B
News(March 6, 2008)that Microsoft was making a $44. 6 billion bid to buy Yahoo was greeted with heated discussion by many Internet users on Friday. Here are some responses:
Mark Galeassi of Kansas City, Missouri
This is the best move for both parties. Yahoo has the ideas and Microsoft has the money to finally market these ideas correctly. Microsoft and Yahoo are a perfect fit and the deal will be good for consumers.
Scott G. of New Jersey
I was a Yahoo user for years along with Hotmail from Microsoft. Then Google came along. . . Google Earth, Google Toolbar and Gmail. Google is so innovative(创新的)with everything they do. Yahoo and Microsoft. . . same old story. . . I don’t think the merger(合并)will do anything for either company except improve the Yahoo shareholders’ bank accounts:
Michael Glosser of Estero, Florida
Right now, Yahoo offers a lot of features and tools at no cost for all different levels of Internet users. Microsoft seeks nothing but profit. Undoubtedly, they’ll do nothing other than find ways to start removing Yahoo’s formerly non-priced features. Microsoft’s greed will ruin the great thing that Yahoo currently is.
Toni Suarez of Hacienda Heights, California
Perhaps it would bring better high technology innovations to e-mail and help in researching and developing a better Internet!
Antonio Simmons of Parkville, Maryland
Microsoft purchasing Yahoo would be nothing more than an attempt from Microsoft to further impose upon the users their poor-quality software and obtain more wealth for the company. In my opinion, they will never be able to compete with Google because Yahoo and Microsoft’s current search engines are too inferior(差的)to compete. Even if combined, they still lack.
45. Who is in favor of the merger of Microsoft and Yahoo?
A. Antonio Simmons B. Michael Grosser C. Mark Galeassi D. Scott G
46. In the opinion of Scott G. ,_______________.
A. Yahoo and Microsoft are lacking in innovation
B. the merger will contribute to Microsoft
C. the merger will allow Microsoft to overtake(超越)Google
D. Google is getting short of management experience
47. Michael Glosser is afraid that .
A. the merger will lead to Microsoft’s monopoly(垄断)of the market
B. the merger will cost Yahoo’s free features
C. Internet users will have to buy Microsoft’s costly software
D. the increased competition will force Google out of the game
48. What is Antonio Simmons’ attitude towards Google?
A. Doubtful B. Positive C. Negative D. Disapproval
STARBUCKS China yesterday renamed a newlyopened outlet near one of Buddhism's most famous temples after a wave of controversy over what critics called a “cultural invasion”.
The coffee shop in Hangzhou had opened as the Lingyin Temple Starbucks, leading some people to believe it was located inside the renowned temple.
However, the company said in a statement yesterday that the coffee shop was actually in the Lingyin scenic area, about 20 minutes' walk from the temple's entrance.It was said the outlet would now be known as the Lingyin Starbucks.
Wang Shan, deputy director of the Lingyin office of the West Lake Administration in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, said, “Actually, the coffee house is a long distance from the temple.It is located in the tourist service area on Lingyin Road outside of the temple, as part of the supporting facilities.”
The temple's administration urged the cafe to change its name to make it clear that it was not located inside the temple.
In a heated online debate, critics said the U.S.chain's commercial style would spoil the serenity that an oriental Buddhism temple should embrace.
Supporters, however, said that the talk of an “invasion” was misplaced as the outlet was not inside the temple but on a nearby commercial street where a KFC restaurant and a shopping mall had been open for more than six months.
The incident follows calls in 2009 to stop an earlier “cultural invasion” when the Seattlebased coffee chain had to move its outlet out of Beijing's Forbidden City seven years after it opened.
Critics urged closure of the outlet, which they said was a “humiliation” for a culture exemplified by the ancient buildings.Why did the temple's administration urge the cafe to change its name?
A.To attract the tourists. |
B.To tell the public the coffee outlet doesn't lie inside the temple. |
C.To obey the government. |
D.To do something to protect the temple. |
Why did the Seattlebased coffee chain have to move its outlet out of Beijing's Forbidden City?
A.Because the Seattlebased coffee chain was thought as an earlier “cultural invasion”. |
B.Because it changed Chinese culture. |
C.Because the Seattlebased coffee chain earned much more money than the temples. |
D.Because the Seattlebased coffee chain closed the shops by itself. |
What's the best title of this passage?
