It was reported last week that developers could take photos from Apple mobile and Google Android devices without the phone owners knowing that the images were being taken. In Apple’s case, developers can also obtain the location information for each photo.
Senator(参议员) Charles Schumer said in a telephone interview that his office had spoken with officials at both Apple and Google on Monday.
“We asked them if they could find a way on their own to prevent Apple from having access to private information,” Mr. Schumer said. “They were friendly and open to the idea that this ought to be changed.”
On Sunday, Mr. Schumer said that he planned to send a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to investigate Apple and Google after the privacy concerns came to light. Claudia Bourne Farrell, an F.T.C. spokeswoman, said the agency had received the letter but she could not comment further.
“It worries people to think that one’s personal photos, address book, and who knows what else can be obtained and even posted online without permission,” Mr. Schumer wrote in his letter to the F.T.C. “If the technology exists to open the door to this kind of privacy invasion, then surely technology exists to close it, and that’s exactly what must happen.”
Mr. Schumer said if Apple and Google could not come to an agreement to fix the problem, then he would be forced to take the issue further.
He said other companies had been willing to work with his office to fix issues. “I’m optimistic that we can get this changed without any regulation,” he said. “If it’s not changed, then we’ll turn to the F.T.C., and if that doesn’t work then we’ll consider legislative approach.”
The F.T.C. has warned companies to try to be more vigilant(警醒的) in their efforts to protect consumers when it comes to privacy.The senators spoke with officials at both Apple and Google___________.
A.to urge them not to invade consumers’ privacy |
B.to discuss whether it is illegal to have access to private information |
C.to stop them from developing the technology of taking photos |
D.to keep them from obtaining the location information for each photo |
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A.Privacy invasion from Apple has existed for a long time. |
B.Mr. Schumer takes the privacy concerns caused by Apple and Google seriously. |
C.Privacy invasion from Google has existed for a long time. |
D.Apple and Google have decided to make a change. |
Mr. Schumer’s letter to the F.T.C. mainly shows that the technology to open the door to privacy invasion___________.
A. causes privacy invasion to happen frequently
B. can be used if permitted
C. causes people to worry about the safety of their personal information
D. causes personal information to be posted online without permissionIf the privacy concerns can’t be solved with the help of the F.T.C., ___________.
A. The senators will force the companies not to invade privacy
B. The companies will be closed
C. The companies will be fined
D. The senators will turn to legislationWhere can we read about the passage?
A.In a newspaper. | B.In a travel brochure. |
C.In a science report. | D.In a textbook. |
I love exploring new places. Whether I travel across America or around the world,a new adventure is always waiting. What I don’t always enjoy is the time spent 9,000 meters(30,000 feet)in the air. Tight spaces, long hours, and unexpected-problems can make air travel stressful. Follow these six tips to make your next flight a braze.
1. Make a checklist. Before you pack,make a checklist of everything you need and mark item off as you put them in your bag. Be sure you include important documents, such as your passport.
2. Pack light. You don’t need to pack your whole closet. Choose clothes that mix and match for more variety. Wear your largest shoes on the place to save room in your bag. And pack a few old items that you can leave behind to make more room for souvenirs(纪念品) on the way home.
3. Carry on essential (基本的)items. Unfortunately, dependable baggage service is hard to come by. When you fly, be sure to pack your medicine, important documents, and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.
4. Pack water and snacks. No one wants to get stuck on a runway for hours without food, water. But bad weather or mechanical problems could leave you stranded(进退两难的). Pack water and crackers in your carry-on. But leave fresh foods at home. Most countries won’t allow you to bring them across their borders.
5. Stretch your legs. More and more travelers suffer from blood clots caused by sitting too long in tight spaces. You can help prevent this problem by doing stretches in your seat taking short walks every hour.
6. Entertain yourself. A long trip can either mean hours of boredom or an exciting adventure. Plan ahead to keep yourself busy with books,magazines and portable CD player. Just don’t forget to bring extra batteries.
Research airlines before you book your reservations. For just a few dollars more,some airlines offer personal entertainment systems. Singapore Air gives you nearly 70 choices of movies,music channels, and other entertainment!
With a little planning ahead,you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the ride.
