Mobile Phones:Are They about to Transform. Our Lives? We love them so much that some of us sleep with them under the pillow,yet we are increasingly concerned that we cannot escape their electronic reach.We use them to convey our most intimate secrets,yet we worry that they are a threat to our privacy.We rely on them more than the lnternet to cope with modern life,yet many of us don’t believe advertisements saying we need more advanced services.
Sweeping aside the doubts that many people feel about the benefits of new third generation phones and fears over the health effects of phone masts(天线竿),a recent report clains that the long-term effects of new mobile technologies will be entirely positive so long as the public can be convinced to make use of them.Research about users of mobile phones reveals that the mobile has already moved beyond being a mere practical communications tool to become the backbone (支柱)of modern social life,from love affairs to friendship to work.One female teacher,32,told the researchers:“I love my phone.It’s my friend.”
The close relationship between user and phone is most pronounced among teenagers,the report says,who regard their mobiles as an expression of their identity.This is partly because mobiles are seen as being beyond the control of parents.But the researchers suggest that another reason may be that mobiles,especially taxt messaging,are seen as a way of overcoming shyness.“Texting is often used for apologies,to excuse lateness or to communicate other things that make us uncomfortable,”the report says,The impact of phones,however,has been local rather than global,supporting existing friendships and networks,rather than opening users to a new broader community.Even the language of texting in one area can be incomprehensible to anybody from another area.
Among the most important benefits of using mobile phones,the report claims,will be a vastly improved mobile infrastructure(基础设施),providing gains throughout the economy,and the provision of a more sophisticated location-based services for users.The report calls on govemment to put more effort into the delivery of services by bobile phone,with suggestions including public transport and traffic information and doctors’ text messages to remind patients of appointments.“I love that idea,”one user said in an interview.“It would mean I wouldn’t have to write a hundred messages to myself.”
There are many other possibilities.At a recent trade fair in Sweden,a mobile navigation product was launched.When the user enters a destination,a route is automatically downloaded to their mobile and presented by voice,pictures and maps as they drive.In future,these devices will also be able to plan around congestion(交通堵塞)and road works in real time.Third generation phones will also allow for remote monitoring of patients by doctors.In Britain scientists are developing a asthma(哮喘)management solution,using mobiles to detect early signs of an attack.
第11题:What does the writer suggest in the first paragraph about our attitudes to mobile phones?
A.We can’t live without them.
B.We are worried about using them so much.
C.We have contradictory feelings about them.
D.We need them more than anything else to deal with modem life.
Many years ago when the summers seemed longer and life was less complicated, we had rented a cottage 31 a river in the heart of the country 32 the whole family was going to 33 a three-week holiday. There were four of us: me, Mum and Dad, and Mum‟s sister, Auntie June. Oh, and I mustn‟ t forget to 34 Spot, our little dog. I was 35 to go off by myself all day, 36 I promised to be careful and took Spot with me for 37.
One day I was out fishing with Spot when we heard a lot of shouting in the 38 followed by a scream and splash. I was a bit 39 so I called Spot and we both hid 40 a bush where we could see but not be 41 . After a few moments, a straw hat came drifting down the river, followed by an oar, a picnic basket and 42 oar. Then came the rowing boat itself, but it was 43 upside down ! A few seconds later my Dad and Auntie June came running 44 the river bank, both wet 45 . Spot started barking so I came out of hiding and said hello. My Dad got really angry 46 me for not trying to catch the boat as it went past. Luckily, 47 , the boat and both the oars had been caught by an overhanging tree a little further downstream, but not the hat or picnic basket. So I had to let them 48 my sandwiches. Dad and Auntie June both made me 49 not to tell Mum what had happened 50 she would be worried.
31.A.onB.byC.inD.across
32.A.whereB.thatC.whichD.when
33.A.planB.manageC.consumeD.spend
34.A.mentionB.bringC.sendD.lead
35.A.forcedB.orderedC.allowedD.encouraged
36.A.evenifB.providedC.lestD.asif
37.A.instructionB.inspectionC.protectionD.supervision
38.A.placeB.spaceC.skyD.distance
39.A.scaredB.amusedC.excitedD.disturbed
40.A.besideB.beforeC.behindD.beneath
41.A.seenB.viewedC.watchedD.observed
42.A.theotherB.eachotherC.anotherD.oneanother
43.A.rollingB.floatingC.circlingD.sinking
44.A.downB.besideC.toD.on
45.A.withinB.overC.underD.through
46.A.atB.againstC.withD.to
47.A.moreoverB.thenC.thereforeD.however
48.A.spareB.shareC.borrowD.divide
49.A.agreeB.decideC.guaranteeD.promise
50.A.exceptB.incaseC.inorderthatD.onconditionthat