LONDON-Scientists have found an unusual way to prevent our planet from overheating: move it to a cooler spot. All you have to do is send a few comets (彗星) in the direction of Earth, and its orbit will be changed too. Our world will then be sent spinning into a safer, colder part of the solar system.
This idea for improving our climate comes from a group of U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) engineers and American astronomers. They say their plan could add another six billion years to the useful lifetime of our planet-effectively doubling its working life.
The plan put forward by Dr. Laughlin, and his colleagues Don Korycansky and Fred Adams, needs carefully directing a comet or asteroid so that it passes close by our planet and sends some of its gravitational energy to Earth.
“Earth’s orbital speed would increase as a result and we would move to a higher orbit away from the Sun,” Laughlin said.
Engineers would then direct their comet so that it passed close to Jupiter or Saturn. The comet would pick up energy from one of these giant planets. Later its orbit would bring it back to Earth, and the process would be repeated.
In the short term, the plan provides an ideal way to global warming, although the team was actually concerned with a much greater danger. The Sun is certain to heat up in about a billion years and so “seriously compromise” our biosphere (生物圈) -by cooking us.
That’s why the group decided to try to save Earth.
The plan has one or two worrying aspects, however. For a start, space engineers would have to be very careful about how they directed their asteroid or comet towards Earth. The smallest miscalculation (误算) in orbit could fire it straight at Earth--with deadly consequences.
There is also the question of the Moon. As the current issue of Scientific American magazine points out, if Earth was pushed out of its current position, it is “most likely the Moon would be stripped away from Earth”. This would greatly change our planet’s climate.
What makes the scientists plan to move Earth?
A.A few comets are moving to the direction of Earth. |
B.Earth’s working life is coming to an end soon. |
C.Earth will become too hot for mankind to keep alive. |
D.The moon is moving farther and farther away from Earth. |
If the plan is successful, Earth will have a working life of years.
A.12 billion | B.6 billion |
C.18 billion | D.24 billion |
What serious problems might the plan cause according to the passage?
A.The comet might hit Earth and man might lose the Moon. |
B.Earth might be moved too far away and man might be frozen to death. |
C.The comet might hit Jupiter or Saturn and never return to Earth. |
D.Earth’s working life might be greatly shortened. |
What does the underlined word “compromise” mean?
A.Provide. | B.Recover |
C.Share. | D.Endanger. |
While small may be beautiful, tall is just plain uncomfortable it seems, particularly when it comes to staying in hotels and eating in restaurants.
The Tall Persons Club Great Britain (TPCGB), which was formed six months ago to campaign for the needs of the tall, has turned its attention to hotels and restaurants. Beds that are too small, showe heads that are too low, and restaurant tables with hardly any leg-room all make life difficult for those of above average height, it says.
But it is not just the extra-tall whose needs are not being met. The average night of the population has been increasing ye the standard size of beds, doorways, and chairs has remained unchanged.]
“The bedding industry says a bed should be six inches larger than the person using it, so even a king-size bed at 6′6″(6 feet and 6 inches) is falling short for 25% of men, while the standard 6′3″ bed caters for less than half of the male population.” Said TPCGB president Phil Heinricy, “seven-foot beds would work fine.”
Sililarly, restaurant tables can cause no end of problems. Small tables, which mean the long-legged have to sit a foot or so away from them, are enough to make tall customers go elsewhere.
Some have already taken note, however. At Queens Moat Houses′Caledoman Hotl in Edinburgh, 6′6″beds are now put in as standard after requests for longer beds from taller visitors, particularly Americans.
What is the purpose of the TPCGB campaign?
A.To provide better services. |
B.To rebuild hotels and restaurants. |
C.To draw public attention to the needs of the tall. |
D.To attract more people to become its members. |
Which of the following might be a bed of proper length according to Phil Heinricy?
A.7′2″. | B.7′ | C.6′6″ | D.6′3″ |
What may happen to restaurants with small tables?
A.They may lose some customers. |
B.They may start businesses elsewhere. |
C.They have to find easy chairs to match the tables. |
D.They have to provide enough space for the long-legged. |
What change has already been made in a hotel in Edinburgh?
