Americans sent out more than 110 billion text messages last year, which double the number in the
previous year, as the shorthand (简略的表达方式) communication becomes a popular alternative to
cell phone calls.
     The nation's 270 million cell phone subscribers (用户) each sent out an average of 407 text messages
in 2008, according to the government statistics. That's more than double the 188 messages sent by the
average cell subscriber in 2007.
     At the same time, the average length of a cell phone call declined last year to 2.3 minutes. That's the
shortest chat time since the 1990s, before mobile devices and cheap calling plans became widely available to everyday consumers. The longest talk time came in 2004, when a caller on average chatted for 3.05
minutes.
     Text messaging first became popular in Europe and Asia because it's much cheaper to send short
text messages than make an actual phone call. "We are seeing a clear trend of huge increases in text
messaging," said Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist at the Pew Internet and American Life
Project. "If teens are leaders of America, then we are moving to a text-based communication system.
For them, there is less interest in talking."
     Lenhart said about two-thirds of all teens use text messaging, mostly due to its simplicity as well as
the privacy of being able to communicate without being overheard (偶然听到). She predicted that text
messaging would continue to grow as parents began using it as an easy way to reach their kids.
     The data are part of the Census Bureau's annual Statistical Abstract of the United States. The agency
collects the latest statistics from the government and private sources, so researchers, academics and
businesses can find them in one place.

1. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of text massaging?
A. It's simple to send text messages.
B. It's easy for parents to learn.
C. Sending text messages is more private than making phone calls.
D. Sending text messages is cheaper than making phone calls.

2. We can infer from the text that       .
A. cell phones will be frequently used in American families
B. text messages will increase in length in the future
C. text massaging will completely replace making phone calls in future
D. text massaging will become more popular in the years to come

3. The text is mainly about       .
A. the increase of text messages in America
B. the alternatives to phone calls in America
C. the various means of communication in America
D. the development of American communication system