The past week was possibly the most eventful in the history of customer technology markets, or to be precise, the 7-inch (17.8-cm) tablet (平板电脑)market. Never before have three of the biggest players in the industry scheduled what could be truly historic product launches (上市）so close together.

Despite its name, the 7.9-inch iPad Mini is one of the largest among the mini-tablets. It's got all the aesthetics of its earlier 9.7-inch iPad and is unbelievably thin-just 7.2 mm, 23 percent thinner than the iPad.

Apple's iPad Mini

Release date: Nov 2,2012 (Wi-Fi version)

 Operating system: iOS 6

Size: 19.9 x 13.5 x 0.7 cm

Prices: $329 (16GB Wi-Fi), $429 (32GB Wi-Fi), $519 (64GB Wi-Fi), or $459 (16GB Data)

$559 (32GB Data), $659 (64GB Data)

Google may have been forced to cancel its Android event in New York City on Oct 29 due to the threat of hurricane Sandy, but that isn't stopping it from making same big announcements. For starters, Google has confirmed (证实）that the Nexus 10 will be running Android 4.2 out of the box, so get excited. It will also come equipped with a 10-inch display running at an impressive 2560x1600 resolution. On the inside, it'll have a A15 dual-core (双核）processor running alongside 2GB of RAM (内存)，so expect the Nexus 10 to be a speedy little tablet. Google's Nexus 10 Release date: Nov 13，2012 Operating system: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Size: 26.4 x 17.8x0.9 cm Prices: $399 (16GB), $449 (32GB)

Microsoft's Surface is a bold product with some great touches. It doesn't feature a camera and focuses on Office software, which suggests Microsoft is focusing this product on an executive toy. There's no 3G connection (only Wi-Fi) so owners won't have to worry about an extra contract.

The real delight, however, is Metro, the impressive navigation interface (导航界面).It is beautifully designed with brightly colored squares for navigation. Pre-orders for Surface in the US sold out over the weekend, so it would seem customers are excited.

Microsoft's Surface

Release date: Oct 26,2012

Operating system: Windows 8 RT

Size: 27.5 x 17.2 x 0.9 cm

Prices: $499 (32GB M-Fi)

1.What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A.The three biggest companies made a new product together.

B.A technology has been introduced to tablet industry.

C.The three companies launched their new products nearly at the same time.

D.The tablet market, in October was out of control.

2.What is the 7.9-inch iPad Mini's major contribution to the customers?

A. Wi-Fi version         B. Operating system

C. Prices        D. Size

3.How many technologies will be introduced to the Nexus 10 according to Google?

A. 6   B. 5     C. 4   D. 3

4.Which tablet with 32GB Wi-Fi is the most expensive?

A. Microsoft's Surface.      B. Apple's iPad Mini.

C. Google's Nexus 10.        D. A15 dual-core processor.

BEIJING—Apple Inc. is one step closer to beginning sales of iPad2 tablet computers with cellular  network compatibility （兼容） for the first time in the Chinese mainland, where the consumer-electronics giant is in the midst of an aggressive expansion．
According to China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, a device by Apple with third-generation high-speed wireless data capabilities was issued the network access license needed for the company to begin official sales in China．The device, listed under model number “A1396”, is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple’s local iPhone partner, China Unicom （Hong Kong） Ltd．
China Unicom declined  to comment．
Apple already offers the 3G iPad2 in Hong Kong through its partners, but currently only offers Wi-Fi versions of the device in the Chinese mainland．Still, consumers in China, which according to research firm IDC surpassed  the US as the world’s largest PC market in the second quarter, have been purchasing 3G tablets through unofficial channels．
Separately, Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said Sept 6 that the company’s first Hong Kong store, set to open this quarter, will be located in the city’s central shopping and business district in the International Finance Center’s upscale （高档的） IFC mall, a commercial center and sightseeing spot along the city’s waterfront．Wu also said that Apple is planning a new store in Shanghai later this quarter, which will be its biggest store in China．She declined to give more details or to comment on the 3G iPad2．
Apple currently has four full-service Apple stores in the mainland, which receive the most traffic of any Apple stores in the world．The company otherwise relies on resellers to get its products into the market．
The new stores reflect Apple’s confidence in rising demand for its products such as smart phones and tablet computers．Sales in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan helped boost （增长） the company’s third-quarter results, newly appointed Chief Executive Tim Cook said in July．China revenue （收益） surged （激增） six-fold to about $3．8 billion during the three months ended June 25．
“This has been a substantial （重大） opportunity for Apple and I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now,” Cook said at the time, referring to strong sales in China．“I see an incredible opportunity for Apple there．”
From China Daily 2011-09-08
【小题1】According to the news, which of the following statements is true?

A．six times

B．one-six

C．60 percent

D．2times

Within fifteen years Britain and other nations should be well on with the building of huge industrial complexes (结合)for the recycling of waste. The word "rubbish"  could lose its meaning because everything that goes into the dumps would be made into something useful. Even the most dangerous and un??pleasant wastes would provide energy if nothing else.

The latest project is to take a city of around half a million inhabitants and discover exactly what raw materials go into it and what go out. The aim is to find out how much of these raw materials could be provided if a plant for recycling waste were built just outside the city. This plant would recycle not only metal such as steel, lead and copper, but also paper and rub??ber.

Another new project is being set up to discover the best ways of sorting and separating the rubbish. When this project is complete, the rubbish will be processed like this: first, it will pass through sharp metal bars which will tear open the plastic bags in which rubbish is usually packed; then it will pass through a powerful fan to separate the lightest elements from the heavy solids; after that grounders and rollers break up everything that can be broken. Finally the rubbish will pass under magnets, which will remove the bits of iron and steel; the rubber and plastic will then be sorted out in the fi??nal stage.