A.Tall people pay more for larger beds. |
B.6′6″beds have taken the place of 6′3″beds. |
C.Special rooms are kept for Americans. |
D.Guest rooms are standardized. |
One of the worst feelings you have as a professional athlete is the feeling after losing a game to a team that you should have beaten. That happened last night against the lowly Boston Celtics. They had only won 13 games the whole year and were really struggling. We had just come off a very good win against the Orlando Magic on the road and were feeling good about ourselves.
The day did not start out good for us when we learned that T-Mac was going to miss the game with the flu. When you lose your best players (Yao, T-Mac) everyone must play a little harder and do a little bit more on the floor. We inserted Bonzi Wells into the lineup (he was the only one to have a good game for us), in place of T-Mac.
It was a nasty game. We are usually one of the best three point shooting teams in the NBA and we only made 1 of 22 three point shots! I have never seen that happen. Never! Rafer Alston, Luther Head, and me combined to shoot 5 of 33 from the field. Ouch! You aren't going to win too many games like that. Even as poorly as we shot the ball, we STILL had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter but failed to make the winning plays that you must make to leave the floor victorious.
In the locker room after the game, everybody felt terrible. When we play a bad game, we feel that we let our teammates down. There is a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach when you leave the gym and you just want to go home and not talk to anyone. It is a terrible feeling, but it is a feeling that makes you want to try harder and do better the next time.
I'll talk to you guys later.
Shane
What is the passage mainly about?
A.To blame the team for losing the game. |
B.To tell the readers about the feeling after losing the game |
C.To explain why they played poorly in the game. |
D.To blame Yao Ming and T—Mac for being absent from the game. |
What can the readers learn from the text?
A. The Boston Celtics is one of the top teams in NBA.
B. The Boston Celtics had a big win over the writer’s team.
C. Every one of the team played poorly with no energy.
D. Bonzi Wells starts in the game with T-Mac out.
How do you think the writer might describe his performance that night?
A.Tough | B.Relaxing | C.Terrible | D.Efficient |
The text most probably comes from the writer’s _________ .
A.blog | B.telephone message | C.note | D.interview |
Hello, Listeners. Welcome to Henton Hospital Radio. Before our music programme at four, I’m going to repeat some of our hospital rules.
The hospital can sleep 800 patients. There’re 8 beds in each ward (病房). The visiting hours are in the afternoon from 2:30 to 3:30 and in the evening from 7:00 to 8:00. But remember only two people can see you at the same time. Sorry about that, but you can see what would happen if we didn’t have these rules.
The other rules are about our hours. We start quite early---you might not be used to that. We wake you at 6 o’clock, and breakfast is at 8 o’clock, lunch is at noon.
There’s tea at 3:30 and supper is at 6 o’clock.
You can see the non-smoking sign---we don’t allow smoking in the wards. I’m sure you understand why. However, if you do need to smoke, there are some smoking rooms where it is allowed.
You will find the radio switch on the wall near your bed, with your own headphones, if you want to listen. It’s our own hospital radio wishing you a quick recovery.
Who do you think the listeners might be?
A.Patients. | B.Visitors. |
C.Doctors | D.Nurses |
Which is Not allowed in the hospital?
A.Listening to the hospital radio. |
B.Visiting patients in the morning. |
C.Smoking in smoking-rooms. |
D.Getting up early in the morning. |
What programme will follow this radio talk?
A.Hospital rules. | B.A weather report. |
C.A free talk. | D.A music programme. |
Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a serious twocar accident.
The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on rainsoaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames.
Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith, 9, from the wreckage.
The girl's mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their body sitter, Lisa Bowbin.
Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had upon receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene.
Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires.
“I was nervous,”Bozeman said. “I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.”
Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlifethreatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot.
The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said.
In addition, Bozeman got to meet accident victim Anthony Russo in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with “Thank you”, Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together.
“Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,”Beckie Smith said,“We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.”
What's the main idea of the passage?
A.Three persons were awarded for rescuing victims in a car accident. |
B.Three ordinary people were regarded as great heroes. |
C.Several victims were carried to safety from the burning cars. |
D.A car accident occurred on rainsoaked State Highway 6. |
Who saved Megan Smith from the damaged car?
A.Clemmons. | B.Anthony Russo. | C.Bozeman. | D.Bonge. |
Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman?
