Mobile phones have a long and varied history that stretches back to the 1950s, with hand-held devices being available since 1983.Due to their low establishment costs and rapid development, mobile phone networks have since spread rapidly throughout the world.Such networks can often be economic, even with a small customer base, as mobile network costs are mostly call volume related, while fixed-line telephony has a much higher subscriber related cost component.
In most of Europe, wealthier parts of Asia, and Australasia, mobile phones are now virtually universal, with the majority of the adult, teenage, and even child population owning one.They are less common in the United States than elsewhere in the developed world.Reasons advanced for this include incomplete coverage, a mixture of incompatible technical standards, relatively high minimum monthly service charges(around 30), and the availability of relatively low-cost fixed-line networks(around 30 for unlimited local calling).Prepaid or pay as you go services, common elsewhere, are far less common in the U.S., and are much more expensive than comparable services in other countries.Furthermore, text messaging was not a standard feature in North America until recently, and unlike in most other countries, the ability to use international roaming is still rare.The shortage of telephone numbers in the North American Numbering Plan(NANP), and the lack of non-regional special telephone numbers for mobile services, means that the pricing system used elsewhere cannot be used, and as a result users pay to receive calls, discouraging cell phone use.The same technical issues affect mobile telephony in Canada, as it uses the same mix of incompatible standards as does the U.S., and is also part of the NANP.
(1)
Mobile phone networks have spread rapidly throughout the world because of ________.
[ ]
A.
the convenience and the low service fees
B.
the low establishment costs and rapid development
C.
the influence from the advanced countries'
D.
the demand of the usage of this technology
(2)
How many reasons are given to explain why mobile phones are less popular in the United States?
[ ]
A.
Two
B.
Three
C.
Four
D.
Five
(3)
Which of the following is among the countries or areas where mobile phones are used less popularly?
[ ]
A.
Korea
B.
Japan
C.
Australasia
D.
Canada
(4)
What is the technical issue that affects mobile telephony in Canada?
[ ]
A.
Itis short of such kind of experts in this field.
B.
It is influenced by some advanced countries like the U.S.
C.
It uses the same mix of incompatible standards as does the U.S.
D.
It can't be absorbed as part of the NANP.
(5)
We can know from this article that ________.
[ ]
A.
Mobile phones now have been as popular as fixed-line telephony everywhere
B.
Fixed-line telephony will surely be replaced by mobile phones one day
C.
The popularity of the mobile phones can't fully prove the prosperity of a country
D.
The service charges of mobile phones are cheaper than fixed-line telephony
When I asked my daughter which item she would keep:the phone, the car, the cooker, the computer, the TV, or her boyfriend, she said “the phone”.Personally, I could do without the phone entirely, which makes me unusual.Because the telephone is changing our lives more than any other piece of technology.
Point 1 The telephone creates the need to communicate, in the same way that more roads create more traffic.My daughter comes home from school at 4∶00 p. m. and then spends an hour on the phone talking to the very people she has just been at school with all day.If the phone did not exist, would she have anything to talk about?
Point 2 The mobile phone means that we are never alone.“The mobile saved my life.”says Crystal Johnstone.She had an accident in her Volvo on the A45 between Otley and Skipton.Trapped inside, she managed to make the call that brought the ambulance(救护车)to her rescue.
Point 3 The mobile removes our secret.It allows Marketing Manager of Haba Deutsch, Carl Nicolaisen, to ring his sales staff all round the world at any time of the day to ask where they are, where they are going, and how their last meeting went.
Point 4 The telephone separates us.Antonella Bramante in Rome says,“We worked in separate offices but I could see him through the window.It was easy to get his number.We were so near-but we didn’t meet for the first two weeks!”
Point 5 The telephone allows us to reach out beyond our own lives.Today we can talk to several complete strangers simultaneously on chat line(at least my daughter does.I wouldn’t know what to talk about).We can talk across the world.We can even talk to astronauts(if you know any)while they’re space-walking.And, with the phone line hooked up to the computer, we can access the Internet, the biggest library on Earth.
(1)
How do you understand “Point 1 The telephone creates the need to communicate,…”?
[ ]
A.
People don’t communicate without telephone.
B.
People communicate more and convenient because of the creating of the telephone.
C.
People communicate more before telephone has been created.
D.
People communicate more because of more traffic.
(2)
Which of the following best shows people’s attitude towards mobile phones?
[ ]
A.
Mobile phones help people deal with the emergency.
B.
Mobile phones bring convenience as well as little secret to people.
C.
Mobile phones are so important and should be encouraged.
D.
Mobile phones are part of people’s life.
(3)
Which points do you think support the idea that phones improve people’s life?
a.Point 1
b.Point 2
c.Point 3
d.Point 4
e.Point 5
[ ]
A.
c, d
B.
a, e
C.
a, c
D.
b, e
(4)
What does the underlined word “simultaneously” mean in the last paragraph?
[ ]
A.
continuously
B.
conveniently
C.
at the same time
D.
limitedly
After visiting a Harlingen tower block, the Metropolitan Police commissioner Ian Blair claimed that people now feel as safe as they did 25 years ago.