1. It is advised by the writer in this passage to _____ for your flight.
A. pack all the things you will need B. leave your important documents behind
C. carry some fresh foods with you D. take some books, magazines and CD players
2. Which of the following tips isn’t mentioned in this passage?
A. Researching airlines before reservations. B. Staying still during the whole flight.
C. Carrying some water and essential items. D. Making a list of the things you need.
3. The underlined phrase “come by” in tip 3 probably means _____.
A. receive by chance B. obtain by effort C. pass by D. offer in satisfaction
4. We can conclude from this passage that _____.
A. you will get sick during the long flight hours
B. old items are not allowed to bring back on the way home
C. you are not allowed to carry things as freely as you want
D. you can also board the plane without your passport
The bicycle is the common sight in our daily life, as a great many Chinese use one every day. But you may not know its role in strengthening international relations, as it did in the case of US President George W. Bush’s visit to China .
President Bush arrived in Beijing on November 19, 2005 after he finished the APEC meeting in South Korea.He met with Chinese top leaders and achieved agreements on trade, Taiwan issue and more.
Although Bush’s trip was short as 40 hours, he managed to spare a moment to do some cycling. On November 20, he rode up and down a steep path at Laoshan Olympic Mountain Bike Course in Beijing’s suburbs.
Six young Chinese cyclists accompanied the president, who was dressed in a Chinese training uniform with the “Beijing 2008” logo (标志). He did not go along the arranged route and chose a more zigzag(曲折的) hiking path.
“How do you say, ‘take it easy on the old man’?” Bush joked to his partners before setting out.
“Compared with my bike path on the Crawford ranch (农场) , this one is greater and really difficult,” said Bush when his 45-minute ride ended. He said he will come to Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games.
This is not Bush’s first cycle ride in Beijing. In 1975 at the age of 29, he visited the Chinese capital for the first time, when his father was head of the US liaison office (联络处) in Beijing, which Bush described as “fantastic”.
However, observers said Bush’s ride is much more than just his favorite pastime. It expressed friendliness with people in China, where the bicycle is an important part of life and culture.
According to the Washington Post, one of the major newspapers in the US, this was a specially arranged activity by the US Government, for they want to send the Chinese a sign of friendship. “The president is by no means hostile (有敌意的) to China,” it said.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?
A. Every Chinese has at least one bicycle
B. The bicycle is the common sight in our daily life
C. Bicycle can play a role in improving relationship between nations
D. President George W. Bush is fond of cycling
2. President George W. Bush went cycling ______.
A. wearing a T-shirt with the “Beijing 2008” logo
B. up and down a path on Laoshan Mountain
C. accompanied by six young Chinese policemen
D. along a more challenging way without arrangement
3. Bush said “take it easy on the old man” to his partners probably because ______.
A. he wanted to make them easy
B. he wanted to make a joke about them
C. he wanted to tell them it would be a more zigzag hiking path
D. he wanted to show them it would be a easy task for an old man
4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Bush’s first cycle ride was in 1975.
B. Bush’s ride was specially arranged by the Washington Post.
C. Bush’s ride is more a sign of friendship than just his favorite pastime.
D. Bush will come to Beijing to take part in the Olympic cycling games in 2008.
More than 20,000 drivers and front seat passengers are killed or seriously injured each year. At a speed of only 30 miles per hour it is the same as falling from a third floor window. Wearing a seat belt saves lives; it reduces your chance of death or serious injury by more than half.
Therefore drivers or front seat passengers over 14 most vehicles must wear a seat belt. If you do not, you could be fined up to $50. It will not be up to the drivers to make sure you wear your belt. But it will be the driver’s responsibility to make sure that children under 14 do not ride in the front unless they are wearing a seat belt of some kind.
However, you do not have to wear a seat belt if you are reversing(倒退) your vehicle; or you are making a local delivery or collection using a special vehicle; or if you have a valid(正当的) medical certificate(证书)which excuses you from wearing it. Make sure these cases supply to you before you decide not to wear your seat belt. Remember you may be taken to court for not doing so, and you may be fined if you cannot prove to the court you have been excused from wearing.