A.Kind. | B.Modest. | C.Excited. | D.Smart. |
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Luckily, no one received too serious injuries in the accident. |
B.All the victims received slight injuries in the accident. |
C.The rescuers were taken to the hospital to visit the victims. |
D.The injured will soon recover from their injuries. |
It can be inferred from what Beckie Smith said that____.
A.she regarded the accident as a wonder |
B.she was frightened by the serious accident |
C.she thought highly of the rescuers |
D.she called on others to learn from the rescuers |
The pound new Library of Birmingham(LoB)will be the most visible sign of the way the city is accepting the digitalization(数字化)of everyday life.
Set to open in 2013, the £188 m LoB is already beginning to tale shape next to the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, with which it will share some equipment.
As digital media(媒介)is important to its idea. the project is already providing chances for some of the many small new local companies working at the new technologies.
Brian Gambles, the LoB project director, says it is about giving people the right tools for learning, “The aim is to mix the physical with the digital. Providing 24-hour services which can be used through many different ways. It is important to enable us to reach more people, more effectively.”
The digital library will, he says, be as important as the physical one, allowing the distant use of the services, making sure that it is never closed to the public.
Even before the LoB is complete, the public has been able to go online to visit the Virtual(虚拟的)LoB, designed by Baden, the Birmingham virtual worlds specialists. Not only have the public been able to learn about LoB, but the virtual one has also enabled those working on the LoB to understand the building and how it will work before it even opens.
Two other small Birmingham-based digital companies are working on the LoB projects. Substrat, a digital design company, is developing what it calls “enlarge reality” project. It is about the use of an exciting smart phone, an important part of the LoB which is in the early stages of development is an online library of figures of the city being built by a digital content company in Cahoots, in which users will be encouraged to add to and comment on the material.
Gambles says: “Technology will enable us to make the library’s content and services open to citizens as sever before.”
The underline part “its idea” in Paragraph 3 refers to the idea of____.
A.the equipment | B.the project |
C.the digital media | D. the physical library |
While visiting the Virtual LoB, the public can_____.
A.get a general idea of the LoB |
B.meet many world-famous experts |
C.learn how to put up a library building |
D.understand how the specialists work on the project |
Which of the following is true of the LoB when it opens?
a. It offers better learning tools b. It reaches users in different ways c. It provides users with smart phone d. It allows users to enrich its material e. It gives non-stop physical and digital services |
A. a, b, d B. a, c, e C. b, c, d D. b, d, e
This text is most probably taken from .
A.a put book | B.a library guide |
C.a handbook | D.a newspaper report |
(NEW YORK) A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two-year-old girl in Manhattan said he didn’t think twice before diving into the freezing East River.
Tuesday’s Daily News said 29-year who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday.
He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Scaport museum. He handed the girl to her father, David Anderson, who had dive in after him.
“I didn’t think at all,” Duret told the Daily News. “It happened very fast. I reacted very fast.”
Duret, an engineer on vacation ,was walking with his girlfriend along the pier(码头)when he saw something falling into the water .He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. In an instant, he took off his coat and jumped into the water.
When he reached the girl, she appeared lifeless, he said. Fortunately, when she was out of the water, she opened her eyes.
Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later for her, said Duret, who was handed dry clothes from lookers. Duret caught a train with his girlfriend shortly after.
The rescue happened on the day before he left for France. Duret said he didn’t realize his tale of heroism he was leaving the next morning.
“I don’t really think I’m a hero,” said Duret. “Anyone would do the same thing.”
Why was Duret in New York?
A.To meet his girlfriend |
B.To work as an engineer |
C.To spend his holiday |
D.To visit the Andersons |
What did Duret do shortly after the ambulance came?
A.He was interviewed by a newspaper |
B.He asked his girlfriend for his dry clothes |
C.He went to the hospital in the ambulance |
D.He disappeared from the spot quickly |
Who dived after Duret into the river to save the little girl?
A.David Anderson |
B.A passer-by |
C.His girlfriend |
D.A taxi driver |
When was Duret most probably found to be the very hero?
A.The day when he was leaving for home |
B.Several days after the girl was rescued |
C.The first day when he was in New York |
D.The same day when he was interviewed |
For the past two years, 8-year-old Harli Jordean from Stoke Newington, London, has been selling marbles(弹珠). His successful marble company, Marble King, sells all things marble-related - from affordable tubs of the glass playthings to significantly expensive items like Duke of York solitaire tables - sourced, purchased and processed by the mini-CEO himself.