A.Coffee shop's new outlet deletes the word “temple”. |
B.Cultural invasion. |
C.Starbucks chain invasion. |
D.Seattlebased coffee chain's invasion. |
In the last couple of years, there has been a craze about timetraveling TV series in China.This year, it seems like the South Korean drama writers have fallen in a deep, neverending love with the timetravel trend.
Rooftop Prince
A prince from the Joseon era (18th century), Lee Gak is catapulted 300 years forward into the future in Seoul 2012 with his entourage(随从) when he tries to investigate the suspicious circumstances which surround the death of the woman he loves.In the present, he finds a young woman who looks exactly like his beloved crown princess.
Queen Inhyun's Man
The drama, set during the Joseon era, features the hero Kim Boongdo as he tries to restore the exiled Queen Inhyun.It is in this time period he is given the timetraveling power that transports him to the future world where he makes friends with an actress playing the role of Queen Inhyun for a drama in her time.
Dr Jin
Jin Hyuk is a genius neurosurgeon.Through a mysterious power, Jin finds himself transported back in time 150 years.He begins treating people there, but the lack of equipment and medical knowledge of the period forces him to seek new ways to aid the sick.Through this challenging process, Jin eventually becomes a genuine doctor.
Operation Proposal
Kang Baekho realizes that he falls in love with his best friend, Ham Yiseul, on the day of her wedding to another man.He travels back in time to various events of their lives hoping to change the outcome of their relationship.Will Kang be able to change the course of their future?Which of the following words can replace “catapulted” in Paragraph 2?
A.Captured. | B.Transported. |
C.Traveled. | D.Deserted. |
What do the three TV series have in common?
A.They are all about love. |
B.They all describe what happened in ancient times. |
C.They are all based on true stories. |
D.They all feature timetravel. |
If you are interested in prince and princess story, which will you turn into?
A.Rooftop Prince. | B.Queen Inhyun's Man. |
C.Dr Jin. | D.Operation Proposal. |
The Healthy Habits Survey(调查) shows that only about one third of American seniors have correct habits.Here are some findings and expert advice.
1.How many times did you brush your teeth yesterday? ·Finding:A full 33% of seniors brush their teeth only once a day. ·Step:Remove the 300 types of bacteria in your mouth each morning with a batteryoperated toothbrush.Brush gently for 2 minutes at least twice a day. 2.How many times did you wash your hands or bathe yesterday? ·Finding:Seniors, on average, bathe fewer than 3 days a week.And nearly 30% wash their hands only 4 times a day—half of the number doctors recommend. ·Step:We touch our faces around 3,000 times a day—often inviting germs(病菌) to enter our mouth, nose, and eyes.Use toilet paper to avoid touching the door handle.And, most important, wash your hands often with hot running water and soap for 20 seconds. 3.How often do you think about fighting germs? ·Finding:Seniors are not fighting germs as well as they should. ·Step:Be aware of germs.Do you know it is not your toilet but your kitchen sponge(海绵) that can carry more germs than anything else? To kill these germs, keep your sponge in the microwave for 10 seconds. |
What is found out about American seniors?
A.Most of them have good habits. |
B.Nearly 30% of them bathe three days a week. |
C.All of them are fighting germs better than expected. |
D.About one third of them brush their teeth only once a day. |
Doctors suggest that people should wash their hands ________.
A.twice a day | B.three times a day |
C.four times a day | D.eight times a day |
Which of the following is true according to the text?
A.We should keep from touching our faces. |
B.There are less than 300 types of bacteria in the mouth. |
C.A kitchen sponge can carry more germs than a toilet. |
D.We should wash our hands before touching a door handle. |
The text probably comes from ________.
A.a guide book | B.a popular magazine |
C.a book review | D.an official document |
A kitchen that gives step-by-step cooking instructions in French could inspire a revolution in language learning in the UK. By using a new technology, it speaks to you as you prepare a French dish. The kitchen breaks new ground by taking language learning out of the classroom and linking it with an enjoyable and rewarding real-life activity.
The new kitchen is designed to be used in schools, universities and even people’s homes. It could also be an existing kitchen. The first version of the technology was tested in the kitchens of project partner Newcastle University. The kitchen could be available for schools and universities, and for the UK market by the June of 2014.
