News report 1：
To make travel less difficult for passengers during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, new technology is now being used at train stations and airports in Chinese cities.
At Guangzhou South Railway Station,16 machines allow passengers to check their tickets by themselves before they pass through the gates. The whole process only takes about 5 seconds
per person to scan the passengers'train tickets and their personal ID cards.
Passengers leaving from Beijing Railway Station can use the "Shake"function of WeChat on
their smartphones to find information related to waiting rooms,train timetables,lost things,etc.
Services at airports have also been improved with smart technology.China Southern Airlines
passengers can get detailed information about their flights such as arrival time,departure gates and the local weather on their phones. They only have to scan the bar codes on their boarding passes.
答案：1. A 2. D
News report 2：
Nothing destroys lunchtime conversations more than a smartphone.And McDonald's thinks it has a way to deal with our modern addiction.
The fast food chain has recently introduced smartphone lockers in one of its stores in Singapore, in order to encourage diners to put their phones away and have real conversations over meals.
According to a survey conducted by McDonald's Singapore, about 98 percent of parents and 91percent of kids have the habit of using their smartphones when out with their family. And about 69 percent of parents and 72 percent of kids admitted using phones during mealtimes.
"This Phone Off,Fun On'campaign is part of our efforts to encourage families to spend quality time together," said a director of McDonald's Singapore.
Although the campaign is targeted at families, the service is free for anyone to use.
答案：1. C 2.A 3.D
Conversation 1:
Lisa: Hey,Kim.What are you doing?
Kim: Oh,you'll like this.It's a new website that helps you improve your writing skills for free.
Lisa: Really?That would be really helpful. Kim: Yeah,and I'm signing up right now.
Lisa: Let me see that.
Kim: It's easy.You just enter your name,your birthday,your address,and your bank information. What?And your credit card number?
Lisa: Wait!I thought you said it was free.
Kim: Itis free.
Lisa: Then,why do they need your bank and credit card information?
Kim: Well,…maybe just to check your identity or something like that.
Lisa: It sounds strange to me.How do you know that this is a trusted website?Look. That doesn't look like a safe Web address.
Kim: Well, you don't understand. It says right here on their page:“Our goal is help you learn. Trust us. We know how to help you in 15 days or below.”
Lisa: That's terrible English.Who wrote this? What country are theyin?You need to help them with their English.I mean,this is a sure sign that they are probably trying to steal your personal information and
your identity.
Kim: No.Look.Here is a picture of their staff. They look honest.
Lisa: You're so quick to trust.
Kim: Hey!What are you doing?
答案：1. B 2. C 3.A
Conversation 2:
Erica：Hey,Wang Hao,isn't this technology exhibition amazing? I just met a team from JapanThey are working on some new security technology.
Wang Hao: What is that?
Erica: It's earprint technology!
Wang Hao: Earprint technology? How does that work?
Erica: It's similar to fingerprint technology. Did you know that everyone's ear has its own shape? This shape can be used to prove your identity! With this technology, you just press your smartphone against your ear to unlock it.
Wang Hao: Wow!The Japanese have some great tech ideas. Earlier I was talking with a Japanese team working on robots.
Erica: Yes, robots are very popular there, aren't they?
Wang Hao:They are!These new robots are designed to work in airports. They can welcome passengers and help them with their bags.Wouldn't it be fun to walk through an airport with robots?
Erica: Well, maybe. But I'm not sure I like robots.
Wang Hao: That's because you haven't met the right robot yet! Did you know that some engineers are developing a friendship robot? You can have real conversations with it. Isn't that cool?
Erica: I'd have to think about that. Is it really satisfying to have conversations with robots?
Wang Hao: You might be surprised!
答案：1. B 2. C 3.C 4.C
Passage 1:
In recent decades, technology has influenced people's lives in important ways. Let's look at a few interesting examples.
Technology has changed daily life in urban societies.For example, in the city of Dubai, just about every aspect of life has moved online. Today, people find jobs and homes online. They get their food and medicine online. In fact, the government plans to meet 90 percent of people's everyday needs online.
Technology has also influenced farming societies. Take Nigeria for example. The majority of Nigerian workers have jobs in the farming sector. The Internet is providing these farmers with better information about the weather, their local plants, and new farming methods. These development are changing how Nigerian farmers do their work.
Not all of technology's influences are positive, however. In Iceland, technology has a role to play in the loss of the Icelandic language. Icelander spend a lot of time on the Internet. Online, they have to communicate in English. As a result, they are losing touch with the Icelandic language. Researchers are worried that the Internet may be speeding up the loss of many smaller languages just like Icelandic.
答案：1. B 2. C 3.C
Passage 2:
These days everyone seems to be online. In the richest countries, like Great Britain, this seems especially true.But a new survey of Britons shows that this is not the case.Actually,almost one fifth of Britons do not use the Internet.This finding challenges our common ideas about Internet use. So, what's behind these strange results?
According to the survey,18 percent of Britons never use the Internet. This number is much higher than researchers expected. There are a number of factors that can contribute to people not using the Internet.
One of the main factors is wealth.Even though there are many places like public libraries which offer Internet access for free, these people still have fewer opportunities to go online. This is because many poorer people may not be able to afford computers or smartphones.
Another important factor is age. After the age of 50, people tend to reduce their Internet use.This is unfortunate,because older people can benefit a lot from being online.The Internet can provide them with useful information on medical issues and access to support groups.
答案：1. D 2. D 3.A