“I like having my own company. I like being the boss,” Harli told the Mirror.
With profits now in the thousands, “the world’s youngest CEO” has had to get his mother and older brothers to help him meet the growing demand.
Harli launched Marble King after swapping marbles at school led to schoolchildren consuming his marble collection. Yes, he literally “lost his marbles.” Harli and his mother, Tina, turned to the Internet to find replacements.
Harli saw an empty space online: the marbles he wanted were hard to find. Within months, Harli had his own marble-selling website - and orders started pouring in.
Tina says her son's attachment to marbles started when he was just 6.
“His attachment became so passionate that we started calling him the Marble King — so when he wanted to set up a website it was the natural name for it,” she told The Sun.
“I never thought it would become so popular - we are struggling to cope with the number of orders at times.”
The 8-year-old boy has his sights set on expanding his business and launching his own brand of marbles.
“Sometimes his ideas are so grand we have to scale them back a bit. But his dream is still to own Britain's biggest marble shop and open stores around the world,” Tina told The Daily Mail.
“At the moment he is annoying me by creating his own Marble King marbles - so that could well be the next step for him.”
Harli’s Marble Company became popular as soon as he launched it because ______.
A.it was run by “the world’s youngest CEO” |
B.it filled the gap of online marble trade |
C.Harli was fascinated with marble collection |
D.Harli met the growing demand of the customers |
How many mass media are mentioned in the passage?
A.One | B.Two | C.Three | D.Four |
The underlined expression “scale them back” is closest in meaning to ______.
A.hold them down | B.carry them out |
C.set them aside | D.clear them away |
What message do the last two paragraphs carry?
A.Conflicts often occur between Harli Jordean and his family. |
B.Harli’s mother and brothers are worried about Marble King’s future. |
C.Marble King marbles will surely attract more fans around the world. |
D.The “Marble King” has great ambition for his Marble King company. |
Over 500 dogs being delivered to a butcher house were saved by a Chinese animal protection organization.
The incident then triggered debate among Chinese netizens about the necessity of pouring so much money and efforts into saving dogs.
On Friday, a truck loaded with over 500 dogs were stopped by volunteers from animal protection organization on Jingha Expressway Beijing section.
Beijing Times reported these dogs were being delivered to slaughter houses in the city of Changchun, northeast Jilin Province and would be eventually served on dinner tables.
After negotiations with the truck driver, pet service provider Leepet Holding Corp. and a philanthropic foundation, Shang shan Foundation purchased these dogs, each paying 50,000 yuan. Dogs were then delivered to the eadquarter of China Small Animal Protection Association (CSAPA), being taken care of and waiting for adoption.
After the “dog saving mission” was reported, Chinese net users debate over whether saving dogs worth so much efforts and money while there are still many poor and needy people in China lacking assistance.
Some net users argue the “dog saving mission” is placing overt attention to animals while lots of needy people are still left unattended.
A microblogger “Xiaowulaitajie” said on China's twitter like website, weibo.com, “Dogs are saved, adopted and they attracted media spotlight. We'd better spend such money and take such efforts in helping the needy people.”
Another microblogger, Liluping, said “We poured such huge sum of money into saving dogs. I would rather the money be spent on disaster relief.”
Some applaud volunteers' actions and show eagerness of offering their helping hands to those saved dogs.
Still many disapprove those “saving dogs” critics, but they argue that such act nonetheless promotes social progress.
A microblogger named “broken bridge” said, saving dogs does not run counter to taking care of people. Such enthusiasm in public affairs will help raise social awareness in helping the needy.
I think people and animals are created equal. Attention should be paid to people as well as animals.
Where did the article come from?
A.A storybook. | B.A novel. |
C.Internet. | D.A magazine. |
Which one has the similar meaning to the underlined phrase “run counter to” in the last but one paragraph?
A.meet with | B.go against |
C.agree with | D.come across |
Whose opinion is closest to the writer's?
A.Some net users'. | B.Broken bridge's. |
C.Liluping's. | D.Xiaowulaitajie's. |
The following statements are TRUE except _______.
A.All the people don't think it right to save these dogs with so much money. |
B.More than 25,000,000 yuan was given to the truck driver to purchase these dogs. |
C.These dogs were finally saved and sent back to their owners. |
D.Some people think it better to spend the money in helping the needy people. |
In the past ten years, America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) has grown increasingly dependent on the rest of the world to supply players.