The Newcastle University team is now working on ways to put it on the market. And the European Union has given money to begin programs in six other languages, including English Italian and Spanish. Finally, versions could be developed for any language cuisine(烹饪法)in the world.
Professor Paul says, “By international standards, the UK students are now poor when it comes to learning languages—a problem that certainly has an economic influence. We believe that developing skills in a country’s language and its cuisine will help change the trend.”
On a computer fixed into the kitchen, the user first selects the French recipe(菜谱)they want to follow. Digital sensors built into dishes, containers and other equipment then communicate with the computer to make sure the right instructions are given at the right time, the user can ask the computer to repeat an instruction, or translate it into English, simply by pressing the touch screen. After cooking, the user can test what they have learned by carrying out a short test on the computer.
All grammar and vocabulary has been carefully selected to make sure that using the kitchen adds to basic proficiency(熟练)in understanding French.
Now three easy-carrying versions of the kitchen are being prepared. They’re to be fixed in Newcastle University and at Institute Francais, a London-based charity devoted to teaching the French language.The new kitchen is designed mainly to __________.
A.increase people’s interest in cooking |
B.teach people how to cook French dishes |
C.offer people a new way to learn languages |
D.help cooks learn spoken French in the kitchen |
Which of the following is TRUE about the kitchen?
A.It has versions in six languages now. |
B.It is already available for sale in the UK. |
C.It has received strong support from the EU. |
D.It can be used only in schools and university. |
When a person is using the kitchen, ___________.
A.it will give him a test on his cooking skills |
B.it can translate French into another language |
C.the cooking process will stop if he goes wrong |
D.he must be careful so as not to make mistakes |
What would be the best title for the text?
A.UK students have problems in language learning. |
B.New technology helps students learning cooking. |
C.An enjoyable and rewarding real-life activity. |
D.A Talking Kitchen That Teaches You French. |
BEIJING—Family planning officers will handle the illegal birth case of film director Zhang Yimou by following legal procedures, a government spokesman said on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
When asked to comment on Zhang’s case at a press conference, Yao Hongwen, spokesman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission(NHFPC), said “Every citizen is equal before the law and nobody is allowed to have privileges(特权)to give birth to more children than allowed.”
Yao’s comment came after media stories claimed that Zhang had remarried and fathered a total of seven children: one with his former wife, three with his present wife, Chen Ting, and another three from two lovers.
“The NHFPC’s attitude towards citizens’ birth violations(违法)is consistent and clear…Every Chinese citizen should obey and safeguard the seriousness of laws and regulations.” NHFPC spokesman Yao Hongwen said.
China’s family planning policy, introduced in the late 1970s to slow down the country’s growing population, limits most urban couples to one child and most rural couples to two. The policy was recently relaxed, allowing couples to have two children if one of them is an only child.
Those who break the policy face severe fines. The amount of the fine is generally several times the yearly annual income of the two spouses(配偶). Some media calculations put the fine that Zhang may face at as much as 160 million yuan(over $26 million).
Zhang’s birth case has caused criticism online about famous people who have more children than the policy allows.
In an open letter on December 1, Zhang admitted that the couple has two sons and daughter and they are willing to accept investigation and punishment according to China’s laws and regulations. He apologized to the public.
However, the letter denied that Zhang had lovers and was father to as many as seven children from various mothers.
Zhang, one of the “fifth generation” of Chinese filmmakers, made his first directorial work in 1987 with “Red Sorghum” and has won a number of award worldwide. He was chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.The purpose of the news report is to ______________
A.claim that Zhang Yimou remarried and fathered a total of seven children |
B.inform us that Zhang’s illegal birth case will be dealt with by the government |
C.convince us that Zhang is a famous director and his case will be pardoned |
D.confirm that Zhang’s illegal birth case has resulted in lots of criticism online |
According to Yao Hongwen, which of the following statements is true?
A.Every Chinese citizen should obey and safeguard laws and regulations. |
B.Few people have the privileges to give birth to more children than allowed. |
C.China’s family planning policy has never been relaxed since introduced. |
D.Zhang will be fined as much as 160 million yuan for his violations. |
Judging from the recent relaxed policy, a couple_______________
A.can have as many as three children if they live in a rural area |
B.will definitely be fined if they have two children nowadays |
C.can give birth to two children if one of them is an only child |
D.can only give birth to two children if they live in an urban area |