Question

As Apple tries to maintain its growth and success in China, the world's largest smart-phone market is becoming even more critical. Apple's shares(股份) fell sharply as the company's earnings for the holiday quarter through December disappointed investors.

The sales of the iPhone, which include both the iPhone 5 and older models, came in at the low end of analysts' expectations, while the company's income plan for the second quarter was below analysts' forecasts, though Apple is known to give conservative (保守的) forecasts.

Some analysts have said that for Apple to regain its growth, the company needs a more aggressive strategy(进攻型策略) for markets, or more specifically for China, where the market for smart phones has been expanding more rapidly than anywhere else. In China, demand is particularly great for inexpensive phones that run on Android(安卓) operating system, sold by many Chinese phone makers as well as South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co.

But Apple says it's already enjoying strong growth in China. "We saw big growth in iPhones," Chief Executive Tim Cook said. He said that the company has been quickly expanding its sales channels in China, including the number of Apple stores. "This isn't nearly what we need, we're not even close to that, but we're making great progress.” he said.

In China, a big missing piece for Apple is China Mobile Ltd. , the biggest local telecom carrier that doesn't yet sell the iPhone. Earlier this month, Mr. Cook met China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua in Beijing and discussed cooperation, stirring hopes that the world's largest mobile carrier may soon start offering the iPhone.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is working on a lower-end iPhone that could launch as early as this year. But one possible challenge for Apple in China is that low-priced Android-based phones are getting better in terms of quality. A report from CLSA in late November showed that many smart-phones sold at about1,000 yuan ($160) came with higher- resolution screens, better cameras and more powerful processors than phones at that price did a year earlier.

1.Apple's shares dropped sharply because in December______________.

A．the iPhone wasn't popular in China

B．its product quality was widely criticized

C．the earnings for the holiday quarter was disappointing

D．the investors were not satisfied with Apple's management

2.What can we learn from the passage?

A．Apple tends to offer a lower sales forecast.

B．China Mobile Ltd began to team up with Apple.

C．Cook is pessimistic about what Apple did in China.

D．Apple didn't take measures to develop Chinese market.

3.The author uses the report from CLSA to prove         _____.

A．their prices are actually lower than a year earlier

B．Apple in China has ability to deal with any problem

C．low-ended Android-based phones are progressing fast

D．the promotion of lower-end iPhone will face a challenge

4.The main purpose of the passage is to show the readers ______________.

A．Apple's high popularity in China

B．the challenge Apple faces in China

C．the approaching failure Apple will suffer in China

D．Apple's aggressive strategy in its market expansion

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.C

2.A

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要讲述的就是苹果公司在中国面临的困难的局面和挑战。

1.C 细节题。根据第一段2,3行Apple's shares(股份) fell sharply as the company's earnings for the holiday quarter through December disappointed investors.可知主要原因是C项。

2.A 推理题。苹果公司在中国的销售数据有了很大的下滑，以及受到中国本土的手机企业和韩国的三星的冲击，苹果公司可能会下调销售预期。故A正确。

3.D 推理题。根据文章最后一段. A report from CLSA in late November showed that many smart-phones sold at about1,000 yuan ($160) came with higher- resolution screens, better cameras and more powerful processors than phones at that price did a year earlier.

可知在中国，本土企业生产的低端手机的质量也很好，这就意味着苹果的低端手机会面临着很大的竞争。故D正确。

4.B 主旨大意题。根据文章主题段第一段第一句As Apple tries to maintain its growth and success in China, the world's largest smart-phone market is becoming even more critical.可知本文主要讲述的就是苹果公司在中国面临的困难的局面和挑战。故B正确。

考点：考察新闻类短文阅读

点评：本文主要讲述的就是苹果公司在中国面临的困难的局面和挑战。从题目设置的角度看，本题侧重对学生把握文章中心段落和各段落的中心句的能力的考查，所以遇到这类题后，要注意把握好文章结构，了解文章中心意思，找到各段落中心句。不要让文中的一些生词影响了注意力。