When Michael Jordan and Larry Bird won gold in Barcelona in 1992, the Americans were praised for teaching the world how to play basketball. This season, however, 20 percent of NBA rosters(花名册) will be filled by non-Americans. NBA commissioner David Stem happily embraces the trend. On a visit to Paris in October, Stern outlined his vision for the future, which is likely to see Europe hosting NBA games by 2010.
The NBA is now planning to take China by storm.
“Our experience in China has been that it is going to be explosive in its growth,” said Stern. The strategy(战略,策略) in China is television. “We’ve made 14 deals in China with local and national networks on cable and satellite.” The success of Chinese centre Yao Ming has paved the way for the NBA marketing blitz in China. The NBA, which is broadcasted in more than 200 countries in 42 languages, will put that to the test in October 2004 when the Houston Rockets play two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings in Beijing and Shanghai. The NBA knows that it needs a global market to compensate for tough times on home soil.
“It doesn’t matter where the players come from, all the NBA teams now know that they have to scout(寻找,觅得) internationally,” said Terry Lyons, the NBA’s vice-president of international public relations. “It has increased the level of competition here.” As Frenchman Tony Parker and Argentine Emanuel Ginobili showed in winning championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs last season, many people can earn the respect of their American peers. Others, such as the Houston Rockets’ Chinese centre Yao Ming — number one draft pick in 2002 — and the Detroit Pistons’ 18-year-old Serb Darko Milicic — number two overall in this year’s draft — are icons(偶像)in-waiting. It is the ultimate(最后的,根本的) revolution — the rest of the world teaching the US how to play basketball.
According to the report, .
A.Michael Jordan is still playing a very important role in NBA |
B.the part played by the foreign players in NBA will be great |
C.Yao Ming is to play two pre-season games in NBA |
D.European countries will host the 2004 NBA games |
The underlined phrase “take China by storm” has the meaning of _______ ___.
A.NBA intends to make China its “marketing center” |
B.NBA is planning to set up some training centers in China |
C.there’ll be a big storm when NBA comes to China to play against the Sacramento Kings |
D.the NBA’s live basket games will be broadcasted on all the TVs in China |
What seems to be the biggest change that is happening to NBA?
A. NBA is expecting more foreign players to join the league.
B. China’s rapid development in sports affects NBA.
C. Yao Ming has taken the place of Michael Jordan.
D. The NBA will stop teaching the world how to play basketball.
When the writer talked of “home soil”, he was referring to _ _.
A.farms in the States |
B.native Americans |
C.the NBA training center |
D.the USA |
Which of the following can be used as the best title for the passage?
A.The Non-American Basketball Players |
B.NBA Is Coming to China |
C.The Foreign Ties That Bind the NBA |
D.NBA Is Making Big Progress |
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is likely to visit China at an “appropriate” time this year, a senior Chinese military official said on Monday. Colonel Tu Qiming, director of the American and Oceania Affairs Bureau of the Foreign Affairs Office at the National Defense Ministry, made the remark during Sino-US defense talks this week. This is the first ever “special defense policy dialogue” between the two defense ministries, according to the Chinese military.
●●●
FRANCES Agriculture Ministry has confirmed(证实)the first case of mad cow disease detected in a goat last Friday. The goat killed in 2002 tested positive for mad cow disease. It is the first case in the world of the fatal disease being found in an animal other than a bovine. The human form of mad cow disease causes brain-wasting, personality change, loss of body function, and ends in death. The European Commission has not advised any change in farming and consuming goats, said the French Ministry in a statement published last Friday.
●●●
MOBILE phone sales hit a new record in 2010, with some 684 million units sold around the world, the US research institute Strategy Analytics said on Thursday. The number represents an increase of 32 per cent over 2003, when 571 million units were sold. Strategy Analytics predicts a more modest rise of 8 per cent for this year, to 735 million. Finnish cell phone provider Nokia stayed out in front in 2010, with sales of 207.6 million units, giving it a market share of 30.4 per cent. Motorola moved to No 2, just ahead of the South Korean company Samsung.
