供稿：高 潔

It seems like everything is getting smarter these days:our phones,our TVs,our cars and even our fridges.Some of us don’t even need to go grocery shopping because our fridges can order food for us.In many ways,our lives are becoming ____1____ and simpler.And,it’s all thanks to these smart home devices and“the Internet of Things”.So today,we’ll talk about 5 of these cool devices and how they can make living at home more convenient,cheaper and safer!

1.Smart locks（智能密碼鎖）

You often lose your keys,then you might want to get a smart lock.You can use your phone to unlock doors and1)monitorthem ____2____ break-ins.Best of all,you can give your visitors temporary access with an App.So,you don’t have to ____3____ getting the key back after.But be careful! Some locks can be2)hacked,so be sure to check the security reviews before getting one.

2.Smart kitchen devices（智能廚房設(shè)備）

Smart kitchen devices make cooking foolproof,so anyone can cook like a professional chef.Not good at making steak? No problem.Smart pans monitor the meat’s_____4____,so it’s easier to make that perfect dish.Making coffee is also a breeze when you can just tell your coffee machine to make you a nice hot latte!

3.Smart energy monitors（智能能源監(jiān)控器）

An energy monitor is great for anyone who wants to go green and save a bit of money.It can monitor energy use and tell you which appliances are eating up the most electricity.It will make your home more energy-efficient,and_____5____ the cost of your bills!

4.Smart cleaning gadgets（智能清潔設(shè)備）

If you live with a very messy cat,then you may really want to get some cleaning gadgets.Smart3)vacuumsare super handy and can clean when you’re not at home.____6____ the regular cleaning,you’d also like to purify the air! Smart air purifiers monitor air quality and keep your home clear of smoke or pollution.

5.The smart hub（智能中心）

Lastly,if you like to keep things simple,a4)hubis a good idea! Hubs control all the other smart devices,so you can_____7____ your lights,TV or speakers just by talking to one device.It also works as a virtual assistant so you can set alarms or ask it questions about things like_____8____ or traffic.

1) monitor [?mɑ?n?t?r] v.監(jiān)視;檢查

2) hack [h?k] v.亂劈;砍;劈;猛踢;非法侵入(他人的計(jì)算機(jī)系統(tǒng))

3) vacuum[?v?kju??m] n.真空;真空狀態(tài)(用真空吸塵器所做的)清潔

4) hub [h?b] n.(某地或活動的)中心