Do you agree with Sir Ian’s rosy view of society?
Do you feel safe enough to leave your doors unlocked where you live?
(Posted by David Llewellyn on August 21,2006 12∶17 P.M.)
I lived in Devon for three years, and can honestly say that in the village where I lived it was safe to leave the front door unlocked.But a London district?What planet is Ian Blair on?What decade is he in?
I’m not one of these people who think that Britain is slipping into a deep hole, but I am realistic enough to understand that wherever you find a large population you will find crime.
The idea that we can measure society’s downfall by how safe it is to leave the door unlocked is misleading, anyhow.It’s a little like the recent announcement that street crime has increased in recent years.Yes, it has, but the majority of people now walk around with half a branch of Dixon’s in their pockets-mobile phones, i-Pods.Of course, street crime is going to increase.
Funnily enough, there was hardly any car theft in the 19th century!!!
The same goes for houses.A hundred years ago your house may have contained a little jewelry, some furniture, and some small cash in a biscuit tin.Now even working class households are equipped with computers, DVD players, wide-screen televisions-all of which can be carried out in a matter of minutes.
I’m not speaking for the scum(渣滓)who choose to break into people’s houses and rob them of their hard-earned belongings, but it does put things into context.
Yes, we have to lock our front doors, and yes, it is a shame that we can’t trust everyone, but if we’re honest with ourselves, those of us living in cities never could trust absolutely everyone.
(1)
There was hardly any car theft in the 19th century because ________.
[ ]
A.
there were hardly any thieves in the 19th century
B.
there were hardly any cars in the 19th century
C.
street crime was rarely seen in the 19th century
D.
proper security measures were taken in the 19th century
(2)
What is David Llewellyn’s opinion about the topic?
[ ]
A.
Lock the back door.
B.
Never trust everyone.
C.
Leave the door unlocked.
D.
Be realistic.
(3)
The underlined word “it” refers to ________.
[ ]
A.
street crime
B.
the recent announcement
C.
leaving the door unlocked
D.
society’s downfall
(4)
According to David Llewellyn, ________.
[ ]
A.
to lock the door or not is related to the times and places
B.
to lock the door or not is a measure to the level of safety of the society
C.
to leave the door unlocked will lead you nowhere
D.
to lock the door means trusting nobody
阅读理解
Alomada Racraotion and Fork Deportment(510)747-7529
2010 TEEN TRIP TO
THE LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY
FOR Teens Currently in 6 th to 12th Grades
LELAND HIGH SNOW PLAY-Class#8389
Friday, December3, 2010(Non-Public School Holiday)
8∶00 a.m.to 7∶00 p.m.
Cost per person:$50($60 after January 22,2011)-Includes
Lunch, Admission and Transportation
With a 4,000 sq.ft.day use lodge, the Leland High Snow Play has a huge supply of tubes to choose from, along with awesome tows(拖车)that will tow you up to the top of the hill!Our varied terrains(地形)have something for everyone, while the lodge provides a snack bar, video games, pool tables, five indoor restrooms, a warm fire, and a sun deck with plenty of tables and
chairs over looking the play area outside.
ADDTTIONAL LIABILTTY FORM REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP.
Be sure to bring warm clothing and prepare for the cold, but dress in layers in case it warms up.Wear dry boots, socks, and sunscreen.If possible, bring a mobile phone in case of emergency, as well as money for snacks and a light dinner; or bring your own food and drinks.Meet at The Underground(Veteran's Building-2203 Central Avenue)-don't be late!
Do not bring electronic or fragile items during the trip.The ARPD is not responsible for your personal belongings or money.REFUNDS ARE ISSUED ONLY IF THE ARPD CANCELS THIS TRIP DUE TO WEATHER CONDTTIONS.
(图的位置)
Click here to download registration form and“Leland High Sierra Snowplay Liability Form.”
◆Register in person, or mail the completed form to Leland High Sierra Snow Play, Inc.Send the liability form and payment to the ARPD Office, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda.
◆Faxed registration and liability form accepted with VISA,(510)747-7566.
◆Online registrations available at www.arpdeplay.com.Make sure you bring your completed liability form on the trip.
(1)
The purpose of the passage is to ________.
[ ]
A.
explain the details of a school activity
B.
introduce a famous tour agency
C.
urge teenagers to climb a snowy mountain
D.
advertise a trip to the Leland High Snow Play
(2)
People who want to take part in the activity need to ________.
[ ]
A.
pay for dinner themselves
B.
climb the hill themselves
C.
wear hats to protect themselves from the sun
D.
pay for tows individually
(3)
From the passage it can be inferred that ________.
[ ]
A.
the weather at the hills is changeable
B.
the activity is very dangerous
C.
12-year-old children are not allowed on the trip
D.
the trip will involve outdoor activities only
(4)
Among the following items, What do the participants have to take?
[ ]
A.
Their filled in liability forms.
B.
ID cards and a small amount of cash.
C.
Their agreements with the tour agency.
D.
Their registration forms downloaded from the Internet.