●●●
SIX male penguins(雄企鹅)at a German zoo are proving stubbornly resistant to females brought in from Sweden to make them into breeding(繁殖).Of the ten male penguins at the zoo, six have formed into “homosexual” couples and have shown no interest in the females, making breeding an impossibility. So the zoo imported the four female penguins from Sweden last month, full of hope that the new arrivals could “turn” the males. But so far, the boys are remaining strictly with the boys.
How many countries are mentioned in the pieces of news?
A.Six. | B.Five. | C.Three. | D.Seven. |
Which will probably reach the sales of 735 million units in 2010?
A.Nokia. | B.Motorola. | C.Samsung. | D.Cell phones. |
From the fourth piece of news we know that_________.
A.the scientists haven’t succeeded in doing their experiment |
B.the scientists have successfully got six female penguins into breeding. |
C.the Sweden girls made the boys show interest in them |
D.German boys don’t like Sweden boys |
Which of the following are the suitable headlines for the pieces of news?
A.a. US Defense Secretary Visit Likely b. France Confirms “Mad Goat Case” c. Mobile Phone Sales d. Male Penguins and Female Penguins |
B.a. US Defense Secretary Visit Likely b. France Confirms “Mad Goat Case” c. Nokia Stays on Top d. Birds of a Feather |
C.a. Defense Policy Dialogue b. Mad Goat Disease c. Mobile Phone Sales d. Importing Female Penguins |
D.a. Sino-US Talks b. Mad Goat Case |
c. Motorola’s Sales Reduced d. Boys and Girls
San Francisco(People's Daily Online)-- Apple Inc. Tuesday introduced its mobile payment service Apple Pay alongside the company's iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California.
What apple does is to replace consumers' wallet with its cell phone. Apple said it hopes to speed up the checkout process, make credit-card payments more secure and ultimately, to replace physical wallets.
With the near-field communication technology, Apple's gadgets like iPhone and Apple watch can transmit a radio signal between the device and a receiver when the two are in an inch apart. "To pay, just hold your iPhone near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID. You don’t even have to look at the screen to know your payment information was successfully sent," Apple says on its official website.
Apple said that each transaction (交易)would be authorized(授权) with a one-time, unique number, creating a security code that it said is more secure than the one on the back of your credit card because cashiers won’t see your name, card number or security code. The service will work with the three major payment networks — American Express, MasterCard and Visa — and Apple said that there are 220,000 merchant locations that accept these contactless payments.
When some applaud this disrupted service that will compete with Paypal and endanger other online payment companies, some others concern about its safety, especially when another retailer Home Depot confirmed a data opening yesterday and iCloud was reported exposing nude (裸体)pictures of celebrities (名人) a week ago.
Leo Zheng, a technology reporter in Silicon Valley said: "When Apple attracts consumers to put all their cards into one iPhone and promised the security, Jennifer Lawrence should say something."
Which can be the best title for the passage?
A.Apple announces mobile payment service to replace consumers' wallet. |
B.Consumers can pay in cash through mobile phones. |
C.Apple Inc. will introduce new models to the market. |
D.Mobile payment will be popular soon. |
After reading the third paragraph, we know .
A.Apple’s new products are popular |
B.Apple can be used as an ID |
C.Apple's gadgets can receive message easily |
D.how Apple's gadgets work |
The attitude of the writer towards the mobile payment is .
A.indifferent (冷漠的) | B.objective |
C.skeptical | D.positive |
What could have happened to Jennifer Lawrence?
A.She made great contributions to Apple. |
B.She put all her cards into her iPhone. |
C.Her nude pictures were spread online. |
D.Her iPhone often broke down. |
News that Microsoft made a $44.6 billion bid to buy Yahoo resulted in heated discussions made by many Internet users. Here are some responses:
Diane Burke of Weeks bury, Kentucky
I think it would definitely be an interesting combination. Everyone recognizes the names Yahoo and Microsoft, but everyone also says, “Did you Google it?” Such a catchphrase (时髦话) is going to be hard to beat.
Shaun Carney of Laurelville, Ohio
I think the merger (合并) will provide more competitions for Google. I don’t think the merger will allow Microsoft to develop faster than Google, though. I believe the increased competition this merger brings will force Google to stay on top of its game by offering more fresh and original Internet tools and expanding on the tools it already offers.
Toni Suarez of Hacienda Heights, California
I view the merger as a necessary element in preventing a monopolization (垄断). Perhaps it would bring better high technology innovations to e-mail and help in researching and developing a better Internet!