1. This passage is probably taken from ______.
A. medical magazine B. a legal document
C. a textbook D. a government information booklet
2. Wearing a seat belt in a vehicle ______.
A. reduces road accidents by more than half
B. reduces the death rate in traffic accidents
C. saves lives while driving at a speed up to 30 miles per hour
D. saves more than 16,000 lives each year
3. It is the driver’s responsibility to ______.
A. make the front seat passenger wear a seat belt
B. make the front seat children under 14 wear a seat belt
C. stop children from riding in the front seat
D. wear a seat belt each time he drives
4. For some people, it may be better to ______.
A. pay a fine rather than wear a seat belt
B. wear a seat belt for health reasons
C. (not to) wear seat belt for health reasons
D. get a valid medical certificate before wearing a seat belt
第三部分:阅读理解(共20题;每小题2分,共40分)
阅读下列短文,从每题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。
You have heard the expression “horse sense”. As you may imagine, it came from the time when the majority of people traveled in vehicles drawn by horses. A horse does have a lot of common sense, and there are many true stories about horses having saved their drivers from danger of death.
Today for the most part, people travel by train, ship, airplane, and car, but very little by the use of horses. Modern vehicles are propelled by engines, and an engine does not have any sense. In case of danger, many horses could be depended on to help. Not so with the engine; the driver must do all the things.
In recent years, the speed of travel has increased greatly. With the increased speed comes greatly increased danger. The driver of a powerful engine needs to be careful. A moment of being careless may cost a life. In order to drive today, a person must be able to see clearly, and he must learn and follow carefully the rules for safety on the road. Greater attention is the price we pay for using a machine instead of a horse.
1. The passage mainly talks about ______.
A. engines B. safe driving C. using horses D. modern machines
2. The underlined word “propel” in the second paragraph means ______.
A. repair B. raise C. push forward D. made
3. It can be inferred from the passage that ______.
A. a driver must know the rules of safety
B. a driver needs to be able only to tell red from green
C. an eye test is an important part of a driver’s examination
D. greater attention is needed for a driver while driving a machine
4. Which of the following is NOT true?
A. A driver must be able to see and hear well.
B. The driver of a car must follow the rules of safety.
C. Horses are known to have saved their drivers from injury.
D. It is better for vehicles to be pulled by horse than to be pushed by engine.
Everybody hates rats. But in the earthquake capitals of the world – Japan, Los Angeles, Turkey – rats will soon be man’s new best friends.
What happens after an earthquake? We send in rescue dogs. Why? Because they can smell people. Dogs save lives. They help rescuers to find living people. But dogs are big and they can’t get into small spaces. So now a new research project is using a smaller animal to save lives: the rat.
How does it work? First , the rat is trained to smell people. When this happens, the rat’s brain gives a signal(信号).This is sent to a small radio on its back, and then the rescuers follow the radio signals. When rat’s brain activity jumps, the rescuers know that someone is alive. The rat has smelled that person.
Although there are already robots which can do this job, rats are better. Christian Linster at Cornell University, New York, says, “Robots’ noses don’t work well when there are other smells around. Rats are good at that. ” Rats can also see in the dark. They are cheaper and quicker to train than dogs, and unlike robots, they don’t need electricity!
The “rat project” is not finished, but Julie Ryan of International Rescue Corps in Scotland says, “It would be fantastic. A rat could get into spaces we couldn’t get to, and a rat would get out if it wasn’t safe.” Perhaps for the first time in history, people will be happy to see a rat in a building(but only after an earthquake, of course.)
1.In the world earthquake capitals, rats will bee man’s best friends because they can .
A.take the place of man’s rescue jobs
B.find the position of people alive who are trapped in buildings
C.serve as food for people alive who are trapped in buildings
D.get into small spaces
2.From the third paragraph we know the rescuers can judge a person is alive by .
A.the noise made by the rat
B.the rat’s unusual behaviour
C.the signal sent by the radio on the rat’s back
D.the smell given off by the person
3.In doing rescue jobs, .
A.rats smell better than dogs
B.dogs don’t need to be trained to smell people
C.robots’ sense of smell can be affected by other smells around
D.rats can see in the dark and smaller than robots
4.Rats have all the following advantages except that .
A.they are more fantastic than other animals
B.they are less expensive to train than dogs
C.they don’t need electricity
D.they are small and can get into small places
5.After reading the passage we can know .
A.at present rats have taken the place of dogs in searching for people
B.the “rat project” has been finished
C.people are now happy to see a rat in a building
D.now people still use dogs and robots in saving people