47. According to paragraph 2, what has “taken the world by storm”?

A. Intellectual property rights.

B. The Internet.

C. Free downloading.

D. The large number of songs, films and books.

46. What do we know about the internet according to the passage?

A. It makes IP rights harder to protect.

B. It sells songs and films.

C. It does not affect the way we understand IP rights.

D. It prevents the production of artwork.

45. According to the writer, in the beginning, If rights were mainly of use to ______.

A. those creating music, art and literature

B. novelists

C. engineers and inventors

D. those not receiving financial reward for their work

44. What is the author’s attitude towards Nigel’s actions?

A. He is mildly critical　　　　

B. He is strongly critical

C. He is in favor of them　　　　

D. His attitude is not clear

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Intellectual property (IP) is a product of the mind that has commercial value. The concept dates back to 1623 when the first patent law to protect IP sights was passed. IP rights protect the artist from having his/her creative ideas copied by another. For example, if somebody generated an idea for a novel, that idea is protected by IP rights. If someone else wishes to represent the idea or develop it further, he/ she must consult the original artists, who will normally be rewarded financially for its use. Back in the 17^th century, IP rights were primarily carried out to protect newly developed manufacturing processes against stealing. But today, intellectual property rights, are also enjoyed by those who creative music, art and literature.

In recent years, IP rights have been the focus of a great deal of discussion because of a technology which looks set to weaken them altogether; the Internet. Many years ago, if you wanted a recording of a song, you would have to purchase it from a music store; if a novel, form a book store. In those days, IP rights were easily protected since it was very difficult to obtain intellectual property without paying for it. However, a lot of IP, including songs, films, books and artwork, can be downloaded today free of charge using the Internet. This practice has now taken the world by storm, dramatically affecting the way in which we view IP rights.

43. Why did Nigel help Alicia finish her robot?

A. He tried to make friends with her　　

B. He was fond of building robots

C. He intended to help her　　　　

D. He didn’t want her to suspect him

42. Nigel’s original intention of joining the contest was to ___.

A. be the top student of the school　　　　

B. being great honor to his school

C. constructs a robot with the Lego sets　　　　

D. wins the thousand-dollar prize

41. What reward did Nigel receive for doing well in his school work?

A. He was offered a part-time job　　　

B. He was honored with a scholarship

C. He helped his teacher construct a robot　　　　　

D. He helped in the computer laboratories

40. I will find out who has won the top to Western Australia when I __.

A. watch Channel 3 television　　　　

B. come down to Munchies at moon

C. read The Straits Times on the 5^th of January　　　　　　　

D. attend the lucky draw at Munchies Food Hall

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Topping the class academically was certainly an advantage. Studying was a breeze for Nigel. The reward was certainly incomparable to the little effort that he had to put it. It begin when he was selected to help the teachers in the computer laboratories.

The peak of his school career came not when he topped the school but when he was selected for the nationwide competition. Unlike everyone else, Nigel wanted to join the contest because he liked playing with the Lego sets and making something out of them. Nigel spent the next two months rebuilding the robot. It was during the time that Nigel found out about the prizes for the competition. Its well us auspices competitor. Alicia, from a neighboring school. His early intentions were forgotten. Getting the thousand-dollar anything else. Nigel decided to befriend Alicia. Unaware of his intentions, she told him all about the robot that she had been building for the competition. He even helped her to put the finishing branches to her robot. He was glad with the way things had progressed. His robot looked even better than Alicia’s and it was able to become a ball with its arms, something Alicia had failed to do.

On the day of the competition, he says Alicia. Everything dawned on her the minute she saw him among the competition. She stared at him, puzzled at first, then angry and finally a look of helplessness came over her.

The flashbulbs of the camera exploded in Nigel’s try. The robot bird performed actions so unique and different that the specialist judgments were the same. Nigel was so personal with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him. Without her, he would never win the competition.

39. Everyone who eats at Munchies well receive a ____.

A. free raffle ticket　　　　 B. lucky draw coupon

C. free meal 　　　　　　　D. balloon and whistle

38. The prices at Munchies are ____.

A. lower than usual　　　　 B. bargain prices for the opening

C. lower far two people　　　 D. lower of you spend ＄21.00