Rick R. of Edgewater, Florida
It sounds like a disaster to me. If this were to happen, I would stop using my Yahoo e-mail account because I don’t like the feeling of Microsoft spying upon my business. I will sign up for Google.
Antonio Glosser of Kansas City, Missouri
Right now, Yahoo offers a lot of features and tools at no cost for all different levels of Internet users. Microsoft seeks nothing but profit. Undoubtedly, they’ll do nothing other than find ways to start removing Yahoo’s formerly non-priced features. Microsoft’s greed will ruin the great thing that Yahoo currently is.
How many companies are mentioned in the passage?
A.One. | B.Two. | C.Three. | D.Four. |
Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A.Shaun’s attitude towards Google is passive. |
B.Toni believes the Internet will have a promising future. |
C.Rick will support Google after the merger. |
D.Antonio is afraid that the merger will cost Yahoo’s free features. |
The passage is mainly about ______.
A.opinions on the merger of Yahoo and Microsoft |
B.the strengths of Yahoo and Microsoft |
C.the strengths and weaknesses of large companies |
D.the future of Yahoo and Microsoft |
One of India’s top engineering schools has restricted Internet access in its boarding houses, saying addiction to surfing, gaming and blogging was affecting students’ performance, making them lonely and even suicidal.
Authorities at the best Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai said students had stopped socializing and many were late for morning classes or slept through them. “Now, a student doesn’t even know who lives two doors away from him because he is so busy on the Internet,” said Prakash Gopalan, dean of Student Affairs. “The old dormitory culture of companionship and socializing among students is gone. This is not healthy in our opinion.”
IITMumbai, with about 5,000 students, is one of the seven IITs across India which are considered to be among the finest engineering schools in the world. They are also a talent pool for global technology giants. But their hard courses, tough competition and lonely campus lifestyle have taken an effect on students. Depressive and dysfunctional lifestyles are known to be common among IIT students, and at least nine have committed suicide in the past five years. Students have unlimited free Internet access in their boarding houses to help them in their studies, but many also use it to surf, chat, download movies and music, blog and for gaming.
“Starting Monday, Internet access will be banned between 11 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. at IITMumbai’s 13 boarding buildings to encourage students to sleep early and to try and force them out of their shells.” Gopalan said. But the move has not gone down well with students who say they hate their lives being regulated. “Now they will say we need to listen to a lullaby (摇篮曲) to go to sleep.” said Rajiv, an electronics student.
According to the text, the students addicted to the Internet in IIT-Mumbai are likely to ______.
A.perform well in studies | B.participate in social activities |
C.know their classmates better | D.feel lonely and even suicidal |
The underlined word “dysfunctional” in Paragraph 3 most probably means “______”.
A.unpopular | B.meaningful | C.abnormal | D.exciting |
What measures have been taken in IITMumbai?
A.Students must go to bed before 11 p.m. |
B.Students are forbidden to surf the Internet on campus. |
C.Students have unlimited free Internet access in their dormitories. |
D.Internet access is unavailable in deep night in boarding buildings. |
We may infer from the last paragraph that ______.
A.all electronics students hate the banning order |
B.some students complain about the banning order |
C.there is no Internet access on the IIT campus ever since |
D.more students prefer listening to music to surfing the Internet |
Bob is listening to the radio. What is playing on each channel (频道)?
FM 88.0
Here is good news. The rain will finally stop this evening. Tomorrow we will enjoy the bright (光亮的) sun. But it will still be cold.
FM 102. 6
Jeff Bruce has a new CD. He is coming to our studio (演播室) at 7:00 this evening. Listen to our programme then. We will have questions about Jeff. If your answers are right, you will get his CD for free (免费).
FM 107.0
There is heavy traffic on Longhua Street. Are you driving to the train station? You can change to Tiyu Street.
FM 114.0
There will be a basketball match at the sports hall on May 13. Come on! You can call us at 6637-2285 to get the ticket. It will be a great match.
It will be ______ tomorrow.
A.hot | B.warm | C.cold | D.fine |
Jeff Bruce will come to the studio at ______.
A.5:00 pm | B.6:00 pm | C.7:00 pm | D.8:00 pm |
The news on FM 107.0 is for ______.
A.drivers | B.teachers |
C.farmers | D.workers |
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