The first full-scale giant recycling plants are, perhaps, fifteen years away. Indeed, with the growing cost of transpor??ting rubbish to more distant dumps, some big cities will be forced to build their own recycling plants before long.

1. The main purpose of the passage is ________.

A. to show us a future way of recycling wastes  B. to tell the importance of recycling wastes

C. to warn people the danger of some wastes    D. to introduce a new recycling plant

2. How many stages are there in the recycling process?

A. 3.                 B. 4.                C. 5.                           D. 6.

3. What is the main reason for big cities to build their own re??cycling plants?

A. To deal with wastes in a better way.  B. It’s a good way to gain profits.

C. It’s more economical than to dump wastes in some dis??tant places.

D. Energy can be got at a lower price. 

4. The first full-scale huge recycling plants ________.

A. have been in existence for 15 years    B. takes 15 years to build

C. can’t be built until 15 years later        D. will remain functioning for 15 years

BEIJING—Apple Inc is one step closer to beginning sales of iPad3 tablet computers with cellular (手机) network compatibility (兼容) for the first time in the Chinese mainland, where the consumer-electronics giant is in the midst of an aggressive expansion.
According to China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, a device by Apple with third-generation high-speed wireless data capabilities was issued the network access license needed for the company to begin official sales in China. The device, listed under model number “A1396”, is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple’s local iPhone partner, China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.
China Unicom declined (谢绝) to comment.
Apple already offers the 3G iPad3 in Hong Kong through its partners, but currently only offers Wi-Fi versions of the device in the Chinese mainland. Still, consumers in China, which according to research firm IDC surpassed (超过) the US as the world’s largest PC market in the second quarter, have been purchasing 3G tablets through unofficial channels.
Separately, Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said Sept 6 that the company’s first Hong Kong store, set to open this quarter, will be located in the city’s central shopping and business district in the International Finance Center’s upscale (高档的) IFC mall, a commercial center and sightseeing spot along the city’s waterfront. Wu also said that Apple is planning a new store in Shanghai later this quarter, which will be its biggest store in China. She declined to give more details or to comment on the 3G iPad3.
Apple currently has four full-service Apple stores in the mainland, which receive the most traffic of any Apple stores in the world. The company otherwise relies on resellers to get its products into the market.
The new stores reflect Apple’s confidence in rising demand for its products such as smart phones and tablet computers. Sales in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan helped boost (增长) the company’s third-quarter results, newly appointed Chief Executive Tim Cook said in July. China revenue (收益) surged (激增) six-fold to about $3.8 billion during the three months ended June 25.
“This has been a substantial (重大) opportunity for Apple and I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now,” Cook said at the time, referring to strong sales in China. “I see an incredible opportunity for Apple there.”
From China Daily 2012
【小题1】According to the news, which of the following statements is true?

A．one-sixth

B．six times

C．60 percent

D．2times

BEIJING—Apple Inc is one step closer to beginning sales of iPad3 tablet computers with cellular (手机) network compatibility (兼容) for the first time in the Chinese mainland, where the consumer-electronics giant is in the midst of an aggressive expansion.

According to China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, a device by Apple with third-generation high-speed wireless data capabilities was issued the network access license needed for the company to begin official sales in China. The device, listed under model number “A1396”, is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple’s local iPhone partner, China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.

China Unicom declined (谢绝) to comment.

Apple already offers the 3G iPad3 in Hong Kong through its partners, but currently only offers Wi-Fi versions of the device in the Chinese mainland. Still, consumers in China, which according to research firm IDC surpassed (超过) the US as the world’s largest PC market in the second quarter, have been purchasing 3G tablets through unofficial channels.

Separately, Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said Sept 6 that the company’s first Hong Kong store, set to open this quarter, will be located in the city’s central shopping and business district in the International Finance Center’s upscale (高档的) IFC mall, a commercial center and sightseeing spot along the city’s waterfront. Wu also said that Apple is planning a new store in Shanghai later this quarter, which will be its biggest store in China. She declined to give more details or to comment on the 3G iPad3.

Apple currently has four full-service Apple stores in the mainland, which receive the most traffic of any Apple stores in the world. The company otherwise relies on resellers to get its products into the market.

The new stores reflect Apple’s confidence in rising demand for its products such as smart phones and tablet computers. Sales in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan helped boost (增长) the company’s third-quarter results, newly appointed Chief Executive Tim Cook said in July. China revenue (收益) surged (激增) six-fold to about $3.8 billion during the three months ended June 25.

“This has been a substantial (重大) opportunity for Apple and I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now,” Cook said at the time, referring to strong sales in China. “I see an incredible opportunity for Apple there.”

From China Daily 2012

1.According to the news, which of the following statements is true?

A．WCDMA is not the only 3G standard in the world.

B．Apple Inc sells its products in the market of the Chinese mainland all by its own stores.

C．The consumers in China can only get iPad3 of Wi-Fi versions.

D．Chinese mainland is the second largest PC market in this year’s second quarter.

2.Which one of the following phrases can replace the underlined word in paragraph 1?

A．in the interests of                       B．in the front of

C．in the process of                        D．in the case of

3.How many full-service Apple stores in China?

A．4.               B．6.                C．8.               D．Unknown.

4.What’s the probable meaning of “six-fold” in the last but one paragraph?

A．one-sixth          B．six times          C．60 percent        D．2times

5.45. By saying “we’re just scratching the surface right now”, Cook means ________.

A．they don’t know much about China’s market

B．they will sell more products and gain more profit in China

C．they need to obtain more permission from China’s government

D．they ignored the rural market in China