机的投币口，传感器会检查投入的硬币。按下按钮后，机器核对价格和货架上的商品。
如果饮料没有卖完，电动机会把选中的那瓶移动到出货口。饮料落到下方的取货处，机器也可能退还找零。
盒子内部有许多部件在工作，使用者却只看到几个简单步骤。机器还得保证钱和饮料安全。
Key words and expressions
Key terms have Chinese explanations. Hover over dotted words in the English passage for word help and pronunciation when available.
- coin slot
- 投币口。
- vending machine
- 自动售货机。
- push
- 推；按。
- button
- 按钮。
- shelf
- 架子；货架。
- sold out
- 售完；卖光。
- motor
- 电动机；马达。
- selected drink
- 选中的饮料。
- change
- 零钱；变化；改变。本文指找零。
- inside
- 在里面；内部。
Background notes (Chinese)
自动售货机可能具有识别硬币或纸币、管理库存、推出商品和控制温度等功能。不同机型的工作方式不一样，有些只接受电子支付。外面看似简单的一次操作，背后可能包含多次判断。